Faith is a vulnerable hero, constantly fighting for her independence, whether she’s attempting to purchase a gun out of fear for her life or bonding with Zeus, her ferociously protective Seeing Eye dog. Both she and Neyman portray the duality of obsession: she’s desperate to stop him, while he has his own reasons for his relentless pursuit. Mark’s desire to catch Neyman is a slow burn, and, though he initially hesitates when informing Faith of Neyman’s escape, the assignment quickly becomes his preoccupation as well. Throughout, Zeus is a shoo-in for the story’s true hero as he repeatedly rescues Faith, including from Jenkins’s sleazy partner in crime, Marvin Tibbs, while her own patronizing boyfriend, Julian, carelessly dismisses her fears.
Though brisk and suspenseful, Faith’s story is hijacked at times by Melby’s lengthy descriptions of the medical processes involved in Jenkins’s work, as he rashly moves forward with a presumptive miracle treatment that’s untested and delivering unsafe side effects, fixated on continuing its use—even with his own wife. Melby probes questions of morality on several levels, and readers should be prepared for graphic descriptions and gruesome crime scenes. The romance that blossoms between Faith and Mark adds welcome buoyancy to this sinister thrill ride.
Takeaway: Graphic thrill ride packed with obsession, corruption, and greed.
Comparable Titles: Frederick Knott’s Wait Until Dark, Freida McFadden’s The Inmate.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
