Short story, psychological thriller
On Amazon UK HERE
On Amazon.com HERE
I downloaded this short story via Kindle Unlimited after reading a review of the audio version on another book blog, Between The Lines.
Set in suburban Washington DC, Jack Tate is a recluse, a freelance illustrator who doesn't fit in with his neighbours. When disaster strikes the local community, parents are looking for someone to blame.
At first I liked Jack Tate, and even when I started to think he was a bit odd I still sort of liked him. I certainly didn't think he was as weird as his neighbours did...
This is a long short story, took about forty-five minutes to read, I think. Very sharp and well-written, clever, with a certain amount of dry wit and clues about the truth of the situation so subtle that it's easy to miss them. I was on Jack's side, hating the small-minded, blinkered views of his neighbours. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even taking my Kindle with me when I was making tea, etc, as I was so keen to keep reading. I would have given it 5* if I hadn't guessed the twist about two thirds from the end; a good short story is all about the twist, is it not.
I see the author has written lots of full length mysteries, too; I have just downloaded a compilation of more of his short stories.