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CRISSCROSS
by F. Paul Wilson
Tor, May 2006
512 pages
$7.99
ISBN: 0765346060


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Repairman Jack is once again hired to solve a case with supernatural overtones. Jack is a practical man who fixes problems that fall below the radar of traditional law enforcement. And he is well aware that there is a secret battle being fought by a group that is unknown and almost indescribable. The existence of this group means that the future is uncertain and unstable.

Jack frequently finds himself involved in events created by this group. In order to protect himself, Jack tries to stay under the radar by always using cash, never completing paperwork and never doing anything that would draw attention to himself. In addition, Jack tries to have those he loves follow this same lifestyle.

In CRISSCROSS, Jack is hired by Maria Roselli. Maria's son has joined the Dormentalist Church, which has recently appeared in several newspaper stories. This church has similarities to a cult but Maria was not concerned until her son stopped calling her. Not only is he no longer in communication with her, his apartment has also been cleaned out. Maria is worried and she wants Jack to find her son. While she does want to know that he is OK, Maria does not expect Jack to abduct him or deprogram him.

Jack agrees to take the case, as Maria's thoughts regarding the situation seem realistic. In addition, Jack also agrees to help Maggie, a nun who is being blackmailed. Although Jack does not realize it immediately, there is a connection between the two cases. As Jack begins to dig deeper into them, his investigation becomes more deadly. He must prevent mayhem from destroying both the social fabric of the community and these two individuals.

I want to like the Repairman Jack series, as the idea of someone trying to fix the world's problems is appealing. Unfortunately this is not the case. The idea of there being a person or object forcing a person toward his or her fate is troublesome. Jack's lack of control over this life and his investigations is disconcerting. I like to think that there are coincidences and chance, so the lack of individual control in this book means I cannot sympathize with Jack's situation in this book. Ultimately this prejudice will not allow me to overlook this plot element to appreciate the characters, the plotting or Wilson's writing style.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, July 2006

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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