The Last Commandment, which is the first book in the Austin Grant of Scotland Yard series by Scott Shepherd, has a really great premise: a serial killer running across two continents, leaving behind murder victims who correspond to The Ten Commandments. If you’re a Dan Brown fan — all about the murder mystery mixed with Christian religious themes — I’m going to say this one is for you, even though I’ve never actually read a Dan Brown novel.
For the record, I didn’t actually request this ARC of The Last Commandment; it literally showed up on my doorstep (which, yes, is kinda unnerving since I don’t remember giving Penzler Publishers my mailing address). I’m generally not a fan of this genre, but since it was a free book, I decided to give it a try.
I didn’t love it… but I didn’t hate it, either. I’m kinda neutral about it…? Yeah. Yeah, that sounds about right.
I wanted to like The Last Commandment more — to be drawn into the story, into the characters, into the writing. I like religious themes, so I was pretty intrigued by the plot description. Plus, the novel starts in London at Christmastime (um, how could this be bad??) and then swiftly moves across the pond to New York City (fun!) as the chase continues and the tension mounts.
However, the writing in The Last Commandment fell flat for me. Author Shepherd is known for his (very successful) screenwriting, and that style is evident in the way he writes. Everything is very bare bones and minimalistic. Very “let’s lead you by the hand to this next plot point without letting you imagine anything for yourself.” Most of the narrative feels like, well, like you’re reading a screenplay that was quickly mass-produced as a paperback novel once the movie hit the theatres.
For me, that’s kind of a turn off. For others, perhaps not so much. It all depends on your preferred style of writing.
When it comes to The Last Commandment, I call these types of books “dad books” because I can see middle-aged dads reading them in their recliner chairs after dinner; they’re fast-paced novels without much style or substance, but with a twisty, punchy hook. The male version of “chick lit,” I suppose. (Dick lit? Yeah, I went there.) Oh, for the record, I also include books by Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy in this category — again, without ever having read them. Feel free to correct me if I’m totally off base.
Are you surprised that The Last Commandment was a DNF for me? Yeah, didn’t think so. The experience reminded me of when I tried to read this one a few years ago. I made it to page 65 of Shepherd’s novel, and then my willpower to remain invested in the story tapered off…and a new book I’m REALLY excited to read came into the library for me, so….
The Last Commandment is a book you should make up your own mind about, though, especially if you like stories in this genre. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to email Penzler Publishers and ask them to take me off their mailing list…
