North

It's rare that the sequel tops the first story, but Frederick Busch does just that. Otherwise, great customer service, the book arrived on time and in very good shape.

NORTH is a modern tragedy. Anyone who reads it would not question this statement. But the real tragedy here is how few people have read this book, how few people knew the magic of Fred Busch's fiction. Author of more than two dozen books, Busch was often referred to as a "writer's writer," which is a kind way of saying a guy who never had a bestseller. But he should have, and NORTH, along with its excellent prequel, GIRLS, should have topped the lists. Yes, the tragic hero of GIRLS, the long-suffering one-time cop, sometime rent-a-cop, returns in NORTH. There are no giants and no beanstalks in these two Busch books, but Jack is back. And so (briefly) is "the dog," his faithful companion from GIRLS. I find it odd that a writer like Busch, who so obviously loved dogs, created a hero (anti-hero?) who had a dog with no name. I always wonder what the significance of this was. As was the case in GIRLS, Jack is again trying to "rescue" someone. And once again, so very sadly, he fails. But he does so in the most human way. For Jack is a kind of Everyman in his trying to make things better. He supposedly doesn't have the words for the tragedies that have befallen him - in his marriage and in his friendships and work. But NORTH (and GIRLS) are perhaps the most eloquent novels of sorrow, loss and near-redemption that I have ever read. Many times, hearing Jack's inner monologue in my own mind as I read, I was nearly reduced to tears. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first, of course, is Busch's consumate skill in the creation of this guy; you'll never find a more human, sympathetic character in modern fiction. The other reason I was so saddened was the knowledge that Fred Busch is no longer with us. He died in February 2006. There will be no more stories of Jack. There will be no more beautiful Busch books to look forward to. Too sad. If I had to compare Jack to other modern "investigators," the Matt Scudder character of author Lawrence Block comes to mind. Those books were a guilty pleasure for me for a few years back in the 90s. But Jack is special in his suffering, in his fortitude, in keeping his dark secrets. There is violence and cruelty here, there is love and longing, there is even torrid and brutal sex, but most of all there is Jack himself, a character to be remembered for a long long time. The ending of NORTH left an opening for another book, a sequel, but no dice. En route to Maine and a new life, Jack will remain forever on that road. I will miss him, and I will miss the art of Fred Busch even more. - Tim Bazzett, author of the Reed City Boy trilogy

Make no mistake, Frederick Busch can write like nobody's business. North is the followup to his novel, Girls. The protagonist, Jack, was once a cop, but now his career is on a downward slide following the death of his daughter and his divorce. But still Jack has an ethical urge to set things right, find those who are missing. This is a character-driven mystery and the reader will find that it meanders a bit. If you taste runs to straight formula mysteries, you might not like this; but if you like a little meat in your books, give this one a try.

Jack works as a security guard at a bar in a North Carolina resort. His wife left him years ago as his career in law enforcement has gone downward on the ladder of success. Always hoping for reconciliation, Jack now has to accept that is impossible because Fanny has died. He has as his only companion his nameless canine who Jack knows is dying too. When male prostitute Jason Arnold tries to pick up a classy looking six footer, Jack intercedes. The woman, New York attorney Merle Davidoff, thanks him for his intervention and admits she is embarrassed to learn the hunk is a whore. She offers Jack work to find her missing twenty-three year nephew Tyler Pearl, who last was heard from a few months ago in Vienna, New York. Jack takes the job in his hometown as a chance to redeem himself by rescuing the young man if needed even though Jack feels as if he has failed at everything he has tried to do which includes once not saving a little girl's life in Vienna. This sequel to GIRLS returns Jack as the prime protagonist still failing in everything he has done until Merle gives him a chance for atonement (at least in his mind). The story line is character driven though filled with plenty of action as Jack sees an opportunity to climb out of the ooze he has fallen into before he fulfills his self-prophecy of slinking as low as a former military police officer can go. The mystery is well done but takes a back seat to a psychological thriller starring a man whose "significant other" over the last fifteen years is his recently deceased nameless dog. Harriet Klausner

Once again Mr. Busch is in wonderful form in the detective/mystery genre. His approach to his stories is very intimate; visceral, yet incisive; evocative, and deeply psychological. The book develops the character of the protagonist Jack with great precision and mostly through his inner mental monologue. While Busch writes excellent dialogue, his forte is his psychological process analysis. This skill is never more needed than in the detective and mystery genre. A technique in his writing style that is somewhat new and quite inventive is his manner of transition. In this book, a wonderful and creative segue technique is developed; whereby a touch, a sound, the smell of coffee, the handle of a shovel can take the reader from one subplot to another seamlessly, but also, without obvious breaking points. This interesting stylistic element adds to the uniqueness and readability of the book. While there is tragedy and difficulty in the story, Busch takes great pains to not be "careless with his characters." Each character is treated with respect and dignity, even if they do undignified things. The development of the personalities is cautious, but precise. And the resolutions of the plot and subplot elements are realistic, yet not gruesome or unduly painful. Finally, Busch has a gift for writing love scenes. His mix of tactile and psychological writing allows him to portray personal interaction in a manner that has great clarity. And in addition, the scenes have portrayals that are hugely meaningful and explanatory. This book is recommended for all readers of serious fiction with an interest in the detective/mystery genre.