An interesting multi generational conspiracy / mystery thriller slowed down by an over complicated cast of players and some interesting language choices. The story pulled me in but it was hard, hard work.

Plot
Nominally three stories – the missing young son of a wealthy, if unlikable magnate in 1960, a contemporary journalist writing a book about the Kennedy assassination and the assassination itself.

Thoughts
The plotting of the three story lines is really very clever (if not also very complex) and Baker shifts between them effectively building tension and interest as characters reappear and themes merge and then diverge again. In some instances characters and themes are introduced only to be ignored and not revisited.

The cast of characters is enormous and, for someone not incredibly well informed on the early 1960s mob culture or the Kennedy assassination, at times confusing to keep track of who is entirely fictional versus fictionalised. That said both Nick Alston – the private eye tasked with finding the missing boy back in 1960 and Hastings, the main character through the Kennedy storyline are well drawn and intriguing.

I enjoyed a number of the themes included in the novel; the corrupting influencing of money and power was impressive whilst the long shadow of the Second World War in the Pacific on many of the characters was also powerful. The reimagining of the Kennedy assassination was a fascinating hypothesis and I also enjoyed the selection of conspiracy theorists listed in the contemporary chapters of the book.

What let this novel down for me was the long and flowery sentences that did little to move the story forward. It is a testament to the plotting that I picked it up again a number of time after putting ot down in frustration! Also it is not a novel full of strong positive female characters and this along with the language may well be a homage of sorts to Ellroy but it did not work for me and distracted from what was a pretty good storyline.

Overall I think I am glad I finished it and it has left me wanting to know more about any number of the topics covered but can not help feel that is was perhaps too ambitious for a first novel. ( )

Fever City is a rollicking 60’s noir crime beat ‘em up, shoot ‘em, throw ‘em off cliffs thriller.
The main story is PI Nick Alston’s investigation of a child kidnapping with side stories of Baker’s take on the JFK assassination and a current day story of Alston’s son, a journalist, researching for a book on the Kennedy killing.

The two stories and multiple timelines blend beautifully with many of the same characters appearing in both. Amazing revelations are dropped in casual conversation which had me OMGing through the whole book.

Some more astute mystery readers may guess the big twist but it took me completely by surprise.

Hastings, the self deprecating ex military hit man would have to be the best anti-hero I’ve come across in a long time. He definitely had my allegiances torn. ( )

Fever City – An Interesting Debut

Fever City is the debut thriller from new author Tim Baker, which the publicity for has been trying to build a head of steam since October 2014. Well researched, Baker has had to delve into the many numerous conspiracy theories relating to the assassination of JFK, while weaving in to the story a heady cast of famous figures to provide the side show. As well as knowing what the Warren Commission had it right with one shooter who was executed by Jack Ruby.

There are three stories carefully woven together, that seem rather separate until we reach the ending of the book rather interestingly. The first story is Nick Alston, who is a Los Angeles private investigator, who has been hired by Old Man Bannister to find his kidnapped son, it does not matter that Bannister also happens to be the most hated man in America at the time.

Hastings is a mob hitman, and he has been killing people since he got back from the war in the Pacific, but he is in search of redemption. What becomes clear that both Hastings and Alston become ensnared with a very rich and powerful cabal that is sinister spreads from the White House lawns to the death of a President in Dallas, Texas.

Decades later Nick Alston’s son is back in Dallas investigating the Kennedy assignation for a book and that means he has to talk to every conspiracy nut possible. It takes him from bar rooms to the homes of the rich and it seems like none of the theories were likely, but he carries on all the same. At the same time he can remember his father’s tears when Kennedy was killed as he watched it on TV at the time, but he may also discover some of the truth about his father from that time.

Fever City is an interesting and complex thriller dealing with the many conspiracies of the time and dismisses them equally as fast, it is an entertaining read. I am not sure calling this book a thriller will totally do the book justice as it is a more complex story well researched and well written. It is not a page turning thriller, but a good story wrapped up in a conspiracy that has captured the imagination of time.

There are many grand ideas and themes in the story as we see some famous femmes fatales, with the ultimate one in Marilyn Monroe; as well that of men who carry much baggage that it haunts them. Baker is a master of detail and description which aids the story well with his excellent use of prose. His description of the corruption of money and power could almost be a biblical one, but all the themes are in this story. An enjoyable conspiracy theory and a pleasure to read. ( )