Puppets

This is the first book (actually audiobook) I've read by Hecht and I must say it's now one of my all-time favorites. Hecht keeps the wheels on the story right through the very end. Most fiction seems to disappoint by either being too long winded, too far-fetched, or by having a preposterous ending, but not here, this is good till the last drop. Hecht is an extremely gifted writer. Do yourself a favor and ignore the negative reviews posted here and give it a try. Not for the faint-of-heart.

I had to shake my head over the so-called reviewer who hadn't bothered to read the word "prequel" on the cover, and then fussed over the ending of the book. Groan. One should have at least basic reading skills before deigning to criticize a writer of Hecht's enormous skills. Puppets is, like all Hecht's work, addictive. The author has an all but peerless ability to create mood and genuninely creepy tension; this, coupled with great narrative drive, makes for a superior reading experience. Puppets is fascinating on many levels, dealing as it does with the issue of control--something that is central to all our lives--and it delivers the goods. It isn't so important to learn the identity of the villain (and the pathway is strewn with a fair number of adroitly dropped red herrings) as it is to watch Mo Ford and the other main characters take shape before us and act out in entirely believable ways. What I like best about Hecht's work is the believable fallibility of his characters; they remain true to themselves, even when it isn't pretty, even when we, the readers, wince at their ability to embarrass themselves and then scramble for redemption. Puppets is Hecht doing what he does best: making us care about his people to the extent that we're willing to go with them, wherever they have to go. Highly recommended!

not as good as some of his other books, but still way better than most

This is a super-smart and beautifully written thriller, a real page-turner, intellectually satisfying without being at all pretentious. I'm going to go and read all Hecht's other books now--this is one of the best crime novels I've read for ages. Highly recommended.