In Plain Sight is a mob story set in Hamilton, Ontario and is part of a series of books with the same main character. He is a vigilante who gets played by the mob and the police to serve their purposes, but always seems to be one step ahead. There is a bit of history to the story that you are missing if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, but these bits do not seem crucial to understanding the story in this book.
This was my first time reading a book that takes place in a city that I am very familiar with. It was sort of strange to read about the lethal underground mob life in Hamilton (where I currently live). Because I don’t see Hamilton as a city plagued by anything other than poverty, this story of a city taken over by the mob was hard to take seriously. I found myself laughing at a lot of parts in the book, though I’m sure the story wasn’t meant to be funny. I don’t think this review will be un-biased in the same way I might review something that takes place in NYC or Vegas. I know it’s not fair, but I simply can’t imagine any of these things taking place where I live the way they would in a glossy Hollywood movie. It’s like watching a Canadian Movie and seeing a briefcase filled with colourful Canadian bills; it doesn’t have the same harsh effect as those crispy green USDs. It’s hard to imagine the places you grocery shop, where the first apartment you lived in is, or even your gym, being the same places where undercover hit men have shoot outs, store cash, and plots come to dramatic and violent endings. I know it’s fiction and that if I only read “realistic” novels, then I wouldn’t be reading much at all but it’s more difficult to rate a story taking place in your everyday environment. I’m not trying to seem naïve (I have heard many things about the mob in Hamilton), but I just don’t think I can take a book too seriously when it tells me about gun fights and high speed chases on Barton Street. Or, that the main character went to Shoppers Drug Mart (one of those super centre ones, the book clarifies) for supplies including a gas can (to set a house on fire), rope (to tie someone up), and a plain black baseball cap (for camouflage).
What I will credit Knowles for doing is writing a book in a series where you have no real need to read the other books first to understand what’s going on. For some this might actually be a negative trait, but others might appreciate not having to commit to several books to enjoy a story. From the beginning of the book you know exactly what is going on with very little use for any history from the previous books in the series. This book is short, to the point, and has absolutely no filler. I have to be painfully honest that I don’t think based on this book I would read any other books in the series. The plot was extremely simple and the ending wasn’t overly shocking. The story relies mostly on the consistent and extreme violence. I felt more like I was reading a newspaper article than a made up mob story. I think the story was clear and for those looking for a quick read can offer some light entertainment, but it won’t be on my recommended list.
Book Info
Title: In Plain Sight
Author: Mike Knowles
Year of publication: 2010
Publisher: ECW Press
Purchased at: ARC
Rating: 2/5
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