Lone Wolf
by Linwood Barclay
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Book Summary Information
Author: Linwood BarclayEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-09-26
ISBN: 0553804553
Number of pages: 464
Publisher: Bantam
Book Reviews of Lone Wolf
Book Review: 3.5 Stars . . . Cardboard Fun
Summary: 3 Stars
I first discovered Linwood Barclay's writing through his recent suspense novels. Like Harlan Coben, Barclay has segued his mysteries into suspense-driven tales, coming up with a blend of plot and character and many twists and turns. I'm a big fan of both, especially appreciating Barclay's extra attention to his protagonists.
"Lone Wolf" is my first encounter with Barclay's Zach Walker mysteries, and it was a fun one. Zach is honest, sometimes acerbic, and not the over-the-top macho man found in many series. In this, the third installment in the series, Zach is called north to the lake where his father resides. A body has been found, mauled by a bear, and the authorities believe that the senior Walker is the victim. But as Zach gets involved in the mystery, the identities of both the victim and the suspect are called into question. Soon Zach is pulled into conflict with the conservative townsfolk, a greedy investor, and a family of wackos intent on blowing up the local parade with their own bomb, ala Oklahoma City and Timothy McVeigh.
It's a great setup, and it's lots of fun, with some good hand-wringing moments. Unfortunately, the mystery is pretty thin, with the only real twists coming more on the relational end (and I did like that element). My primary complaint, though, was the use of stereotypes--almost to the point of cartoonism--for the villains and side players alike. The wackos could be cardboard cutouts of every thing we assume about right-wing military fundamentalists, and the locals of the small town are sometimes equally shallow, particularly the bumbling sheriff. I give kudos for the attempt to show some love for diversity, but honoring diversity doesn't seem very honoring if it paints the other side in such broad strokes. I'm just sayin'. . .
Overall, the story is fast-paced, easy-reading entertainment, but I much prefer Barclay's most recent four novels, with their focus on stronger suspense and deeper characterization. I'll certainly finish out the Zach Walker books, but I especially anticipate Barclay's next blockbuster--and hope it earns him the acclaim he deserves.
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