I won a signed copy of this book from LibraryThing. It's set, of course, in Charlestown/Boston, Massachusetts. I seem to be in a Boston frame of mind and these books set there are making me want to go for a visit. I hadn't heard of Tom MacDonald before but I'm certainly glad I received this novel. He's a good old-fashioned storyteller in my eyes.The best part of this story is the characters, especially the protagonist, Dermot Sparhawk who is half Micmac Indian and half Irish. He is a recovering alcoholic thanks to AA and a strength of character he apparently hadn't realized he had. The story begins when his godfather, Jeepster Hennessey stumbles into the food pantry Dermot runs and dies at Dermot's feet. He mumbles a few words as he is dying from stab wounds. The words don't make any sense to Dermot, nor do the keys his godfather presses into his hand.
Dermot owns a house and lives on the second floor while his Boston College football friend Buck who is a paraplegic lives on the first floor. His Uncle Glooscap's son Harraseeket Kid lives in the basement. The three of them team up to solve the puzzle and find themselves in danger from several fronts. It all seems to have something to do with valuable paintings. There is also an attractive FBI agent involved, but is she who she claims to be?
This is a great story with characters who are so well depicted you'll remember them for a long time, particularly Dermot. He has a good heart but he's a realist; he is handsome but has a bad knee that kept him out of pro football and is only just maintaining his sobriety. You'll cheer for him throughout the book. Personally, I hadn't heard anything about Micmac Indians since we moved out of Maine.
I highly recommend The Charlestown Connection. It doesn't matter if you know Boston or not, MacDonald makes the scene come alive for you.
Totally amazing how many crime story protagonists are either alcoholics or recovering alcoholics! Wonder what it means?
ReplyDeleteJill, I did a little research on this many years ago and decided that you need your protagonist to have a flaw. Can't have Mr. Perfect solving crimes - dull, dull, dull. One of the easiest flaws is alcoholism, preferably recovering from. Make sense? It's only my impression.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about Boston but do enjoy crime fiction, so this sounds good to me!
ReplyDeleteA Micmac Indian? Never heard about them. And you have made me very curious about the characters.
ReplyDeleteBut I don´t think I´ll ever have an alcoholic as my sleuth, unless it is to poke fun of the cliché :)
I would like to read this one. I'm reading a mystery about an alcoholic too. He's a policeman or detective. The book is by C.J. Box. It's a good story too.
ReplyDeleteI like the name of your blog.
ReplyDeleteTea, Thank you. I've been wondering lately if my title is too dull. I like C. J. Box novels and I think I know what character you mean.
ReplyDeleteDorte, Micmac Indians lived in what is now Maine. Well, actually there are still some there now. They make Old Town Canoes, which is of interest to us because we restored a wood and canvas Old Town canoe way back when and got the parts from the company. We still have one but it's newer, and lighter thank heaven.
Kathy, I think this one is right down your alley. Good story you'll enjoy I'm sure.
Barbara, That's one reason why I like Karin Slaughter so much, I think. She actually came up with a different flaw!!!
ReplyDeleteAs you were describing how the guy dies, I got the feeling this is an old-fashioned murder mystery. You know the kind where the dying person's words eventually mean something and the keys open up all sorts of mysteries. Sounds very good to me.
ReplyDeleteJill, Slaughter is very clever and her novels are certainly not run of the mill.
ReplyDeleteMargot, That's it exactly. The guy's last words are such a puzzle that I wondered how in the world Dermot would ever figure them out.
That sounds like a great book! And I love books set in Boston because it is one of my favorite cities.
ReplyDeleteRose City, Boston is a great city, isn't it? I love Fenway Park, the Commons, the history, Quincy Market, the Charles River, the university atmosphere, and the city's walkability. Too bad its winter weather is so awful - otherwise I think I would like to live there.
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