An interesting mystery that looks at privilege, politics, and family dynamics. Well-written, interesting characters, and well-plotted. I enjoyed this.

I've been a fan of Patterson's writing for some time, and I enjoyed reading this. (I'm glad Open Road Media are making some of the author's earlier novels available in eBooks - they're doing this for a number of great authors who maybe have fallen out of sight.)

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Peter was in a car crash that killed his parents as a young child but now at thirty can't remember the weekend it happened and not knowing might be the death of him. Family squabbles, people out to get you, power, money, makes for a tale with lots of drama. Some of it seemed to be a bit much and over the top. Characters you liked as small children might be unlikable as adults as this story covers a lot of time. I've read better, I've read worse.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Peter Carey was born into privilege during the McCarthy era, when the paranoia of Washington infected his parents’ house and seeped into Peter’s bones. His father was so obsessed with the family publishing business that he never had time for his son. Even as a teenager, Peter barely knew his father—and one dark night, an accident on a lonely road ensured he never would.
Peter’s memories of that horrific night have been erased by amnesia, but decades later he is still tortured by nightmares. When a strange conspiracy threatens to steal his company and take his life, he will have to remember . . . and find the key to survival that is locked in his own mind.

Originally released in 1983, this novel by Richard North Patterson is now available in eBook form.

An interesting, if somewhat sluggish, look into the world of a traumatised amnesiac, looked at through the eyes of a six-year old boy and of those of the adult. The plot does get moving after the halfway mark and is quite rewarding once you get to the end.

I think this book would have been a lot better if not for the fragmented way the story is put together. It felt like three distinct parts, melded together to form a story. It was difficult to get into, and to stay in - but, in the end, it all made sense so I can't be too critical.


Paul
ARH