Asylum

Asylum by Jack Adams


I can't say I've read a great deal of Australian fiction. I thought this was a promising mystery story which switches between two time frames, from the perspective of two boys, Adam and Nate, who live near an Asylum and befriend Joe, an inmate and Adam and Nate as adults investigating into what happened to him. The characters from the asylum are respectfully portrayed and it becomes clear that some dreadful things have happened there, which are harrowing to read about. There are a couple of scenes set inside, but most of the investigation takes place elsewhere. I think I would have liked a bit more description of the place. The central story is good, although I didn't find it gripping. I think that I had a few issues which brought the rating down. This is only my opinion though.


Firstly, a couple of the characters and plot lines. I thought Adam's mother Winsome was a completely pointless addition who slowed the story down at times. I didn't care that his mother was famous, I wanted to know what was going on with the plot, not with a woman who wasn't even in the story! The PA might as well have worn a badge wearing ‘love interest', I found her a disappointing stereotype from the arrival with her diet Coke, low fat cottage cheese and motivational statements. She was supposed to be sassy but just ended up gossiping about the famous mother. However, I found Danielle, the PI much more interesting.


Finally, the writing. It's readable but I didn't think that so much time needed to be spent on describing drinks orders and attracting waitress's attention and other little things that somewhat slowed the narrative down. If the characters are in the middle of a conversation, you don't need to stop to describe how one of them finished their wine and ordered another. Maybe this was trying for realism.


Overall, not a bad mystery, and I can see that this is probably the start of a series.