Face Blind: A Mystery
Ratings1
Average rating2
15
Ratings1
Average rating2
A man with a neurological disorder that prevents him from recognizing human faces confronts an enigmatic killer in Chile's Atacama desert - the most lifeless place on earth Gabe Traylin is face-blind, unable to tell one person from the next. Content to earn his living well away from civilization, he works as an astronomer at an observatory in the earth's driest desert, where no rain has fallen in 400 years. But when he witnesses a murder that he's unable to stop or comprehend, Gabe finds himself drawn into an investigation with disastrous consequences. Unable to provide a description of the killer to the police or explain his own erratic actions, he becomes their suspect in a series of horrific and unexplained mutilations. To discover the truth before he's arrested for crimes he didn't commit, he must put his trust in three strangers: a young traveler with a purpose, a washed-up novelist who believes he's bulletproof, and an alluring woman with a face he'll never see. Together they unearth the secrets of Chile's fascist past, a time of kidnappings, torture, and political turmoil and venture further into the desert, discovering the secrets of revenge as well as the secrets of themselves. Moody, atmospheric and compulsively readable, Lance Hawvermale's Face Blind is in a class of thriller all by itself.
Reviews with the most likes.
Maybe more 2.5. If it wasn't for the main character, it would be a 3. Very sorry but Gabe kinda sometimes got on my nerves. His decisions were so illogical that it made me get off the story. I know some people wouldn't mind this « I can't recognize faces but I still have this urge to pursue the killer! » mindset. I'll admit it goes well with this ethereal feeling that I didn't expect in this story. But, seriously, so many dumb decisions!
Another thing, but I think that's totally on me: his condition. I don't want to blur it as I'm not sure if it's a spoiler, so I'll say light spoiler?
I've had the feeling, when reading the summary, that Gabe was the suspect because of his condition and that the cops didn't believe in « blind face ». But no! He never tells people! Only at the end, in the epilogue!
Another thing that pissed me off: Gabe says that he never talks about his condition because people then sees him differently, wether as a mentally disabled person or as a liar. But when I've searched for it, I've seen that Stephen Fry and Brad Pitt also have it. The sad reality of life is that an illness or condition will always be more accepted when famous people also have it.
I know it's a novel and we sometimes need to turn a blind eye on illogical stuff, but really? A doctor note and the knowledge of « those actors also have it! » should have help him be more open about it. Oh well, like I said, it's probably more of a me problem.
Enough of the bad, now with the good: I love all the other characters! The twins relationship was sweet and the relationship between Luke and Ben was fun! I think I've continue reading just for them. I also liked Mira, but I wish a bit more for her. And I'll say that the mystery was nice.
So yeah. A long read, but still glad I've finished it.
