Simon Burns is a New York ad executive with a wife and three year old son. They struggle like many parents do to make ends meet in an expensive city, and since they both work, they have a nanny take care of Jeremy during the day. Simon and Alison both feel guilt over this, and so, when Simon unexpectedly loses his job they find it might work to let the nanny go and Simon to be his full time caregiver. It's a major adjustment for both Simon and Jeremy, and he tries many things to entertain his son.
One day they venture into a new park and meet three single dads, each with a single son. Enigmatic Michael, buff fireman Charlie, and sexy Latin actor Ramon. They know what he is going through and soon the kids are meeting for regular playdates. Some nights they meet for guys night at Michael's home, part of a family brewery downtown. They understand him and welcome him into their close circle.
Simon begins to have more energy and get more done, starts running and eats healthy portions of food, his senses seem enhanced and his stamina in the bedroom brings their marriage out of the rut.
With all the changes, including resistance to sleep, you might think something strange has happened, like he was turning into a vampire!
No, just a werewolf.
Michael has been grooming his pack into temporary werewolves, the full change will come when they are bitten by him at a special ceremony. Meanwhile, the wolves' blood in their system is giving them extra energy and power.
You would think this was a major life adjustment, but this is not Simon's biggest problem right now!
His wife Alison is convinced his strange behaviour is cover-up for an affair - with another woman or with Michael - and decides to leave him. His ex-boss was found dead from an animal attack the night he woke up in the woods near his home, and a witness has alerted the police. He is now the prime suspect. A woman who Michael has been dating has already turned into a werewolf and is now complicating matters as he tries to stop Michael's plan.
Jason Starr has written several urban noir thrillers, but this was the first I have read. I thought it might be a fun (though corny) read, and was pleasantly surprised. The modern day New York setting gave it a sense of reality, and by the halfway point, I forgot the crazy premise and just enjoyed the entertainment. I found it well written - the tension and mystery held throughout, with believable characters and dialogue. It succeeds on many levels. Part mystery, part horror, and part character study, as Simon deals with the strange changes he is going through. If you like werewolves, this is a great reboot to the genre.
The story builds to an action packed ending that demands a sequel - and there is one - The Craving, also by Jason Starr.
2011 / Hardcover / 341 pages
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