In 1986 12-year-old Eddie and best friends Hoppo, Fat Gav and Metal Mickey are normal kids doing everyday stuff - riding around on their bikes and hanging out at the local playground. They develop a code using chalk drawings of stick men that only they can understand. But when a chalk man drawing leads them to a mutilated body buried in the woods, their lives are changed forever.
Fast forward to 2016 and Eddie is now a teacher in the same town where he grew up. Shortly before one of his childhood friends is found dead, he receives a letter containing a chalk drawing of a stick man. Eddie knows he must uncover what really happened 30 years earlier if he's to free himself from the past.
The flashback scenes to 1986 in The Chalk Man were immensely enjoyable. The 80's were my teenage years and I can personally attest to the author's descriptions of that period in time being totally authentic. So many great memories were rekindled.
The wonderful mix of characters drove the story forwards - their candour, camaraderie and humour simply dazzled. Considering this is the author's debut novel, remarkable skill was displayed with the complexity of this book.
I thought the plot contained a fair amount of unrealistic elements but it was highly original and entertaining. It had depth and excellent characterisation. It was engaging and intriguing. It didn't 'grip' in quite the same way other books have, but it left me with a feeling of having read something rather special.
Product details
- Publisher : PENGUIN (August 1, 2018)
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 1405930950
- ISBN-13 : 978-1405930956
- Item Weight : 9.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 8.66 x 5.91 x 0.98 inches
