I have read about eighty books since last November (my reading year goes from November 1st to October 31st, Dead End Follies Awards oblige) and I have give a FIVE STARS rating to only four books. It's my hallmark of excellence. It means that not only I thought the book was far above average, but I also had a strong emotional response to it. Two of these selections were by Tom Piccirilli. EVERY SHALLOW CUT blew me away last winter and in Spring, THE LAST KIND WORDS redefined what "blowing one away" meant. If you read enough, some book will end up doing that to you.
Wanna know something amazing? THE LAST KIND WORDS is brand new. It came out officially on June 12th. The Rand family are newcomers in the crime fiction landscape, but they are destined to achieve immortality. There are follow-up novels already rumored and the fans are demanding a movie adaptation. This sure has the potential to hit the silver screen hard. If you're looking for the best new fiction out there for your summer reads, this is the book you're looking for.
THREE REASONS TO READ: THE LAST KIND WORDS
1) The comparisons with Dennis Lehane are valid. Don't get me wrong, Tom Piccirilli has his own style and themes, but like MYSTIC RIVER, this is a novel that aims high. There is a crime, sure. But it's a novel about family, first and foremost.
2) It's incredibly layered. The Rand family is tight-knit, but every member has their own set of issues. Coming back to his loved ones after disappearing for long, Terrier Rand goes over each family member's own set of problems. It's a lot to handle, but I like my novels well layered like this.
3) Terrier Rand. Amazing protagonist who has a terrific set of skills that grand him great power, but he's very sensitive compared to his family members and damaged by the relationship he has with his brother.
THREE TOPICS ABOUT: THE LAST KIND WORDS
1) Why do you think Terrier came back to his family? What is the real reason? Was it really because Collie asked or is there another reason implied?
2) Why isn't there any direct interaction between Terrier and his ex-girlfriend Kimmy?
3) Where do you think THE LAST KIND WORDS stands in regards to Dennis Lehane's statement: "The social novel went into crime fiction?"