Steve Hamilton steps away from his Edgar Award–winning Alex McKnight series to introduce a unique new character, unlike anyone you’ve ever seen in the world of crime fiction.
"I was the Miracle Boy, once upon a time. Later on, the Milford Mute. The Golden Boy. The Young Ghost. The Kid. The Boxman. The Lock Artist. That was all me.
But you can call me Mike."
Marked by tragedy, traumatized at the age of eight, Michael, now eighteen, is no ordinary young man. Besides not uttering a single word in ten years, he discovers the one thing he can somehow do better than anyone else. Whether it’s a locked door without a key, a padlock with no combination, or even an eight-hundred pound safe … he can open them all.
It’s an unforgivable talent. A talent that will make young Michael a hot commodity with the wrong people and, whether he likes it or not, push him ever close to a life of crime. Until he finally sees his chance to escape, and with one desperate gamble risks everything to come back home to the only person he ever loved, and to unlock the secret that has kept him silent for so long.
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"Michael Smith is a mute safe cracker. He experienced a traumatic event when he was 9 years old which stopped him from speaking. He found his talent in opening locks which gives him his greatest peril and greatest love. This is a very entertaining story although I don't believe I would every use all the knowledge in this book to crack a safe. Michigan figures as a locale in this story which I did enjoy because of that."
— Naomi (4 out of 5 stars)
“Fascinating, with enough bits of high-voltage action to keep the pulse pounding.”
— Houston Chronicle“This one is too good for words.”
— New York Times Book Review" This was just fabulous. I loved the sympathetic teen protagonist and found the plot very believable. The author does a great job of keeping the tension and suspense high. This was one of the best books I've read this year. Highly recommended, but be sure you have plenty of time to finish it once you start. "
— Karla, 2/17/2014" I didn't really enjoy this book. I read it as fast as I could because I wanted to know what happened, but it wasn't worth the time. "
— Gary, 2/16/2014" Couldn't even get past the first few chapters; don't waste your time "
— J, 2/7/2014" Departure from Hamilton's Alex McKnight series. Very nicely done. "
— Su, 1/31/2014" I really enjoyed this mystery because the main character was such a unique person. Most mysteries focus on plot ... in this mystery the characterization was just as important as the plot and I found that quite refreshing! "
— Delafieldlib, 1/23/2014" The audio of this book is excellent! "
— Robyn, 1/22/2014" Great! Excellent insight into the mind of the main character. A love story. A patient man. A man who knows what he wants. A crafted writer. A bit tough to follow the time forward and backward. It could use a little less of that. Clean. "
— Furtadobb, 1/18/2014" I don't know why but I didn't like this book for an unknown reason. Story is written in the 1st. person but after 2 trys & getting almost 1/2 thru I gave up. Disappointing for a crime novel junkie reader like me... "
— Cheryl, 12/12/2013" Great mystery book about a boy who doesn't talk but can crack safes. His story and how he started to how he ends will keep you turning pages. I personally don't like the skipping back and forth style but I enjoyed the book a lot. "
— Beverlee, 12/4/2013" Nominated for Edgar Award, wonderful read! "
— Brandy, 11/28/2013" Best book I've read all year! "
— CT, 9/9/2013" I loved this story, complex and different. I listened to it and the reader really brought life to this book! "
— Whitney, 4/14/2013" A wonderful read that works as both a crime novel and a coming-of-age story. Fluid prose that really moves the story, Hamilton really makes it look easy. The characters are living, breathing people given a level of detail that really draws you in. Original and entertaining. Highly recommended. "
— Johnny, 1/27/2013" Good read. Kept my interest. We used as a book club book made for good discussion "
— Mary, 12/18/2012" A quick read, and not too emotionally draining while still very interesting. "
— Jenniferayers77, 11/1/2012" A very unusual book. I enjoy well written police procedurals with great characterization, emotion and some romance. This had all that except its not a police procedural, more like a crime procedural told mostly from the viewpoint of the criminals. A fascinating read. "
— Ron, 3/4/2012" the story is so-so I guess. The plot itself is interesting, but its a bit lack of punch. "
— Muhammad, 12/13/2011" Great read. I actually listened to the audiobook, and MacLeod Andrews is a fantastic narrator. "
— Jim, 5/21/2011" I've found a great new author whose first book I've read is terrific. The story line is really two stories in one. Highly recommended. A page-turner you can do in one sitting. His award-winning book will be my next read: A Cold Day in Paradise. "
— Tricia, 5/19/2011" A unique book and well deserving of the Edgar Award. Loved it. I'll be reading more of Steve Hamilton's books. "
— Keifario, 5/19/2011" 2011 Edgar for Best Novel; off-beat thriller with a protaganist with traumatized past and unusual talents in art and lock picking/safe cracking; Hamilton steps outside his Alex McKnight series with excellent results <br/> "
— Ken, 5/19/2011" Suspenseful, fun read. I guess the takeaway is if you let the bad guys see your hidden talents, you're done for . . . except it's awfully hard to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys. "
— Chandra, 5/13/2011" Fantastic. A deserving Edgar winner. "
— Jacob, 5/12/2011" Best book I've read this year. AMAZING. "
— Anna, 5/11/2011" Wow, excellent book! Was totally captivated by Hamilton's use of characterization in his protagonist. I hope there is more to come as it would make a great series. Great choice for this year's Edgar! "
— Bob, 5/11/2011" Edgar winner, I think. well-deserved. exciting, different. "
— Leslie, 5/9/2011Steve Hamilton is the two-time Edgar Award–winning, New York Times bestselling author of the Alex McKnight series (with over a million copies sold), the Nick Mason series, and the stand-alone novel The Lock Artist. Two of his novels have been named New York Times Notable Books of the Year, and he’s one of only three authors in history to win Edgar Awards for both Best First Novel and Best Novel. Other major awards include the Shamus, the Barry, the AMA Alex Award, and the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for Best Thriller. He was born and raised in the Detroit area and attended the University of Michigan, where he received the prestigious Hopwood Award for Fiction.
MacLeod Andrews is a multiple Audie, Earphones, and SOVAS award-winning and Grammy-nominated narrator with hundreds of credits to his name. Perhaps best known for a cinematic approach with full characterizations and intimate deliveries in series such as The Reckoners, Sandman Slim, and Warriors, he’s also been noted for his straight reads ranging from memoirs to modern classics. When not doing books you can hear him in video games, cartoons, commercials, podcasts, and reading you the news on Apple News +. Or check out one of his films.