Book Review: The Upright Man

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Upright Man     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Michael Marshall
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   FBI   Serial Killer
Series: Straw Men # 2
June, April 2004, $6.99, 368 pp.

Only three people know about The Straw Men; two are on the run(Ward and John) while the third works as an agent for the FBI(Nina). The group believes they are the only ones not infected by a virus promoting social conscience which gives them the power to kill whomever they wish and are responsible for many of the atrocities that have happened throughout history. The members are wealthy, powerful and hold positions of authority in law enforcement & government and sometimes they work behind the series to further their agenda.

Paul is the Upright Man, a serial killer in his own right who procures victims fir the Straw Men to kill. He also is Ward’s identical twin brother, the man responsible for killing Ward’s parents and John’s daughter. Nina gets pulled into a case that is of interest to the group and brings herself, John and Ward to their attention. The group decides it is time for the trio to die. Ward, John and Nina meet in a forest in the Pacific Northwest for a final showdown with THE UPRIGHT MAN and members of The Straw Men.

There is nothing more frightening and none more dangerous than the sane person who believes he can kill with impunity because it is his or her sanctimonious right to do so. The antagonist and The Strawmen are evil, not insane which make this a horror novel as frightening as that of King and Koontz because they wear the guise of humanity to hide their depravity. Ward is an innocent who learns fast how to stay alive against people so ruthless that they are beyond imagining. Michael Marshal is a master when it comes to writing horror of the human kind.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner