SPIKED

Spiked
By Mark Arsenault
Publication date July 2003
$24.95
ISBN 1-59058-059-1
Poisoned Pen Press

Eddie Bourque is destined to become one of the characters that a reader adores and regrets when the book has ended. In the new book, Spiked by Mark Arsenault, is the opportunity to meet one of the most realistic and charismatic characters ever written.

Eddie is a reporter for a second-rate newspaper in Massachusetts who unfortunately finds that his partner has been killed. With Eddie’s integrity, he is driven to discover the real facts into this death without having himself killed in the process.

Throughout the book, are numerous social issues that obviously are part of Mr. Arsenault’s life. The issues of the homeless, drug addicts that are also human, corrupted politicians, the politics within a newspaper, and the value of friendship and trust. A minor issue that keeps reoccurring in the book, is Eddie’s search for the truth and living without being spiked.

Within a murder mystery, humor is usually seldom used. However, Mr. Arsenault expertly weaves humor throughout the story with a politician that frequently confuses words and also with another character having a “mental health dog.” The pets are even characters interwoven within the story.

The pace of this book is extremely fast. I found myself wanting another few hundred pages as I finished the book. The characters were so vivid and lovable that I found myself missing a friend, Eddie.

Please give me more Eddie Bourque. I found myself thinking about this book for days after I read it. Isn’t that always the test of an excellent book? If the book invades your thoughts after you have read it, then it has to be an example of superior writing.

Poisoned Pen Press has again found another delightful first-time author who is guaranteed to be successful in future books.

As the character Eccleston stated in this book, “Danny was a pillow of the community.” Find the safety of a pillow, not a pillar, to settle down while reading this wonderful book, Spiked.