Title: Incident at Devil’s Finger
Author: Larry Witham
Publisher: Archway Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-6657-4919-0
Pages: 327
Genre: Crime / Thriller / Mystery
Reviewed by: Rene Midas
Pacific Book Review
Incident at Devil’s Finger by author Larry Witham revolves around the mysterious explosion of Devil’s Finger, a Red Rock Pinnacle in Sedona, Arizona, during a performance by the renowned artist Magnifica. Art sleuth Julian Peale investigates the incident, delving into the art world connections of Magnifica. Peale’s quest for answers takes the reader through a myriad of suspenseful landscapes and exciting situations which leave a thrilling impression.
During a business trip to Las Vegas which turned into an impromptu vacation in the Southwest, Julian Peale and his wife chance upon the much-anticipated performance by Magnifica in Sedona. Magnifica, the famous performance artist in the “Incident at Devil’s Finger” world, has arranged an event where she plans to jump from a helicopter and parachute down through the famous Red Rock Pinnacle. However, the idyllic moment quickly shatters when a massive explosion collapses Devil’s Finger, disrupting the event. Amidst the initial awe turning into panic, concerns about the artist’s fate mingle with inquiries about the unexpected destruction of Devil’s Finger. As chaos erupts in the art world, authorities dive into unraveling the cause behind the explosion and identifying those responsible.
Larry Whittam flawlessly blends different storylines to tie up a singular narrative. As the plot reveals, several characters are involved in the incident, starting with the people associated with Magnifica. The author strategically delves into each of their characters, from the cyberpunk hacker to the tech millionaire to the Russian art dealer, showcasing their integration into Magnifica’s life or their intersections with her. Throughout the narrative, the story vividly exposes the complex landscape of the art world, leading readers into obscure corners of art and performance revealing the intricate political dynamics at play.
The deliberately slow pace of the story remarkably contributes to its depth, allowing for a richly layered narrative that intricately develops each character and moment. This unhurried approach proves instrumental in enriching the book’s plot, offering a rare glimpse into the different walks of life and the hidden pockets of society, such as the intricacies of Russian organized crime through the lifestyle and background of characters such as Mikhail Federov and Shawn Byrne. Julian Peale and his wife’s journey serves as a poignant testament to finding hope and connection amid despair, inspiring a narrative of resilience and tenacity. The plot is immensely engaging and thrilling, keeping the reader guessing and on their tiptoes. The narrative is structured in such a skilful way that it keeps the readers actively involved with the actions of the book, making them guess and deduce alongside the characters.
Slow-paced, thrilling, and engaging, Incident at Devil’s Finger is an excellent read to indulge those cravings for a gripping crime thriller fiction. Packed with unexpected plot twists, exhilarating climaxes, engaging characters and a neat plotline, this novel is a delightful treat for mystery lovers. For readers with a taste for crime, thriller, mystery and art history, this book is a perfect fit.
