Geiger is a loner with a narrow experience of the world around him, a buried past and one, terrifying, skill. He is a torturer. Although he will use physical means if necessary, his true gift is in the psychological sphere, where the mind games he plays with his victims are as devastating and successful as his clients demand. Geiger takes commissions from clients without knowing or caring about the backstory, fulfils his brief and pockets his fee. His only boundary is that he will not work on a child.
One day, a client presents him with Ezra, a 12 year old boy and Geiger's world begins to unravel. Memories begin to crowd into his mind, he becomes saviour rather than torturer, his client tries to kill him and his narrow world is no longer safe.
This is a story of villain becoming hero, redeemed through the innocence of a child. Quite clever, really, as the story comes almost full circle, in a way. I'll say no more about that for fear of spoiling the tale for the reader.
These thrillers are always beyond the edge of belief in that one knows there is a dark underworld of crime out there in the world but is it this sophisticated? Best not to go there, perhaps. Still, this is a rattling tale that carries the reader along, if you like your tales dark and violent. Recommended.
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