Garry Disher's cool, enigmatic anti-hero Wyatt has a job - a jewel heist. The kind Wyatt likes. Nothing extravagant, nothing greedy. Stake out the international courier, one Alain Le Page, hold up the goods in transit and get away fast.
Wyatt prefers to work alone, but this is Eddie Oberin's job. Eddie's very smart ex-wife Lydia has the inside information. Add Wyatt's planning genius and meticulous preparation, and what could possibly go wrong?
Plenty. And when you wrong Wyatt, you don't get to just walk away.
Taut plots, brilliant writing and relentless pace; plus an unforgettable cast, including the ever-elusive Wyatt himself: these are the hallmarks of Garry Disher's Wyatt series.
My Review
Thirteen years since the last Wyatt novel, and he is finally back. The cool, calm and calculating retro-robber is again up to his old tricks. However, now the offerings are slimmer. The world has changed. The electronic age has meant less cash around, and places that do have cash, also have advanced and more sophisticated security than ever before.
Wyatt also seems to have changed during the 13 year hiatus. I found him increasingly more cold-blooded and ruthless than ever before. This reinforces to the reader that he is fundamentally a criminal - a bad guy. Despite this, he still has his endearing qualities that make him a likeable protagonist. His criminality aside, he is intelligent, and has principles and loyalties. He is a likeable rogue. His misdemeanours are justifiable because you see the world from his point of view.
The plot is captivating, albeit more violent than I remember from previous Wyatt books. Throw in some honour among thieves, some double-crossing, some revenge retribution and some police corruption and the result is another vastly absorbing Garry Disher crime fiction novel. I read it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed spending a few more hours with Wyatt. If you enjoy crime fiction novels through the eyes of the 'perp', then I recommend that you will too.
Promisingly, the open-ended conclusion, indicates another Wyatt novel might be in the works. Hopefully we don't have to wait another 13 years. Please write faster Garry!
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