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FURY
by G. M. Ford
Macmillan, March 2004
352 pages
6.99 GBP
ISBN: 0330492632


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Three years ago Walter Leroy Himes was convicted of the Trashman murders in Seattle. A number of young women had been murdered, and their naked bodies laid out ritualistically in Dumpsters. When Leanne Samples runs to a police patrol, her clothing shredded, in great distress, and claiming to have escaped the killer, the police sweep the area and arrest Himes. Samples is the key witness in the case which subsequently convicts him and he is sentenced to death.

Whilst always protesting his innocence, Himes is so viciously offensive and insulting about his victims, and indeed women generally, that pretty much everyone will be glad to see him dead. But with just six days left before his execution, Leanne Samples declares she lied about Himes and states that he never attacked her.

No one wants to hear her retraction, least of all the victims' parents, the police or the FBI. Then Leanne recalls a journalist, Frank Corso, who had been sceptical about Himes's conviction, and she contacts the Seattle Sun asking to talk to him. Corso was a very successful journalist in New York until he fabricated a story and was publicly fired. His career seemed over but he was lucky to be offered another job in Seattle where he did a deal with the Owner of the Sun, Natalie Van Der Hoven.

The syndication of his columns was a financial lifesaver to the Sun. Since those early days, Corso has become a successful author, scaled back his contributions to the paper, and fearful of his safety he lives a very secretive and reclusive life. Just finding him to ask him to see Leanne isn't easy, but he knows he owes a favour to Mrs Van Der Hoven.

To assist him with the story, Corso chooses a photographer whose work he has recently admired. Meg Dougherty was a victim of a horrific crime herself a few years previously, but is a strong intelligent woman who proves herself invaluable to the investigation as it unfolds. Regarded by others as a difficult and challenging person, she draws Corso out of himself by tackling him head on, and a mutual respect and understanding develops.

As Corso and Dougherty re-investigate the Trashman murders, it is clear that there are serious problems with the case against Himes. Despite their published discoveries causing a sensation, the police and Governor still don 't want to delay the imminent execution. Corso and Dougherty are going to have to find more evidence, and maybe even the real killer, pretty quick.

This is a tremendous thriller. Despite featuring a serial killer, it's not gratuitously violent. The pacing is excellent and the suspense is maintained right through the novel. The dialogue was well written, and there were some great moments of humour too.

Corso and Dougherty are mature, unusual, and intelligent protagonists. They both have problematic pasts to say the least, but the strength of character and self-awareness that they exhibit is tangible. They feel real, engaging, and I want to read more about them. Soon.

Fury is a highly recommended mystery thriller with great dialogue and fascinating characters. Go get a copy.

Note: This is a review of the UK paperback edition, due out in March 2004. The book is currently available in the US edition.

Reviewed by Bridget Bolton, October 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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