Concrete Desert
(Jon Talton)
Jon Talton?s debut novel?Concrete Desert?features David Mapstone. An
intellectual who failed to make the grade as a university professor,
Mapstone returns home to Phoenix to work in the Maricopa Sheriff?s
Department. He is not, however, a regular deputy. Rather, he becomes
something of a cold case specialist, investigating unsolved cases from
earlier times. His superior (and old friend), Chief Deputy Mike
Peralta, figures that such work rates as a good use of his training as
an historian.Talton succeeds wonderfully well in fleshing out
Mapstone?s character. From time to time, he has him bemoaning his fate
and uttering wry asides about the state of higher education in the
United States at the end of the 20th century. Among Mapstone?s
distinguishing characteristics are a genuine love for jazz and a
special affection for the home of his (deceased) grandparents who
raised him (following the premature death of his parents). He resides
in their home and finds solace there, especially when he?s experiencing
moments of turmoil and indecision in either his personal or his
professional life.Aside from presenting readers with
well-developed characters, Talton offers also refreshing descriptions
of the Phoenix area. Anyone who?s never been to Phoenix will enjoy
getting to know the city through his descriptions. They are an
education in and of themselves, especially when he talks about the
Desert and how expanding residential and commercial development is
adversely affecting it.Another aspect of Talton?s storytelling
is the extent to which he adds a historical perspective to it. In fact,
in Concrete Desert, Mapstone finds himself solving two crimes decades
apart but inextricably linked to each other. In the course of his
investigation, he crosses paths with a crusty, retired law official who
proves invaluable in helping Mapstone to solve one of his cases.It?s
no surprise to see that Talton has gone on to produce a series of
murder mysteries built around Mapstone. The unusual law officer is
bound to attract a loyal following of readers.
Resumos Relacionados
- Dead Midnight
- Murder At The Fbi
- Le Petit Prince
- The Twin Paradox
- She Walks These Hills
|
|
