The Lock Artist...

I picked up a copy of  'The Lock Artist' by Steve Hamilton a few months ago. A new author to me and 'sold' as a crime novel. I found this book to be so much more or perhaps it is just my personal traits and interest in psychology and social issues that gave me a different perspective.

The main character of the book is Michael and he is narrating his story. Michael has had something so traumatic happen to him as a child that he is mute. Michael cannot speak but what he can do is open locks and as he shares his story we discover how this talent comes to dominate his young ,life and leads him to dark places.

I felt like a real voyeur at times watching Michael's life as described by him. The book jumps back and forth to different time's in his young life and Steve Hamilton has done a masterful job of making Michael's character come to life in a believable way. We watch as Michael is led further and further into crime, he meets a girl and falls in love and inevitably ends up in jail.

The story kept me up long into the night longing to read just a little more of Micheal's story. I wanted to know what had happened to him as a child that left him without a voice. I wanted to know what happened with the seemingly doomed relationship with the girl he fell in love with. It is a haunting story, gutsy and gritty. It left me feeling Michael's longing for understanding and of course we do eventually discover what trauma he suffered as a small child. It ties in beautifully with the story and makes many things totally understandable.

I thought the Lock Artist was a very different type of crime story and recommend it as a terrific read.

wishing you sunshine in your shadows
Helen