Although billed as a thriller, Harry Dolan's debut, "Bad Things Happen," is more of an intellectual whodunit. There are no car chases, shootouts, fist fights or profanity. (Apparently intellectuals don't swear.)
One night Kristoll asks Loogan to help dispose of the body of an alleged thief. He does so, with few questions asked. Loogan is equipped with appropriate supplies and a knowledge of such things, fueling suspicion that he's done this kind of thing in the past.
The death is followed by Kristoll's apparent suicide, followed by another suicide, murder and a few blackmail attempts. Loogan becomes a person of interest when someone is murdered in his home. He flees and sets forth to find the murderer on his own.
The main suspects are the magazine's founders, writers and interns. The investigation is led by Det. Elizabeth Waishkey, a single mom, who strikes up an unconventional relationship with Loogan.
Waishkey reveals too many details of her investigation during her questioning of the numerous suspects - each with something to hide.
Dolan leads readers to believe that Loogan has a dubious background, so when his past is finally revealed, it's a bit of a letdown. The author has some impressive story twists and clever details, but they're almost lost in the unnecessary subplots and tedious dialogue.
"Bad Things" would be a better read with fewer characters and plot twists, which is ironic, as this is the same editorial criticism given to a manuscript that's at the center of the story.
Get Action News on your website
