An Honest Man

Author: Michael Koryta
Genre: Crime Thriller
373 pages
Publisher: Mulholland Books

Synopsis
The murder of several politicians at sea has shattering implications for a local lobsterman and a young boy.

Israel Pike was a killer, and he was an honest man. They were not mutually exclusive.

After discovering seven men murdered aboard their yacht – including two Senate rivals – Israel Pike is regarded as a prime suspect. A troubled man infamous on Salvation Point Island for killing his own father a decade before, Israel has few options, no friends, and a life-threatening secret.

Elsewhere on the island, 12-year-old Lyman Rankin seeks shelter from his alcoholic father in an abandoned house only to discover that he is not alone. A mysterious woman greets him with a hatchet and a “Make a sound and I’ll kill you.”

As the investigation barrels forward, Lyman, Israel, and the fate of the case collide in immutable ways.

My review
An Honest Man is an excellent suspense novel by Michael Koryta. While I wouldn’t consider it a thriller, the storyline has everything I look for in crime fiction: a gripping story, depth that doesn’t drag down the pace, and a sense of place so vivid it almost feels like you’re there. Koryta’s storytelling is haunting and engaging and the slow, methodical character development builds an eerie, atmospheric tale that pulled me in completely.

The story centers on Israel Pike, a man returning to his coastal island hometown in Maine after serving 15 years in prison for killing his father. Alternating with his perspective is that of Lyman Rankin, a resilient 12-year-old boy navigating life with his abusive father. These characters are memorable, with actions and motivations that drew me in and kept me thoroughly engaged.

Koryta takes his time weaving together past and present, revealing the layers of his characters and their histories with empathy and depth. At first, Israel Pike seemed like a hotheaded troublemaker, but as the story unfolds, Koryta reveled there’s much more to him than meets the eye. Similarly, Lyman’s story mirrors Israel’s in many ways, though his youth offers a glimmer of hope amid the harsh realities of life on Salvation Point Island. The plotlines of Israel and Lyman run parallel for much of the book. When their plot-lines eventually converge it is well worth the wait!

My only real criticism is that the secondary characters could have been fleshed out more. Jacqueline, the lead female character, feels more like a plot device, and the main villains come across as a bit rushed and underdeveloped.

An Honest Man doesn’t break new ground in the genre, but it delivers a powerful, character-driven story. Israel Pike’s struggles to reintegrate into his tight-knit, judgmental community are relatable and deeply human. I haven’t read Koryta before and this book was a fantastic introduction to his work. I know I’ll be reaching for his other novels soon!

My recommendation: worth the read!