THE ICE HARVEST (Scott Phillips) - April 24/08

This extremely brisk novel (it's so short it should almost be called a novella) takes a while to get going, but there's little doubt that it picks up some serious momentum as it progresses. The whole thing takes place in one night and Phillips' refreshingly spare prose complements the dark subject matter perfectly. And it's funny to note that the last few pages, in which Charlie starts to make his way out of town (and stops to help an old couple in a camper van), is surprisingly suspenseful because you just know something bad is going to happen to the character. Good stuff. ***1/2 out of ****