Book Review: "The Escape" by Matthew Slater

I don't always read action-packed fiction but when I do, I have a request: it has to be done like this. It was Sunday and I was probably also halfway through a few other books include The Devil and Sherlock Holmes by David Grann. I hope that you know when you're reading David Grann, you have to actually go for something that is more..I don't know...fun, I guess. (Not that David Grann is no fun but that is not the reason anyone ever reads David Grann... apart from probably Martin Scorsese). Matthew Slater's book filled with great dialogue, tons of atmosphere and a wicked version of a prison break episode directed by Guy Ritchie - this book was what you probably call a wild ride.

Bryan Wattson, once a powerful figure in Sovereign City's criminal underworld, is betrayed by Tony Carson, his long-time business partner. The betrayal is meticulous, as Tony orchestrates a drug deal that goes wrong, framing Bryan for the operation. Tony's betrayal extends beyond just money—he attempts to eliminate Bryan by shooting him, ensuring that Bryan is both imprisoned and left for dead. If you can tell me how this doesn't feel like the start of a Guy Ritchie movie then please tell me. I think that the best thing about the opening is that you feel like you know everyone right away. There's not too much exposition. I think that this is important for a novel that relies on pace as it does. I've always said, if you overcomplicate things, you'll find it difficult to build pace. This book is a perfect example of how to build pace properly, keeping the reader fully immersed from start to finish.

Bryan spends ten long years in prison, reflecting on his downfall and plotting his revenge. During his time inside, he learns that the outside world has moved on, with Tony now living lavishly in Bryan's home. The loss of his power and the desire for vengeance consumes Bryan, but his ability to trust anyone is shattered. This character development is so important to what we learn about the protagonist as we go through the book. The author has done a great job at allowing the reader to get to know the character when they are by themselves. But as you will read, there are definitely things happening - and it is extremely satisfying.

When out of prison, Bryan must navigate Sovereign City’s criminal underworld without revealing his presence to authorities or his enemies. He makes contact with old friends and former associates, but trust is in short supply. Sovereign City itself has changed during his absence, making Bryan’s re-entry fraught with danger. This is a great way the author builds tension - what better way to believe that there is danger around every corner than to have the cityscape morph into something more unfamiliar, almost as though it were a character itself? I really enjoyed the writing style at this point, but if I'm going to be honest there was a description of a head explosion that was even better.

To take down Tony, Bryan begins rebuilding his criminal network, reaching out to those still loyal to him. As he reconnects with old allies, he realizes that the underworld is more fractured and volatile than when he left. Bryan must reassert his influence and convince others that he still has the power to rule Sovereign City. The thriller elements of this novel are huge and I think the theme of loyalty and revenge are probably some of the most explored elements of the genre. The way in which the author writes in the idea of unwritten rules in the underworld is truly a testament to how the 'good criminal' and 'bad criminal' sides interpret them. It really allows the reader to explore the sides and see which one we are going to support.

Bryan's path back to power is marked by brutal confrontations. He ruthlessly eliminates anyone who stands in his way or remains loyal to Tony. These bloody encounters illustrate Bryan’s hardened nature after years of imprisonment, as he leaves a trail of bodies in his quest for vengeance. I did speak once of a really great description involving a head explosion that was so satisfying to read I think I wrote it down somewhere. Some of the descriptions in this book concerning the sheer reality of the violence are just incredible.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and I think that if you're into reading thrillers that are not written by James Patterson (or whichever strange commercial project he is putting his name on now) then I highly recommend this one. It is truly something different in the genre and definitely feels like it should be directed by either Brian de Palma or Guy Ritchie.