FFB: "The Last Refuge" By Chris Knopf

Friday means Friday’s Forgotten Books hosted here by Patti Abbott. While Patti declared today a celebration of Shirley Jackson, the boys (Patrick and Barry) and I didn’t have anything for that. While looking for something else, I came across this and was reminded just how much I had enjoyed this book years ago. It is the opening book of a series I have not managed to keep up with over the years. A problem that seems to be happening more and more due to time and health issues here. 

The Last Refuge by Chris Knopf is my offering for today…..

Sam Acquillo is a man living a very modest life in his deceased parent’s small cottage in the Oak Point area of Southampton, Long Island. The view from his small home is mainly of the Little Peconic Bay which is perfect for long stretches of contemplative drinking. He lives there year around, drives his Dad’s 67 Pontiac Grand Prix when he needs to go somewhere and basically just hangs out with Eddie his dog. Divorced, he has cut himself off from all human contact as much as possible and for the most part lives as a recluse.

Like his father, he has continued to help out his cantankerous neighbor, Regina Broadhurst. Like Sam, she is a bitter pill to swallow and he doesn’t really know why he helps her out when she needs it from time to time other than she expects it and it is a family tradition. Upon finding her body, he offers to those in charge his help in settling her estate and finding what may be left of her family. In so doing, his assistance begins to grate, not that he cares a bit, as questions arise not only regarding the nature of her death but also regarding her estate. Sam really doesn’t care that he is annoying unknown parties who might choose to finally eliminate him and his questions to solve their mounting problems.

With a cast of memorable characters and a burned out hero, the result is a very good read. Much like the muscle car Sam drives; this novel rumbles along on all cylinders and flattens anything that gets in its way. The characters involved are complex and in no way stereotypical and the tale itself, like those involved, is very complex and twisting. Then there is the fact that we, as readers, have just scratched the surface of Sam Acquillo. A man who does not know himself and readily admits it. It should be a real treat to watch him as he tries to figure things out and one wonders if he will have to gut another house to do so. 

The Last Refuge
By Chris Knopf
The Permanent Press
2005
ISBN #1-57962-118-X
Hardback
287 Pages

Material came my way via the Plano Public Library System after a recommendation by my parents. They both were avid readers--my Mom still is-- and especially enjoyed mysteries.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2007, 2014