Review: The Best Revenge

In his latest novel to feature clinical psychologist Alan Gregory, Stephen White has put together a confusing mystery. Tom Clone is released from prison after thirteen years on Death Row, when the chance discovery of the murder weapon proves that he was innocent. However, it soon becomes clear that Clone has to watch his back, and when he ends up in therapy with Alan Gregory, the psychologist is drawn into the problem.

'Warning Signs', White's previous novel, was excellent and believable. 'The Best Revenge', unfortunately, is not. When the denouement of the novel begins to play out, the behaviour of some of the characters becomes incomprehensible and stretches the bounds of credulity. White spends a long time attempting to recreate the speech patterns of someone who has suffered a bee sting to the mouth. It seemed unnecessary, and he would have been better to spend more time working on the plot.

For the first half of the novel, it would seem that Alan Gregory is just a side character, with no real use at all. The reader will be intrigued by the actions of Kelda and Clone and it would seem that the novel could work without Gregory. He plays a more important role later in the novel, but as White switches from first-person to third -person narrative, the reader may wonder if this should have been a Gregory novel.

This is not to say that the book is dreadful. Indeed, far from it. There is suspense and action, but at times, there is the distinct feeling that White is trying too hard to have a thriller firing on all cylinders. If you are planning to start a novel by this author, there are ten more books to choose from, and 'The Best Revenge' is nowhere near the best example of his great talent. It is readable, it is interesting, but in attempting to go that extra mile, he has gone too far.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Book Review: The Best Revenge