Helpful Score: 3
The introduction to "The Wolfman" commemorates the author's too short life and remarkable talent and ambition. Nicholas Pekearo envisioned The Wolfman as the first of a series that would pit his hero, Marlowe Higgins, against neo-nazi vampires, aliens, evil wizards and sadistic serial killers. Sadly, The Wolfman will have to stand alone, as a single mystery of the reluctant werewolf versus a diabolical and unique serial killer.
As a stand-alone mystery/horror story, Wolfman is highly enjoyable. The prose is fresh, evocative and poetic without being flowery or cliched. Marlowe is a memorable, well drawn character. Salty, disillusioned, and tough but with a sense of humor, somewhere across between Travis Bickle and Dirty Harry. For a first time author Pekearo is remarkable deft at juxtaposing Marlowe's past and present. Although the mysteries of Marlowe's past become clear pretty quickly, they are revealed at a the perfect moments and with satisfying detail.
The mystery facing Marlowe at the moment is a doozie. He has singled out a local serial killer, the Rose Killer, as the next victim for his wolf persona. If he can't idenitfy the killer before the next full moon, the wolf will overrule Marlowe's judgment and slaughter the first human it encounters. He has one month to literally catch the killer's scent before the wolf strikes.
The mystery becomes clear to the casual reader early on, but the amazing prose and strong characterization keep the story compelling to the very end. The Wolfman has its highs and lows, but it ends on an extremely satifying high note that emphasizes all the more the tragedy it is that Pekearo won't be able to hone his craft and offer the world more of his unique vision.
As a stand-alone mystery/horror story, Wolfman is highly enjoyable. The prose is fresh, evocative and poetic without being flowery or cliched. Marlowe is a memorable, well drawn character. Salty, disillusioned, and tough but with a sense of humor, somewhere across between Travis Bickle and Dirty Harry. For a first time author Pekearo is remarkable deft at juxtaposing Marlowe's past and present. Although the mysteries of Marlowe's past become clear pretty quickly, they are revealed at a the perfect moments and with satisfying detail.
The mystery facing Marlowe at the moment is a doozie. He has singled out a local serial killer, the Rose Killer, as the next victim for his wolf persona. If he can't idenitfy the killer before the next full moon, the wolf will overrule Marlowe's judgment and slaughter the first human it encounters. He has one month to literally catch the killer's scent before the wolf strikes.
The mystery becomes clear to the casual reader early on, but the amazing prose and strong characterization keep the story compelling to the very end. The Wolfman has its highs and lows, but it ends on an extremely satifying high note that emphasizes all the more the tragedy it is that Pekearo won't be able to hone his craft and offer the world more of his unique vision.
Helpful Score: 1
This book reminded me a lot of Fingerman's Bottomfeeder, which features another supernatural (but never ever glamorous) working-class monster. The main characters are regular guys who become monsters, and yet are decent people, though sometimes unlikeable.
The Wolfman is a crime novel, but the whodunit was less of a mystery to me than the question of how the protagonist became what he is. That was a much bigger revelation, IMO.
It is a real shame that the author's life was cut short. The circumstances were tragic, and a writer of great potential was lost to us all.
The Wolfman is a crime novel, but the whodunit was less of a mystery to me than the question of how the protagonist became what he is. That was a much bigger revelation, IMO.
It is a real shame that the author's life was cut short. The circumstances were tragic, and a writer of great potential was lost to us all.
Very good book. Its unfortunate the author passed away at the start of what promised to be a great career as a writer. I would have definitely read more of his works.
This is not your sparkly and romantic lycanthrope, but instead a very different take on the usual werewolf story. The main character was a Vietnam vet who was destined to carry on the family werewolf curse and compelled to kill every full moon. He struggled constantly with his guilt over killing innocents, but came up with a way to try and deal with it, and be of some benefit to mankind. He was surly and antisocial, but oddly likeable. There will be no sequels, as the author was killed in the line of duty while serving as a NYPD Auxiliary Police Officer. This was his first published book. What a tragedy.
A dark, gritty tale. Not for the faint of heart. Marlowe Higgins is a werewolf with a vicious bite. Nicholas Pekearo started what would have been an interesting series. Unfortunately, Mr. Pekearo was shot and killed March 2007 while on duty as an auxiliary police officer in New York.
Marlowe Higgins has finally found a life for himself. Working as a cook in a small town and keeping himself on the somewhat straight and narrow. His life changes when a serial killer comes to town. Marlowe takes on the challenge of stopping this killer in a way that only he can.
Pekearo did a masterful job of writing first person and keeping the reader interested. The narrator, Higgens, makes no efforts to hide his foibles and this is why I think this first person narration worked so well.
I had heard some good things about this book but, honestly, I thought how good can it be? Well, I loved it. I had to stop myself from devouring it in one sitting.
Pekearo did a masterful job of writing first person and keeping the reader interested. The narrator, Higgens, makes no efforts to hide his foibles and this is why I think this first person narration worked so well.
I had heard some good things about this book but, honestly, I thought how good can it be? Well, I loved it. I had to stop myself from devouring it in one sitting.
