The Killing of Bobbi Lomax (TKOBL) by Cal Moriarty
Old Testament meets Hill Street Blues.
I've had the good fortune of reading an advance proof copy of The Killing of Bobbi Lomax (TKOBL) by Cal Moriarty.
Moriarty is the latest success story from the ever increasing stable of writers to come out of Faber Academy and takes her rightful place alongside such present day notables as SJ Watson, Colette McBeth, Rachel Joyce, Laline Paull, Antonia Honeywell and soon to be released Renee Knight.
I don't believe in plot analysis, in case I give anything away, so I'll just repeat the blurb:
A tale of deception, manipulation and murder, The Killing of Bobbi Lomax, takes us deep into the heart of a community of sinister church leaders, dangerous local politics and a whole heap of secret dealings.
CANYON COUNTY, HALLOWEEN 1983
Bobbi Lomax was the first to die, the bomb killed the prom queen on her own front lawn.
Just moments later one of the nails from the city's second bomb forced its way into the brain of property investor Peter Gudsen, killing him almost instantly.
The third bomb didn't quite kill Clark Houseman. Hovering on the brink, the rare books dealer turns out to be Detectives Sinclair and Alvarez's best hope of finding out what linked these unlikely victims, and who wanted them dead and why. But can they find the bomber before he kills again?
Set deep in the religious heartlands of America, The Killing of Bobbi Lomax follows this troubled investigation as a narrative of deceit, corruption and forgery emerges, with an unlikely hero at its heart - a rare coins, books and manuscript dealer - who could either be a genius or the devil.
Set in two timelines 1983 & 1982 which are close enough that it demands a fairly rapid read, at least initially, until you hold the story and characters in your head. But the style is very readable and you don't feel that the author is rushing you through the plot or character development.
So here's the thing it's set in the USA in some fictional bible belt small town, intriguing in itself, but in an era which just predates mobile phones, the internet and 9-11, when everything changed. Written in a time which is close enough to feel familiar but lacking the essentials of modern everyday life. Because of this 'just before' setting as a reader you occasionally raise an eyebrow but Moriarty deftly reminds you of the era with judiciously placed signposts lest you wander.
I thoroughly enjoyed this crime novel in it's refreshingly retro storytelling style at a time when authors are tripping over themselves trying to be as clever as possible, often failing, so that as readers we're constantly extrapolating to anticipate the twist. With TKOBL you can sit back and enjoy the story and characters. It's simply a bloody good read.
As bizarre as it sounds you'll nod your head in agreement if you're of a certain age and understand it truly is Old Testament meets Hill Street Blues, a strange and intriguing combination.
A refreshingly engaging debut to be published by Faber in May 2015, I recommend it and look forward to more from the UK's latest crime-writing talent.