‘Past Crimes’: Debut thriller reads like it’s by a seasoned vet

Glen Erik Hamilton doesn't have any past novels to his credit, but his debut, 'Past Crimes” (William Morrow, 324 pages, $26.99), reads like it was written by a crime fiction veteran. A believable, complicated protagonist, an intricate but clear plot, and a knack for pacing combine to make 'Past Crimes” a successful mystery thriller.

Van Shaw, who fled his life and connections in Seattle many years ago, is summoned home by his grandfather, a career criminal. But the old man is shot just before Shaw arrives, placing the Army Ranger in the awkward position of having to track down the gunman while both cooperating and dissembling with the cops.

Glimpses into Shaw's childhood with his grandfather are sprinkled throughout the narrative, providing back story and eventually coming to bear on the main plotline. Hamilton handles the device skillfully, deepening our understanding of his protagonist without revealing too much too soon.

'Past Crimes” comes to its first climactic moment - an impressive action scene I can't detail here without spoiling the plot - with quite a bit of the novel remaining, and I was concerned the book would take too long to wind down and sum up. But Hamilton still had a carefully set up twist in the offing, and he delivered it with impact, carrying the book to its satisfying conclusion.

Hamilton's publisher clearly has faith in the new author. On the front cover under the title are the words, 'A Van Shaw Novel,” suggesting that more adventures are already in the pipeline. Fans of action-filled mysteries should get to know Van Shaw right now and plan to be following his exploits for quite some time.