Title: The Fix
Author: Nick Earls
Published: Vintage Books August 2011
Synopsis: Josh Lang went to London with investigative journalism on his mind, but he carved out a reputation as a fixer instead and mastered the art of spinning any client out of a crisis. Now he’s home in Brisbane, and this time the job is supposed to be good news. The client is a law firm, the talent is Ben Harkin, and the story is the Star of Courage Ben is about to be awarded for his bravery in a siege. But it was Josh’s messy past with Ben that was a big part of his move to London in the first place, and the closer he gets to Ben’s story the more the cracks start to show. Throw in a law student who’s an exotic dancer by night, and a mini-golf tour of the Gold Coast, and Josh’s pursuit of the truth becomes way more complicated than he’d ever expected. Read an Excerpt
Status: Read on October 31, 2011
My Thoughts:
Australian author Nick Earls is best known for his light hearted contemporary lad lit with young male protagonists making their way into adulthood. The Fix is new direction for the author as while this novel, his thirteenth, is set in Brisbane as are his previous books, this is in essence a low key crime novel.
Josh Lang, an unemployed journalist, has returned to Brisbane after a lacklustre career in London. He makes a living of sorts with some freelance writing and an opinion blog but money is tight so when his older brother offers him some simple PR work coaching a reluctant hero who is nominated for the Star of Courage he accepts. When the hero is revealed to be Ben Harkin, an old friend of Josh’s, the situation becomes complicated and as Josh prepares for the media he becomes suspicious of the events that occurred in the room where one man emerged a hero and another a dead psychopath.
The Fix is not a traditional crime novel with an ever increasing body count and danger at every turn but is underpinned by an enigmatic mystery. The tension builds slowly over the course of the novel ending with an unexpected twist. Adding to the appeal of the story is plenty of wry humour, a fortune cookie addiction and a touch of romance for Josh with a stripper slash law student. Narrated by Josh, who is an easy going protagonist, The Fix has a deceptively casual tone and pace.
Josh Lang is a likeable character, while only in his mid twenties, he is discouraged by his lack of success to date in both his personal and professional life. He is more than capable of the job his brother offers but discovering Ben Harkin, the man who Josh holds responsible for breaking up his serious relationship, is the hero in question complicates the job. Josh is not sure if it his resentment of his former friend, or his experience as a journalist that is telling him something is not right with the situation and when Josh eventually discovers the truth, the conflict of the personal and professional weighs heavily on him.
The Fix is as funny and sharp as in the works he is most well known for but is tempered by the more adult context. Fan’s of Earls who have aged along with him will likely appreciate the shift that perhaps demonstrates the Gen X author is finally growing up. Entertaining and an easy read The Fix is a satisfying read.
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