"It doesn't matter that you don't believe. There's still so much for you to find inside....Here is your guide. And here is your sword of truth. Be sure to look at both before you leave this prison, and God will help you find a way, Wes."
-Patrice, upon giving Wes his Bible
This book was a quick read after finally trudging through World Without End---only a few days as opposed to weeks. A spy novel of sorts, it was pretty much a page-turner.
Protagonist James "Wes" Wesley, has been imprisoned in France as a result of having been framed for a crime. He receives early release after being informed his ex-wife, Rachel Richards, has been killed in an apparent terrorist attack in Spain and her young son, Ethan, is missing. Wes is subsequently surprised to learn that Ethan is his child. Predictably Wes sets out to avenge Rachel's death and find Ethan but it becomes evident quickly that he is on the hit list of those who betrayed him originally. After escaping the first hired killers, Wes meets Mia Pavic, a young autistic Croatian woman who becomes his driver and, in more ways than one, his savior.
I found Mia to be a very likeable character, more so than the central Wes who is a bitter man with violent tendencies. Fortunately, Mia's religious faith and simple philosophy have something of a calming influence on Wes. It was unique that Bible scriptures were noted through the novel, the Bible having been given to Wes by fellow inmate Patrice. (see quote above)
Several places where Mia and Wes found themselves were familiar to me, places I had visited recently---Malaga, Barcelona, Lisbon. Somehow that makes the story more personal.
I give a rating of 4 to The Names of the Dead. I liked it enough to look for another by this author.
No comments:
Post a Comment