Last night at 1.30 in
the morning I finished The Legend of Devil's Creek
by D.C. Alexander.
This
is one of the most interesting murder mysteries I've read in a very
long time. Not so much due to the actual murder mystery itself, but
because of the philosophical examination of the nature of evil and
what drives someone to murder.
We
follow Riddley, a shy and introvert college kid and his new friends
as they hike, party, fish and go to philosophy class. This in itself
doesn't perhaps sound all that exciting but it's essential to the
plot.
The
rest of the book portraits some of the police officers who are
struggling to find the killer, mainly Captain Marshall, a traumatized
veteran.
It's
difficult to explain why this book is so good without inadvertently
spoiling anything, but the quality of the writing is top-notch. D.C.
Alexander has a gift for letting you feel, not only the characters
emotions, but also the atmosphere, all without rambling on and on.
Maybe it doesn't sound like fun to read about a bunch of
twenty-something-year-olds drinking and talking on a cold beach, but
it was some of the best parts of the book.
Because
all the talk of crappy childhoods, the philosophical discussions in
class, the partying and the silly pranks they play on each other,
helps you understand the killer as well as provides a strong sense of
normalcy that makes the murders seem more real.
My
biggest criticism of the book is Riddley. In the beginning of the
book, his self-esteem is so incredibly bad that it's frustrating. He
gets better but it takes time. Quite a lot of time. That said, it was
never unrealistic. Annoying yes, but never unbelievable. Perhaps I
shouldn't be lambasting the author about this. After all, it takes
discipline to stay the course and not yield to the temptation of
letting Riddley off the hook too quickly.
Anyway,
I've been rambling on too long. I highly recommend this book. I loved
it.
Finally,
I'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas, or which ever equivalent you
choose to celebrate. See you next week!
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