Good People
"Sakey is definitely an exciting new talent..."
Synopsis:
A family and the security to enjoy it: that's all Tom and Anna Reed ever wanted. But years of infertility treatments, including four failed attempts at in-vitro fertilization, have left them with neither. The emotional and financial costs are straining their marriage and endangering their dreams. So when their downstairs tenant - a recluse whose promptly delivered cashier's checks were barely keeping them afloat dies in his sleep, the $400,000 they find stashed in his kitchen seems like fate. More than fate: a chance for everything they've dreamed of for so long. A fairy-tale ending.
But Tom and Anna soon realize that fairy tales never come cheap because their tenant wasn't a hermit who squirreled away his pennies. He was a criminal who double-crossed some of the most dangerous men in Chicago; men who won't stop until they get revenge, no matter where they find it.
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Review:
'Good People' by Sakey is set in 2006/2007 and I did wander the relevance of these dates. However, I later learned that 'Good People' was first published in 2008 (also under the title, 'Too Good To Be True') which explained the lack of relevance for being set 5 years ago. The plot of Good People had a similar feeling to Scott Smith's – 'A Simple Plan' whereby a seemingly one off event leads to a ripple effect affecting many. However, 'A Simple Plan', in my opinion definitely has the edge on this book. Tom and Anna didn't count on the money being wanted by others and 'Good People' sees them trying to outrun the criminals, drug dealers and police. This couple weren't the most convincing lead characters and the detective looking into the missing money left much to be desired. His actions and behaviour didn't ring true and at times I questioned which side he was on. But Sakey's novel kept me interested from start to finish. It also asked the moral dilemma of just how far someone would go to get what they want. At times the plot was a little predictable, and although the ending wasn't a happy ever after, it was one I could live with. This wasn't the most exciting thriller I have ever read but it was still a good read. Sakey is definitely an exciting new talent who needs to push himself and we need more of his books in the UK and sooner than five years delay, please.