Saturday, November 14, 2009

"...the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night..."*

Something Missing, by Matthew Dicks, is a strange and compelling little book - much like its main character. Martin Railback is a thief: he supports himself by stealthily entering the homes of his carefully vetted "clients" and stealing whatever he needs: a half-bottle of laundry detergent here, a box of cereal there, a roll or two of toilet paper, a book of stamps. Things most people would never notice missing. His thoroughness and his obsessive-compulsive tendencies lend themselves to the success of his chosen "career." But after he is almost caught one day, he throws caution to the winds (well, for him), and begins to interfere in the lives of his clients, people whom, after all, he considers practically family. Martin reasons, If he can make people's lives better, why shouldn't he? For a common house thief, Martin is a remarkably likeable and engaging guy, and I was surprised how thoroughly drawn into his story I became.

And now for something completely different:

*************
*I Thessalonians 5:4

5 comments:

Eleanor said...

I love to think of you journeying through these fictional worlds while your boys are journeying through their younger years. I also love your posts about it all, so thanks BB!!

Your comment about finding the thief to be so likeable brings to mind the crush I have on Dexter at the moment. I'm watching the TV episodes on DVD and I must say, he's an extraordinarily likeable serial killer who does make people's lives much better. He's cute too.

librarygirl said...

The Little Stranger! OOh don't read it at night!

Jess said...

Ooh I read TLS awhile ago and completely freaked myself out. I had to close the book and go downstairs and be with people for awhile....

I'll check out Something Missing, thanks!

Suse said...

I'm enjoying the idea of a lovable thief.

I'm halfway through the Her Fearful Symmetry and can't put it down. Did you know she has a graphic novel coming out soon too?

Jess said...

I can't decide if your comments about The Little Stranger make me want to pick it up, or run screaming.