Good
escapist entertainment. (Review by Keith Millar)
How To Look After Bert Reynolds is a rough and tough
rollercoaster of a novel. Basically it is a murder whodunit, except there is
nothing basic about the story. The plot takes more twist and turns than a
mountain road as people keep finding the most bizarre ways to die.
Then
there are the questions about whether the deaths are murder or suicide and are
the perpetrators human or super natural?
The action
takes place in a small town in north-eastern Kentucky in the USA, which is
populated with a delightful selection of off-the-wall, zany and odd-ball
characters. They are very reminiscent of the writings of Elmore Leonard or
possibly even a Quentin Tarantino movie.
Possibly
the strangest character is Bert Reynolds of the title. He may not quite be the individual
one may assume he is. Also what role does he have to play in the unfolding
drama?
Of
course, it is very important to look after him properly.
The
heroine of the story is Anja DesMoine who tries to live a quiet life and works
at a crises hotline in the town. When a man is murdered and then a young boy
commits suicide under strange circumstances, things get a little uncomfortable
for Anja who has secrets of her own.
The
crimes are investigated by Lieutenant Simon Kretzmar who is not the brightest
of policemen. When the bodies start piling up, Anja becomes his prime suspect
she is forced to flee the town.
How to Look after Bert Reynolds is a story full of fun and
humour. It is not a very long book and is easy to read. Not only is it about a
series of murders, but also about finding unusual friendships, and making peace
with your past.
Most
importantly, it offers good escapist entertainment.
A
poignant factor in the reading of this book is the knowledge that the author,
Laurence Cramer, was killed in a motor car accident in November last year. A
sad loss to the literary world.
How to Look After Bert Reynolds is published by Penguin Books
South Africa- ISDN 978-0-14-353902-5. Recommended retail price R220. – Keith Millar
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