A New York artist succumbs to paranoia and an attack of creepy-crawlies in Ben H Winters novel, Bedbugs.
Heres Rons book review…
Susan and Alex Wendt have a great life.
Susan has even been able to quit her job as a lawyer and dedicate herself to her painting.
Fortunately, her new apartment has a great little bonus room off the kitchen, with great light.
Its the perfect spot to set up an easel.
Then, things get a little strange.
On the painting of the previous tenants, she finds three small bite marks on the girl.
Susans got bedbug bites, as well.
However, shes the only one with any marks.
Andrea the landlady says the building is clean.
An exterminator and bedbug expert says the building is clean, too.
His young adult novel,The Secret Life Of Ms Finkleman,is an Edgar Award nominee.
Of the mash-ups,Android Kareninawas my favourite, and that has much to do with Winters style.
Winters uses some great descriptions, and paints some excellent metaphorical pictures.
More importantly, Susans slow descent into madness is well paced.
The ending is a bit abrupt, but Id rather have an abrupt ending than a dragged-out prologue.
Bedbugsis out now andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store.
US correspondent Ron Hogan is absolutely horrified by the idea of bedbugs.
Rating:
4 out of 5
