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Review of debut novel by Matthew Dicks Date published: 7/12/2009
SOMETIMES we're The answer for Matthew Dicks' "Something Missing" is an unqualified "Yes!" It's fun and suspenseful and hard to put down. Dicks has dreamed up an unusual premise and twisted it so that the reader is rooting for "the bad guy." But while Martin Railsback may be a thief, we can't help but worry about him--his OCD and shyness can be a problem--and eventually like him. Martin's not a mean thief--in fact, he develops His success is based on a precise and unflagging attention to details as well as a keen knowledge of his targets' schedules, work situations and appointments. This information affords Martin unnoticed access to their homes, access that is planned out and timed to the second--his watch's buzzer tells him when he has less than 30 seconds left in a particular house. Martin's been kind of a loser his whole life--even his parents seemed to lose interest when he reached teen age. Years ago, struggling to stay afloat by means of a part-time job at Dunkin' Donuts, financial desperation and a lavatory overload sent him back to his mother and stepfather's home one cold winter night to borrow some Liquid-Plumr while they were out at the movies. While there, his hunger prompts him to fry a handful of eggs and butter several slices of toast for an impromptu but necessary snack. Realizing his mother will notice the missing items, he carefully arranges the remaining eggs in the bin and replaces the butter in the dish by trimming a fresh stick to the same length as before so the missing items will not be noticed. He then pops the remainder of the used stick in his pocket along with the used paper towels and napkin. Dishes washed, dried and put back in place; missing food expertly camouflaged; and all traces of his visit expunged, the jig is up when he runs into them in the driveway as he's leaving. But it's the veiled threat by his stepfather that triggers the idea that leads Martin into his subsequent life of gentle crime. And that's just the back story. Read "Something Missing" this summer and join the fun as Martin's life and crimes become more than he ever imagined.
Beverly Meyer is a copy editor
Date published: 7/12/2009
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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