Once in Libbie the authorities realize he is not the Rushton
McKenzie who has swindled them. He does not look like the crook. A few
questions and it is clear that they have the wrong man.
McKenzie learns that the fraudster has stolen his identity
to set up a new Rushton McKenzie in South Dakota. Cleverly the crook has not
used any of McKenzie’s credit cards or accounts. He is using the stolen identity
to cheat the town not McKenzie.
Desperate to make amends lovely town councillor, Tracie
Blake, sweeps into his cell to offer an apology to McKenzie who is justifiably
furious over his treatment.
He learns the fake McKenzie has enticed investment in a
regional mall to be located on the edge of town. She further asks him to track
down the imposter for the town administration and many citizens who are facing
financial disaster if the money is lost.
While he does not forgive McKenzie finds himself fascinated
with the fraud scheme and returns to Libbie to solve the mystery.
The South Dakota town is a central character in the mystery.
As with most real life towns in rural Saskatchewan there has been a declining
population in Libbie recent decades that diminishes the well being of the
community and forecasts a doubtful future.
The people of Libbie want to save their town and are ready
to listen to a smooth talking stranger on the prosperity to follow the
development of a mall.
Trevor Herriot, in his book River in a Dry Land, sets out the rise and painful decline of the
real life town of Tantallon in southeastern Saskatchewan. It is a story that
could be written about hundreds of communities on the Great Plains of Canada
and the United States.
While Housewright effectively describes Libbie and the readiness,
even eagerness, of some to get out of town he does not do as well at capturing
the spirit and joy of living in a town where everyone knows you. I believe the
townspeople are less greedy than desperate for trusting and investing with the
imposter.
I would not say it is a great book. There are some
implausible developments near the end. I consider it a very good book. I liked
it better than Tin City.
This review is my entry for "S" in the Alphabet in Crime Fiction meme hosted by Kerrie Smith at her blog, Mysteries in Paradise. In my next post I will discuss my connection with the book and a couple of aspects of the book. (July 21/13)
Bill - I like novels such as this one where one gets a real sense of a place. And I know just exactly what you mean about implausible developments that only take away from a story. Still, this one does sound like a good read.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. It was a good story that did not need the embellishments.
ReplyDeleteBill, I had read about this author and the series a while back and wondered if I would like it. The premise of this book sounds interesting. I will look forward to the follow-up post.
ReplyDeleteTracyK: Thanks for the comment. The premise, especially the use of identity, to defraud others was clever.
ReplyDeleteThis title sounds very interesting from a stolen identity standpoint. The challenges and the ramifications of the said actions.
ReplyDeleteScott: Thanks for the comment. Until I read the book I thought we only had to worry about stealing identity to steal from the person whose identity has been taken.
ReplyDelete