Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 978-0-312-36031-3

The Blade Itself is Marcus Sakey’s debut novel. Danny Carter and his best friend, Evan, are young toughs from the South Side of Chicago who make their way by robbing pawn shops and liquor stores. But one night a job goes horribly wrong. Evan goes to prison and Danny walks away. He walks away from the job, the neighborhood, and most of his friends. Danny starts a new life for himself – one with a future.

Until Evan gets out of prison and comes looking for him. Evan took the fall and didn’t disclose Danny’s involvement in the failed robbery. Now he wants Danny to help set him up with a big score. But Danny is out of the life and refuses risk everything he has worked so hard for – until Evan makes it clear that he doesn’t really have a choice in the matter.

This book came highly recommended to me and the quality of the writing is excellent. Sakey captures Danny’s desperation as he is caught in Evan’s intrigue superbly. Although he is a man with a criminal past, Danny is also the everyman caught by circumstances. He makes the same choices the reader would in his situation, establishing empathy for the character and drawing the reader into this suspense novel.

However, as good as the writing is, the plot is predictable. This is a classic thriller/suspense plot with enough foreshadowing to keep the plot twists and ending from surprising you.

But you know what? You might want to read it anyway. This book is an appetizer. It is a little something to tantalize you until Sakey’s second book comes out. With a little seasoning and some more meat on the bones, this skilled author could serve up a blockbuster for his next course.

Favorite character? Patrick, the story-telling car thief. Did I guess it? Yes. Will I read another? Yes.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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