Hosts by F. Paul Wilson

11 September 2005, 19:59

4 stars

bookRepairman Jack’s 5th outing is his best yet.

Two major events are visited on Jack: (1) he’s The Saviour of a brutal subway attack, killing a crazed gunman and (2) his long lost sister Kate, seemingly randomly, walks back into his life.

In (1), Jack is witnessed by a “cub” reporter (Jimmy Olsen-style) who sees Jack as his ticket to fame and fortune. Jack’s very existence—at the fringes of society and anonymity—are threatened.

In (2), his sister Kate calls on the services of Repairman Jack, never suspecting that he’s her long lost brother, not seen for over 10 years. This is a serendipitous meeting, re-establishing a strong connection with the woman who actually brought Jack(ie) up.

Unfortunately, the reason Kate calls Jack has to do with her lesbian lover Jeanette, now infected with a mystery virus after treatment for a brain tumour. But maybe the virus is more than it seems because eight others who received the same treatment begin to exhibit strange behaviour…

And in the middle of all this, Jack is targeted by two explosion experts who blame Jack for their loss of face, reputation, income…

Well, if you’ve read any of the other RJ series, the situations and convolutions come as no surprise. If you haven’t then go back and read the RJ series in order: The Tomb (aka Rakoshi), Legacies, Conspiracies and All The Rage. Not to mention various others, detailed at repairmanjack.com.

This is the best, most coherent, most tightly-plotted, most tragic RJ yet. Jack is close to becoming the most unaware, most unwilling saviour of mankind yet. Only RJ can Save-The-World™. And keep his loved-ones safe. He hopes.

A great, easy and enthralling read.

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