The front cover of A Ghost At The Door declares it to be "the electrifying new Harry Jones thriller". I haven't read any of the others but this didn't detract from the storyline as all of the necessary background information is given. It does sound as if there is a lot to learn about this colourful character in the previous episodes though - he is an ex-soldier, a disgraced politician, he owned and lost a fortune, he was at odds with his wealthy father ...
Ah yes, the father. Harry's father Johnnie, who died of a heart attack on a luxury yacht while cavorting with a young lady, leaving behind millions of pounds and as many secrets and unanswered questions for his young son to inherit. Harry doesn't know much about his rather enigmatic father, but the little that he does know was enough to fill him with contempt.
At the start of this novel, Harry looks all set to marry his girlfriend Gemma, but he needs to unravel the mystery of his origins before he can set out on this new life serenely. Having very little to go on, Harry uses an old photo of his father at Oxford University with the croquet club, the Aunt Emmas, to track down old friends and acquaintances. His suspicions are aroused when it transpires that several people from the photo have died in mysterious circumstances, but being deliberately run off a cliff while following a lead in Bermuda leaves no doubt at all - someone doesn't want Harry uncovering his father's secrets.
It's a fast-paced novel packed with exciting twists and turns, although I did work out the ending before I got there. Certain elements of the plot were slightly unbelievable, such as Harry coming out almost unscathed after driving off a cliff, girlfriend Jemma's reactions and the cheekily named Delicious Hope, the friendly Bermudan cop, but if you are willing to suspend belief, knowing that - like big screen Hollywoodian heroes - Harry will come out on top with barely a scratch even when the odds are stacked against him, it's an enjoyable read.
star rating : 4/5
RRP : £18.99
- Hardcover: 480 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (12 Sep 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1471111512
- ISBN-13: 978-1471111518
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.8 x 3.8 cm
Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.
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