Constantine's novels are as good as any HBO-drama. (Stephen King once
described his work as watching the Soprano's, but from the perspective of the police). In the Blank Page, Constantine begins his story with a college student who is strangled in her room, wearing only her panties and, to the puzzlement of police, a blank page that has been placed over her body. The ensuing story reveals a fascinating set of characters who, in their own way, struggle with the dilemma of writing the story of their lives on their own blank page.
At his best, Constantine's books are a brilliant sociological portrait of small-town United States. But even novels like the Blank Page, which is more of a traditional police mystery, contain writing that is so good that one cannot help but be drawn into this world. I normally do not read mysterious stories, as I find this genre to be cliche and repetitive. (Too many detective novels seem like clones produced in a word factory). But then there are those exceptional characters -- e.g. Sherlock Holmes -- that capture the reader's imagination. Constantine's set of characters, led by Police Chief Mario Balzic, fall into this special category. To paraphrase one of my favourite Canadian TV channels, Constantine's mystery books are too good to be mystery books. Though the Blank Page is not among Constantine's best novels, it is still a wonderful read, and I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates solid fiction.
3 out of 5 stars
At his best, Constantine's books are a brilliant sociological portrait of small-town United States. But even novels like the Blank Page, which is more of a traditional police mystery, contain writing that is so good that one cannot help but be drawn into this world. I normally do not read mysterious stories, as I find this genre to be cliche and repetitive. (Too many detective novels seem like clones produced in a word factory). But then there are those exceptional characters -- e.g. Sherlock Holmes -- that capture the reader's imagination. Constantine's set of characters, led by Police Chief Mario Balzic, fall into this special category. To paraphrase one of my favourite Canadian TV channels, Constantine's mystery books are too good to be mystery books. Though the Blank Page is not among Constantine's best novels, it is still a wonderful read, and I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates solid fiction.
3 out of 5 stars
