The American | Martin Booth

Mr Butterfly lives in a sleepy mountain town somewhere in Italy. Known to the locals as the Englishman who paints rare butterflies his real job is making custom weapons for assassins and other nefarious characters with connections to underground criminal networks and governments.

A character known as the Shadow-Dweller enters the story. He follows Mr Butterfly, who spots him and is convinced that he is an assassin hired to kill him. In a public showdown, the Shadow-Dweller attempts to kill Mr Butterfly with the last weapon he has produced, in a final act of irony. Mr Butterfly kills the Shadow-Dweller and leaves the Italian town he now considers home, leaviing Clara behind.

My Verdict: I found the story a bit slow at first, but then the pace picked up and there were many twists and exciting turns. The whole story is told from Mr Butterfly's point of view and the descriptions of the Italian town made me long for a holiday. A well written and suspenseful thriller.

Review Award | 3.5/5