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Repairman Jack #1
The Tomb
Much to the chagrin of his girlfriend, Gia, Repairman Jack doesn't deal with electronic appliances--he fixes situations for people, situations that usually involve putting himself in deadly danger. His latest project is recovering a stolen necklace, which carries with it an ancient curse that may unleash a horde of Bengali demons. Jack is used to danger, but this time Gia's daughter Vicky is threatened. Can Jack overcome the curse of the yellow necklace and bring Vicky safely back home?
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1984
431 people are currently reading
6570 people want to read
About the author
F. Paul Wilson
422 books2,001 followersFrancis Paul Wilson is an author, born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He writes novels and short stories primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer (1976). Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog and continued to write science fiction throughout the seventies. In 1981 he ventured into the horror genre with the international bestseller, The Keep, and helped define the field throughout the rest of the decade. In the 1990s he became a true genre hopper, moving from science fiction to horror to medical thrillers and branching into interactive scripting for Disney Interactive and other multimedia companies. He, along with Matthew J. Costello, created and scripted FTL Newsfeed which ran daily on the Sci-Fi Channel from 1992-1996.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 715 reviews
July 22, 2015
All she could do was stand there and scream.
Indeed.
This book has a good number of things going for it. I particularly enjoyed the characterization of Repairman Jack. There are also some Lovecraftian references that fans will recognize.
Striding down the dark passage like the avatar of a vengeful god, came Jack.
I can imagine that followers of the Agent Pendergast series (Relic), the Charlie Parker series (Every Dead Thing) or the Harry Dresden series (Storm Front) would enjoy this, especially considering that The Tomb predates all of these by more than a decade. It is the first novel in a horror / supernatural series, so don’t go into this expecting crime fiction. There will be beasties and there will be blood! blood! blood!
…there were rustling and scraping and grunting sounds coming from the darkness beyond that door.
It’s an enjoyable enough romp with some interesting twists. Some I saw coming. Some I did not. Not too much more I can say about The Tomb. It isn’t subtle and it isn’t fancy, but it gets the job done. I will certainly be reading the other books in this series.
She glanced up over the hood and froze in horror at the sight of a dark, dripping, glistening form rising out of the bay.
Indeed.
April 4, 2009
YES! A great series like the "Dresden Files", Simon Green's Nightside etc. A nice break from all the romance-y stuff I've been reading lately. Really great lead, interesting protagonist and storyline. I really love this series and will read many more!
May 23, 2018
This novel has a lot of modern (80's) thriller sensibilities with a can-do 'fixer' focused mainly on character study and definition, mostly in the same way that horror novels do it. Righting wrongs, giving up close and personal Justice to those who escape the law.
With a supernatural twist. Hindu Rakashas!
It sounds pretty cool, actually, but my personal expectations were more along the lines of a proto-modern UF... and it is. It just happens to be MORE focused on character study and interpersonal dynamics. Good for what it is and if you prefer that kind of thing. It's a decent horror, I suppose, but it happens to be perfectly average, as one, unless you give bonus points for using the idea of Rakashas as the primary story.
I've read a lot of things like this, however. I enjoyed the exploration of Kali and Hindu mythos well, but I might want to point at Dan Simmon's Song of Kali as a bit more horrific and fascinating.
This one, however, is a modern thriller and should have a lot of ongoing appeal. I'll continue the series to see if it continues to evolve. There's a number of books behind this one. :)
Final grade? Above average. Solid.
With a supernatural twist. Hindu Rakashas!
It sounds pretty cool, actually, but my personal expectations were more along the lines of a proto-modern UF... and it is. It just happens to be MORE focused on character study and interpersonal dynamics. Good for what it is and if you prefer that kind of thing. It's a decent horror, I suppose, but it happens to be perfectly average, as one, unless you give bonus points for using the idea of Rakashas as the primary story.
I've read a lot of things like this, however. I enjoyed the exploration of Kali and Hindu mythos well, but I might want to point at Dan Simmon's Song of Kali as a bit more horrific and fascinating.
This one, however, is a modern thriller and should have a lot of ongoing appeal. I'll continue the series to see if it continues to evolve. There's a number of books behind this one. :)
Final grade? Above average. Solid.
May 9, 2020
4.5 stars!
This book was fun, super entertaining and easy to read!
The Tomb is the first book in the Repairman Jack series. It's got great characters, supernatural elements and the action is fantastic. While reading this, I felt at times that I was eating popcorn and watching an action movie!
The Tomb was written back in 1984 so it's got a great 80s feel to the book. It didn't feel dated to me, so kudos to F. Paul Wilson for writing something that can be relatable in 2020.
Jack is a fixer. He's not a private investigator but he's not a hitman either. He's somewhere in the middle with a strong set of moral codes that he goes by.
The Tomb starts off with Jack getting a recommendation from a United Nations diplomat. The man in need is Kusum Bahkti and he's looking for a stolen necklace that was taken from his grandma. Jack takes the case to find the necklace but it only gets more weird, dangerous and complicated from there.
If you're a fan of Preston & Child books like the Pendergast series, I think you would really enjoy this series.
It's got a strong main character, tons of action and supernatural elements.
I really enjoyed The Tomb and can't wait to read more books in this series!
This book was fun, super entertaining and easy to read!
The Tomb is the first book in the Repairman Jack series. It's got great characters, supernatural elements and the action is fantastic. While reading this, I felt at times that I was eating popcorn and watching an action movie!
The Tomb was written back in 1984 so it's got a great 80s feel to the book. It didn't feel dated to me, so kudos to F. Paul Wilson for writing something that can be relatable in 2020.
Jack is a fixer. He's not a private investigator but he's not a hitman either. He's somewhere in the middle with a strong set of moral codes that he goes by.
The Tomb starts off with Jack getting a recommendation from a United Nations diplomat. The man in need is Kusum Bahkti and he's looking for a stolen necklace that was taken from his grandma. Jack takes the case to find the necklace but it only gets more weird, dangerous and complicated from there.
If you're a fan of Preston & Child books like the Pendergast series, I think you would really enjoy this series.
It's got a strong main character, tons of action and supernatural elements.
I really enjoyed The Tomb and can't wait to read more books in this series!
June 29, 2017
I have a new best friend and his name is Repairman Jack.
With a style reminiscent of Travanian or John D. MacDonald, F. Paul Wilson describes the urban fantasy equivalent of his off the grid anti-hero. Wilson also demonstrates his libertarian values in a protagonist that would make Poul Anderson or Heinlein proud.
While this can be seen as a far-out version of a Travis McGee adventure, urban and contemporary fantasy fans will be drawn to its supernatural qualities. Jack is on the trail of an ancient Indian evil that is threatening paying clients, the girl he loves, and his own hide in this very enjoyable 1984 publication that could also be considered in the genres of horror, thriller or science fiction.
Whatever label a reader chooses, I think we can all agree that this is a fast moving and fun speculative fiction page turner.
Jack “fixes” things and we’re not talking about electric toasters or smoothie blenders. Jack handles problems related to human interactions. As in the old Goodfellas line, “Hey Vinny, d’you fix that ting?” “Yeah, Paulie, that problem is solved.” But he’s not an organized mobster, he’s an independent contractor. As a matter of fact, in many ways Jack departed from modern day society years ago: he lives outside of civilization but in plain sight, he pays no taxes, deals only in cash, has no legitimate identity besides the succinctly stated, although evasive moniker “Repairman Jack.” Or just Jack.
Wilson’s prose is clean and fast, this moves like a fast runner, lithe and smooth. I’ll be returning for more fun with Jack.
With a style reminiscent of Travanian or John D. MacDonald, F. Paul Wilson describes the urban fantasy equivalent of his off the grid anti-hero. Wilson also demonstrates his libertarian values in a protagonist that would make Poul Anderson or Heinlein proud.
While this can be seen as a far-out version of a Travis McGee adventure, urban and contemporary fantasy fans will be drawn to its supernatural qualities. Jack is on the trail of an ancient Indian evil that is threatening paying clients, the girl he loves, and his own hide in this very enjoyable 1984 publication that could also be considered in the genres of horror, thriller or science fiction.
Whatever label a reader chooses, I think we can all agree that this is a fast moving and fun speculative fiction page turner.
Jack “fixes” things and we’re not talking about electric toasters or smoothie blenders. Jack handles problems related to human interactions. As in the old Goodfellas line, “Hey Vinny, d’you fix that ting?” “Yeah, Paulie, that problem is solved.” But he’s not an organized mobster, he’s an independent contractor. As a matter of fact, in many ways Jack departed from modern day society years ago: he lives outside of civilization but in plain sight, he pays no taxes, deals only in cash, has no legitimate identity besides the succinctly stated, although evasive moniker “Repairman Jack.” Or just Jack.
Wilson’s prose is clean and fast, this moves like a fast runner, lithe and smooth. I’ll be returning for more fun with Jack.
August 17, 2015
Harry Dresden without magic and more violent and more Horror than Urban Fantasy. Repairman Jack takes on jobs that require vigilante justice - "fixing" problems in a way that the usual law enforcement and judiciary can't.
Excellent pacing. Believable(ish) story. Scary monsters. Some genuine suspenseful moments. A step up from book one The Keep.
4 Stars
PS: I don't know why this book is called The Tomb - There is no Tomb!
Excellent pacing. Believable(ish) story. Scary monsters. Some genuine suspenseful moments. A step up from book one The Keep.
4 Stars
PS: I don't know why this book is called The Tomb - There is no Tomb!
December 18, 2008
The only book I have read in the "Repairman Jack" series, and, I think, the last.
Repairman Jack is a below-the-radar fixit guy that "repairs" problems for people. Although he's supposed to be cool and dangerous, he comes across as kind of an idiot man-child to me. He has all these ridiculous methods for keeping his identity secret yet he invites a strange woman up to his apartment early on in the book. He goes to the same bar every single time to interview clients and shops at the same store near his house. (Not exactly below the radar in my book.)Jack watches old movies late into the night in an apartment filled with odd pieces of furniture, old toys and antique kitsch. In the morning he wakes up and eats several bowls of some kind of cold cereal kids eat. Except for the cold blooded killer part he sounds like Tom Hanks' character in "Big."
This book is chock full of all the conventional characters--you know, the quirky weapons dealer that can get the hero his flame thrower in the middle of the night, the friendly bar owner that allows Jack to use a private booth for business, the love interest that is repulsed by what Jack does for a living--but just can't keep herself from falling for him...
So the only remotely unconventional thing about this book is that it is an odd pairing of mediocre examples of two different genres, the detective/thriller and horror. (Jack has to fight some nearly immortal Indian demons and a one armed disciple of Kali...)
Not a good book and I wish I had those hours back...
Repairman Jack is a below-the-radar fixit guy that "repairs" problems for people. Although he's supposed to be cool and dangerous, he comes across as kind of an idiot man-child to me. He has all these ridiculous methods for keeping his identity secret yet he invites a strange woman up to his apartment early on in the book. He goes to the same bar every single time to interview clients and shops at the same store near his house. (Not exactly below the radar in my book.)Jack watches old movies late into the night in an apartment filled with odd pieces of furniture, old toys and antique kitsch. In the morning he wakes up and eats several bowls of some kind of cold cereal kids eat. Except for the cold blooded killer part he sounds like Tom Hanks' character in "Big."
This book is chock full of all the conventional characters--you know, the quirky weapons dealer that can get the hero his flame thrower in the middle of the night, the friendly bar owner that allows Jack to use a private booth for business, the love interest that is repulsed by what Jack does for a living--but just can't keep herself from falling for him...
So the only remotely unconventional thing about this book is that it is an odd pairing of mediocre examples of two different genres, the detective/thriller and horror. (Jack has to fight some nearly immortal Indian demons and a one armed disciple of Kali...)
Not a good book and I wish I had those hours back...
April 8, 2021
Great read, kept me on the edge of my seat! Full of action and likable characters.
March 10, 2015
I was excited to start this series about this mysterious character Repairman Jack. Jack is a kind man with a little something extra, however, he feels the need to show himself to his family and friends as an underachiever and a bit of a thug. He does this with the hope of hiding his peculiar profession.
When he is asked by an ex girlfriend to help find her missing Aunt he is also contacted by a very strange, foreign man, with deep pockets, who is desperate to have him find a stolen family heirloom. As the story unfolds he starts to realize that the two cases may be related but has no idea how that could be possible. To protect his ex-girlfriend and her family he must find out more about this odd man, his beautiful sister, why they are in America and what they want.
An old curse, things that go bump in the night and a little romance made this an exciting read. There is a book before this one that I will be reading before going on in the series.
When he is asked by an ex girlfriend to help find her missing Aunt he is also contacted by a very strange, foreign man, with deep pockets, who is desperate to have him find a stolen family heirloom. As the story unfolds he starts to realize that the two cases may be related but has no idea how that could be possible. To protect his ex-girlfriend and her family he must find out more about this odd man, his beautiful sister, why they are in America and what they want.
An old curse, things that go bump in the night and a little romance made this an exciting read. There is a book before this one that I will be reading before going on in the series.
May 8, 2020
Fun is the best descriptor I can come up with to describe my experience with this read. With an 80's feel to it, this horror/action thriller was filled with excitement and great characters. Especially Jack, who is an easy favorite. The story was good and had a good resolution, leaving me excited to read the next Repairman Jack adventure. I'm surprised this didn't end up as an '80's horror movie, honestly. 4.5/5.0 stars.
December 31, 2007
"The Tomb", by F. Paul Wilson, is the SECOND book in his "Adversary Cycle" series and the FIRST book in his "Repairman Jack" series.
This novel introduces New Yorker Repairman Jack, a man with no permanent last name (it varies with the ID he's carrying at the time) and no records of his existence (he either had them erased or doesn't reference them at all anymore). His job is to fix things that the police can't or won't fix. Sometimes this involves hurting or killing people, which is why his ex-girlfriend, Gia, dumped him.
I wouldn't think of Repairman Jack as a hired thug or assassin. He's more like "The Equalizer" from that old TV series (only he's not an ex-spy...he has no formal training to speak of). He only kills when there's no other option and he only handles cases that the police can't handle. He does this for money.
The Plot
Repairman Jack gets two contracts. One from his ex-girlfriend Gia, whose sister-in-law has gone missing and one from an Indian cultural attache' working for the UN, who has lost an important necklace.
Of course these two plots intersect and monsters are involved.
The Good
As a character I liked Repairman Jack. I can definitely see why there's an entire series of books based on him. He's an intriguing character.
The book is also well plotted. The pace is just right. Sometimes a novel will conclude and tie up all its loose ends in the last 20 pages. This one is more deliberate in its pacing and it doesn't lag in the middle, like so many of these types of books seem to do.
There was a scene in the book where the monsters are holding chunks of bloody flesh that was once human (a character in the book). This scene was genuinely creepy.
The main antagonist was a sympathetic one. I like this moral ambiguity in my reads because no one is ALL good or ALL bad.
The Bad
The characters in the book, besides the protagonist Jack and the main antagonist, are pretty one dimensional. There is a child, Vicky, in the book who is written to be so sweet, she'd turn Satan into a diabetic. Shirley Temple, on her best day, has got nothing on this kid.
The monsters were kind of nondescript. I didn't get any real sense of foreboding or threat from them. It seems to me, with a few slight changes, the monsters could be excised from the story entirely and you'd still have the same overall plot.
There was also no real connection between this and the previous book, "The Keep", which makes me think that perhaps calling it a part of the "Adversary Cycle" was a way to increase sales. Another reviewer said it was Lovecraftian, but I really didn't get that out of the book at all. There is mention of the "Old Gods" who created the monsters of the book as a "parody of humanity", but that's pretty much it. Even that seemed tacked on as an afterthought and maybe that small fact was the connection between this book and the previous book, "The Keep". I'm not sure.
Perhaps I'm not very astute in the literary sense, but I still don't get the title, "The Tomb". To me, "The Necklace" would have been a more apt title.
Conclusion
It's a good read. Wilson didn't knock the ball out of the park as he did with "The Keep", but it's a book worth reading for the character of Repairman Jack alone. Hopefully the ancillary characters in the Repairman Jack series get more interesting as the series progresses. As far as the "Adversary Cycle" goes, this is a dubious addition to it. I hope that the reason that this book is in the "Adversary Cycle" will become more apparent as I read the later books in the series.
This novel introduces New Yorker Repairman Jack, a man with no permanent last name (it varies with the ID he's carrying at the time) and no records of his existence (he either had them erased or doesn't reference them at all anymore). His job is to fix things that the police can't or won't fix. Sometimes this involves hurting or killing people, which is why his ex-girlfriend, Gia, dumped him.
I wouldn't think of Repairman Jack as a hired thug or assassin. He's more like "The Equalizer" from that old TV series (only he's not an ex-spy...he has no formal training to speak of). He only kills when there's no other option and he only handles cases that the police can't handle. He does this for money.
The Plot
Repairman Jack gets two contracts. One from his ex-girlfriend Gia, whose sister-in-law has gone missing and one from an Indian cultural attache' working for the UN, who has lost an important necklace.
Of course these two plots intersect and monsters are involved.
The Good
As a character I liked Repairman Jack. I can definitely see why there's an entire series of books based on him. He's an intriguing character.
The book is also well plotted. The pace is just right. Sometimes a novel will conclude and tie up all its loose ends in the last 20 pages. This one is more deliberate in its pacing and it doesn't lag in the middle, like so many of these types of books seem to do.
There was a scene in the book where the monsters are holding chunks of bloody flesh that was once human (a character in the book). This scene was genuinely creepy.
The main antagonist was a sympathetic one. I like this moral ambiguity in my reads because no one is ALL good or ALL bad.
The Bad
The characters in the book, besides the protagonist Jack and the main antagonist, are pretty one dimensional. There is a child, Vicky, in the book who is written to be so sweet, she'd turn Satan into a diabetic. Shirley Temple, on her best day, has got nothing on this kid.
The monsters were kind of nondescript. I didn't get any real sense of foreboding or threat from them. It seems to me, with a few slight changes, the monsters could be excised from the story entirely and you'd still have the same overall plot.
There was also no real connection between this and the previous book, "The Keep", which makes me think that perhaps calling it a part of the "Adversary Cycle" was a way to increase sales. Another reviewer said it was Lovecraftian, but I really didn't get that out of the book at all. There is mention of the "Old Gods" who created the monsters of the book as a "parody of humanity", but that's pretty much it. Even that seemed tacked on as an afterthought and maybe that small fact was the connection between this book and the previous book, "The Keep". I'm not sure.
Perhaps I'm not very astute in the literary sense, but I still don't get the title, "The Tomb". To me, "The Necklace" would have been a more apt title.
Conclusion
It's a good read. Wilson didn't knock the ball out of the park as he did with "The Keep", but it's a book worth reading for the character of Repairman Jack alone. Hopefully the ancillary characters in the Repairman Jack series get more interesting as the series progresses. As far as the "Adversary Cycle" goes, this is a dubious addition to it. I hope that the reason that this book is in the "Adversary Cycle" will become more apparent as I read the later books in the series.
January 11, 2010
Some years ago I read The Keep. My wife liked it some, I on the other hand wasn't all that impressed. It was the last thing by Mr Wilson I read...till now. A couple of years ago someone suggested to my wife and I that we try the Repairman Jack books, but I never got around to it.
Till now.
I've got to say I liked this book. It's not great literature in the "classic sense" (you may hear that pronounced in a sophisticated accent if you wish). This book started out as what might be called a fairly standard thriller and morphed into something like Harry Dresden meets Mitch Rapp. I plan to read the next book.
The only odd note? There's no Tomb in the book.
It turns out that F. Paul Wilson wanted to title the book Rakoshi (the name of a creature in the book) but the publisher wanted the title to be closer to The Keep. They figured no one would notice there was no tomb in the book. Go figure.
Till now.
I've got to say I liked this book. It's not great literature in the "classic sense" (you may hear that pronounced in a sophisticated accent if you wish). This book started out as what might be called a fairly standard thriller and morphed into something like Harry Dresden meets Mitch Rapp. I plan to read the next book.
The only odd note? There's no Tomb in the book.
It turns out that F. Paul Wilson wanted to title the book Rakoshi (the name of a creature in the book) but the publisher wanted the title to be closer to The Keep. They figured no one would notice there was no tomb in the book. Go figure.
September 11, 2009
I was going to give this three stars, but I realize it deserves more. I think I heard it raved about so much that I expected to like it more. Had I gone into The Tomb with lower expectations, I would have no hesitation in rating it higher. That is why I hate to read books after they are so hyped. It just spoils the experience.
Repairman Jack is just an awesome character. He is a person who exists outside of the system. He simply dropped off the 'grid.' He doesn't pay taxes, and he doesn't feel like he owes the system anything. That doesn't mean he doesn't have a sense of ethics or morals. He just believes in doing things his way. He is lead by his extremely strong sense of justice, regardless of the cost, because of how his mother was killed. I really admired his character for his ability to be his own person. I think Mr. Wilson did a good job of creating this character. He's a fun guy to follow around as he goes about his work of fixing the unfixable situation. When this story starts, it's clear that supernatural situations aren't really his forte, but after this book, I think Jack will have his feet wet in supernatural matters.
I liked the Indian folklore, using the rakoshi, which is an Indian demonic entity that can be called up via a curse. It was funny because I read two books within a short period of time with rakoshi, this and Ghosts of Albion Accursed that incorporated these creatures. I liked that Jack had an Indian love interest, who was easily as complicated as he was. The villain was also conflicted and layered. This story is one in which you can see many sides of the equation, although you know which side you're on, Repairman Jack's. Mr. Wilson really does a great job of showing the backstory to the Indian aspect of this story, heavily tied into the cult of Kali, the destroyer.
This is a much an action thriller as it is horror. What a great combination. I love action, and I like a good horror story that relies more on suspense and genuine fear-inspiring storytelling and less on gore. There are a few bloody moments, but this wasn't a gory book, in my opinion. I was glad I read this book, and I do look forward to reading more of Jack's adventures.
Repairman Jack is just an awesome character. He is a person who exists outside of the system. He simply dropped off the 'grid.' He doesn't pay taxes, and he doesn't feel like he owes the system anything. That doesn't mean he doesn't have a sense of ethics or morals. He just believes in doing things his way. He is lead by his extremely strong sense of justice, regardless of the cost, because of how his mother was killed. I really admired his character for his ability to be his own person. I think Mr. Wilson did a good job of creating this character. He's a fun guy to follow around as he goes about his work of fixing the unfixable situation. When this story starts, it's clear that supernatural situations aren't really his forte, but after this book, I think Jack will have his feet wet in supernatural matters.
I liked the Indian folklore, using the rakoshi, which is an Indian demonic entity that can be called up via a curse. It was funny because I read two books within a short period of time with rakoshi, this and Ghosts of Albion Accursed that incorporated these creatures. I liked that Jack had an Indian love interest, who was easily as complicated as he was. The villain was also conflicted and layered. This story is one in which you can see many sides of the equation, although you know which side you're on, Repairman Jack's. Mr. Wilson really does a great job of showing the backstory to the Indian aspect of this story, heavily tied into the cult of Kali, the destroyer.
This is a much an action thriller as it is horror. What a great combination. I love action, and I like a good horror story that relies more on suspense and genuine fear-inspiring storytelling and less on gore. There are a few bloody moments, but this wasn't a gory book, in my opinion. I was glad I read this book, and I do look forward to reading more of Jack's adventures.
July 28, 2017
Repairman Jack - a fix-it guy who moves in unsavory circles. Got a problem that doesn't involve the law community? Jack is the guy.
After losing his once-in-a-lifetime gal, Gia, to his past, he becomes involved in finding an iron necklace for an Indian diplomat.
We find a centuries-old curse waiting for our hero.
This story moved extremely fast, with likable characters, and even the bad guys had honorable intentions.
After losing his once-in-a-lifetime gal, Gia, to his past, he becomes involved in finding an iron necklace for an Indian diplomat.
We find a centuries-old curse waiting for our hero.
This story moved extremely fast, with likable characters, and even the bad guys had honorable intentions.
December 3, 2024
A fantastic book…I loved it
May 26, 2017
Jack is a fixer. He fixing things. Not your electronics, but real problems involving people and sometimes more.
Jack had a girlfriend Gia, who couldn't cope with who he was and what he did for a living and she left. 2 months later she calls. A relative of her ex-husband has disappeared and they need his help.
This makes Gia and Jack rub each other the wrong way even though they both still have feelings for each other.
The story goes on with Jack investigating the kidnapping, but things take on a supernatural aspect when he meets an Indian woman and her strange brother.
Twists and turn galore had me reading late into the night. This is not a quick read, more of a get-to-know the characters and savor it read.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan on reading more in the series by Mr. Wilson.
Recommended Read~
Jack had a girlfriend Gia, who couldn't cope with who he was and what he did for a living and she left. 2 months later she calls. A relative of her ex-husband has disappeared and they need his help.
This makes Gia and Jack rub each other the wrong way even though they both still have feelings for each other.
The story goes on with Jack investigating the kidnapping, but things take on a supernatural aspect when he meets an Indian woman and her strange brother.
Twists and turn galore had me reading late into the night. This is not a quick read, more of a get-to-know the characters and savor it read.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan on reading more in the series by Mr. Wilson.
Recommended Read~
March 14, 2021
So... I realize this book was originally published in 1984. It's a little dated. This copy has "Author's Definitive Edition" across the cover and "This revised edition was previously published in 2004 as Rakoshi by Borderlands Press" on the copyright page (this paperback edition was published in 2006). Repairman Jack books have been popping up on my radar for a few years now, and I've been wanting to read the first in the series to see if I want to dive in. I like the premise.
The writing can be... florid at times. Dramatic. This is Wilson's third or fourth book, so I tried to read it in that context as well as in context of the era in which it was published. But when I got to pages 383-4, I read this (Gia is Jack's estranged girlfriend and Vicky is her daughter. Abe is Jack's friend):
I laughed. Out loud. The mood was broken. I finished the book and the end was mildly satisfying, but after that I had a very hard time taking it seriously.
Repairman Jack books are now being published in hardback. I've got to believe that Wilson's writing has improved over the years and is much less over-the-top now. What I really don't get, however, is why you would try to update the story for the new century (there are a few added references to modern technology such as IPods, but no cell phones), yet completely fail to remove or rewrite such ridiculous prose (there's quite a bit of it. I just excerpted my favorite). I dunno. I might try a few more books, just to see.
Seriously, though....
The writing can be... florid at times. Dramatic. This is Wilson's third or fourth book, so I tried to read it in that context as well as in context of the era in which it was published. But when I got to pages 383-4, I read this (Gia is Jack's estranged girlfriend and Vicky is her daughter. Abe is Jack's friend):
"No!" Jack's anguished shout was a physical pain in her ear, then he spun away from her, walking a step or two in one direction, then in another, his arms swinging at the air like a windup toy out of control. "He got Vicky! He got Vicky!"
"It's all my fault, Jack. If I'd stayed with her instead of watching that stupid movie, Vicky would be all right now."
Jack suddenly stopped moving. His arms lay quiet against his sides.
"No," he said in a voice that chilled her with its flat, iron tone. "You couldn't have changed the outcome. You'd only be dead."
...[a few lines of dialogue w/Abe omitted]
Gia stared at Jack as Abe bustled away toward the front of his store. His abrupt change from near hysteria to this cold dispassionate creature before her was almost as terrifying as Vicky's disappearance.
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to get her back. And then I'm going to see to it that she is never bothered again."
Gia stepped back. For as Jack spoke, he'd turned toward her and looked past her, looked downtown as if seeing through all the buildings between him and whoever was in his thoughts. She let out a small cry when she saw his expression.
She was looking at murder... as if Death itself had taken human form. That look on Jack's face--she turned away. She couldn't bear it. More rage and fury than any one man was meant to hold were concentrated in his eyes. She could almost imagine someone's heart stopping just from looking into those eyes.
I laughed. Out loud. The mood was broken. I finished the book and the end was mildly satisfying, but after that I had a very hard time taking it seriously.
Repairman Jack books are now being published in hardback. I've got to believe that Wilson's writing has improved over the years and is much less over-the-top now. What I really don't get, however, is why you would try to update the story for the new century (there are a few added references to modern technology such as IPods, but no cell phones), yet completely fail to remove or rewrite such ridiculous prose (there's quite a bit of it. I just excerpted my favorite). I dunno. I might try a few more books, just to see.
Seriously, though....
August 5, 2009
4.0 to 4.5 stars. First of the Repairman Jack Novels. This is a very well written story with a fantastic main character, namely Repairman Jack. Not your normal everyday repairman, Jack "fixes" problems for people and he is very good at what he does. Won't give away too much of the plot other than to say it has intrigue, Indian Mythology, demons and a rather nasty revenge/curse thrown in for good measure. Recommended.
January 6, 2016
3.5 stars but I'm rounding up to 4 because that's what I would have given it if I'd read it with 1984 sensibilities which was when it was published. It was that era when only lip-service was given to equality. It was "accepted" that women were equal and strong and smart but all that meant was having them say a few smart things or show interest in what was going on or just having femal characters. The same went for people of color. We weren't there yet for any other minority groups.
So Wilson's women are fairly smart, they are strong in that they want to know what's going on, they demand answers, and one tries to find answers for herself. But they aren't really strong in that they don't really do more than talk, their legs turn to rubber or wood when a man is there to do the heavy lifting, and they freeze when things get terrifying (except for one heady moment when one woman actually goes first into a scary passageway, although she does have a magic item that renders her invisible to the bad things she at least went first after panicking and refusing to go for at least a full paragraph!).
Later this same woman hears something shocking and is so dazed she needs to be carried, even though Jack is fighting for their lives, terrified by and running from something he knows nothing about and she has known all her life. I actually found the other woman, Gia, a bit more realistic. I completely understood why she left him and why she stayed away despite her love for him. I probably would have done everything I could so he couldn't find me.
The writing was smooth, the pacing was good, and the monsters were scary. I really liked Jack. He was fallible. He didn't like to exercise but he forced himself to in order to stay alive. He admitted to himself when he was afraid and when he was in over his head and it was genuine, not a machismo kind of "ah hell, this bugger would make anyone scared" or the fake humility that is also common in urban fantasy. He's also strong and fast like a man of his skills should be.
I really liked the subtle emotions, though. I really felt his grief when someone he loved was in danger. I felt his love for the little girl. I felt his confusion and feelings for both women. I really like that he had feelings at all, although he seems very alone to me. Other than Gia, he only has one friend that shows up in the book, a delightful Jewish character himself, and the lone 1980's nod to multiculturalism. I hope Jack is less alone in later books.
Other things: I loved the junky home he lives in that everyone else hates; it's so unusual for a character in fiction who's in this kind of role to be tied down with tons of stuff.
I hated .
I found that some things were told to the reader that should have been immediately obvious to Jack but even after he was almost explicity shown he didn't get: .
It was a little odd that .
There was a really nice touch at the end
Overall, it was a solid read that kept me turning the pages and wanting more. Since the sequel was published 14 years later, I'm going to give it a go. If the women are a little less fragile and wimpy I think I'll really love this series.
So Wilson's women are fairly smart, they are strong in that they want to know what's going on, they demand answers, and one tries to find answers for herself. But they aren't really strong in that they don't really do more than talk, their legs turn to rubber or wood when a man is there to do the heavy lifting, and they freeze when things get terrifying (except for one heady moment when one woman actually goes first into a scary passageway, although she does have a magic item that renders her invisible to the bad things she at least went first after panicking and refusing to go for at least a full paragraph!).
Later this same woman hears something shocking and is so dazed she needs to be carried, even though Jack is fighting for their lives, terrified by and running from something he knows nothing about and she has known all her life. I actually found the other woman, Gia, a bit more realistic. I completely understood why she left him and why she stayed away despite her love for him. I probably would have done everything I could so he couldn't find me.
The writing was smooth, the pacing was good, and the monsters were scary. I really liked Jack. He was fallible. He didn't like to exercise but he forced himself to in order to stay alive. He admitted to himself when he was afraid and when he was in over his head and it was genuine, not a machismo kind of "ah hell, this bugger would make anyone scared" or the fake humility that is also common in urban fantasy. He's also strong and fast like a man of his skills should be.
I really liked the subtle emotions, though. I really felt his grief when someone he loved was in danger. I felt his love for the little girl. I felt his confusion and feelings for both women. I really like that he had feelings at all, although he seems very alone to me. Other than Gia, he only has one friend that shows up in the book, a delightful Jewish character himself, and the lone 1980's nod to multiculturalism. I hope Jack is less alone in later books.
Other things: I loved the junky home he lives in that everyone else hates; it's so unusual for a character in fiction who's in this kind of role to be tied down with tons of stuff.
I hated .
I found that some things were told to the reader that should have been immediately obvious to Jack but even after he was almost explicity shown he didn't get: .
It was a little odd that .
There was a really nice touch at the end
Overall, it was a solid read that kept me turning the pages and wanting more. Since the sequel was published 14 years later, I'm going to give it a go. If the women are a little less fragile and wimpy I think I'll really love this series.
November 13, 2020
Another fun read by Wilson! While this is the second in the Adversary Cycle, there is no connection to the first volume (The Keep). Jack the 'repairman' is our main protagonist; a man who keeps off the official radar, with no SSN and about a zillion last names (he goes by Jack). Since his teenage years (we learn as the novel unfolds) Jack 'fixes' things. His first 'fix' involved one of his neighbors. It seems the neighbor loved his lawn, spending endless time manicuring it, etc. Some punks decided to trash the yard for fun, driving their cars on it on night and thoroughly ruining it. So, Jack offered to help. First he planted some yew trees around the edges, and behind them thick pipes filled with cement that only rose a few feet about the ground. Sure enough, the punks waited until the neighbor had re-turfed the yard back to its former splendor and tried to drive on it once again-- big mistake! the cars had their undercarriages ripped out due to the pipes and the drivers and crew sent to the hospital.
Move forward a few decades and Jack lives in NYC. This was written in the 1980s, so NYC was still a real city! One day, Jack gets a call (he only works on referrals, in this case, a honcho in the UN) from an Indian guy (a diplomat) whose grandmother was mugged and a necklace stolen. Jack meets the guy and agrees to try to track the mugger down and get the necklace back (the necklace is 'worthless', but a family heirloom). He finds the mugger, gets the necklace back and busts the guys hands badly (fixed). While this is going on, he gets another call. His ex-girlfriend is tight with her former husband's two elderly aunts, and her daughter Vicky likes them as well. It seems, however that one of the aunts disappeared one night without a trace and she wants Jack to help find her. It turns out the Indian guy has some connection to the missing aunt, but exactly what this connection is I will not discuss here due to spoilers.
Jack is a fun character, and the slow reveal of his real activities 'fixing things' is a gas. Wilson injects a lot of humor into the story in a snarky way as well. This starts off a bit slow; as in The Keep, Wilson spends some time establishing the characters before the action starts rolling, but once it gets rolling, it really goes! Even though this is a very different book from The Keep, my complaints are largely the same. The female lead once again is a beautiful damsel in distress awaiting rescue and she once again has a romance with the male lead (Jack). If you can get past the gender stereotypes and cheesy romance, you should really enjoy this if you like a horror tale set in a gritty NYC with Eastern mystic overtones. 3.5 stars rounding up!!
Move forward a few decades and Jack lives in NYC. This was written in the 1980s, so NYC was still a real city! One day, Jack gets a call (he only works on referrals, in this case, a honcho in the UN) from an Indian guy (a diplomat) whose grandmother was mugged and a necklace stolen. Jack meets the guy and agrees to try to track the mugger down and get the necklace back (the necklace is 'worthless', but a family heirloom). He finds the mugger, gets the necklace back and busts the guys hands badly (fixed). While this is going on, he gets another call. His ex-girlfriend is tight with her former husband's two elderly aunts, and her daughter Vicky likes them as well. It seems, however that one of the aunts disappeared one night without a trace and she wants Jack to help find her. It turns out the Indian guy has some connection to the missing aunt, but exactly what this connection is I will not discuss here due to spoilers.
Jack is a fun character, and the slow reveal of his real activities 'fixing things' is a gas. Wilson injects a lot of humor into the story in a snarky way as well. This starts off a bit slow; as in The Keep, Wilson spends some time establishing the characters before the action starts rolling, but once it gets rolling, it really goes! Even though this is a very different book from The Keep, my complaints are largely the same. The female lead once again is a beautiful damsel in distress awaiting rescue and she once again has a romance with the male lead (Jack). If you can get past the gender stereotypes and cheesy romance, you should really enjoy this if you like a horror tale set in a gritty NYC with Eastern mystic overtones. 3.5 stars rounding up!!
July 6, 2021
The Tomb was just an all-around fun book. Don’t go into this expecting high art and you’ll have a great time. In a nutshell, you have Bengali demons let loose in New York City, ancient curses, bloody revenge, religious extremism, magic, love, lust, enough weapons and explosives to make John Rambo proud, and a badass character at the center of it all: Repairman Jack, who is part detective, part fixer, part vigilante, part ladies man, part movie buff, and all 80s action hero. Think the everyman tough guy persona of John McClain mixed with the resourcefulness of McGyver. What’s not to like? “Are you not entertained?”
That said, this book does have a few minor flaws. The dialogue is pretty dated and can be corny from time to time (it’s dripping with 80s cheese in places), and the characters occasionally feel a bit cliched (Kusum in particular). There are also surprisingly few set pieces for a story that takes place in New York City (I was kind of hoping for a Home Alone 2 crossover ... maybe in book 2). But the plot and action more than make up for the story’s shortcomings, and our hero always keeps things interesting. I can see why F. Paul Wilson decided to turn Repairman Jack into a series. He’s just so damn fun, and a wonderful shade of grey; a good guy who sometimes has to do bad things.
If you are a fan of both the horror, action/adventure and detective genres, you’ll undoubtedly find enjoyment in this. Wilson blends those styles together quite effectively.
4.25/5 stars.
That said, this book does have a few minor flaws. The dialogue is pretty dated and can be corny from time to time (it’s dripping with 80s cheese in places), and the characters occasionally feel a bit cliched (Kusum in particular). There are also surprisingly few set pieces for a story that takes place in New York City (I was kind of hoping for a Home Alone 2 crossover ... maybe in book 2). But the plot and action more than make up for the story’s shortcomings, and our hero always keeps things interesting. I can see why F. Paul Wilson decided to turn Repairman Jack into a series. He’s just so damn fun, and a wonderful shade of grey; a good guy who sometimes has to do bad things.
If you are a fan of both the horror, action/adventure and detective genres, you’ll undoubtedly find enjoyment in this. Wilson blends those styles together quite effectively.
4.25/5 stars.
November 23, 2020
Quite enjoyable beginning to the Repairman Jack series. The title made me think this might be something James Rollins-ish or perhaps Lincoln and Child, but it's more like a supernatural Ray Donovan (before Ray Donovan). The setting is primarily New York, not a tomb. The main protagonist, despite being a criminal, is someone worth following with a fully developed background. The story is well-paced and always kept my interest. I am intrigued to see where the character will go from here
February 28, 2024
This book was included in Nightmare Magazine's Top 100 Horror Books.
I have found a great new horror series to rival the Joe Ledger series by Jonathan Maberry. That is so pretty high praise coming from me. Repairman Jack is an all around great character. He is tough, plays outside the lines and is honorable and loyal. Everything I enjoy in an action horror character.
This book is the first book in the Repairman Jack series, but the author F. Paul Wilson seems to have a larger world that interconnects several of his book series, so this book is considered the third book in the "Adversary Cycle" and is part of the "The Secret History of the World." To add to that, Repairman Jack appears in both Jonathan Maberry's Rouge Team International series and in his Rot and Ruin series. I'm not really sure how it all ties together but it seems just a tad incestous and interesting as heck.
Repairman Jack is sort of like The Equalizer, Leverage team, and the A-Team. He helps people with problems that cannot be handled by the police and at least in this first book, it has a supernatural element to the problem. Although Jack solves in in the best kind of American way, Guns, guns, and more guns. This book was an action romp, but there was enough character building to allow the reader to feel like they were getting to know the characters and care about them.
I have found a great new horror series to rival the Joe Ledger series by Jonathan Maberry. That is so pretty high praise coming from me. Repairman Jack is an all around great character. He is tough, plays outside the lines and is honorable and loyal. Everything I enjoy in an action horror character.
This book is the first book in the Repairman Jack series, but the author F. Paul Wilson seems to have a larger world that interconnects several of his book series, so this book is considered the third book in the "Adversary Cycle" and is part of the "The Secret History of the World." To add to that, Repairman Jack appears in both Jonathan Maberry's Rouge Team International series and in his Rot and Ruin series. I'm not really sure how it all ties together but it seems just a tad incestous and interesting as heck.
Repairman Jack is sort of like The Equalizer, Leverage team, and the A-Team. He helps people with problems that cannot be handled by the police and at least in this first book, it has a supernatural element to the problem. Although Jack solves in in the best kind of American way, Guns, guns, and more guns. This book was an action romp, but there was enough character building to allow the reader to feel like they were getting to know the characters and care about them.
October 19, 2022
Like the older brother of Jack Reacher. Great series!
April 19, 2018
One of the worst books I have ever read in my life. I was intrigued by the title of the book and was very interested in reading it because the story is based on an incident during the sepoy mutiny in Calcutta and I hail from Calcutta.
The first thing that put me off was the name of one of the protagonists “Kusum Bakhti”. My problems with the name?
1. Kusum is an Indian name for a girl, not a guy
2. There is no Indian last name called “Bakhti” and definitely no Bengali last names like that
But I told myself “What lies in a name” and steadfastly continued reading. And soon stumbled upon another ridiculous term “Rakosh”, that supposedly means a demon. The sanskrit term for a demon is “Rakshasa” and I am not sure why the author felt the need to modify this.
Leaving aside these minor issues, Wilson now moves on to bigger blunders, factual blunders. For instance he mentions that the goddess Kali slayed her husband Shiva which is completely incorrect. He mentions that the Bengali word for father is Kaka-ji. Kaka-Ji is actually a hindi word that means uncle.
He paints Indians, especially Bengalis in a very poor light, stereotyping them as upholders of the caste system, having incestuous relationships, etc. He did not even do the basic research to find out that the color in the Indian flag and the color of dhotis that ascetics in India wear is saffron and not orange.
But surpassing everything is a ludicrous storyline. A man carrying demons all the way from India to US in the hold of a ship to unleash them upon a family because of a slight that had been committed by one of their ancestors in India a 100 years back.
The story telling is pathetic, the plot gossamer thin, the characters unreal. Repairman Jack is a complete asshole and I kept on wishing that one of the demons would kill him so that the book would end.
Please do not waste your time trying to read this piece of trash.
The first thing that put me off was the name of one of the protagonists “Kusum Bakhti”. My problems with the name?
1. Kusum is an Indian name for a girl, not a guy
2. There is no Indian last name called “Bakhti” and definitely no Bengali last names like that
But I told myself “What lies in a name” and steadfastly continued reading. And soon stumbled upon another ridiculous term “Rakosh”, that supposedly means a demon. The sanskrit term for a demon is “Rakshasa” and I am not sure why the author felt the need to modify this.
Leaving aside these minor issues, Wilson now moves on to bigger blunders, factual blunders. For instance he mentions that the goddess Kali slayed her husband Shiva which is completely incorrect. He mentions that the Bengali word for father is Kaka-ji. Kaka-Ji is actually a hindi word that means uncle.
He paints Indians, especially Bengalis in a very poor light, stereotyping them as upholders of the caste system, having incestuous relationships, etc. He did not even do the basic research to find out that the color in the Indian flag and the color of dhotis that ascetics in India wear is saffron and not orange.
But surpassing everything is a ludicrous storyline. A man carrying demons all the way from India to US in the hold of a ship to unleash them upon a family because of a slight that had been committed by one of their ancestors in India a 100 years back.
The story telling is pathetic, the plot gossamer thin, the characters unreal. Repairman Jack is a complete asshole and I kept on wishing that one of the demons would kill him so that the book would end.
Please do not waste your time trying to read this piece of trash.
September 9, 2009
Beginning a new series is always a dicey prospect for me. Will it be my kind of series? Will it become my newest temporary addiction, with me scrounging the net to find each and every book in the collection? Will it cause me to begin fantasizing about what it'd be like to exist within that universe? With all these questions rattling about my head, it should be understandable that I was hesitant to begin the Repairman Jack series- especially because I'm loathe to begin a series that has not come to an end. Once bitten, twice shy, thank you Robert Jordan.
Still, after a friend had touted the glories of the Repairman Jack books to me again and again, I found my curiosity piqued and the walls of my reticence began to crumble. And how fortunate that they did! This book was pure fun from beginning to end. Jack is a great hero- a "repairman" who fixes extralegal problems for his friends and confederates, living off the grid, changing IDs like underwear, endlessly resourceful- he's like MacGuyver but without the jean jacket and the mullet. When you toss in some delightful Indian monsters that are hunting down several of his friends, well you've got the makings of a fast-paced thriller the likes of which I haven't read in a long time.
So thank you, Scott, for raising my awareness of these books. I'm firmly hooked now (Legacies is on hold for me at the Library as I type this). Good thing that 13 of the 15 books have been released, because I think I know what I'm going to be doing with my spare reading time this Winter.
Still, after a friend had touted the glories of the Repairman Jack books to me again and again, I found my curiosity piqued and the walls of my reticence began to crumble. And how fortunate that they did! This book was pure fun from beginning to end. Jack is a great hero- a "repairman" who fixes extralegal problems for his friends and confederates, living off the grid, changing IDs like underwear, endlessly resourceful- he's like MacGuyver but without the jean jacket and the mullet. When you toss in some delightful Indian monsters that are hunting down several of his friends, well you've got the makings of a fast-paced thriller the likes of which I haven't read in a long time.
So thank you, Scott, for raising my awareness of these books. I'm firmly hooked now (Legacies is on hold for me at the Library as I type this). Good thing that 13 of the 15 books have been released, because I think I know what I'm going to be doing with my spare reading time this Winter.
November 30, 2014
4 Stars
I really enjoyed this Urban Fantasy that is the start to the Repairman Jack series. It seems that I really enjoy this genre when it is not centered on teenage romance and angst. Wilson has created a main character in Jack that I can really get behind. The world that he has created is very much like our own but with just a little bit more.
The highlights of this read is the page turning writing style. The awesome hero Jack. And the fabulous Indian folklore and creature that is at the heart of this story.
In the same vain as Butcher's Dresden files, this book and series are the playground for adult fantasy. Easy page turning, action packed, tension filled fun....Oh yeah did I mention that this book is just plain fun to read.
I cannot wait to go on to the next book as I join Repairman Jack on his adventures.
I really enjoyed this Urban Fantasy that is the start to the Repairman Jack series. It seems that I really enjoy this genre when it is not centered on teenage romance and angst. Wilson has created a main character in Jack that I can really get behind. The world that he has created is very much like our own but with just a little bit more.
The highlights of this read is the page turning writing style. The awesome hero Jack. And the fabulous Indian folklore and creature that is at the heart of this story.
In the same vain as Butcher's Dresden files, this book and series are the playground for adult fantasy. Easy page turning, action packed, tension filled fun....Oh yeah did I mention that this book is just plain fun to read.
I cannot wait to go on to the next book as I join Repairman Jack on his adventures.
September 7, 2020
This book is GREAT, and a lot of fun to read! It has all the elements I like in a novel from this genre. For me, there was never a dull moment, and I looked forward to reading it every day. Highly recommended.
January 27, 2011
A few weeks ago, I was wishing for another pulpy guilty-pleasure series to read; I'm jonesing a bit, since it will be at least 4 more months until the next Dresden fix, heh. One of my IRL friends - the same pusher that hooked me on Dresden - has been trying to get me lit on Repairman Jack. I caved in a moment of weakness.
But...
It's pretty damn good! I saw "series," and assumed "ditch." I forgot that Wilson was already well-established by the time he wrote The Tomb, and that the rest of the series was written in response to the success of this novel. And it is pretty damn good. I said that already, I know. I'm just a bit surprised.
Jack is an interesting character, his moral compass points in a slightly different direction than most people, but his version of True North is consistent for him. He leads a shadowy life, but believable. If he doesn't use his SS# he doesn't magically get different rules than the rest of Americans, it complicates his life.
He has to exercise to stay in shape, that was a nice touch.
Damn book cliffhangers though. If I had read this when it came out, I would have been pissed. I hate cliffhangers. Also, I hate pulp series that aren't totally available for my ereader. I had to make an unscheduled run to Powell's for my next 5¢.
But...
It's pretty damn good! I saw "series," and assumed "ditch." I forgot that Wilson was already well-established by the time he wrote The Tomb, and that the rest of the series was written in response to the success of this novel. And it is pretty damn good. I said that already, I know. I'm just a bit surprised.
Jack is an interesting character, his moral compass points in a slightly different direction than most people, but his version of True North is consistent for him. He leads a shadowy life, but believable. If he doesn't use his SS# he doesn't magically get different rules than the rest of Americans, it complicates his life.
He has to exercise to stay in shape, that was a nice touch.
Damn book cliffhangers though. If I had read this when it came out, I would have been pissed. I hate cliffhangers. Also, I hate pulp series that aren't totally available for my ereader. I had to make an unscheduled run to Powell's for my next 5¢.
March 29, 2025
The first novel of Repairman Jack — a New Yorker who lives outside the system: without taxes, a SSN, or any other traceable ID. Posing as an appliance repairman, he actually does violent revenge work for those who pay him. When the elderly aunts of his estranged girlfriend Gia are kidnapped, she reluctantly comes to him for aid. Jack is then drawn into a crime based on a century-old supernatural curse involving Kali worship, rakoshi, and two proud Indians with magic necklaces.
Part of the book relies on a very wildly improbable coincidence (Jack is hired by the aunts' kidnapper on an unrelated matter the same day he's hired by Gia), though that hardly signifies in a book that deals with demons and magic. And the surprises (such as what the magic necklace's power is) are surprises only to Jack, but that's okay too. Jack is a very likeable driven anti-hero, and Wilson is adept at pulling the reader in with drama and suspense. And even though the horrors Jack faces are real evil, Wilson’s characters are not cardboard; the villain has his own doubts, fears and credible motivations. A terrific page-turner, even at 440 pages.
Part of the book relies on a very wildly improbable coincidence (Jack is hired by the aunts' kidnapper on an unrelated matter the same day he's hired by Gia), though that hardly signifies in a book that deals with demons and magic. And the surprises (such as what the magic necklace's power is) are surprises only to Jack, but that's okay too. Jack is a very likeable driven anti-hero, and Wilson is adept at pulling the reader in with drama and suspense. And even though the horrors Jack faces are real evil, Wilson’s characters are not cardboard; the villain has his own doubts, fears and credible motivations. A terrific page-turner, even at 440 pages.
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