If you want to write a good thriller, master the art of the shock twist. One could certainly do worse. It’s the moment in a story where everything you know spins on its head, and sends the characters and story down an unexpected path.
When done properly, it provides an unforgettable moment that remains with the reader long after the tale is over. While it’s most common to see a shock twist in the end of the story – or perhaps even the middle – in Tom Piccirilli’s THE MIDNIGHT ROAD, it comes right in the first chapter.
Don’t worry – it keeps you sucked in until the very end.
Without giving away too much, THE MIDNIGHT ROAD walks the fine line between shock and horror, with some clever results. The hero is Child Protective Services’ not-so-finest: Flynn, a man with a chip on his shoulder and more baggage than the last chick you picked up at closing time.
A routine investigation goes horribly wrong, forcing Flynn to confront his past demons to solve the new ones. The only downside is a car chase. It’s impossible to write a good car chase. THE MIDNIGHT ROAD also has the Hero with the Cool Car cliché, rapidly becoming the norm in most books – and most likely written by someone who never owned one.
But these are minor complaints. Piccirilli is one of those rare writers who knows his craft and is approaching the top of his game. Like a musician coming up with a good guitar lick, one wonders how many hours it took him to come up with that magnificent opening line: “Flynn remembered the night of his death more clearly than any other in his life.”
If you can put it down after that, you’re the better man. Or either a zombie. –Matt Adder
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• FOUR DARK NIGHTS by Bentley Little, Douglas Clegg, Christopher Golden and Tom Piccirilli
Related posts:
- After Midnight
- Q&A with ROAD TO PARADISE’s Max Allan Collins
- Down the Road: On the Last Day
- Road to Paradise
- Kitty and the Midnight Hour
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Tom Piccirilli is one of the most exciting authors working today. His stuff can’t be pigeonholed into one genre. If you like this, try FRAYED or NOVEMBER MOURNS or A CHOIR OF ILL CHILDREN. They are all vastly different from TMR, but equally good.
Tom Piccirilli is one of the most exciting authors working today. You can’t pigeonhole his work in one genre. If you like ROAD, pick up FRAYED or NOVEMBER MOURNS or A CHOIR OF ILL CHILDREN – all different, all good.
Can’t say as I’ve even heard of Mr. Piccirilli before reading this, but I’m definitely sold based on your review. Will certainly seek this one out.