The Tomb (Adversary Cycle/Repairman Jack)

Arrived on time and exactly as described. Awesome book. Thank you!

WARNING: SPOILERS APLENTY! A successful series character can be both a blessing and a curse. While authors desire the economic rewards that come from creating such a character, they sometimes grow tired of revisiting their children, often wishing (and even writing) them dead (the most famous example being Sherlock Holmes' plunge over the Reichenbach Falls). Perversely, a series both lowers and raises readers' expectations. Fans crave new thrills, but resist radical changes to characters they've grown fond of. F. Paul Wilson understands this dichotomy, and so has handled his most popular creation, the enigmatic Repairman Jack, very carefully. For years, the author was down right stingy in using the character, limiting his appearances to a handful of short stories and two novels (THE TOMB and NIGHTWORLD). Then, in 1997, he published LEGACIES, the first of several novels which account for the time that elapsed between those two novels. Jack conceals his identity from the authorities, choosing to operate in the shadows--he earns his living as a fixer, a professional who solves problems for a fee. Jack is a tough, creative individual, a man with a touch of the adventurer in him, a combination of Travis McGee, Dirk Pitt, and Alan Quartermain. The pragmatic repairman does what he must to resolve problems, and will kill an adversary without regret if necessary. Initially, I saw Jack as a distant cousin to John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee. When I questioned Wilson on this point, he acknowledged the similarity, but said that Sax Rohmer's Fu Manchu stories had a far more direct influence on the books. Once stated, the resemblance is obvious, especially in relation to THE TOMB. Wilson cannily updates Rohmer's pulpish notions, creating equally evil, but far more realistic villains for Jack. Instead of the stereotype of the inhuman, inscrutable Chinese (Rohmer called Fu Manchu "The Devil's agent on earth!"), Wilson uses Indians and Arabs, real human beings with plausible motivations and real emotions. In THE TOMB, Kusum's sister Kolabati is an analog for Fah Lo Suee, Fu Manchu's sexy daughter. Jack himself is a stand in for Nayland Smith, a brash American who shares many of that adventurer's finer qualities. In THE TOMB, Jack faces two dilemmas, one fantastic, the other more mundane. Jack, who, since his first repair job at the age of eleven has gained a substantial reputation for his effectiveness and discretion, is hired by an Indian diplomat named Kusum Bahkti to find the man who mugged his mother for a necklace she was wearing. Jack succeeds in this quest, returning the jewelry, little realizing the profound effect this repair Job will have on his life. Jack's other problem involves his girlfriend Gia DiLauro, who only recently discovered the true nature of his "consulting" business. Shocked, she confronts him, leaving him when he refuses to give up his odd way of life. When Gia's Aunt Grace disappears, however, she reluctantly seeks Jack's assista

What a powerhouse storyteller! I was enthralled from beginning to end! Repairman Jack is one of the best thought out and interesting characters I have come across in a long time. All the characters in this book are believable and well developed. The story itself flows along at a perfect pace. I plan on reading the whole series!!

The horror genre is enriched by this book, which is inventive and original. Though the book is plot, rather than character, driven, it does not suffer for its lack of character development. The reader is kept too busy thinking about the plot to worry unduly about character development. Such is the power of this unusual and compelling horror story. The plot is relatively simple. The horror reaches out across the world from India to the United States. A heinous defilement and murders by British soldiers in a temple in mid-nineteenth century India unleashes a curse that is to follow the descendants of the leader of the attack. Coupled with that curse is an entourage of creatures of unimaginable horror that have once again risen to do the bidding of one who would avenge past wrongs. With great power, however, comes great responsibility. Enter Repairman Jack, a man who works to right what once went wrong and who earns his living by his wits and by his ability to defend himself to the death, if necessary. If one has a problem, he will fix it. When he agrees to help a one-armed Indian gentleman, Kusum Bahkti, retrieve a necklace that is a priceless family heirloom, he soon discovers just how priceless it is. Jack suddenly finds himself thrust into the middle of a series of almost inexplicable events. Besieged by mysterious disappearances, rank odors, unusual substances of Indian origin, he finds that the necklace holds the key to an ancient horror. He then comes up against the most formidable foes he has ever encountered. He must find a way to vanquish these hellish creatures or risk losing those whom he loves. Highly original and inventive, this is a pretty well written horror story that should keep even the most jaded of readers turning its pages. It is also the book that introduced Repairman Jack, a popular character that would go on to have a series of books revolve around him.

This is the first in F. Paul Wilson's books concerning Repairman Jack, a character that has become one of the most interesting literary creations since James Bond.Repairman Jack is a fixer of situations -- situations wherein someone has gotten a raw deal and wants to set things right. He has no social security number, no credit cards, pays no taxes, and makes every attempt to avoid the spotlight whenever possible.The Wesphalen family is living under a curse; a death curse placed a century ago in retaliation for the murderous acts committed by a greedy ancestor. Kusim Bhakti and his sister have come to New York City to carry out the curse and wipe out the rest of the Westphalen line. To assist with this task, Kusim has brought with him the Rakoshi, perversions of the human species brought about eons ago from the Otherness. You'll discover more about the Otherness in the books that follow.As it turns out, Kusim hires Jack to track down the thief that mugged his mother and return the necklace that was stolen. Kusim tells Jack its return is a matter of lie and death. Jack succeeds and returns the heirloom to Kusim's bedridden mother. Jack is paid the rest of his price and assumes the job is done. Little does he know he'll meet with Kusim (plus some really mean Rakoshi) again on different terms. Gia Westphalen has broken off her relationship with Jack, yet her daughter Vicky (the last of the Westphalen line) loves him like a father. Jack still loves Gia and can't bear the thought of never seeing Vicky again. As it turns out, Jack becomes intimately involved with the Westphalens again, protecting Vicky from Kusim and his Rakoshi. This is an excellent read, and the series only gets better. You don't necessarily have to start here, the other books can be read separately, but this probably the best place to start to fully enjoy the rest of the books. You'll find once you finish the book, you'll be asking yourself, Tomb? What's this have to do with a tomb? Wilson had inteneded to call the book "Rakoshi," but his editor requested that he change the name to "The Tomb," thinking it'd sell better. Whatever the case, it's a great beginning to a series that gets better with each book. Enjoy!

F. Paul Wilson introduced his popular character Repairman Jack in this novel that became the second book in the six book Adversary Cycle. Driven by the need for revenge, Repairman Jack conducts illegal 'repairs' of ethically sticky situations either through brains or brawn. He finds himself in a particularly gruesome mess when the family of his estranged girlfriend (she does not approve of his rogue vigilantism) is marked for death by a revenge seeking Indian. Lots of action, monsters, and narrow escapes follow. Highly recommended.