The Death List by Paul Johnston

People often say you should never go to the grocery story when hungry because then you end up buying more food than you have room for at home, the realization of this often arriving as the shopper maneuvers into the express lane only to discover that they have way more than ten items in the cart. Of course the solution to this problem is already stated above, don’t shop when hungry, but what if you were always hungry? Then what do you do? Hire someone to shop for you so you don’t wear out a dozen credit cards purchasing food that will most likely spoil? Always a possibility and something I should probably consider, though not when shopping for food. Nope. I need to hire someone to go to the bookstore and buy the books I want, and only the books I want, because I am always hungry for stories, and whenever I go to a bookstore it doesn’t matter how many titles I planned on buying to begin with, I will walk out with more. Then again, unlike food, books don’t spoil so maybe . . .

The Death List by Paul Johnston was one of those books that I didn’t plan on buying, but ended up walking out with during my last trip to Borders. I went to the bookstore because I had a 50% off coupon and really wanted to buy the next Dark Delicacies collection, which I managed to find pretty easily. Once in hand, however, I didn’t go straight to the counter and decided to simply stroll down the shelves to see if anything caught my eye, you know, so I could mentally mark it down as a future book buying possibility -- yeah right. Several minutes later I had a handful of books to purchase, The Death List being the one I wanted to read the most since it featured a writer as the main character, something I have always loved.

Note: For those of you shaking your head with disgust, I should point out that I did pretty well this time since I was still able to pull my wallet out of my pocket while waiting in line, which showed some control. On a day with no control I would have to set my books down on the counter first, rest a moment, maybe drink a cup of water, and then pull the wallet out.

The Death List is the story of Matt Wells and the terrible situation he has suddenly found himself in. Matt Wells was once a successful author, one who penned crime stories that took place all over the world. Now, however, his work day consists of him looking at a blank computer screen and wondering if he should start looking for an alternative form of employment, one that actually provides him with money, which is running low. While struggling with this he opens an email from a fan that has always enjoyed his work, one who has been telling him not to worry because there is another story out there waiting to be told. Matt Wells, of course, brushes the comment aside as something a non-writer would say, but then learns there really is a story waiting for him, one this fan has been setting up, one that involves real people being horribly mutilated -- mutilated in ways Matt Wells has written about in previous books.

At this point most would call the police, but unfortunately for Matt the killer has really thought things through and left incriminating evidence that can implicate Matt for the murders if enough dots are connected (he doesn’t want to outright frame Matt given that he wants a book about the murders written, but also knows he has to keep Matt in line). More important and more motivating is the fact that the killer seems to have easy access to his young daughter who lives with her mother, such easy access that he is able to leave a dead dog in her bed, one which Matt has to dispose off before anyone finds out about it.

So, if you want an exciting well written read that will keep you guessing until the very last page pick up a copy of The Death List by Paul Johnston. You won’t be disappointed. Even better, this is only the first in what will be a series featuring the Matt Wells character, the next of which is called The Soul Collector.