Fiction Addict

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: March 31^st, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

It’s been one year since John Hutchinson battled Declan Page and his teen cronies in the remote Canadian wilderness. Back home in Denver, Hutch has been on a personal mission to bring down Declan’s father, Brendan Page, the man behind the horrors that took the lives of so many innocent people. Unfortunately, Page just happens to be the CEO of a major paramilitary organization with strong government support, and all of Hutch’s digging leads nowhere. Brendan Page soon decides that Hutch needs to be silenced and kidnaps his son. John Hutchinson must now fight the ultimate battle to save his son and bring down a maniacal madman who seemingly holds every card. Unfortunately for Page, he has underestimated the love and determination of a father armed only with a bow and an uncanny knack for survival.

In 2007 Robert Liparulo wowed fans and critics with his original and innovative thriller, Deadfall, where he took a peaceful camping trip and turned it into a hellish nightmare for Hutch and his buddies. Ever since the sequel was announced I have anxiously been waiting for what I hoped would be another rock solid thrill ride. Rest assured Deadlock delivers on every level.

Liparulo is known for his intense action sequences and sometimes gruesome violence, and once again I found myself fidgeting nervously and cringing throughout this story. It’s very rare that an author can make me wince involuntarily through sheer descriptive power alone, but Liparulo gets me every time. Good writers know how to drop the audience into the middle of the story, and that’s where I found myself throughout. I love the way Liparulo continues to use ground breaking technology to propel his stories. In Deadlock, virtual reality is taken to a whole new level that is both fascinating and terrifying when you consider the real life potential for military use. Fans of Deadfall will also enjoy the return of some favorite characters that bring a welcome depth to the story.

Brendan Page is one of Liparulo’s most ruthless and well crafted villains. This man is truly frightening with his distorted view of reality and his unwavering belief that he is right. Page’s character is the embodiment of so many infamous world leaders and people of influence who have sacrificed the lives of millions for their own warped versions of reality. Not only is he insane, but he is clever, highly skilled, and powerful, all working together to make him the ultimate bad guy.

Deadlock is by no means a light hearted tale, but Liparulo sets himself apart from other thriller writers with the level of emotion he brings to each story. Hutch is an endearing and imperfect character that struggles with the tension between being a hero and being a good father. Amidst all the flying bullets and whizzing arrows we are treated to a soul stirring story about fighting for your family at all costs. I love Hutch taking out bad guys with his bow just as much as the next guy, but it’s the heart in Liparulo’s storytelling that always brings me back for more. Bravo!!