A Jolly Good Fellow - Stephen V. Masse

[goodreads]

Title: A Jolly Good Fellow
Author: Stephen V. Masse
Genre: Crime
Rating: 7/10
# pages: 203
Date read: October, 2008

Review: Two weeks before Christmas, Duncan Wagner drives out to kidnap the son of his most despised enemy. To his great surprise the kidnapping goes easier than he could ever have imagined - the 11-year-old boy is out hitchhiking and voluntarily climbs into Duncan’s car.

In fact, a lot of things goes easier than Duncan had expected - Gabriel Booker is disillusioned by his parents, and although he hopes to be back in time for Christmas, he's actually quite satisfied to have been kidnapped and get away from them for awhile. This is Duncan’s first attempt ever at kidnapping, and he has no idea how to treat a kidnappee who's not only more curious than scared, but who helps him out, doesn't run away when he has the chance and... who'd have supposed... makes Duncan really care for him.

A Jolly Good Fellow does not consist of chapters as much as of transcripts of several different recorded tapes, which results in a very interesting writing style. I had to get used to it at first, but once I had done so, I actually thought it was a lot more engaging than had the writing been held in the ordinary written language. I found myself caring a lot for both Gabriel and Duncan and though the ending was hopeful, the road to it was a lot more heart-wrenching than I had anticipated.

Stephen Masse has managed to write a quick and enjoyable read. At 203 pages it is easily read in a single sitting and is a comfortable read for a lazy weekend afternoon.

Book List