Review: The 13th Hour by Richard Doetsch

Brilliant!

Before the story begins, there is an author's note:
You are not mistaken as you turn to the next page and find Chapter 12.  The chapters of this book are in reverse order and ar to be read that way for reasons that will become evident upon your journey.

Yes.  I was sucked into this story before it even began.

The 13th Hour by Richard Doetsch begins with a murder. Julia Quinn is found dead on the floor of her home, and her husband, Nick, learns he is the only suspect. Emotional and angry over the death of the love of his life, Nick is not sure what to think when a mysterious man enters the interrogation room and offers him a solution in the form of a watch and a letter, which states:

"You've been given a gift, Nick. A gift to live twelve hours of your life over again."

The watch allows Nick to go back in time, one hour at a time, until he can find the man responsible, and save his wife's life. Desperate to bring his wife back, Nick accepts this quest. Each hour he goes back, he returns to the hour prior to the one he just left. Every instance Nick goes back in time, he learns something or meets someone that complicates everything else he had previously known.

Time travel is tricky in any story - whether it be a movie, television show, novel or short story. Why? Because there are always particulars that could drive you mad. Also, because when a story is written poorly, it becomes an utter mess.

On the other hand, when a story is written well, and a reader is able to accept the time traveling for what it is, without dissecting its flaws, the story as a whole becomes a great ride. Richard Doetsch is brilliant at not allowing the story to become bogged down in the time travel, rather he uses it as the tool in which he unwraps the mystery, layer by layer, clue by clue, hour by hour.

I am afraid I'll give something away by saying too much, so allow me to share one last thought.  I have read murder-mysteries before.  I have read novels about time travel.  I have read my share of thrillers as well.  All of that being said, The 13 Hour was unlike any book I have ever read before.

Well written, exciting, and very hard to put down!  Brilliant.

About the Book:
The 13th Hour: A Thriller by Richard Doetsch
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Atria (December 29, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439147914
ISBN-13: 978-1439147917



FTC Statement: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. (I am addicted now that I know how to reserve books online!!!)