Book Review: Lost Echoes

Reviewed By: Lynn Harnett

Lost Echoes     Amazon US TPB Amazon Canada TPB
Joe R. Lansdale
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Supernatural   Thriller
Vintage Paperback, Feb. 2007, 352 pgs

An East Texas boy, Harry Wilkes’ unenviable “gift” is the ability to experience violent moments, particularly murder, from the victim’s point of view. Given Lansdale’s vivid prose this makes for some hard going until Harry first deadens his gift with alcohol and then meets a mentor, a drunken martial-arts sensei with his own burden of guilt, who teaches Harry self-control while healing himself.

The story ambles along, spurred by violence, drink, the exertion of control and the nature of friendship until his old childhood love, Kayla, now a cop, asks Harry for help in proving her father was murdered. The pace accelerates as Harry stumbles and bulls his way into a story that grows and twists with every step.

Full of Texas swagger, hard truths and sharp insights, this is a thriller with character, guts and speed.

Lynn Harnett

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Lynn Harnett

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.