skeletons

SKELETONS

Kate Wilhem

Robert Hale £17.99 hbk Rel: Feb 2003

Reviewed by Ayo Onatade

 

As psychological thrillers go, Skeletons doesn’t so much as explore new territory but has a unique angle. The protagonist is a young lady called Lee Donne who has an eidetic memory: she can retain a visual image of everything that she had seen. However, having this gift is also a bane. Lee has not been able to settle down to anything so she quite willingly agrees to house sit for her grandfather at his remote home. However when things start to go bump in the night, Lee and her friend Casey (who is with her) start to investigate the matter. Skeletons in the end follows Lee’s attempt to solve what appears to be a long hidden family secret.
The premise is one that most crime readers will be familiar with. While it may have complex plot with a unique protagonist, it does have its holes. The plot and the bad guys are so far into the background that the focus is solely on Lee and at times you nearly miss the plot twists. Furthermore, I began to wonder why Lee and Casey were actually friends.
Whilst Wilhelm is tackling a difficult subject matter, it is not done as successfully as it could have been. In this day and age her stance and awareness of race is somewhat harsh and passé. Under normal circumstances I would say that this is a well-written novel, the mystery is certainly competent and the unexpected ending comes out of nowhere; but it does not make up for the somewhat implausible plot.