The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson

Few things in life are more pleasurable than discovering a new author to read, especially one who already has dozens of novels in print thus making it possible for the reader to really indulge themselves in the newly found materials. Add a continuing character to the mix, one who has an exciting existence told through a series of bestselling novels that slowly but surely march toward a final apocalyptic showdown and readers would find it incredibly tricky to think of a greater experience. Of course one actually has to be a fan of reading to understand such situations, one that has spent countless hours searching the bookstore shelves for such a discovery. One also has to accept the sad fact that with each step forward within these wonderful journeys one comes closer and closer to its end, a moment that truly defines the word bittersweet. I was in the midst of one of these bittersweet moments during the spring of 2007 when I went to the bookstore in search of something new to read. I didn’t have any leads in mind on what to pick up that afternoon, and really just kept pointlessly wishing I could go back in time and restart the Necroscope series by Brian Lumley, when I caught site of a familiar row of books by F. Paul Wilson at the bottom of the horror section shelf. Somewhat curious as to what the books were like despite some earlier dismissals based on quickly read descriptions during previous visits (basically I thought the name of the main character sounded silly at the time and put the books back), and now impressed with the number of different titles spread across the space provided, I reached down and sought out the first entry in the series, my mind completely unaware of the fact that I had just taken the first steps down a new ‘continuing character’ pathway, one whose discovery I still relish to this very day.

The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson is the first novel in a fifteen book series that tells the story of Repairman Jack, a man who lives off the established grid of society and spends his days ‘fixing’ situations for people who can’t or won’t go to the police. Depressed due to a recent breakup with a woman named Gia, one fueled by her accidental discovery and subsequent disapproval of his chosen career, Jack is pretty much spending his days watching old movies and collecting odd pieces of memorabilia for his apartment when he gets a call from a Hindu man in need of his services. Kusum Bahkti is the man’s name and the reason he seeks out Jack is because his grandmother was robbed of an important family necklace the night before, one which he wants returned before she dies -- a moment that is drawing closer and closer with each passing second. Ready to pay half of Jack’s fee up front just for an attempt at the fix, and an additional large bonus if Jack is successful, Kusum Bahkti convinces Jack to take the case and eagerly awaits the results. While working this Jack also agrees to help Gia’s elderly aunt in finding information about her missing sister who disappeared without a trace a few days earlier, his hope being that working missing person case will help reunite him and Gia. Things are not what they seem, however, and Jack soon learns that there is more behind the two situations that initially meets the eye. It also seems the two are connected in ways no rational person would ever accepts, a connection which eventually thrusts Jack into a world he never knew about nor wants to be a part off, one which is now threatening the very lives of the ones he loves. Will Jack be able to put and end to the threat, and if so what are the lasting consequences of such actions?

Like a cross between a private eye mystery and a horrific monster novel, The Tomb is a well written fast paced thriller that gives fans of both genres a story they won’t soon forget. Even better it introduces them to Jack, a character that readers will quickly fall in love with and want to hear about over and over again, their minds unable to get enough of him and the incredible, yet often frightening, situations he finds himself in. It isn’t just Jack that readers will love, however. F. Paul Wilson’s skill with the written word allows him to create other characters, some major, some miner, some in this book, some introduced in others, who are just as entertaining as Jack, ones who help further the tales in ways that almost seem to create second and third stories within the larger stories, ones that could easily develop into stand alone tales if allowed. Having trouble understanding what I’m talking about? Go grab a copy of The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson right away and you’ll quickly understand what I’m saying. Be warned, however. Once you start this series you won’t want to stop it. You will also crave his others works, many of which start to blend into this series as well later on, thereby making his entire body of work a necessary read, necessary but wonderfully enjoyable.