Rec Yard

The bad idea that seemed like such a good idea came from the thriller writer Simon Hanson. He’s kind of stuck in a rut in his career — but while teaching creative writing to incarcerated men, he discerns literary talent in one of the inmates, Derek L. It leads to a short story collection and the risky idea of releasing Derek on furlough for a few days so he can attend the book launch. Simon is married to a police detective, Hanna, so he figures she can make sure things go off without a hitch.

Alternating between Derek, Simon, Hanna, and – towards the end – their son Niek, Koch builds toward the inevitable debacle with a flawless sense of timing. With every new revelation, he heightens the threat of imminent violence. It’s not just that Derek has nefarious plans for when he’s out in the real world. Simon, for his part, thinks Derek will be able to help him deal with a plagiarism scandal he’s gotten caught up in. And then there’s young Niek, who is feuding with his geography teacher – a situation Derek is dangerously interested in. Also, Hanna and Derek go way back – and not just professionally.

It all adds up to a delicious novel about deception, non-fictional violence, and the desire to be original. Rec Yard can also be read as a spoof on the thriller genre and a tongue-in cheek morality tale about the literary scene. In the end, Koch delivers the gun battle that’s been hinted at since the opening pages.

At the end of this masterful exercise in storytelling, we’re left with just one question. Is it a good or bad idea for a cop to hide her firearm in the laundry basket?