Echo Bay: A Novel of Suspense

Rating:
Summary: A Master of Hard-boiled Dialogue
Review: Master of Hard-boiled Dialogue

Shawn Rainey, ex-Olympic hopeful skier, is now a gimp-legged fixer who combines the skills of a slick-talker working the cameras, a paralegal who knows how to research opposition dirt and, when necessary, a thug that can drop you with a punch. He's been given one last chance (read: Redemption) to regain partial custody of his children, by assisting in a shady deal being pushed by sleazy ex "business" associate, Terry Dahl, who now lives with Shawn's former wife. The deal involves the raising of the "Constance," which has been lying at the bottom of Lake Tahoe since 1940. The media (and money) frenzy surrounding this possible event has the allure of an inland "Titanic." But the "Constance" has secrets buried with her, and the 70-something year old daughter of the owner that scuttled the ship wants to keep it that way.

At its best, "Echo Bay" deals with the sins of the past and the need to let them go - or risk drowning in the bad mix of new sins and haunted memories. Thus, as a metaphor, "Echo Bay's" ship works as a fine McGuffin for all the intrigues to cluster around. But turning away from the past doesn't mean you can avoid confronting the truth - no matter how old, no matter how deeply buried. Rainey's diggings and conflicts reveal many a hidden skeleton, including a few from his own closet. Barre's use of dialogue is really what drives this story. It's tough and spare, often funny, but not in a smart-aleck Carl Hiasson way. The players here are all playing for keeps. For the most part it works. Up until the last 100 pages or so I thought I was reading something special, given the plot and the tough talk, "Echo Bay" seemed to have struck a balance, and was moving beyond genre, providing the kind of contemporary snapshot that penetrates, through its insights, the culture of a time and place. But for some reason "Echo Bay" never really establishes the tragic vision of, for example, Lehane's "Shutter Island," or Robert Stone's "Dog Soldiers."
By novel's end things get nicely arranged, loose ends are tied up, intriguing characters flatten out into types, and you're already thinking of what next to read. I can't help but feel this novel opened with higher stakes on the table. That said, Rainey is a great character and I would definitely read Barre again. His dialogue is every bit as good as Leonard at his best, and that in itself is reason enough to read on.

Rating:
Summary: He's Done it Again!
Review: Richard Barre's snappy dialogue and fractured sentences are reminiscent of noir classics. His novels captivate the reader from the first page. Barre brings a unique talent to all his work, and Echo Bay is no exception.

Once a championship skier, an accident cut Shawn Rainey's career short. Now he's down on his luck, and more or less coasting through life. A threat to take his children away is used against him as blackmail. With no other choice, he joins a scheme to raise a sunken ship. He sets off, determined to accomplish his mission and recover his two kids. But the past keeps leaping up, thwarting his efforts.

In Shawn's typical fashion, he simply rolls with the punches. Until he's had enough. When Shawn Rainey becomes proactive, watch out! He goes after the truth with unwavering persistence. If someone gets in his way, their choice is go along with him or pay a high price. With the cooperation of new and old friends, Shawn follows the clues through twists and turns.

Echo Bay is the story of people facing their pasts, warts and all, and looking for their futures. It is a page-turning novel of redemption.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Trite set up made it impossible to maintain interest. Though I love his Hardesty stuff this left me cold.