Saturday, July 23, 2011

The Accident-Linwood Barclay

The Accident
Linwood Barclay
Bantam, Aug 9 2011, $25.00
ISBN: 9780553807189

In Milford, Connecticut contractor Glen Garber waits for his wife Sheila to come home from her night class as she is running very late. When their eight years old daughter Kelly sleeps, the police arrive to inform him Sheila and two others died in a car accident in which his spouse was responsible.

Though he just wants to grieve, Glen knows he has a business to run especially after a house he built burned down with the insurance accusing him of shoddy work and a stunned daughter to raise as a single dad. He is also bitter and doubtful that Sheila caused the deadly incident as the description of her driving would be totally out of character for her. Adding to his doubts is friends asking about the whereabouts and contents of Sheila’s purse. When Kelly becomes the focus, Glen knows he must protect his offspring but from which neighbors.

This taut cautionary thriller warns readers though the economy is in the cesspool; don’t dive into illegal means of making money as the outcome will probably prove worse. The story line is action-packed as incidents pile up while the shocked protagonist investigates; but also allows time for the everyman hero to ponder what the hell is going on in Milford.

Harriet Klausner

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