A.A. Abbott

GREAT CRIME STORY WRITER

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Book Review – The Locksmith, by Jo Ullah

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A good read in the gothic tradition

Book Review of The Locksmith Suspense Thriller by Jo Ullah a good read and a page turnerThe Locksmith is a good read for the summer holidays – not just because it’s about a mother taking her children to stay on a farm during the long vacation, but because the light evenings are less conducive to book-induced nightmares. While the book is written in a deceptively simple style, it’s a suspense thriller in the gothic tradition. An air of menace pervades the pages, mounting as twists unfold. Like the boobytraps placed around the farm, it’s evident that tragedy will strike, but it’s only at the last minute that we find out how and when.

Scars of the past

Artist Jude has escaped a violent marriage and found contentment with a new lover, Spider. Together, they have a young baby as well as Jude’s two children from her first marriage. Family life in Bristol’s Bohemian Montpelier district seems idyllic, but cracks are beginning to show. Middle child Immy displays unsettling signs of a sixth sense. Adolescent Ben chafes at the restrictions imposed on him and resents his stepfather’s authority. Spider bears the scars of an unhappy childhood, but refuses to talk about it. Jude decides the answer for her is more physical and mental space. When Spider’s mother invites her to bring the children to stay on the family farm for the summer, the offer is too tempting to ignore.

Page turner awash with surprises

Despite deepening unease, the story abounds with gentle humour, especially in the clash of urban and rural mores. The children discover that nature is red in tooth and claw. There is also a priceless trip to a snobby town near the farm. Jo Ullah strikes the perfect balance between entertainment and edge-of-the-seat fear, creating a page turner awash with surprises to keep you guessing.

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Read it and sleep – if you dare…

Do you like sinister stories with a Bristol edge? If so, try “A Dark Imagined Bristol”, a collection of short tales that are just that. Although I’m a crime thriller writer, I turned my hand to a disturbing supernatural story, “First Blood”, especially for a “A Dark Imagined Bristol”. Read it, and sleep – if you dare…

Thriller of the Month – 99 Red Balloons, by Libby Carpenter

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99 Red Balloons – named after, and featuring the 1980s song by the enviably beautiful Nena – is Libby Carpenter’s first novel. It’s a twisting crime thriller, and although it was only released a few days ago, it’s already creating a buzz.

A huge emotional punch

So what’s the fuss about? First and foremost, 99 Red Balloons packs a huge emotional punch for any parent, as it’s the story of two little girls who go out to buy sweets and don’t come back. With particular piquancy, the children are stolen three decades apart, leaving two families fractured.

The tale is told in the first person from different points of view – a child, an aunt, a grandmother, and chillingly, an abductor. This offers insights, often painful, into the characters’ lives and feelings. I would defy anyone to read the book from cover to cover without crying at least once. There are, however,  heartwarming aspects too, for example when grandmother Maggie realises her estranged son-in-law has never stopped searching for his lost daughter.

Not for your maiden aunt

Was there anything I didn’t like? No – it’s well-written, credible and flows beautifully – but I wouldn’t buy it as a present for a maiden aunt who hated swearing. Some of the characters are (believably) potty-mouthed. I also found it difficult to follow the switches between 1980s flashbacks and the present day, but I suspect that was a deliberate ploy by the writer to maintain tension. It certainly worked, with a couple of breathtaking twists towards the end of the story.

Crimetastic

I chose to buy the book because I met author Libby Carpenter at Crimefest earlier this year, and her short description of the plot gripped my attention straight away. In case you didn’t know, Crimefest is a crazy weekend in Bristol in May. Held at the Marriott Royal Hotel, home to many a corporate convention. it’s just like a business conference except that the subject matter is crime fiction. Avid readers and writers rub shoulders with the greats, there are panels and prizes, and publishers pay for unlimited wine for all. There are free books too. It’s a crimetastic bash and highly recommended – as is 99 Red Balloons.

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As well as reading crime thrillers, I also like to write a great crime story full of twists. The Grass Trail is my latest – a tense crime thriller similar in style to Robert Galbraith, Ruth Rendell and John Grisham. Shaun Halloran wouldn’t be in prison if Kat White hadn’t taken his gun. As soon as he can escape, she’s dead. But with his criminal empire crumbling, who can he trust? Find out more about this cracking crime story and download a free sample from Amazon (this is the UK link, but you can find the book on all other Amazon sites too).