The Piper's Sons [Paperback]

Bruce Chandler Fergusson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999

A stunning fiction debut--both a shocking thriller and a complex novel of the bond between fathers and sons. What would you do if you discovered you were adopted...and that your biological father was a serial killer? Paul Sinclair's real father is the Pied Piper, a mass murderer never caught but presumed dead. Now, decades after his disappearance, it seems the Piper is back...and has a new, even more chilling agenda, an agenda that draws him closer to Paul, to Paul's wife, Ellie, and to their son, Michael. Events unfold quickly and Paul becomes caught up in something far beyond his control. Ellie sees his increasingly erratic behavior as obsessive and dangerous, and even Paul starts to doubt himself. All of the threads of the novel come together in the unforgettable final struggle between hunter and hunted on the wreck of a World War II freighter run aground on an island north of Seattle. Terrifying and inventive, The Piper's Sons breaks new ground in psychological suspense.

"[A] terrific debut...A brooding, unsettling thriller." --Stephen White, author of Manner of Death

"You'll be up all night unearthing the secrets buried in The Piper's Sons, and Fergusson makes the digging a pleasure...A powerful debut that will stay with you long after you close the book." --Greg Iles, author of Mortal Fear

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The interrogations drag on endlessly when Seattle resident Paul Sinclair decides to investigate what's behind the series of catastrophes that plague his family. His mother committed suicide; his six-year-old daughter died in a tragic hiking accident at the same place where his brother, Stephen, vanished without a trace on the day Paul married his wife, Ellie. If that's not enough, Paul's father's lover also disappeared en route to that wedding; and his father was later killed in what was staged to look like a suicide. When Paul discovers that he was adopted and that his true father was a serial killer known as the Pied Piper, the plot thickensAlike cement. Yet Paul trudges through each dense narrative twist, obtaining clues that keep leading him toward the man he believes is stalking him, Ellie and their son. Interrupting this story is a series of strange dialogues between a sadist and his captive, who develop a psychological bond that's just as dubious as the long-time captive's ability to give a coherent, articulate statement the moment he is rescued. Although locations surrounding Seattle are nicely integrated into the plot, the tale grows so overloaded with information that readers may be impatient with these meandering descriptions. The full mystery unravels with many unpredictable obstacles and intriguing knots along the way, but the narrative stumbles when debut novelist Fergusson yokes his plot's resolution to a surfeit of psychologically improbable mistaken-identity contrivances.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

It's bad enough when your father is a mass murderer dubbed the Pied Piper. But what if, after being gone for years and presumed dead, he returns to haunt your family? A scary debut.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Signet (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451408756
• ISBN-13: 978-0451408754
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,943,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent debut, December 17, 1999

By 

Greg Seupaul - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Piper's Sons (Paperback)

I picked up this book on a whim, expecting a run-of-the-mill thriller. After the first few chapters, I couldn't put it down. Fergusson's plot is inventively deceptive - just when you think you've got it figured out, he drops another bomb which sends things in another direction. And there's a jawdropper of a surprise at the end which sort of creeps into your consciousness before you get there, and then leaves you breathless when it's revealed.

I agree with some of the other reviewers that the "action" sequences in the latter part of the book seem to be a nod towards Hollywood, but they do not detract from the flow of things (although some familiarity with ship architecture and terminology helps a lot). In any case, enough of the rest of the book is non-formulaic enough to be entertaining in its own right. For example, I had expected a lot of themes revolving around wood and carpentry since it is the protagonist's profession; fortunately, this is kept to a minimum (one scene, actually).

Definately a good read, and there are enough strings left dangling for a sequel. I'm definately looking out for Mr. Fergusson's next work.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books i ever read, October 6, 1999

By 

jill grim (Federal Way, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Piper's Sons (Hardcover)

Absolutely one of the best books ever read. Bruce Chandler Fergusson takes you on a pshycological journey all through Washington State. A definate suspensful page turner that keeps you guessing until the last page. You'll find yourself not wanting the book to end. Thumbs up to this masterful writer. Can't wait for the next book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterful suspense thriller, with depth and intrigue., October 11, 1999

By 

Kristine Matheson (Seattle, Wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Piper's Sons (Hardcover)

Bruce Chandler Ferguson has created an exciting, masterful, and complex new book. I am one to anticipate most endings, however Mr. Ferguson has outdone me on this one. The Piper's son had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I was dazzled and intrigued through out it's entierty. Bravo Mr. Ferguson. Here's one Washingtonian waiting for your next masterpiece.