Hard Cases: A Newfoundland Thriller by Gareth Mitton
Reviewed by James M. Fisher
Back in 2020, when I was at the helm of a previous book review site, an unknown (to me) author reached out asking for a possible review of his sci-fi novel Pedestal. While I wasn’t the one to review it for the site, award-winning author Bill Arnott chose to review it and said of Gareth Mitton:
“…here’s what I like about Pedestal, Gareth Mitton’s first novel – futuristic, dystopian science fiction. Its courage. Courage in the story, the characters, and the courage it takes for a successful ad-man like Mitton to pursue his passion as a writer.” He goes on to say: “This is an admirable first novel.”
Now we have Hard Cases, subtitled “A Newfoundland Thriller” from Flanker Press. Mr. Mitton has moved from the future to the present, specifically St. John’s Newfoundland where he currently resides.
Hard Cases is a story about a group of gormless twenty-somethings living in St. John’s and generally wasting away their lives. Greg, who is from England, has followed Dana back across the ocean and is currently living with her when the story begins, but he typically hangs out the gang three doors up on Long’s Hill. They soon break up and Greg moves in with Crispin, Shelley, Scott, and Mint.
One day, some of them are on the city bus and notice a briefcase left behind with a note that says “Take Me”. So they do.
We all feel it. The rush of adrenaline. On some level, maybe we all know that what were doing is wrong. We've taken some- thing that isn't ours. But on the other hand, someone had wanted us to have it. There could be anything inside - and in a place that could be described as a little sleepy, with a new gang of friends who are nothing if not laid-back, this feels like a welcome change of pace.
Back at the apartment, they open it to find $50,000 in $50 bills inside with a note that is actually a riddle for them to solve, for which they will get double the money next time. The first “challenge” they discern, is to do an act of vandalism (no spoilers as to where or how, here!). Once that is completed, they get a text message from an unknown source indicating where the money is and what the nest challenge is. And so on. The challenges get riskier and more involved until they reach the million dollar payoff, and I’ll leave it at that!
Initially, I struggled to engage with the group of young individuals leading a Bohemian lifestyle, which nearly led me to abandon the book. Fortunately, a compelling plot twist revitalized my interest in their attempts to execute the capers. A secondary storyline revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a billionaire businessman; could he be the source of the cash-filled briefcases? This intrigue was sufficient to sustain my interest until the concluding pages.
As for negatives, I found Greg’s longing for Mint a little cloying as it carries on for the entire novel. Thankfully, Dana makes a reappearance, redirecting the story back to her and Greg somewhat.
This is an ideal example of escapist literature, perfect for summer or any time one wishes to immerse themselves in schemes teetering on the edge of the impossible, but with significant consequences.
What lies ahead for Gareth Mitton? I am eager to find out!
About the Author
Gareth Mitton is a writer originally hailing from Rochdale, northern England, who has been living in Atlantic Canada since moving across the pond as an adventurous twenty-something in the early 2000s.
About the Reviewer
James M. Fisher is the editor-in-chief of The Seaboard Review of Books
Book Details
Publisher : Flanker Press Ltd.
Publication date : Oct. 4 2024
Language : English
Print length : 323 pages
ISBN-10 : 1774572176
ISBN-13 : 978-1774572177