NOT A WORD by Linwood Barclay

4* Money corrupts, absolutely. But, also, love protects, though it creates secrets.

I'm pretty sure this is my first LB novel in 50-odd years as a reader, and I wasn't disappointed. It's full of secrets. Secrets that 'protect', that threaten, that hurt, and one that for the present of the story, protects. But will the truth out and will that follow the pattern? 

The characters are a mixed bunch. A cheating spouse that has a decent core. A vile woman that seems blinded by money and position, with her past actions having present-day repercussions. A fixer - a vile man without a moral compass. A good son and a troubled one that reminded me a bit of Hunter Biden. A wife strong in some ways, but not strong enough to stand up to her evil, conscience-free MIL. A grandson who knows what his grandmother is really like, but who adores, and is adored by his grandfather. And a cop who's getting a little too close to the truth for the comfort of some of the characters. 

The story dovetailed past and present nicely, with the prologue circumstances revealed in shocking in an unexpected way.  I was wrong about the person threatened and the person doing the threatening. Innocents got killed because of secrets and a love of power and social standing. I liked the comeuppance, with those who deserved their fate getting it in spades. I felt for the trio involved in the biggest shocker, as they're treading a teetering moral line. There's a 4th character who could unravel at any point, as well as potential for a cold case one day. I'm a tad surprised that the cop's instincts and modern-day forensics didn't out the truth, so a touch of suspension of disbelief was needed.

Still, it's a decent read.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and HQ, for my reading pleasure. 

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