Prodigal Son

by: Thomas B. Cavanagh

Published by: Thomas Dunne Books

Reviewed by Leslie Granier

Mike Garrity has retired from the police force due to the recent removal of a brain tumor he refers to as “Bob.” When A-Plus Investigators offers him a job as a private investigator, he is reluctant but decides he must move on with his life instead of obsessing over when or if the tumor will return. While attending a cancer support group, Mike becomes close to Debbie Watson, who is also a cancer victim. She reveals a secret to him and asks for his help with a personal matter. Mike agrees and his new career begins.

Death is a prominent theme in Prodigal Son. In addition to Mike and Debbie’s health problems, Mike takes a case involving a teenager who died of a drug overdose. He has been retained by the child’s father to disprove that it was a suicide, as the police have classified it. While investigating this case, Mike is constantly reminded of his own mortality and sees death all around him. The author does an incredible job of personifying death by showing it as a human predator lurking about and waiting for the opportunity to take action.

The book title is a reference to the Bible passage in which a son was lost and has since been found after realizing the errors of his ways. Cavanagh deftly gives the reader insight into Mike’s past relationships with his two ex-wives and his teenage daughter and the lengths to which he would go to make up for the past. His thought processes are realistically portrayed and serve as a reminder that people should treat others well because someday it will be too late to atone for one’s mistakes.

Prodigal Son is an action-filled novel with numerous plot twists that will keep the reader wondering what could possibly happen next. The manner in which the book ends offers an excellent opportunity for a sequel. I am eagerly awaiting more works from this talented author.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

Author’s Web site: http://www.ThomasCavanagh.com