The Lock Artist
By Steve Hamilton
- Release Date: 2010-01-05
- Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Description
Steve Hamilton steps away from his Edgar Award-winning Alex McKnight series to introduce a unique new character, unlike anyone you've ever seen in the world of crime fiction.
"I was the Miracle Boy, once upon a time. Later on, the Milford Mute. The Golden Boy. The Young Ghost. The Kid. The Boxman. The Lock Artist. That was all me.
But you can call me Mike."
Marked by tragedy, traumatized at the age of eight, Michael, now eighteen, is no ordinary young man. Besides not uttering a single word in ten years, he discovers the one thing he can somehow do better than anyone else. Whether it's a locked door without a key, a padlock with no combination, or even an eight-hundred pound safe ... he can open them all.
It's an unforgivable talent. A talent that will make young Michael a hot commodity with the wrong people and, whether he likes it or not, push him ever close to a life of crime. Until he finally sees his chance to escape, and with one desperate gamble risks everything to come back home to the only person he ever loved, and to unlock the secret that has kept him silent for so long.
The Lock Artist is the winner of the 2011 Edgar Award for Best Novel and a 2011 Alex Award winner.
Reviews
Deeply satisfying
5By The Bam Master 5000One of the best books I’ve ever read. Profound, tangible depth in the main character. A rare combination of emotional depth, and yet often understated. Deeply satisfying.Amazing book
5By Drift MasterOne of my favorite reads Really unique character and story lineAnother tween romance novel
1By DedPool817Starts out pretty good, suspenseful and an intriguing main character with a unique talent. But turns into a sappy teen romance novel quickly, and plot is replaced by introducing multiple characters and adjectives. This is a poor attempt at making a mediocre short story into a novel. Pass on it.Great read
4By Auggie's ManEnjoyed reading this very much. Going back and forth in time kept you guessing until near the end and then a great ending. I'm going to read more by this author.Definitely read this book!
5By BreesyReader80Thoroughly enjoyed this light but engaging read. Definitely one of the best I've read lately! Drew me in and kept me turning the pages with a great story, good dialogue, and characters that were interestingly developed and relatable. It's been awhile since I've read a book that I literally did not want to put down, and this one finally broke my bad book slump!! Read it, and chances are you won't regret it.Tremdous and compelling story!
5By askmarA great read, I read it in one day. Very well written with a compelling plot. Highly recommended!Great Read
5By WastewomanThe title was a bit off-putting at first, but by the end of the book, it is totally fitting. Michael is an interesting, complex character, even though, for most of the book, he is still a teenager. His life is taken out of his hands when he is eight, and it seems that each time he meets someone, he loses a bit more control. There are numerous points in the story where he could take it back, but he doesn’t. The fact that Hamilton waits until the latter part of the story to reveal Michael’s childhood trauma keeps the tension high. The question of whether he will ever speak again and about whether he will finally make a righteous decision keeps the reader transfixed throughout the narrative. The only criticism I have it the overuse of the time sequence shuffling, which is a bit hard to follow sometimes. Although Hamilton clearly sets up the time and place for each chapter, I felt my emotions sometimes were not allowed to follow a particular story line when suddenly I was jerked to another timeframe and different circumstances. Otherwise, this was an excellent book.Finish this, I dare you
3By uprise24Really good beginning, really good ending. Middle part, like trying to swim through pancake batter.....and to stay awake while doing it. I made it because it was my last e book on the shelf, but it wasn't easy. Try it, go ahead.....it's your money.Best book I have ever read
5By YifjkgfngdNo exaggeration. This is the best book ever. This book is very well writin and a real page turner.A pleasure
5By LvnevfanThis book was truly entertaining and well written.
