The Frequency

by

Randall D. St. Claire

Atmospheric noir and non-stop action!

The Frequency by Randall D. St. Claire is a riveting new mystery that blends memorable characters, an intriguing storyline, and atmospheric settings with effective, timely suspense and non-stop action. I was immediately invested in Bronx Rousselle’s story, and it proved to be one that kept me glued to his narrative way past any reasonable bedtime. 

The main character is minding his own business when Heather Li enters his store, her drugged-up brother in tow, along with a box of Inuit artifacts that originally belonged to their great-grandfather. An RN, Heather has liberated George from the mental institution where she’d gotten herself hired in preparation for this very thing. They now need to leave town quick, fast, and in a hurry before whoever is behind George’s committal catches up with them and the mysterious maps and papers with the artifacts. She’d found that Bronx was the man to make that happen, and the box of valuables was what she wanted to use as payment. 

Bronx is intrigued as the artifacts prove to be the real deal and the accompanying papers evoke a mysterious dread in the cultural expert he consults. His interest deepens when the fleeing pair quickly become “persons of interest” with the local beat cop, and his shop comes under the menacing nighttime scrutiny of mysterious, unidentified law enforcement types. He becomes irrevocably involved when bullets start flying, bodies start dropping, and Bronx is in for a journey that stretches from small-town Minnesota to Texas to above the Arctic Circle. 

Bronx is a pawnshop owner in the small town of Warroad, Minnesota, and a bit of a figure of renown among hockey fans, having played semi-professionally earlier in his lifetime, and with the local gendarmes for skirting the boundaries of what’s legal in his business dealings. He runs his business ruthlessly and views his clients with a jaundiced eye. Yet, he has acquired a low-key reputation as a “fixer,” which is what brought Heather Li, George Tikaani, and his box of Inuit artifacts his way. Bronx’s opening vibe is the classic noir protagonist, and I was there for it all the way. His ensuing adventures undeniably affect him, as the wonderful epilogue shows. 

The plot gains traction quickly, and the suspense builds as Bronx investigates what’s in the box and why someone is so deadly interested in getting their hands on it. The story unfolds like a film with the author’s evocative descriptions of the places Bronx journeys to so vividly you’ll feel like you are on the scene with the characters. For example, early in the story, I could almost smell the dumpster detritus knocked about as Heather and George made their first furtive moves to safety. Yes, ugh, but even this little bit was perfect imagery. 

I recommend THE FREQUENCY to readers of suspense, mystery, and thrillers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.