Kevin Wignall

I'm a sucker for disaster stories, particularly ones set in the jungle. This has the reluctant hero, the perpetual blowhard idiot who thinks he's in charge, a cast of interesting co-survivors, and a sorta whimsical preface and post epilogue note that puts the story in perspective. Toss in numerous narrow escapes, particularly along the river and you have a dandy read.

Max Emerson appears to have it all, a financial whizz-kid whose success allows him the finer things in life. However Max has made his money by controlling investments for some of the shadier characters in society, and he is haunted by a deal made several years ago in which a corrupt Senator was paid off and a man died. When Max's parents are killed in a car crash he has to return to the Swiss family home and his estranged siblings but Max does not believe that the crash was an accident and show more revelations about his mother's past seem to back that up. Meanwhile the FBI are looking into the past deal.

To say that this is a thriller is to completely undersell the book. Wignall has a way of writing prose which lulls the reader into a sense of enjoyment and, even when the topic matter is spying or organised crime, it seems natural and not forced. There are none of the cliches of the genre, this is a story about a successful man who is lacking emotional balance rather than a story about international finance and dubious business. It is because of the slightly off-beat approach that I really loved this book. show less

“I’ve never looked at fire in the same way since that night, nor witches for that matter, or anybody else who’s apart. Perhaps apart is the wrong word, for I was apart even then, in that I was above the people and below God and the King, born into greatness.” (Loc. 10-16)
I love the idea of apart, not odd, weird, strange, or rude, but apart. What a great description of people who don’t “blend in” like the rest of us. Blood is about being apart, yet looking for a way to find a show more place where belonging brings completeness, closure, or satisfaction, not necessarily a happily ever after.

Blood is an unusual take on the vampire myth. Will doesn’t live the life of a mythical vampire. He prefers the term, undead, and has spent much of his “life” in hibernation. Now, 750 years after his “creation,” prophecies and portents are converging to give him answers to the questions he’s had for so long. Who created him? Why? Who prepared the chambers where he hides? Will doesn’t need to feed often, and uses the “life force” more than the actual blood to restore him after his periods of hibernation. His time asleep lasts longer than his time awake and he is amused by the stories we humans have told of his kind. Yet, the girl he likes is tempting to him and not in a good way. She is a part of the answers Will seeks, but the visions he has only confuse the issues for him. I am intrigued; I will look for the second one. show less

Another interesting novel from Kevin Wignall. Main protagonist Freddie looks like he jumped out of "The Conversation", movie starring Gene Hackman - Hackman's character is also surveillance expert haunted by the past trying not to cause more innocent deaths by his investigations. As I said very similar personalities and characters (although Wignall's Freddie is maybe younger than Hackman's Harry Caul).

I especially liked the twist (hiring spy that does not know language of actual information show more he is chasing).

Very good novel, highly recommended to all fans of thrillers and espionage. show less