I swapped A short history of the tractor in Ukranian for this book, The Innocent and I think I got the better of the deal!

This is my first Harlen Coben and I enjoyed it. A reasonably complex and interesting detective/thriller story that had some excellent characterisations and some really witty patter between some of the characters. Cingle is a character that most men reading this book would most like to meet: mainly for her bodily charms but also for her wit.

Matt Hunter went to a party when he was but a young man and whilst trying to help out his friend who had become embroiled in a fight, he ended up killing another young man. Accidental but still it took him to prison for four years or so.

Matt left prison and married: he was living his life on the straight and narrow when all of the turbulence began. At first, Matt received a video message on his mobile phone that seemed to show his wife, Olivia, in flagrante delicto in an hotel room somewhere.

The wife is, ostensibly, on a business trip at the time and without a massive amount of work, Matt gets to the heart of this matter.

In parallel a nun is murdered and there is an indirect link to Matt. Matt thinks he is on the straight and narrow but now two things have happened to shatter any semblence both of the straight and the narrow. Just what he didn't need!

The police men and women in this story are a mixture of honest, upright citizens and corrupt bleeders. The majority of our exposure to the police service in the book is good, dedicated and based on hard work. The corrupt part is at the heart of the problems that Matt faces.

After a few twists and turns and the introduction of several characters who are important but essentially peripheral to the story, Matt links up with Cingle. Cingle is a tall, stunning beauty and she becomes Matt's private detective. Cingle is not only beautiful and witty but she seems to be good at her job: she certainly makes progress on Matt's behalf and turns out to be loyal and helpful where she should be.

The death of the nun and Olivia's possible escapade are linked by way of the people involved in both events: can't tell you here as it would ruin the story.

Matt goes through a drunken phase as he tries to ward off some of the not so good police work to which he is being subjected and it rebounds on him. There is yet another iffy incident and now the story picks up its pace. The two main characters, Matt and Olivia, head for Reno Nevada where they believe the answers to their questions lie. There are incidents along the way: classic thriller story subterfuge and legerdemain to get them there!

There is a past to come to terms with for Olivia, there are people to find and chew the fat with and the answer to all of their problems are there.

This is an interesting story and it is well written and I have condensed it enormously and left out so many characters; but that's merely because I'd give too much away if I said almost anything else.

Buy or exchange to get this book for an interesting read that's well worth the effort.

Duncan Williamson
28 December 2005