An exciting and interesting book, fast-paced with good characterisation and a believable plot. A book you will want to keep on reading till the very end. A main character you will care about !

The story is told as a first person narration. It is the written thoughts of Michael and the pictures he draws to help him communicate . This is a voice you ‘hear’ loud and clearly.
Michael is mute
His story is told over four distinct time periods. The present, when he is ‘locked up tight’ both physically and in his speech, then in flashbacks over two periods in his teenage years where we see the development of his lock breaking skills and the events, sometimes violent, in which he becomes involved. Finally, there are glimpses throughout of his early childhood and eventually the revelation of the traumatic event which led to the loss of his physical voice told in the only way Michael can manage to communicate that part of his story
Through all of this is woven the gentle love story of Michael and Amelia, a relationship which endures all that is thrown at it.
This is a story of the helplessness of childhood, of bad decisions made and their consequences. It is about strength and perseverance and finally of courage, redemption and hope.

Steve Hamilton is an author I have not read before but after reading ‘The Lock Artist’ I will be looking out for his other books.