cover image HOT PLASTIC

HOT PLASTIC

Peter Craig, . . Hyperion, $13 (341pp) ISBN 978-1-4013-0044-9

Craig's first novel, The Martini Shot , was a satirical look at a son's attempt to connect with his aging, alcoholic, Hollywood movie star father. This time Craig aims higher, or perhaps lower, with another son's tale. Kevin Swift, 14, is on the lam with his con-man father as they scam their way across a credulous American countryside. It's 1983, a year of seedy motel rooms, fake credit cards and stolen cars as Kevin dodges cops and learns the tricks of the trade with his peripatetic parent, the charismatic Jerry ("He could smile through any lie, and hold court on cars, women, boxing, cockfights, cops and dirty jokes with any combination of armed and angry men"). When his son falls ill, Jerry hires wayward, amoral teen Colette, barely older than Kevin, to baby-sit while he's out working his con. When Jerry and Kevin are forced to leave town suddenly, Colette elects to join their criminal carnival. The trio evolves into an excellent team, each member with his or her own larcenous specialty. Jerry becomes Colette's lover and instructor in the intricacies of crime. Kevin, though, has fallen in love with Colette, and when she abandons them the young man is bereft. Then Jerry is arrested, and several years pass before circumstances draw them all back together for the inevitable last big score. Novels featuring quirky characters on the grift have always had a certain knavish noir appeal, and this is a fascinating, funny, beautifully written addition to the genre. Readers will find themselves drawn into the intriguing lives of this delinquent outlaw family as they form and reform alliances and journey along their crooked path toward a surprising finish. (Mar. 3)

Forecast : Craig should build a following with this second novel, which will do well as mainstream or mystery.