The Kill Clause

Rating:
Summary: Gripping and compelling, you won't be able to put this down!
Review: Not usually given to superlatives, let me start this review by stating that Gregg Hurwitz' 4th novel, "The Kill Clause" is the best book that I've read in the past year! The plot takes off like a rocket from page one and never loses steam.

The story revolves around the brutal murder of the young daughter of law enforcement officers, Tim and Dray Rackley. As the Rackley's deal with a parent's greatest nightmare, things become even worse when the alleged murdered is set free because of a violation of his 4th Amendment rights during his arrest. Tim is so distraught over this turn of events, that he considers taking the law into his own hands. As he comtemplates this action, Tim is approached by an unusual band of vigilantes known as The Commission. Each member of The Commission has suffered a great personal loss along the lines of the Rackleys. And, in each of their cases as well, the perpetator has gone free because of some legal technicality.

Without giving away too much of the plot let me just say that the anguish that Tim feels over the loss of his daughter pales in comparison to the guilt that he begins to feel as he becomes the hit man for The Commission. This very human story tests the depths of many emotions, especially the relationship that a husband and wife have to deal with after a loss of this magnitude.

Hurwitz has done another outstanding job with his character development in this novel. The members of The Commission are unique in their own fashion and extremely interesting. There were a number of scenes throughout the book that I read at a blur because the action was so intense. Numerous graphic scenes definitely make this powerful book one that is not for the faint of heart.

Bravo to Mr. Hurwitz on his latest creation and attention all Hollywood execs: This would make a dynamite film! The screen play is practically written already. I can't wait to see what Hurwitz writes next!

HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!

Rating:
Summary: Are You Kidding?
Review: The Kill Clause revolves around a premise so ridiculous and badly thought-out that you can never truly enjoy the narrative, or any single part of the book for that matter. And that's a shame, because Greg Hurwitz really has a great way with words. His writing is premise and very enticing; he's got a way with words that always makes you feel like reading on. It's too bad his talents were completely waisted on this book.

When Tim Rackley's young daughter is raped and murdered, the man thinks his life is over. At the trial, the murderer is released on a technicality. And then, he quits his job after being accused of having commited an offence while apprehending a murder suspect. That's when he is contatcted by The Commission, an organization composed of five men and one women who have all been mistreated by the judicial system at one point or another in theirl lives.

They have decided to take justice in their own hands. They will seek men who found a way to escape the system and kill them themselves. And they want Tim to be their prime hitman.

This is the kind of stuff you only read in books (or see in films). You cannot believe a single moment of this book. The fact alone that Tim accepts the Commission's proposition is ridiculous enough; in the beginning, when given the chance to excute his daughter's killer, he refuses because he knows better. It's hard to think that a man who is able to do such a thing would then turn around and become the very kind of monster he's been fighting all his life. As a matter of fact, all the characters are so badly sketched out that they all blend into one big incoherent mess. These characters have no real conviction, no real purpose.

As the plot progresses, Hurwitz throws ridiculous subplot after ridiculous subplot our way, to the point where I just couldn't wait to finish this book. The high morality lesson the author obviously wants to transmit with this book is so badly transposed that it falls on you like a five ton anvil. And the fact that you can see the little "surprise" near the end coming from a mile away doesn't help things.

That said, I'm sure the book will be turned into a Hollywood film. This is the kind of preposterous thing Hollywood craves; the kind of really bad b-movie you see coming out year after year and tanking miserably. I'm sure - I hope - Hurwitz is capable of much better. A true disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting and thoughtful
Review: When his seven year-old daughter is killed, U.S. Deputy Marshal Tim Rackley's life comes apart. The local police arrange a fake suicide for the quickly caught child-molester but Tim decides to let justice run its course. The man is clearly guilty and Tim believes that the law and justice coincide. But in this case, a terrible botch in procedures sets the man free and Tim has to decide what to make of his life--as his marriage unravels. Out of the blue, a group approaches him--they are all victims of similar breakdowns in the justice system. They've set up a Commission that intends to redress justice failure and are looking for a point man--an executioner. Tim is their choice but can he turn his back on a lifetime of beliefs? The bait is almost impossible to turn down--they promise the full evidence on his daughter's case.

THE KILL CLAUSE addresses a common perception in America--that our justice system gives too much protection for criminals and too little to the victims and to society. For many, the idea of retribution is attractive and the Commission makes all of these arguments to Tim. That their arguments are flawed isn't really the point and author Gregg Hurwitz knows it.

Hurwitz solid and fast-paced action--both in the U.S. Marshal scene where Tim shoots several badguys and in the Commission scenes where Tim must confront some of the deadliest killers on the planet while on the run from the police himself. The depiction of Tim's marriage breaking down was moving and troubling as two people in love stand by helpless to do anything to prevent it.

Although the novel was mostly effective and compelling, at times Hurwitz's beliefs were presented in almost lecture form. The bar scene with the frustrated defense attorneys came off that way for me. The story would have been more powerful if Hurwitz had chosen to bring out his points solely through the story. And for me, the ending was just a bit too pat--so much so that it defeated much of the point of the book. Still, Hurwitz's writing is strong and THE KILL CLAUSE makes for an exciting and thoughtful read.