Book Review: South Town

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

South Town     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Rick Riordan
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Hard Boiled
Series: Tres Navarre # 5
Bantam, May 2004, $24.00, 272 pp.

Will “Ghost” Stirman is the poster boy for a sociopath as he murders seemingly aimlessly though revenge enters his amoral thought process. However, anyone who knows Will’s past will feel an iota of sympathy towards him as mankind sent Will down his homicidal path when thugs killed his wife and their infant. Still he does not need much of a thread to connect an innocent to someone who hurt him or his family.

Those involved in the murders of Will’s family and anyone associated with his incarceration have reason to be afraid for Will bloodily breaks out of Floresville State Prison where he was serving a ninety-nine year sentence. Private investigator Tres Navarre’s boss Erainya Manos is guilty of association, having been the spouse of the guy who not only got Will put away, but he also was directly involved in the incident that turned Stirman into a killer. Though she had no previous involvement, Erainya realizes an eye for an eye or perhaps a spouse for a spouse is a possibility since her husband is dead and the devil is heading her way. Tres plans to help his mentor survive the deadly Will.

Fans of the private detective sub-genre will want to read this terrific tale that stars a wonderful hero, an intriguing killer, and a powerful support cast. The story line never slows down as the audience follows the steps towards a final confrontation. Will is a tremendous antagonist whose mind went over the edge when his family were killed and cannot delineate right from wrong when it comes to connecting the dots. This fabulous tale will have readers spending the evening with reliable writer Rick Riordan.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner