“The Searcher” by Simon Toyne – The Abyss of Redemption

The search for oneself is perhaps the most gruelling and well-known quest there is for literary heroes. More often than not, following that path leads them to some treacherous twists and turns, ones that take them deep into the darkness of an abyss they can't help but look into.

And yet, they are pushed forward by an inexplicable sense of purpose, of duty, just like Solomon Creed in Simon Toyne's novel, The Searcher.

In this book that is meant to kick off a 10-novel series, we are introduced to Redemption, Arizona, where weird occurrences just pile up on each other. As a man local man is buried and the funeral is in process, a giant crash is seen in the distance along with a pillar of smoke: a plane somehow went down.

As the sheriff tries to get to the scene of the accident, he comes across a pale man running down the road, with no memory of who he is, how he got there, or even any shoes. All he has is a handmade suit jacked and an inscribed book, both pointing to his name being Solomon Creed.

Relatively soon, Solomon comes to his senses and starts to believe he ended up in Redemption for a very specific reason... to save the man that was being buried earlier today.

And so he sets off on a quest already gone bad, uncovering the man's identity in life and death, at the same time trying to penetrate the town's secrets and ultimately, find himself.

Meanwhile, three men are looking into the distance, lamenting the plane crash that meant oh so much to them... and the price they'll have to pay if they don't retrieve the package.

Though The Searcher starts off sending heavy paranormal signals, all of the action in it is based in the world of the real and living. Solomon Creed makes for a very interesting protagonist with a rather peculiar gift: knowing everything but his own identity.

He can identify virtually anything with unmatched detail with a simple glance, sound or even a sniff. His physical abilities are above that of the average human, just like his appearance suggests something... otherworldly about him. This makes for a very interesting protagonist to follow, one whose array of secrets we can't wait to see unravelling before our eyes.

Even though much of the book is dedicated to progressing the plot, there are many thoughts and discussions on heavier themes, with the reflections on betrayal and friendship really standing out in their depth and eventual foreshadowing or exciting plot twists.

In other words, you'll find as much thrilling and suspenseful action as you will food for thought.

In conclusion, The Searcher is certainly a very interesting debut to a promising series, creating perhaps one of the more original, mysterious and interesting protagonists in recent memory.

Anyone who enjoys  their thrillers with philosophy, chills, death, mystery and a hint of the supernatural will most likely fall in love with the series.

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Simon Toyne Personal site Simon Toyne is a British former TV executive-turned writer who specializes in thriller fiction and is best-known for his Solomon Creed series as well as the Sanctus Trilogy.