The Echo

by: Minette Walters

Published by: Black Lizard/Vintage Books/Random House

Reviewed by Brenda A. Snodgrass

A homeless man, Billy Blake, is found dead in the garage of an expensive London home. He died of starvation while leaning against a chest freezer full of food. The police consider it a tragedy, but journalist Michael Deacon smells a story. Deacon acts more like a detective than a writer. He pursues every avenue possible to get to the bottom of this unfortunate accident, determining Billy's name was an alias of William Blake. Deacon thinks it's wrong to think a "man's death was the most interesting thing about him." (pg. 124)

Amanda Powell, the owner of the garage, paid for all of Billy's funeral costs, which raises questions of why? Amanda, deserted by her husband after his embezzlement charges, was also involved in a clandestine affair as was her husband.

During the course of Deacon's investigation he finds the dilapidated warehouse that houses the mentally ill and the addicts/alcoholics. He meets a young man, calling himself Terry Dalton, who, to the best of his ability had tried to take care of Billy.

With the arrival of Terry, the story really picks up. He is a smart-mouthed and very street-wise teenager who has been on his own since he was twelve. He speaks his mind clearly and often gives his opinions. Deacon tells Terry that he can stay with him during the Christmas holiday. Deacon is twice divorced and childless, and he does not want to spend another holiday alone. He also invites Barry from the newspaper, another mistfit, to join them. Barry is a piece of work; he's shady, still lives with his mother, is struggling with his sexuality.

The Echo starts out slowly, but definitely picks up once Terry is introduced. He is not intended to be the leading male--however he is just the type of character that wins your heart over. The Echo is full of offensive profanity and vulgarity that adds nothing to the story--and was intolerable to me. The author, Minette Walters, has eleven other books published, however, in this one, the first half was sooo slow and not very engaging that I'd not seek out any of her other works.

Author's Web site: http://www.MinetteWalters.co.uk