When a good childhood friend moves away, one doesn’t want to admit you will likely never see him or her again, never create new good times, or experience wild new adventures. Sometimes, the chance is given to relish those last moments, tough as they are, laughing as that choked up feeling reminds that the end is near and soon memories will be all that remain. Yet too often, that friend leaves for good, a face pressed against a car window fading into the distance.
Such is the case here in the third “Early Years Trilogy” novel (is read?). Pages turn much too quickly toward the shattering end as the reader attempts to slow down time.
F Paul Wilson may have given his fans the last new look at Repairman Jack yet at least they know the score.
The first two books of the trilogy, COLD CITY and DARK CITY set up Repairman Jack’s immersion into New York City when he was just….Jack. As engrossing as the Young Repairman Jack series but much darker, the reader follows Jack along a path that explains the iconic character seen in THE TOMB, LEGACIES, and NIGHTWORLD. The relationships with Abe and Julio further deepen as Jack finds most people he encounters cannot be trusted.
Kristen (Cristin), his girlfriend from the first two books, has dumped him yet wishes to make up, then disappears. A group of terrorists plot the destruction of two signature structures in Manhattan and aim to cripple the States with the gesture. Dane Bertel has returned to enlist Jack’s help, although his motives remain as shadowy as the man himself. Finally, a grisly murder (of a high priced call girl), the “Ditmas Dahlia,” has made headlines +and has Jack on a mission to find the killer of a someone that most consider a “no one.” The reach of the Septimus Order is ever present and begins to unfurl its true mission that will continue through the “Secret History Of The World.”
As usual, while the plot is tight and has more twists than usual, the writing +is succinct and powerful, it’s the characters who make a F. Paul Wilson novel. Readers can almost see the darkening of Jack’s psyche as he clings tight to who he wishes to be. The bonds he has created tighten and the friendships deepen, keeping him from being truly alone in his off the grid life in the big city. Abe shines throughout, leaving this reviewer hoping to see the man again, hopefully with his own story? Nobody is safe in this series, which makes certain events that much more wrenching. Each wonderfully drawn character lives and speaks his or her story, even the villains, who are never one-dimensional.
One the final page is turned, just about every fan will be wishing for more, but knowing the tale has been told and the city will continue to mold Repairman Jack into +the man who Wilson’s fans have grown to love over the years. Hopefully, he will reemerge one day when ready to spin a new yarn. Until then, readers will have to reread the entire series during the period of withdrawal.
Jack might be gone but readers will keep a close eye on neighborhood street, hoping to hear that old friend coming back home to visit once more.
- THE BEST OF ROD SERLING’S TWILIGHT ZONE - April 11, 2015
- BLIND RAGE - April 11, 2015
- Black Static #44-45 - April 11, 2015
- The Halloween Children - February 12, 2015
- Darkness Ad Infinitum - November 24, 2014
- Fear City - October 5, 2014
- The Boneyard - July 24, 2014
- Double Feature: A Novel - July 24, 2014
- Never Alone - July 24, 2014
- Blind Vengence - July 24, 2014
