The Twenty Three is the title of the last book of Linwood Barclay’s trilogy set in the fictional town of Promise Falls somewhere in New York State. As soon as I delved into the first few pages I had already braced myself for what the hell could happen next? And then an expletive escaped out of my mouth and I was only on page eighteen!
Each of the three begins differently so much so the reader can have no idea where they are being taken to. What ‘nightmare’ will have to be confronted. Even when shit-is-happening there are real people with their own personal problems. Our local cop, Barry Duckworth, wants to shed a few pounds, but I ask, is the stress killing him? Maybe he won’t last and be around for the final chapter.
It is a busy ‘Day One’, with 307 pages written for that twenty-four hours. There is so much going on in Promise Falls it takes that many pages to say it all. There is a clue in the title and Chapter 23 and even the 23rd day of a month could trigger any sort of happening.
Later on there is a conversation that harks on to people close to the victims and how they can be affected. “Sometimes, Cal said, “in a perfect world…….it would be better if they never knew in the first place,” These words for me are poignant and so relevant.
We move towards the end and still there is much to draw us in and actions to deceive us. The end is as good as all of it. What book can I now read to match this trilogy?
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