Review | ‘Freefall’

The third entry in Brian Lutterman's Pen Wilkerson series finds the intrepid protagonist in a desperate search for her nephew. Enemies old and new stand in her way as she seeks the young hacker who is on the run from shadowy figures with unclear motives. Pen's troubled relationship with her sister, the demands of her new boss, and her fragile romantic relationship all add to her troubles.

Pen is a paraplegic, and Lutterman does a fine job portraying the ways in which Pen's limited mobility affects her investigation, as well as the ways in which she is sometimes underestimated by those she encounters, whether friend or foe. The story of the accident that led to Pen's paraplegia is central to 'Freefall,” as Lutterman offers a story of healing and forgiveness as well as a tale of suspense.

Pen narrates much of the book, while other sections are delivered in the third person from a variety of character perspectives. The device allows Lutterman to keep the reader abreast of developments involving an array of characters-the good, the bad, and those with shifting or hidden allegiances. By and large, Lutterman is able to share and withhold at the same time, doling out information carefully and keeping a number of surprises hidden until he is ready to spring them on the reader.

This control over the structure and narrative is an improvement over the first entry in the series. My review of 'Downfall” noted an awkward perspective change late in the book as well as a troubling lack of law enforcement competence as the story unfolded. 'Freefall” does not suffer from these problems, and therefore marks a significant step forward for the series (I should note that I have not read 'Windfall,” the second book in the series).

While the primary plot is wholly resolved in the novel, 'Freefall” leaves plenty of lose threads dangling, ensuring that readers will eagerly anticipate Lutterman's fourth adventure starring Pen Wilkerson.