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The Hidden Assassinsby: Robert Wilson |
Past Tenseby Stephen GreenleafIowa isn't exactly a state noted for liberal attitudes in general, and I can't help but wonder if some of Iowa's toughness didn't rub off on Stephen Greenleaf while he studied there at Iowa University. Not that his protagonist, John Marshall Tanner is a far-right winger by any means, but Mr. Greenleaf's writing has a decided echo of Iowan distaste for any fuzzy-wuzzy approach - while simultaneously relating a story where his P.I. hero is investigating the most incendiary topics from a sympathetic viewpoint! Past Tense is the twelfth of at least fourteen John Marshall Tanner novels, although its final chapter leaves you wondering if there will be any moreCharley Sleet was not only an exemplary cop on the San Francisco force, but also Private Investigator John Marshall Tanner's best friend, plus a constant source of good advice and good information. But Charley suddenly leaves the police force, handing in his shield and revolver. Then Tanner learns that Charley has shot and killed defendant Leonard Wints in a child abuse case and killed him in the courtroom, in front of a number of witnesses. Charley Sleet willingly admits his guilt. Moreover, Charley refuses to tell anyone why he performed such an untypical action. Everybody connected with Charley does everything they can to help him they all know there must be a very good reason for doing what he did, but try as they might, no one can come up with any connection between Charley and his victim, or even his victim's victim, the fear-filled daughter named Julian Wints. Tanner pursues every path he can, including a contact with Julian's therapist, Danielle Derwinski, who is a firm believer in the repressed memory syndrome convinced that Julian was abused by her father, Leonard, as a child. However, there's still no connection to be made. An unusual relationship develops between the therapist and the P.I., in spite of the fact that Tanner has already met Julian, and doesn't much believe she's repressed anything. Meanwhile Charley escapes from prison (with a little help from one of the guards he's helped before he was charged) and is suspected of several more murders which occur soon afterwards. His behavior is so unlike the individual Tanner knows that Tanner even begins to doubt both Charley's innocence and their friendship. Charley does contact Tanner, but leaves Tanner just as uninformed and bewildered as before. Some of Charley's former teammates on the police force want Charley found and put out of commission permanently, so they attack Tanner, thinking he knows where Charley's hiding. When they finally realize that Tanner doesn't know any more than they do, they abandon him leaving him bloody and broken. John Marshall Tanner is also the father of a little girl (unknown to one of her parents), and acting as her godfather instead. This leads him to questioning what a future jury might make of his innocent play and fond cuddling of the child. Stephen Greenleaf's entire book brings up a number of important issues, especially about child abuse and repressed memory. The work also brings out the fact that there are usually one or more individuals on any police force that may either be slightly bent or have sadistic tendencies or perhaps both. The ultimate sad and startling reason for Charley's behavior, and especially the final pages of Past Tense will have you holding your breath. Stephen Greenleaf does not provide a happy ending for his book; rather he leaves you wondering if it's the last you'll read about John Marshall Tanner. Fortunately for us, since there are additional books, we know it's not. Stephen Greenleaf forces you to face unpleasant facts in everything he writes, not only child abuse, but also stuff like white supremacy and computer rape. And in every case, his protagonist private eye investigates each subject with compassion, sincerity and understanding. All this while maintaining a rather bluff, lawyerly exterior. Past Tense is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery, and if you can distance yourself at least slightly from the issues (hard to do, since they almost slap you in the face) you'll find yourself wishing for more. Thankfully, more is available! Alan Paul Curtis |
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