The Bottom Line: A futuristic psychological thriller that will keep readers guessing and gripped until the very end.
At the Risk of Recovery opens with a startling confession from a serial killer. The letter, written in the 24th century by Adrian Darrow, and addressed to his local police department, describes some of the names of the victims as well as grisly details about their death. In a tone dripping with condescension, Adrian appears to reveal these details not only to convince the police that his confession isn’t a hoax, but also because he genuinely feels they couldn’t close the case without his help.
Subsequently, the narrative switches to the point of view of a man named Aran Moreau who, among other things, is apparently recovering from a wild night out (“Just woke up at the wharf. I think I dropped my brain somewhere around here”). Unlike Adrian, Aran is more troubled and vulnerable than arrogant (after arriving home, he quips “I could be disgusted at what kind of a pig lives like this”). Author Finn Adair Morgan uses mostly stream-of-consciousness observations and reflections to gradually reveal a life ripped apart by numerous disappointments, including a divorce. Aran is soon dodging calls from his therapist, Valerie Ecclewell, as well as his persistent ex, Meredith.
The suspense ratchets up several levels when Aran finally meets with Ecclewell. In short, she accuses him of being a liar: “When I asked you these questions in our third session, over half of your answers were completely different. Not just your feelings, but your factual history.” It’s the first sign that we’re dealing with a narrator who we can’t trust. Does he even know who he really is?
Elsewhere, characters like Carly, a local prostitute, are beautifully cryptic and mysterious, delivering breadcrumbs that help lead Aran to the truth – or at least a version of it.
Attempting to piece together Adrian’s initial confession with Aran’s evolving version of reality is what makes the novel a genuine page-turner. Morgan has created a complex puzzle in which virtually any scrap of information Aran, Ecclewell, radio personalities and other characters dish out could be a potential clue. As to whether Aran is a sympathetic or even likable character is an entirely different question. Along the way to some satisfying reveals, Aran’s relentlessly entertaining wit proves to be the differentiator. Virtually every chapter features a quotable line readers won’t be able to get out of their head (“What’s aloof-neutral?”). Morgan may be one of the best dialogue writers working today, even if a lot of that dialogue is happening inside Aran’s head.
