The Face-Changers
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4.4 • 118 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Jane Whitefield must outsmart a savvy doppelganger in this suspense novel of “dazzling ingenuity” (The New York Times Book Review) from the award-winning author of The Butcher’s Boy.
“The Face-Changers is brilliantly plotted and stylishly executed. Thomas Perry is a true original.”—Jonathan Kellerman
Jane Whitefield, legendary half-Native American shadow guide who spirits hunted people away from certain death, has never had a client like Dr. Richard Dahlman. A famous plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life to healing, the good doctor hasn’t a clue why stalkers are out for his blood. But he knows Jane Whitefield’s name—and that she is his only hope. Once again Jane performs her magic, leading Dahlman in a nightmare flight across America, only a heartbeat ahead of pursuers whose leader is a dead ringer for Jane: a raven-haired beauty who has stolen her name, reputation, and techniques—not to save lives, but to destroy them. . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Jane Whitefield, last seen in Perry's Shadow Woman, is an alluring operative of Indian heritage who helps people disappear. It is an arcane pursuit, involving myriad skills and constant vigilance. In fact, when Jane gets married to surgeon Carey McKinnon, she hopes to give it up and lead a normal life. Unfortunately, McKinnon's mentor, plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Dahlman, who is accused of murdering his assistant and has been shot and wounded by police pursuers, is in urgent need of her services; and since McKinnon is convinced he is innocent, Jane agrees to employ her expertise one more time. Thus begins Perry's latest, which soon begets layer upon layer of deception and intrigue. It seems that Dahlman himself, with a series of operations, had helped someone attain a new identity, and that he is being pursued not by the police but by men intent on killing him for what he knows. But who are they? Re-establishing some of her old creepy contacts, Jane becomes convinced the villains are in the business of frightening people into believing they are in danger, then collecting vast sums to help them vanish. And now that the FBI is after Jane for Dahlman's escape, she is beleaguered on two fronts. This is really a prolonged chase novel, enlivened by some smooth action writing and a remarkable mastery of escape techniques--one would hate to be a debt collector in search of the author. It does seem in the end, however, an overly complex structure that obliges a reader to put up with long passages filled with nothing but the minutiae of pursuit and paranoia. The effect is somewhat claustrophobic, and Jane, for all her toughness and smarts, is not a particularly enlivening companion.
Customer Reviews
Impossible to put down
Best not to begin a Jane Whitefield by Thomas Perry tale unless you are prepared to be consumed by it. Once again, despite my best intentions to “read responsibly”, I found it difficult to do almost anything else. His stories and characters are addicting in the best sort of way. Enjoy!
Brilliant
Pacing, great characters and above all, a reverence for life. Taut, suspenseful writing and unpredictable actio. Just plain brilliant. Thank you agan, Mr Perry.