Customer Reviews

Lost: A Novel

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Overall, LOST is a very compelling, dark thriller with real, intense characters and a few unique plot twists. The dialogue is for adults, very hard edge, and utterly lacking in quick quips. Reminiscent of COPLAND, LOST gets involved in the gritty realities of small town (or in this case small island) politics, filled with long-standing jealousies that the author does a wonderful job of illuminating. The structure is tight, though menace could be added to two of the villains in order to heighten tension.

The premise-- that a beautiful widow's child is kidnapped by thugs on a Mediterranean isle, and only a scarred police chief, who is already embroiled in a life long battle with the island mafia, can help her-is so well- conceived and executed that even the seeming cliches seem fresh and new. There are two protagonists, Stuart and Alice, and each are deeply flawed individuals who must overcome their personal demons to find Alice's son. The progression of their romantic relationship is subtle and believable though ultimately tragic. On the whole, a great read.

I was quite surprised that I was the first to review this title considering the favorable reviews it received in the mainstream press. (At least Ms. Wadham will have one review to read when she checks Amazon!) First, I enjoyed the book, although having grown up near Corsica, where this novel is set, adds a star to my review. The charcters are well drawn out, and the action well paced and realistic. The book is a subtle page turner that you will want to read in one sitting as it races to its conclusion. It details every parent's horror -- a child kidnapped by criminals -- in this case extremists. There is an earnest police detective and the usual assortment of village characters he deals with to solve the crime. But this isn't a detective novel. There are times when it's difficult to tell who in the book is "good or bad", but it doesn't detract from the tale. I was interested in the story because of the foreign locale and I wasn't disappointed.