The Tinderbox

This is very likely Jo Bannister's best novel thus far. I was first captivated by her compelling Castlemere mysteries, and hugely disappointed when she metaphorically moved away from Castlemere. Still, I enjoy her writing and characterization, as well as the often gritty nature of her stories. I moved back and forth among her other somewhat tentative, searching series (Clio Rees/Harry Marsh, Primrose Holland, Mickey Flynn) and finally sort-of settled on Brodie Farrell for my periodic Jo Bannister fixes. Brodie is at least fairly steady as a series, but it is Bannister's non-series books, and especially The Tinderbox, that really ring the bell of excellence. This is a story of a family torn by the horrifying disappearance of a child. Fifteen years old when she vanishes from her life in Birmingham , Cassie's disappearance disrupts the precarious stability of the family and leaves each member affected in completely believable ways. When brother Tom is certain six years later that Cassie is seen in a documentary of homelessness in London, Cassie's father abruptly leaves home to seek her out in London's ugliest underworld landscape. Bannister draws a vivid and compelling story of his search and the dangers he encounters, almost getting himself killed but for the intervention of a young denizen of that underworld who reluctantly befriends him and aids his search. The story winds its way to a totally unpredictable conclusion. If you seek a formula ending, I hope you will be converted by the thoroughly believable wrap that Bannister puts on this captivating tale. This story is up to date with conditions in the world and the characters are felt as deeply as those who suffer many of today's miseries in real life.

This was a great read and I couldn't put it down. The set-up is every parent's nightmare, the disappearance of a child. It sends the hero, mild-mannered Laurence Schofield, on an odyssey through an underbelly of London that he doesn't even know exists. He's plunged into the world of the homeless, who have created their own world hidden within our own. Bannister portrays them with sympathy and dimension, without being saccarine. With the help of some unlikely allies, Schofield goes in search of his daughter among two warring tribes of forgotten souls. In particular, he becomes dependant on help from a runaway teenager called Jonah. Through his dealings with Jonah, Schofield learns a great deal about this lowest tier of society and about himself. Bannister keeps the action moving at a terrific pace. Better yet, she creates a collection of believable characters who are not only complex, but who grow through the course of the story. If you are looking for simple, Hollywood endings, you will be frustrated. But while the resolution is not pat and predictable, it flows naturally from the characters Bannister has created. For me, this resulted in a extremely satisfying and realistic conclusion.