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Jay and Rebecca Clarke are the father and daughter team that comprise the latest incarnation that is Michael Slade. Their horror police procedurals are not only gory and gruesome, but they can be fun and educational as well. It is an unusual dichotomy but the authors pull it off pretty well. The origins of Halloween, the intricacies of both versions of TWELVE ANGRY MEN, and loopholes in Canadian maritime law are just some of the topics covered in this entry of the Special X series. Slade's novels are not for the squeamish, so consider yourselves warned. This review has been approved for general audiences. In HANGMAN, a serial killer is playing a literal and deadly game of hangman. The victims share a common link and time is running out. Royal Canadian Mounted Police office Zinc Chandler is working a separate case before working on this one with the Seattle police. As a member of Canada's elite Special X squad, he is often traveling out of Vancouver hunting for serial killers. He has a special stake on this case and if he does not solve the hangman's puzzle more people will die. Characters from other Slade novels make an appearance doing whatever their roles need them to do. No one is ever safe inside one of their novels. The authors love to break convention and stun their readers hanging them in disbelief. They get to play God with their characters and these gods have a sick sense of humor. There is a lot of black comedy within the story as well as some puns in describing crime scenes. There are unexpected twists and turns that will leave one shell-shocked even the story's bloody conclusion. Don't get too attached to any of the characters, you never know what to expect from them. Some hold nasty secrets, others, well, you get the drift. The book is filled with lots of red herrings as well as an explanation to the origins of this specific literary device making reading even more fun. HANGMAN is a guilty pleasure for those who love a bit more blood than the regular crime novel as well as some dark humor. Embrace your inner Sladist. If you like early Stephen King and Clive Barker novels you will certainly enjoy these books. You will be left hanging in the wind with every word.
Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, July 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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