The Perfect Crime...A Perfect Thriller!

During my weekly trip to my local library, I make a point to check out the "de-circulated" book shelf...It's like the library book graveyard, where books that haven't been signed out a lot, get the chop (for no good reason other than shelf space for crap--see my last blog post and you'll understand). Our local sells these slow movers for a mere 25 cents (paperbacks) while hard covers run a buck each (Criminal isn't it, and no wonder writers are starving). 

After a little looking, I uncovered a novel called A Perfect Crime by Peter Abrahams. I bought this novel because on the front dust cover, Stephen King is quoted as citing Abrahams as the best American suspense author of our times. NOW THAT'S HUGE PRAISE. I bought it for a buck and boy, was that a dollar well spent.

The Perfect Crime is the story of the affair between Francie and Ned who are both married to other people. Everything gets more and more complicated as their lives become entwined. Deception, jealousy, madness and murder...this one has it all!!

I read it in a couple of days...and I have to admit that the second half of the novel was much more entertaining than the first half.  Francie's husband Roger, is an arrogant prick who might drive Mother Theresa to adultery. Anne, Ned's gentle and ever kind wife is a lovely woman...maybe a bit too soft but alas, wonderful. This story gets the reader hooked in the first few pages and takes him on quite a good ride. 

Of interest is that Peter Abrahams has written 27 novels...How is that possible, and why haven't I discovered him before now? Am I that OTL?...

Here's a bit about Abrahams courtesy of Wikepedia:

Peter Abrahams (born 28 June 1947) is an American writer of crime thrillers. His works include Oblivion, The Tutor, The Fury of Rachel Monette, Hard Rain, The Fan, Crying Wolf, Last of the Dixie Heroes, the Echo Falls Mysteries, and Lights Out, the last of which was nominated for an Edgar Award for best novel. His literary influences are Vladimir Nabokov, Graham Greene and Ross Macdonald. Stephen King has referred to him as "my favorite American suspense novelist". Born in Boston, Abrahams previously lived in Ottawa and worked as a CBC television producer. He is currently living in Falmouth, Massachusetts on Cape Cod with his wife and children.

This is a great site for more info about this talented and prolific writer: 

http://www.peterabrahams.com/index.html

This novel is entertaining, and makes for riveting reading. I recommend it and have already lent it to my friend Mary! And by the way, I'll buy his next novel...I want to support his talent!