Brad Meltzer’s Escape Artist
Question: What do you get when you combine a mortician with high-level security access, a presumed dead military artist, and Harry Houdini? Answer: The new novel by Brad Meltzer the escape artist.
Many top-tier and best-selling authors have weighed in and have given The Escape Artist high marks. I noticed that they seemed to focus on Nola as the star. While it’s obvious that Nola will be the central character of this new series, in my opinion, Zig got the upper hand on her this time around. Don’t get me wrong, I found Nola interesting if somewhat predictable. I can definitely see her shedding the GI Jane facade and letting readers get to know her in future novels.
Zig is a military mortician. He is stationed in a top-secret base, with high-level security clearance and takes his responsibility to the fallen and their families very seriously. He works a special type of funeral magic to rebuild, rebuild, and hide horrific and catastrophic injuries. He knows all too well how difficult it is to find closure when you lose a loved one. It’s this personal loss, the lingering grievance that Zig is carrying that makes him a relatable, everyday type of character.
When a plane crashes shortly after takeoff from a top-secret base and one of the dead has been incorrectly identified three times, Zig knows something much, much bigger is at stake. He knows Nola. Years ago he saved Zig’s daughter from certain death during a fire at Girl Scout Camp. Nola suffered scars that day and the body in front of him did not have those scars. He knows two things for sure, Nola is not dead and many higher ups are doing everything they can to convince the world that she is. The question is why?
What follows is a fast-paced novel, all Meltzer style to the end. In addition to writing bestsellers, Brad Meltzer is known for chasing down historical stories and finding lost treasure. His ability to weave a nod to a story from long ago into an action-packed suspenseful thriller is unparalleled. You won’t find another book on the shelf like this one. The Escape Artist holds your attention, keeps you turning the pages, and is a great introduction to a new series. If you are looking for a realistic docu-drama type read, this is not for you. But if you are looking for a book that will entertain you for a few hours and leave you wanting to go further with the characters, you will enjoy The Escape Artist.