In March, Seattle author Glen Erik Hamilton will be celebrated as a Guest of Honour at the Left Coast Crime festival in Arizona. Now six books into his excellent series starring childhood thief-turned Army Ranger Van Shaw, it was clear from the very beginning that there was something special about Hamilton’s writing. Past Crimes is a superbly crafted page-turner which intrigues as much through its characters as the gripping storylines.
In his first outing, Van Shaw finds himself back in his hometown of Seattle after a decade away, visiting his estranged grandfather following a cryptic message, only to find the old man – who’d raised him in a decidedly unorthodox way – shot, bloodied and dying on the floor. Shaw must navigate a minefield of police, his military superiors, past associates, and an unknown killer as he seeks to find the truth before his Army leave is over.
Hamilton was a remarkably assured storyteller from the outset, finely balancing action, intrigue, character, and setting in a way reminiscent of the best crime writers out there. A page-turner with depth. From our hero Van Shaw to a plethora of fascinating characters who eschew caricature, there’s plenty going on as Hamilton bounces us back and forth in time as we hurtle towards the conclusion. A highly readable start to an addictive series.
Reviewed by Craig Sisterson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glen Erik Hamilton writes crime thrillers. His novels have been called ‘outstanding, ‘perfect mix of serious crime and caper movie’, and ‘a must-read series’.
Hamilton’s debut novel Past Crimes won the Anthony, Macavity, and Strand Magazine Critics Awards, and was also nominated for the Edgar®, Barry, and Nero Awards. Kirkus called Past Crimes ‘an exciting heir to the classic detective novel’.
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