The blend of urban thriller and weird fiction feels a bit more seamless at this point, but the book's not without its own challenges. The previous books have made it clear Jack is a guy who's entirely comfortable resorting to violence when necessary; at times it's clear he even enjoys it a bit. But in this book he fully intends to murder a guy for threatening Jack's adoptive daughter, even when it's clear the danger has passed. It's a weird moment that takes Jack up to a new moral event horizon, and although he ultimately doesn't cross it, I find it strange that F. Paul Wilson was willing to have the character verge on something so alienating. The final comeuppance for the villains is peak Jack--ironic, violent, and perfectly fitting the crime. I can think of a few people who might benefit from being locked together in a room with a bunch of steak knives while drugged to the eyes with a rage potion.

Another great Repairman Jack novel. These are well written, interesting characters, great plots--quick reads. Hard to put down!

Very intense entry in the series.

This is the fourth novel I have read by this author and, by most lists, is the fourth in the Repairman Jack series. When I say, "by most lists", I mean exactly that. Cataloging Mr Wilson's books is difficult at best; he seems to keep on revising them, publishing new versions so that his whole "Secret Universe" milieu fits together. It seems to me that he has two series that intertwine: The Repairman Jack books and "The Adversary Cycle", although many of the books exist in both series. Confusing, but nevertheless every time I read one of his books, I come away fulfilled, feeling like I've just experienced a great read. And each book drops just a few more clues on what is really going on in the bigger picture.

This book takes Jack into the world of illegal drugs...but not just any illegal drugs. "Beserk" is the primary street name for a substance that comes from the "Loki" molecule, derived from the blood of a Rokoshi. The very same Rakoshi that has haunted Jack's plot lines before. This drug has incredible effects including an amazing increase in violence on the part of the user. There is a great scene where Jack, himself is accidentally exposed to the drug and the resulting rampage by this normally organized, thoughtful, prepared person is priceless. Most of the story is a fairly straight forward thriller/mystery plot, with Jack involved with solving the mystery of the origin of this drug. But once again we get some clues into the background of "The Otherness" or, whatever it is that is "out there" stiring the pot of human existence. The Rokoshi is one aspect of that "Otherness" but we also meet Ozymandias and his traveling circus. This is a cool character and from the way things were left at the end of this book I can well imagine him reappearing in future books. I most definitely will be continuing to read this fascinating series.

Repairman Jack continues doing his thing in this, the 4th book of the series. Repairman Jack doesn't fix appliances, he fixes things that most people (like the police, or the courts, etc.) can't fix. This time, Jack finds himself investigating the world of designer drugs and discovers dark connections to "The Other" that he's faced in the previous few books. As usual, things get complicated very quickly, and Jack finds himself fighting on multiple fronts, including threats to those he loves.

There are two things that really set the Repairman Jack books from most traditional "guy thrillers." First, there is a definite supernatural element at play throughout the series. It's not so strong as to call them "fantasy novels," per se, but the demonic and cryptozoological elements add an appealing difference to the series. Second, they are remarkably well written. F. Paul Wilson is smart, and knows how to adjust pacing, tone, and cadence to pull readers through the narrative and really care about the characters. He also does a great job of shifting POV throughout the book, adjusting voice and references according to the backgrounds of the characters. People ask and answer the sort of questions they would really consider, and he's obviously done a great deal of research. Still, it's ultimately escapist literature, but there's really nothing wrong with that.

I will definitely be reading future books in the series.

Some thrilling ideas. Some less interesting. Overall a good read, but not the best of the series. Still, some elements are very satisfying. If you don't know Repairman Jack, you should read The tomb ASAP.

This is the first F. Paul Wilson book I have read. I was impressed with the book. Repairman Jack is an interesting and unique character. I want to read all of the novels now.

Full review on the way!

One of my 2012 reading and reviewing goals is to read and review all the books in F.Paul Wilson’s Secret History of the World. This includes the entire Adversary Cycle and Repairman Jack series. Full reviews are coming both here on Good reads and my Blog: Davidagranoff.blogspot.com

Quick, entertaining. Not the best writing - but still a good story. Repairman Jack manages to mete out justice in a unique way.