A Wasteland of Strangers

by Bill Pronzini, Michael Seidman

The arrival of enigmatic stranger John Faith in Pomo, a small, isolated town in northern California, unleashes a series of ominous events that culminate in the murder of a beautiful and lonely woman, a crime in which Faith becomes the prime suspect

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Mystery Writers of America Awards "Grand Master" 2008
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1999) for Boobytrap
Edgar Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) for A Wasteland of Strangers
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) for Sentinels
Shamus Awards "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) 1987
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1982) for Hoodwink

Married to author Marcia Muller.

Pseudonyms:
Robert Hart Davis (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Jack Foxx
William Jeffrey (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Alex Saxon

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book . . . I love how the author tells the story from man different points of view and yet still in the first person. It gives you glimpses of the character's feelings/actions/motives, but only little bits before it switches point of view. It's not confusing either since each new point of view has the character's name at the top of that chapter or section. The theme is very good too . . . reminded me of the Shirley Jackson short story, "The Lottery." In this case the small town has so many of it's own problems but the residents feel that the outsider, John Faith, is the reason and thus the scapegoat. There were lots of twists and turns and character building. Really enjoyed it.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read 2013

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of Bill Pronzini’s intensive, commanding, explorations of current social ideas and concerns which move a national colloquy in many forums. But this is not a social treatise full of statistics. This is a moving, intense, crime novel, that will captivate and enthrall the reader. Take one large, dangerous looking, individual, John Faith, by name. He’s a traveler, a seeker, a man on the move. Insert this stranger into a small resort community during the off season. This community happens to be in northern California, but such are the author’s skills, it could be anywhere. It could be your hometown.

John Faith is the immediate object of suspicion, because he’s a stranger and he doesn’t look like he belongs. His presence gradually reveals and widens long-standing cracks in the comfortable, biased attitudes and ideas of almost everyone in town. Why has this man come to town? What are his motives? His answers are enigmatic, and even at the end we are left with questions. John Faith’s encounters with the police chief, the bigoted lake-side resort owner, some local Native Americans, and a bartender or two, are like pebbles dropped in a placid pool. The ripples expand and expand until they reach the edge of the pool and die. Except in this case, the ripples grow larger, intersect and become irresistible waves that begin to tear at the base fabric of the town.

This psychological thriller is tightly plotted, and intricately presented. It’s pace is irresistible. “A Wasteland of Strangers” is a thoughtful, satisfying crime novel. Artist Doug Henry has presented a handsome, evocative cover illustration. Highly recommended.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Pronzini is an entertainer. Through the entire book, "A Wasteland of Strangers," I had a smile and warm feelings that I was experiencing the lives of a group of characters who had a tale to tell. The book made me think of a modern Peyton Place mixed with a TV soap opera.

A large, brutal looking man arrives at a lakeside village in Northern California. His arrival unleashes the prejudices and sexual fantasies of many of the locals.

John Faith is a quiet man, just looking for a place to be accepted and that he can call home.

Women solicit him, some men challenge him in order to prove their manhood and a slim few-accept him for what he is.

He's accused of murder, almost accused of being a pedophile and is actually a kind hearted, lonesome man.

I found the story unique and totally engrossing. It is cleverly plotted and the characters are well developed and interesting.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! An excellent mystery!

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I snagged this book from the library after I was reminded of how much I enjoyed Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. When I looked up similar books or stories, A Wasteland of Strangers was recommended. It’s been a few years since I last read Midnight, but from what I remember, I don’t think the books are that similar - that didn’t make this book any less enjoyable though!

A Wasteland of Strangers is narrated by many different citizens of Pomo, and for the first 100 pages, I couldn’t get a good read on any of the characters. Once the plot picked up, I definitely knew who I was rooting for, and was curious to see how all of the unique characters’ stories were interconnected.

The mostly quiet town of Pomo experiences quite an increase in drama when John Faith rolls into town. Storm Carey, a widow who became quite the floozy after her husband’s death, was murdered in her house, and Richard Novak, the police chief, finds John Faith at the scene. Faith had numerous questionable interactions with Pomo residents, and Novak is quick to assume Faith is Storm’s killer. In reality, it could be any number of people - the editor of Pomo’s newspaper who was madly in love with Storm but also a reckless drunk, the local bank manager who leaves town the night of her murder, the mysterious character who tried to rape the high school’s history teacher, or the “stranger in their midst” John Faith.

The conclusion comes together pretty quickly and a little unexpectedly, but the meat of the story is well-written and each of the characters has a very distinct voice that enhances the overall readability of the book.

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book! A great mystery presented from the point of view of all the characters. A great study on personality types and the way people think. Also, a very well presented way to show the impact of first impressions on someone's judgement. I thought it was very realistic. I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining (suspenseful) this book was and I think it is very educational. More people need to read this book.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for an American mystery set in a small town in northern California, here you have it. Set north of Santa Rosa, an unknown man from southern California visits a closed community of long time local residents of a lake in the north. His appearance does not work well for him and he quickly gets the cold shoulder from most, but not all. Who did the terrible deed was a well kept secret until the end.

[Billie Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

about 10 too many characters and no one to hang onto.. couldn't finish

[Maire M Machens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book!

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1997. This psychological thriller is tightly plotted and the pace is irresistible. My last book of 1997. I read 67 books that year.

[Lucky Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wasteland of Strangers gets an A+ for its original style. Pronzini's writing technique is smooth, clear and realistic and I loved how this book never failed to hold my interest--even when delving into the more mundane aspects of everyday life. Pronzini is a true craftsman who sucks you into the worlds he creates and doesn't let you go until you've finished the last page. Bravo!

Lucky Stevens
-Author of The Pull Out Method and Keep Calm and Kill Your Wife

[Alex Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Bill Prozini's excellent writing comes alive a small town with real flesh and blood characters, their innermost secrets and the transformation that happens with the arrival of a mysterious stranger among them. An edge of the seat suspense novel with an interesting narrative format which helps us in understanding the in depth characterization which the author attempts here.

[Alecia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This completes my vacation, and also my reading of old Pronzini novels. He's such a good writier, but, as I said in previous reviews, he inproved with age. I still eagerly read his new novels, especially his "Nameless" series. Long may he run.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting novel that reminded me of a more modern telling of "The Ox-Bow Incident"---mob justice in a small town. I also liked that the chapters were each told from the perspective of a different town member.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/B+ 4MA group read

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

stand alone, fascinating character study, duh, shoulda seen that whodunit

[Toesnorth's mom]

good

[Sharon Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am never disappointed by Pronzini's books. Great read!