Soze Says

A perfectly serviceable early work from Jeff Strand, who of late has become something of a favourite author of mine. Graverobbers Wanted takes a fair number of pages to really get going, with a significant proportion of that dedicated to building up the POV character, Andrew Mayhem. Once it does get rolling, however, Strand let's his inner horror writer loose, and the book immediately improves several notches. Special points must also be awarded for the impressive death trap one character is subjected to in a public car park.

I thought this one was destined for four star status, until I realised how disposable Mayhem's children were in the convenient plot-device kind of way. There is simply no way a father could be this irresponsible with his kids and get away with it for any length of time. So for the first three-quarters of the book I thought the kids merely existed to give Mayhem some contextual humanity. But by the end of proceedings, it became apparent they were meant for something more - even if what that was only served to highlight my annoyance with the protagonist as a father even more.

So we're back into 3 star territory - with the earnest hope that the next book in the series addresses this annoying depiction of parenthood. Because even if it doesn't, I know I'll be on board to see what kind of kooky, murderous adventure Strand has in store for Mayhem and co next time around.

3 Pre-Saw Death Traps for Graverobbers Wanted: No Experience Necessary.