Book Review: Conspiracies

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Conspiracies     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
F. Paul Wilson
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Science Fiction   Supernatural
Series: Repairman Jack # 3
Forge, Feb 2000, $24.95, 304 pp.

No database contains information on Repairman Jack, who applies unorthodox methods to fix problems for people. Jack blends so well into the scenery, no one notices him, let alone remembers seeing him. Though a pragmatic person anchored into the material plane, Jack has battled some supernatural creatures in his time.

Jack’s latest case comes to him via his home page on the Internet, which allows the Repairman to advertise, but remain invisible. Lewis Ehlers desperately wants to find his missing spouse Melanie. She appeared on his TV screen while he watched the Weather Channel and appealed to him to obtain the services of Jack. The Repairman accepts the case and soon attends a conspiracy buff conference where Melanie is scheduled to make an appearance. Jack meets the usual crazies, but also senses a malignant supernatural essence trying to crash the barrier into this world. Only Jack can hope to stop the creature from succeeding, but his odds of surviving the counter is slim.

Anyone who has ever read a Repairman Jack tale wonders what makes the man tick? He appears to be a normal person just by the nature of his conversations with his friends, but the average individual does not spend an inordinate amount of time making sure no trace exists of his ever being anywhere. Thus, Jack remains one of the most enigmatic characters around as readers realize they don’t know Jack. Placing this puzzling protagonist inside a non-stop, action-packed thriller like CONSPIRACIES leaves the audience wanting more novels starring Jack. As with his TOMB AND LEGACIES, F. Paul Wilson provides the audience with a triumphant tale starring a quirky hero who deserves wide fan attention.

Harriet Klausner

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