Name to a Face [Paperback]

(from my amazon UK review)

Robert Goddard has written some truly outstanding novels. The best are Past Caring, In Pale Battalions, and Painting the Darkness. I reread those books every couple of years, I've sent numerous copies to friends via Amazon, and I keep 3-4 copies around myself just in case I lose one or loan a copy and at that moment have an urge to read the book again. Goddard's books usually center on the unearthing (sometimes literally) of secrets and events from 20 to 40 years back. He's a master of this genre, with the genre's prototypical example being Du Maurier's Rebecca. The only other master who comes to mind is Ross MacDonald--if you havent't read any of his Lew Archer mysteries and enjoy Goddard's novels, give them a try.

Name to a Face features secrets from 10, 270, 300, and 650 years back. The book starts off in a promising fashion, with the protagonist Tim Harding finding himself in the middle of a swirl of strange events which almost everyone else seems to know more about than he does: this kind of situation is usually a Goddard signature--reminiscent of Kafka's The Trial, but not so ubiquitous. But as Harding learns more, the pace seems to slow rather than to accelerate, unlike in Goddard's best works. The last part of the book almost seems to create more loose ends than to tie them up--it feels as if Goddard has put together parts from different books. I felt myself pausing and saying "What on earth is going on here?". One of the major themes of the early part of the book, if you want a bad and mixed metaphor, turns out to be kind of a red herring in the stargazy pie (popular in Penzance--for US readers google stargazy pie and see the cornishlight entry--you'll see what I mean here!)

So if you enjoy Goddard's novels, this is not bad--but it also is not one of his best works--read the book. If you haven't read any of Goddard's novels, don't start with this, you might not read any of the others. Start with Past Caring, and continue on to Pale Battalions and Painting the Darkness--all three are truly deserving of a 5-star rating.

British author Robert Goddard has been called "the master of the clever twist" and has achieved worldwide acclaim for producing nearly 20 thrillers within the past few decades. There are many authors out there who excel at keeping the pages turning and mastering plot elements to keep readers off balance --- but there may not be anyone writing today who does it as consistently and effectively as Goddard.

NAME TO A FACE was originally released in the U.K. in 2007, and now this excellent book is seeing publication in the U.S. As Goddard's reputation has grown, and as more stateside readers have been introduced to his fine work, we have begun to see more and more of his previous titles released in the U.S. Reading a Robert Goddard novel is the equivalent of viewing M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense for the first time. The unexpected twist at the end of that film had fans reeling, and you now come to expect the same from all his succeeding efforts. However, where Shyamalan has failed to repeat the thrill of that initial success, Goddard has effectively pulled out all sorts of shocking twists from each of his novels. It is almost distracting when reading one of his books as you are constantly anticipating what surprises the master has in store for you.

With NAME TO A FACE, as with many of his novels, the mystery that transpires takes place in both the past and the present. The protagonist, Tim Harding, has offered to represent his tax-exile friend, Barney Tozer, at an auction in Penzance. The intention is to purchase a ring that has sentimental value to Tozer. However, Harding has no idea that this apparently simple task is actually just the tip of the iceberg surrounding the history behind this antique ring. The ring is actually tied to three tragedies that have taken place throughout history: the sinking of the HMS Association off Sicily in 1707, a murder in Penzance 30 years later, and the drowning of a journalist diving at the Association wreck site in 1999.

Harding is quickly alarmed to find that the ring in question is stolen prior to the auction. As he seeks to take action in reclaiming it, he begins to uncover some of the infamous history behind it. Before Harding can get going with his search, a shocking murder takes place that instantly propels him into a web of conspiracies surrounding the history of the ring. Most suspiciously, Harding has an eerie déjà vu experience as he sees a young woman who he swears he has met before, but doesn't know where or when. Harding takes on the additional task of uncovering who this mystery woman is, having no concept of the fact that there are those nearby who will go to any lengths to keep Harding from discovering the truth behind both the mystery woman and the stolen antique ring.

Harding's life begins to swirl out of control as he finds himself trapped within a mystery that is almost surreal. What Harding is experiencing is actually a signature of many of Goddard's works --- the protagonist who steps innocently into a situation where nothing and no one turns out to be as it/they seem(s). Additionally, Harding begins to question the motives and intentions of everyone involved (including Barney Tozer), further confounding him as he realizes there is no one he can trust. With his life suddenly complicated almost beyond repair, Harding acts out of the desperation of survival mode --- and the swirl of strange events threatens to totally consume him.

I guarantee that any reader who picks up this book will immediately become a Robert Goddard fan, and I encourage readers to seek out any and all of his previous titles. Just as the World's Fair/Disney World attraction "It's a Small World" proclaims that the entire world is more closely connected than people may realize, I can only hope that the worldwide appeal of Robert Goddard's work will now find a fan base of readers in the United States. NAME TO A FACE might do just that for him.

--- Reviewed by Ray Palen

The origins of an old ring and a familiar "face in the crowd" are just two of the many seemingly unrelated plot points that come together in this latest Robert Goddard offering of avarice, deceit and murder. Once again, the clever Mr. Goddard has produced a work filled with a myriad of unusual twists and turns and melded them into another example of the engrossing narratives that have become his trademark. He has a gift for engaging the reader in the plight of his protagonist to such an extent that his books never require that he stoop to hair-raising chase scenes or dark rooms and storm filled nights to create suspense. Instead he keeps the reader involved with clever bits of misdirection and elegant, intelligent writing.

Name to a Face is my most recent venture into Goddard territory and once again good pacing and an intricately woven plot drew me into this tale of Tim Harding as his travels take him from Monte Carlo to Cornwall to the Scilly Isles and points beyond enmeshing him in situation after situation as he attempts to perform, what on the surface appears to be nothing more than a simple favor for a friend.

The recurring theme of the book is one of individuals on a personal quest.....each seeking one thing but often finding something altogether unexpected and different that alters their perspective as well as the course of their lives. Mr. Goddard metes out these changes in small doses ending each chapter with his protagonist making a new discovery that obliquely turns the story in yet another direction.

As you no doubt have been able to ascertain, I am a die hard Goddard fan. In all fairness to those readers who like things tied up with a plausible explanation let me state that while this book is well executed and an enjoyable reading experience, the story did contain one of two changes of direction that bordered on "convenient" and a "resolution" that some might consider down-right incredible. With that being said, I still give this book a thumbs up. Recommendation: For first time readers of Goddard I heartily recommend PAST CARING or CAUGHT IN THE LIGHT.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 13 reviews  3.8 out of 5 stars