Prize-winning crime author Steve Hamilton's hugely commercial mainstream breakout tells the extraordinary story of a safe-cracker trying to unlock the key to his past.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
At the age of eight, Michael survives an act of violence so horrific that the local press dubs him "The Miracle Boy." An orphan now, and no longer able to speak, Michael soon discovers the one thing he can do better than anyone else. Whether it's a locked door with no key, a padlock with no combination, or even an 800-pound safe . . . Michael can open them all.
It doesn't take long for him to become a hot commodity, and the best "boxman" in the business. But like any valuable commodity, there are people who will do whatever it takes to own him. And once they see what Michael can really do, they're not about to let him walk away.
--This text refers to an alternate
kindle_edition edition.
From the Publisher
Born and raised in the Detroit area, Steve Hamilton currently works for IBM in upstate New York, where he lives with his wife and two children. He is a winner of the prestigious Edgar Award.
--This text refers to an alternate
kindle_edition edition.
About the Author
STEVE HAMILTON attended the University of Michigan and won the prestigious Hopwood Award for writing. His first novel, A Cold Day in Paradise, won the Private Eye Writers of America/St. Martin's Press Best First Private Eye Novel Contest. It went on to win the Edgar and Shamus Awards for Best First Novel. In 2006, Hamilton won the Michigan Author Award for his outstanding body of work. He lives in Cottekill, New York, with his wife and their two children.
--This text refers to the
mp3_cd edition.
Review
It is a tale of blessing and curse, horror and redemption, a boy who is utterly locked out and a man who can bypass any security system, skilfully woven in the spare, elegant prose of unforced authenticity. (GUARDIAN)
Never has a narrator been more eloquent, more heart breaking and more moving - and all without speaking a word... An utterly absorbing tale.9/10 (PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH)
The talent that Steve Hamilton has developed over the course of the Alex McKnight series is in full bloom here in this daring and deeply satisfying novel. (REVIEWING THE EVIDENCE)
This reluctant safecracker is one of the most attractive, original and complete protagonists I've encountered in a lond while, in one of the most consistenly enjoyable and moving novels of the year. (MORNING STAR)
'Steve Hamilton knows how to build tension - it is slow, but inexorable. The reader is given an indication of how things will shape up from the outset, but this in no way spoils the narrative - the sequence of events is compelling. (LEICESTERSHIRE LIFE)
A coming of age novel disguised as a thriller, this is an exciting rollercoaster ride through trauma and emancipation. (CATHOLIC HERALD)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.