When Myfanwy Thomas regains consciousness she is standing in the rain surrounded by dead people wearing latex gloves. Armed with only a mysterious letter that she finds in her coat pocket, and absolutely no memory, Myfanwy has to assimilate into a life previously inhabited by a former incarnation of herself. The letter leads her to make a choice- and to more letters- that explain a former life. Myfanyway finds that though the former Myfanway Thomas had a more timid personality, her incredible organizational skills earned her a place as a Rook (a chief administrator) in a little known government agency called “The Chequy” – dedicated to protecting the UK from supernaturally endowed humans and alien species. Now all Myfanyway has to do is to fit in and try not to get herself killed before finding out who in the tight knit organization wants her dead.
I wasn’t plannning to read The Rook when I picked it up. My curiousity was piqued when it showed up unexpectedly, and once I had read a few pages I wasn’t able to put it down. This novel approach to what is basically a spy/mystery novel is enlivened by the dual narratives of the Myfanwy Thomas’- one of whom guides her future self via an extremely organized and detailed set of letters, and the other reading and trying to discover who among her colleagues wants to destroy her and the organization. O’Malley successfully mixes and matches elements of humor, mystery and suspense. Thomas’s letters are absorbing, and realistically convey a world populated by fascinating people with physical and/or manipulative powers. In addition to the central mystery, which is well-plotted and hard to figure out, there are inter-agency investigations and sub-plots dealing with Myfanwy’s family, the government’s co-opting of children in the interests of national security, and the evolution of the new Myfanwy in comparison to her predecessor.
The Rook is well-written mystery with unique plot twists that on the whole make sense and add to the suspense of the story. Set in London, it also has very English sensibilities, and provides some insight (though fictional) on how goverment operations differ on the other side of the pond. Myfanwy is a kick-ass heroine whose adventures and smarts are a pleasure to follow. Recommended.
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Oh, this does sound unusual, and like something that would grab me right from the start. I was really intrigued by your synopsis and think that I am going to add this one to my list. Not only does it sound a little different than most of what’s out there, I like that has an English flavor to it as well. Great review today!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta — 368 pgs
Haha. The British sensibility against the paranormal is very funny.
This is one of those books I originally had my doubts about, but the more I read about it the more I think I need to try it!
Andi´s last [type] ..Short and Antsy
In reading the descriptipn, I definitely was expecting to maybe flip through a few pages and put it aside. It sounded a little too busy or too something. I love that something that it sounded so out there but turned out to be an intriguing read.
Isn’t it exciting when you find a book the forces you to read it? I just had it happen with The Sense of Ending. I’m going to have to add this one to my list, it sounds fabulous.
Martha @ Hey, I want to read that´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday
The Sense of An Ending is one of those book that I somehow missed out on hearing about, but it does sound like one that is an attention grabber as well.
You’ve totally piqued my interest but I have to say I find the name Myfanwy rather annoying.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday
It’s not so bad. I didn’t even think about it after I learned that it rhymed with Tiffany.
Sounds like a nice thriller to me!
Kathleen´s last [type] ..Reading and Life Influences
Kathleen, it’s definitely very suspenseful. I was surprised that the supernatural angle worked as well as it did.
I was thinking that Myfanwy would bug me too, till I saw that you said it rhymes with Tiffany. Maybe I’ll have to give this a shot now, it sounds interesting!
Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm´s last [type] ..5 Reasons WHY to Get Rid of Books (and a GIVEAWAY!)
The hardest part initially is reminding yourself of the proper pronunciation!