ego

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Post Script -The Killing Of Bobbi Lomax – Cal Moriarty

“Want. Want. Want. Over reason.”

Cover The Killing of Bobbi Lomax

The Killing of Bobbi Lomax

Cal Moriarty

Faber and Faber

Allen & Unwin

ISBN: 9780571305391

RRP $29.99

 

Description:

When a sleepy, devout town is rocked by three deadly bombs in 24 hours an extraordinary mystery is unravelled…

The Killing of Bobbi Lomax is the story of Clark Houseman, a rare books dealer, an expert in his field, beloved by both collectors and The Faith – the immensely powerful local church, and one of his biggest clients.

Beloved, that is, until he is blown up by the city’s third bomb in less than twenty-four hours. As Clark hovers on the brink of death first on the scene are Detectives Sinclair and Alvarez who, after the previous deadly blasts, are under pressure to close the case and stop panic spreading through their community. Amid a vortex of conspiracy theories and local politics, their investigation unearths a web of intrigue surrounding The Faith and its secretive dealings. With time running out, the Detectives start to wonder if there could be more to the mild-mannered, bookish Clark Houseman than first thought…

My View:

What a wonderful debut novel – clever, complex, multi layered; murders, scams, corruption, politics, religion and revenge and ego – this book has it all.

This is a very visual narrative – the settings – small town, “religious heartlands” USA, 1980’s  – no mobiles, or computers, or internet, the policing is done the old fashioned way – interviews, hard work, assessing the crime scene evidence… and listening to “experts” in their field. In this narrative, the cops are the good guys, mostly, the main characters Marty and Al are likeable and there is just a hint of the past that influences their present space. I think we will hear more about them in ensuing reads from this talented author.

I love the phrase, Clark’s mantra “Want. Want, Want. Over reason.” How accurate does that sum up most of life lessons?  “Want” wins every time, feeds the ego. The cynic in me long ago identified the “give them/tell them what they want to hear” approach to…quite a few thingsJ especially when dealing with bureaucracy. Clark however uses this approach to maximise his influence and feed his need for power and money. It is ironic that it also leads to his downfall.

This novel has a great rhythm and pace; you just sit back and let the narrative lead you to the conclusion. The narrative has control! A control you willing hand over. Relax, immerse and enjoy this read.

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Post Script: Reality – Ray Glickman

Bold, slick and acerbic.

Reality

Reality

Ray Glickman

Fremantle Press

ISBN: 9781922089373

 

Description:

Six people have been chosen at random. Without their knowledge, Kathy, Mario, Garry, Hannah, Robert and Julia are about to participate in the ultimate game of manipulation.

 

A stranger brings them together, but can this ruthless puppeteer really be held responsible for the choices each makes? In the end, who is to blame for their actions: for their deceit, infidelity and crime?

 

At the heart of this thought-provoking novel lie questions of fate and self-determination.

 

 

My View:

 

I love that Ray Glickman has successfully (I hope) rid himself of all the angst and frustration his working life has heaped onto his shoulders by writing this witty, honest and scathing attack on the mindless, selfish, irresponsible actions of the individual (and the Corporate) and how easily we can all be manipulated to serve the purpose of …well anyone if you know how to play the game.

 

I really enjoyed reading about local haunts that I too was aware of – Milk’d café, The Department of … best leave that one there it sounded very much like more than one government department I have worked in – full of self-serving egotists…always worried about the bottom line and their own job “The Department was paralysed by inertia and stultified by ancient rules and regulations” (p. 31) …Glickman makes fun of everything and everyone – no one is safe, “The Britney Generation” (p.18), “Wait A-while WA” (p.14), lawyers, executives…no one is spared. And it is all so familiar to the cynic in us all.

 

I admire Glickman’s sarcasm, his wit and his sense of humour. He plays with his characters, plays with the culture that is Perth and produces a read that is for the most parts engaging and enlightening. Where would we be without ego? How much ego is too much of a good thing? How easily do we display our secrets under the guise of social media “sharing” and “likes”, and who or what can be trusted or manipulated here? Everyone it seems.

 

This is a thought provoking read which only loses momentum for a short while in the middle section before bursting back to life. Thank you Ray Glickman for saying all those things we secretly say to ourselves and don’t have the courage to say out loud…and for extolling the virtues of so many exceptional Western Australian wines amongst your storytelling.