The Puppet Show by Patrick Redmond
One of my favourite films is The Haunting; the original 1963 version, not the risible remake. Why? Because it's a horror film where until the very end nothing happens. The result is far more frightening than any number of dead bodies.
The Puppet Show is a psychological thriller in the same mould. Until the end absolutely nothing happens - yet it's totally enthralling.
Image: The Puppet Show
Patrick Redmond Books on Amazon
Synopsis
Michael and Becky move into a new rental flat. Their landlord is Max, an older man who is very rich and enjoys making people happy. He takes Michael and Becky out to dinner, gives them presents and helps them out.
Max is also influential and begins to help Michael's career. This is where the first dark clouds appear. Does Michael want such help - especially when it is given in secret without being asked for? Will there be a Faustian price to pay?
Is Max simply the kind, rich benefactor we'd all like to find? Or is he a manipulative, scheming and possessive character pulling Becky and Michael's strings for his own amusement?
It's impossible to be sure, which is what makes the book so interesting. Absolutely everything that happens could be read either way. That said, it's a little surprising that Michael isn't more suspicious of Max - whether or not the latter is genuine. Given Michael's past he does seem a little naive at times. There were times I wanted to give Michael a good shaking and shout at him "Think!"
Whether or not Max's intentions are good, the results of his generosity are not. Michael and Becky's lives are no longer their own as Max's influence becomes ever stronger. Their relationship is increasingly threatened by their new benefactor and the strains also impact on other friends as skeletons are dragged from cupboards.
Analysis
All this and nothing actually happens!
Until, that is, the end. Which is where I found The Puppet Show disappointing. "Something" does indeed happen - but given the style of the book it felt out of place. The denouement is not up to the standard of the rest and the coda at the end simply feels like a cheap TV movie.
Of course it's hard to know what else Redmond could have done. If the story had just tailed off I would have been disappointed. Something had to happen there had to be a dramatic conclusion. It's just that this one didn't work.
Conclusion
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Rating
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by trevorm
Hi, I'm Trevor and I live in Edinburgh - the capital of Scotland.
I'm interested in a wide variety of things and love learning. I intend to write a sim...
