Review of 'Winter's End', by John Rickards.

Winter's End by John Rickards

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


From page 12 of this book, which is told in first-person narrative, tension is created that rarely subsides throughout the whole book. There has been a murder. The details of its commision have an immediate bizzare feel about them. Nicholas, the captive suspect, taunts private investigator, ex-FBI Interrogator, Alex Rourke, with snippets of information which implies that the perpetrator knows Rourke; why and how are details remaining obscure until the story is almost finished.
As well as the build-up of tension, there is a dark, brooding atmosphere that the writer, John Rickards, builds into the tale which is set in a place whose name, Winter's End, also adds a touch of darkness to events. An old, burnt-out place set in woodland, becomes a place of suspicion when it is revealed that, some years previously, oppressive things went on there.
Other murders come to light and Alex Rourke is gradually brought into an unsettling web of events which create an undertone of threat and add to the tension of the story.
There is love interest, which is not overstated, but which adds some normality and lightness as one turns the pages.

An unexpected twist, as the story is heading to a finale, is cleverly introduced.
This book would have been given five stars if the dark atmosphere had been toned down a little; too much of anything can sometimes be heavy. Having said that, Winter's End is a gripping, well-written tale that is well worth a read, but don't have the lights in your room turned down too low whilst you are reading it!
JJ





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