Lead Review
- Book: Clean Hands
- Location: New York City (NYC)
- Author: Patrick Hoffman
“She’ll make the dirt disappear at all costs”
Clean Hands is a thriller, written by award-winning author and private investigator, Patrick Hoffman. It opens with a mundane crime: a young employee at a top corporate law firm has his phone stolen. On it, he had stored sensitive documents about a case involving a major bank accused of fraud, and soon a ransom demand is made. His boss, Elizabeth Carlyle, is out of her depth and she calls on the services of Valencia Walker, a glamorous and experienced private investigator and “fixer”, who will make the problem go away for a price. Valencia is able to call on all the right people, in the police, secret services and others with hi-tech skills to recover the phone. Things rapidly escalate and the tension ramps up when even Valencia finds herself challenged as further demands are made. It becomes clear she must use all her skills and contacts to overcome the powerful people who are blackmailing her client.
The title of the book, Clean Hands, is a legal term meaning that the claimant in a case cannot benefit if they have resorted to illegal methods in relation to the case. The title relates to the bank merger that’s the centre of the blackmail plot, but it could equally be a slogan for Valencia’s business, since she solves her clients’ problems and leaves them appearing squeaky clean.
This is a fast-paced thriller with a complex plot that centres on crime, power and money. At various levels people make mistakes – from small indiscretions to corporate fraud – and no bad deed goes unpunished. It is a novel about deception and appearances, where even Valencia – a calm and beautiful swan – is paddling furiously beneath the surface to preserve herself, her client and those working alongside her. The book proves to be a delight as it takes many twists and turns and I empathised with the varied cast of characters; even the baddies proved fascinating. My heart ached for the young lawyer whose initial mistake escalated disproportionately into a career-threatening drama, but there was also empathy for the equally the trio of hapless, young, Jewish gangsters and for Valencia herself.
As I neared the end of the book, I began to wonder how it was all going to be wrapped up in the rapidly diminishing number of pages. And how did it end? The answer is – quickly! I found myself a bit puzzled and disappointed that the end came so abruptly, when the rest of the book had been engrossing and very enjoyable.
Does the book describe New York? Yes it does! There is a great deal of detail about the city itself, from the routes that are taken by travellers in trains and taxis, to the scenes of the action. The places described range from upmarket city law offices in Manhattan to modest apartments and seedy backstreet businesses in boroughs such as Brooklyn.
We learn about New York not just from descriptions of the places but also the wide variety of its fictional inhabitants from all walks of life; Russian criminals and students stealing phones to make some cash, affluent lawyers, and the owners of everyday businesses. Hoffman is very particular about the details when introducing his characters, which reminded me of Patricia Cornwell’s style. He describes how they dress, the meals they prepare, their homes and everything about them in cinematic detail. Some of the neighbourhoods that feature might not be on the tourist route, but the book certainly gives a full flavour of New York city. I’d recommend reading it on the flight!
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