The Time of the Wolf

As only an occasional fiction reader I found "The Time of the Wolf" to be thoughtfully plotted with well-paced action. The cast of characters was carefully drawn and the various problems and resolutions were interesting and believable. A few twists toward the end led to a satisfying conclusion. Several almost-graphic sexual encounters and other adult themes and situations place the novel firmly in the 18+ category. A entertaining read.

I would compare this book favorably to a lot of work done by Robert B. Parker. It's a fast, entertaining novel. Kay Williams, an intrepid antique collector, finds herself in a high-stakes auction that involves as much blood as money. She's part of a cast of witty, but ruthless, characters that gathers in Texas to bid on a prized knife. At least one of them wouldn't mind using it on her. Blankenship's sense of irony keeps the outcome in doubt until the last pages.If you're looking for Finnegan's Wake, you won't find it here. Blankenship aspires to high entertainment, not high art. If you're looking for something to read while traveling, pick this up.

William "Billy Boy" Watkins, owner of Watkins Oil Exploration and Development, spares no expense when he wants something, so Connecticut antiques dealer Kay Williams is not shocked to hear from the billionaire while she is flying over Indonesia. He hires her to research the upcoming auction of what is claimed to be the original Jim Bowie knife lost at the Alamo. After landing in New York some twelve hours later, Kay investigates the knife and the competition.The small field is very competitive to the point that one of the individuals is willing to kill to own the knife. Kay finds herself investigating more than a century and a half year old knife. She is looking into who among the supposed bidders is a killer. Is it a federal agent or the Russian he is investigating? Could it be the weathy Japanese businessman or her own sleazy ex-husband? Whoever is the murderer, Kay knows that she either uncovers his identity, become his next victim, or leave town without completing her client's wishes.The action is non-stop and the characters are first rate as they are fully developed and stay within persona during their interactions. The inclusion of Texas history and the Bowie legend add much prestige to this fascinating novel. The minute detail on auctions is both interesting, yet tedious. With this amateur sleuth tale and his previous works (see THE TIME OF THE CRICKET), readers will concur that this is the time of William D. Blankenship.Harriet Klausner