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Post by andydecker on Feb 2, 2022 9:12:04 GMT
Shaun Hutson - White Ghost (Little, Brown UK, HC, 1994, 354 pages)  Mark Taylor In 1994 this was the only novel Hutson published under his own name, the time to earn money with slim war books or westerns was over. There may be other pseudonyms, it is hard to believe that Hutson only produced one novel a year, but they were never revealed. Counter-terrorist Sean Doyle makes his come-back. Introduced in Renegades a few years back, his origin doesn't get exactly retconned. Only the supernatural elements never have happend. It it a soft reboot. The story focus on action. The main difference from American action novels of its kind pre 9/11 is that is has a distinct european viewpoint and the plot is not about some big terrorist attack or other our hero has to stop This is a straight shoot-em-up. I guess the horror fans were aghast at the time. For all its bloody violence and torture, it is no horror-story. Aside from this the novel is okay. Its biggest drawback may be its hero, who is a walking action movie cliché and while the typical amoral killer with a badge not very interesting. |
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Post by ripper on Feb 12, 2022 19:31:15 GMT
It's been a long time since I read White Ghost, but wasn't there a scene early on when Doyle visits the grave of Georgie Willis? That was a reference back to Renegades, but as you say, Andy, no supernatural hijinks here, nor any passing reference to the demon from the stained-glass window.
I have to say that this is my favourite of Doyle's adventures, though I have yet to read the latest one published recently. It's extremely violent with some decidedly unpleasant scenes. Yep, agree that Doyle is a walking cliche, but I can't help liking him.
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