Written by Wendy Calabria | 12 July 2011

Hinkler 2011: ISBN 9780980830903

Trail of Deceit is a new novel by Ken Enderby and Greg Rickards, two former scriptwriters who have turned their hands to fiction. Like many fantasies, the story centres on a quest – this one to solve a mystery that has baffled scholars for centuries. At its heart is a journey into the wilderness, undertaken by a group of disparate and headstrong people, each with a separate reason for going. Right from the start they face unseen enemies, and soon the story becomes a complex and gripping mystery, with new and unexpected developments in every chapter. The ending is particularly exciting, and the answer to the mystery well worth the wait.

I read this book over a period of several days rather than in just one sitting, preferring to savour it rather than rush the process. I found the writing to be seamless, a testament to the craft and rapport of the authors. I also found myself liking the characters a great deal, and really caring about their fates. To me, they seemed like real people, not fantasy figures. As I got deeper into the story, I felt I was on the journey with them, and was challenged by the mysteries and dangers they faced. They were people I could love and hate, laugh at and pity, censure and congratulate. By undertaking this perilous journey, they were giving meaning and purpose to their lives – something we all dream of doing but don't always achieve. By the end, I had a sense of satisfaction that they had accomplished so much, that they had solved this dangerous and frustrating mystery, and that they had triumphed over adversity, even at a terrible price.

One thing I particularly liked was the way each chapter was written from the viewpoint of just one character, and how the reader could see all the elements of the mystery, even when the characters themselves could not. One of the themes of the book is how the leaders of the expedition are unwilling to share information, partly because of personal traits and partly because they don't fully trust each other, and so they fail to realise what is happening until it's too late. We the readers know enough to realise how much danger they are in, but not enough to see a way out. I really liked the mystery element of the story, and felt it brought a new dimension to fantasy.

In summary, I think this book is a real find for readers wanting a well written fantasy with a gripping storyline and totally believable characters. I highly recommend it.

For more information please visit the author's website: www.lastsafeseasons.com