Here Comes A Hero by
Lawrence Block
pbk out May 98
(No Exit Press)
at £4.99
I have enjoyed previous novels by Lawrence Block, all featured the burglar Bernie Rhoddenbarr. Here Comes A Hero is the sixth story in a series featuring Evan Michael Tanner and after reading it, I would like to read the first five. Tanner is true to the hard boiled tradition of cynical, quirky investigators and the most interesting aspect of his character is the inability to sleep. This is not due to normal insomnia but to the fact that a piece of shrapnel destroyed the sleep centre of his brain during the Korean War.
Tanner is called upon to find Deborah Horovitz who has changed her name to Phaedra Harrow. It is a challenging task which obviously requires subtlety, skill and dexterity. As he is beginning to glean information as to the whereabouts of Phaedra, the police swoop on the house where he is staying thus forcing a hasty exit. Tanner uses his phenomenal linguistic skills(he learns languages instead of sleeping) to get abroad with the help of the Celtic-Speaking Union. The action then steps up a few gears as he fins himself amidst a group of men planning a Coup. A narrow escape from death and a heroic swim across the English Channel lead our intrepid hero to Tel-Aviv where he needs next to gain entry to Afghanistan for it is here that Phaedra is being held captive in a whorehouse.
Tarsheen of the Sausage Pot is one of the many interesting characters met by Tanner in his seemingly impossible quest. There is a sardonic humour throughout the novel which is both refreshing and sharp. At various intervals, the men from whom Tanner escaped track him down and a series of hectic encounters occur. Eventually he finds Amanullah who has the means to lead him to Phaedra. More drama follows culminating in a tense and somewhat unexpected finale.
I really enjoyed this book and read it almost at one sitting. The style is punchy and the protagonist eminently likeable. If you haven't read any of the books featuring Evan Michael Tanner and you are a fan of the racy, hard-boiled school of crime then try one. You are in for a treat.
Here Comes A Hero by
Lawrence Block