Code 61

 

Code 61
Donald Harstead

"My name is Carl Houseman and I'm a deputy sheriff in Nation County, Iowa. I've been doing this for over twenty years now; long enough to graduate from the night shift to become the department's investigator,a and senior officer as well. Long enough to feel senior in every sense of the term. Somehow, when you finally pass fifty and realise a fellow officer was born about the same time you took the oath, you start to wonder if you might not begin to feel old pretty soon. I mean, maybe in another ten years or so.

 

It's been my experience that cases fall into categories that are a bit different from the examples that they cite at the academy. Most of the time, you have more than enough evidence to show how the offence was committed, but really have to work to identify who did it. The rest of the time, you pretty much knew who did the dirty deed, but showing how is the problem. In rare cases, a case will develop both ways at the same time. That was what this one did."

-Prologue, Code 61

 

To begin with, the prologue, it isn't all that interesting; the cover is rather mysterious and doesn't say much; and the blurb is not all that helpful. The most interesting bit about the cover is actually the little caption at the top which reads as follows:

An isolated house, a bloodthirsty murderer and a wall of silence

Which says a lot.

 

However, this book, among others of it's kind, is deceptively simple to make the real action come as a surprise. And boy oh boy does it come as a surprise in this book.

However boring the epilogue is, and however weird and creepy the first chapter is, persevere. The second chapter gets even weirder. However the writing pulls you along at a gripping yet comfortable pace, not making you take in too much information  at once, and adding some much needed humour as it goes along.

 

Donald Harstead is up there with the likes of Michael Connelly. His writing style is unique and quirky, yet simple enough to read. Everything is spelt out in plain, black and white, even with a handy glossary of abbreviations and police 'ten' codes used in radio transmissions is contained at the back of the book.

 

This story takes some rather unusual turns and is recommended to all who enjoy a quirky and good thriller, however does have a downfall for those not familiar with common crime/thriller abbreviations and the police 'ten' codes, as these are used quite frequently. If you are not sure, it's best to have a look at the back 4 pages first, but most get explained in the duration of the story, and being an adult novel there is also swearing in the book. Not prolifically, but also it is not used sparingly.

 

The characters are well introduced and developed, relationships formed, and secrets well hidden and exposed throughout the course of the story. With the major quirks aside, this book feels like it could be real, and could be just another part of the world somewhere that it's happening, it is just that well written.

 

Overall, a twisty plot of a quirky book, the likes of which don't come around too often.

 

Until next time,

Atra du evarinya ono varda,
(May the stars watch over you)

Samantha.