Sunday, December 13, 2009

The Lock Artist-Steve Hamilton

The Lock Artist
Steve Hamilton
Minotaur, Jan 5 2010, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312380427

Although he is silent and has been mute since a traumatic incident back in 1990 when he was eight, Mike Smith has become the “Golden Boy” box man as he can open any safe. He realized his skill as a proficient box man when he was seventeen years old. Since his ability as the Lock Artist of choice he has been in demand by criminals who need his talent.

Mike has spent nine years in prison for his artistic safe breaking skills. However even as his prime client in Detroit must never be angered or else, Mike meets and falls in love with Amelia. A throwback to a gentler romantic time, Mike vows to keep his beloved safe from perils he imagines that lead him into a deadly multimillion-dollar con that requires him to escape a locked box murder.

As Alex McKnight takes a winter’s break, fans will enjoy Mike Smith’s biographical fictional mystery; as he relates his tale to an enthralled audience. The story line is fast-paced especially after Mike moves past lock breaking 101 and 102 as the antihero begins to get into deep trouble with his mob peers after falling in love. Fans will relish his escapades as ironically he must extract himself from a locked “box” mystery.

Harriet Klausner