Barry Forshaw on Linwood Barclay and James M. Cain...
At first glance, the contemporary novels of Linwood Barclay and the classic work of fellow American James M. Cain might appear different (and, in many ways, they are), but both share a compelling sense of the dark destiny that threatens their beleaguered characters – and both write in a pared-down, economical style. Barclay’s Fear the Worst is a perfect place to start with this impeccable writer, while the crucial James M. Cain novel is The Postman Always Rings Twice.
Sarah Broadhurst's view...
An author who came to fame through the Richard and Judy chosen No Time for Goodbye, with his third gripping page-turner. A father hunts his missing daughter who appears to have led a double life. It’s small town America, international crime, disinterested police and some very nasty people stuff. It also takes in the stress of split families and dealing with teenagers. A very human thriller, fast-paced and very good.
The worst day of Tim Blake's life started out with him making breakfast for his seventeen-year-old daughter Sydney. Syd was staying with him while she worked a summer job - even if he wasn't entirely sure what her job at the Just Inn Time motel actually was - and Tim hoped this quality father-daughter time would somehow help her deal with his divorce. When she didn't arrive home at her usual time, he thought she'd probably gone to the mall to hang with her friends. When she didn't answer her phone he began to worry. When she didn't come home at all, he began to panic. And when the people at the motel said they had no Sydney Blake working there, and never had, he began to see his life going into freefall. If she hadn't been working at the motel every day, what had she been doing? Something she couldn't - or wouldn't - tell her own father about? To find his daughter Tim doesn't need to simply track her down - he needs to know who she really was, and what could have made her step out of her own life without leaving a trace. Only one thing has him convinced the worst hasn't already happened: the fact that some very scary people seem just as eager as he is to find her. The question is: who's going to find her first?
Linwood Barclay was our Guest Editor in October 2013 - click here - to see the books that inspired his writing.
Linwood Barclay is an international bestselling crime and thriller author with over twenty critically acclaimed novels to his name, including the number one bestseller No Time For Goodbye. Linwood has sold more then 7 million copies globally, his books have been sold in more than 39 countries around the world and he can count Stephen King, Shari Lapena and Peter James among his many fans.
Born in the US, his parents moved to Canada just as he was turning four, and he’s lived there ever since. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Neetha. They have two grown children. Visit Linwood Barclay at www.linwoodbarclay.com or find him on Twitter at @linwood_barclay.
In the video below Linwood Barclay answer questions from LoveReading members.
