Target of Fear (Book) - 4/28/2018 7:53:49 AM
Thrilling Detective Fiction on the Edge of the Roaring Twenties
Target of Fear: A Joshua Oates Adventure by Steve Leshin is exciting suspense novel that manages to serve double duty as both a hard-boiled detective yarn and lively historical fiction. Down and out, Joshua Oates is a compelling protagonist and narrator as he confronts past and present events that are as troubling as they are extraordinary. Set in 1919 in Boston and New York, Leshin captures the turbulent mood of that year well as America adjusts to the upheaval of international balances that followed World War I, the looming prohibition on alcohol, and the burgeoning optimism that will usher in the Roaring Twenties.
Leshin populates his novel with compelling historical figures, including Marie Curie, Harry Houdini, Bat Masterson, and Damon Runyon. In a novel with great scenes of derring-do, Houdini is a particular delight as he appears to have a bottomless bag of tricks to deal with any sticky situation. Marie Curie’s role is also fascinating as kidnappers look for her assistance in developing chemical weapons to affect the course of international events. In fact, as the mystery unfolds, Leshin incorporates absorbing and revealing anecdotes about historical figures that allow for a broader evocation of the era.
This period is wrapped neatly into a fun work of detective fiction. Without giving away too much, less say there’s an intriguing femme fatale, an unctuous and very credible villain, and some pretty brutal henchmen. There’s even a love interest in Angie Lang who in so many ways is a refreshing and sophisticated break from traditional detective fiction, particularly in one of her late decisions. The rush of the story particularly hits its stride on the streets of Old New York: with some climactic scenes at iconic attractions and interludes in venerable establishments like Katz’s, Smith’s, and Delmonico’s.
Target of Fear is filled with an impressive number of plot twists and turns, punctuated by a terrific and ironic surprise ending. Ultimately, the historical figures and evocations give this novel an additional layer that makes it stand above other works of the genre. Target of Fear is a fun, enriching read.
Target of Fear (Book) - 4/4/2018 4:26:58 AM
The wifeI like historical fiction. Your title doesn't seem to indicate anything of that nature. I also like you tying Houdini and Marie Curie into the plot. But I hope that isn't preposterous. I had an uncle who was "shellshocked"--he was a medic--who as far as I could find out spent the war in a hospital in the southeastern United States. Anyway, he was a weird dude who collected coins after losing all his money in stocks in 1929. He got violent and my aunt put him in a VA hospital.
Your excerpt is a little short, but quite interesting.
Ron
