Forgers

 

One of my favorite authors is back with a new mystery novel — and it centers around books. The (unreliable?) narrator, Will, is a master forger. He specialized in faking inscriptions and small pieces of ephemera by classic authors. Then he got caught. Having paid his debt to society, Will has promised to become a legitimate bookseller and expert appraiser. His girlfriend, Meghan, is glad to see Will adjusting to the honest life even if he is white-knuckling it. He misses the thrill of passing off a perfectly replicated piece as genuine.

But then Meghan’s brother is found dead at his home on Long Island. Adam is left without his hand in the gruesome crime scene. His home has been ransacked, with many of the priceless literary items destroyed and left to be found in shambles. It seems burglary was not the motive. The killer was angry and vengeful.

Will does his best to support Meghan, to start a new life together. Then Will starts receiving threatening notes — all in the handwriting of famous authors he has forged before. He may be the next victim if he can’t track who killed Adam and figure out why.

I who had never been afraid of what might lurk in the dark woods now couldn’t feel quite so self-assured as before, would have to consider the slim by real possibility that the forest was looking back at me, framed here in the window. ~Loc. 1193

The book moves at a jaunty pace, saving the reveal for the last few pages. It’s a fun romp into the world of lignin-scented backrooms and ink-dipped pens that scratch when writing.

Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Mysterious Press (November 4, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 080212321X
ISBN-13: 978-0802123213

Read via NetGalley