Merciless, Richard Montanari’s third Byrne and Balzano thriller, begins slowly, almost too slowly, easing our way into an understated but deeply compelling and highly atmospheric mystery. This time around Montanari tones down the supernatural element (Byrne's psychic visions), and instead focuses on the effects of fantasy on our lives, and what happens when we lose our way inside our own imaginations. It is a deeply felt story, written in prose that is both readable and elegant.
Montanari’s skills as a master character-builder are also at full force here, with even the minor characters coming across as memorable and believable, while his dialogue always rings true.
Although Montanari has a tendency to occasionally veer into sentimentality, for the most part this is a masterfully constructed mystery/thriller that uses the police procedural formula to its fullest effect, adding a layer of atmosphere and a level of sure-footedness that are rarely found in this genre. Highly recommended for fans of Monatanri and newcomers alike.
Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2020.
