As the narrator of Hannah Mary McKinnon's lively fifth novel, Never Coming Home, British-born Lucas Forester believes he's a hero, though it's doubtful others consider him the same. Lucas also happily calls himself a "career criminal," a liar and, yes, a murderer--several times over.
Lucas is quite a flawed man, but he does have some redeeming qualities, such as his devotion to his incapacitated father and to the stray dog that is his faithful companion. He would never hurt his compassionate mother-in-law; she genuinely likes him. She is dying from cancer, and he expects to inherit a windfall upon her passing. Michelle Ward-Forester, Lucas's wealthy, arrogant wife of three years, is another matter. Michelle was kidnapped a month ago near their mansion in Chelmswood, an upscale Boston suburb. The chief suspect in the high-profile case, Lucas was in London when she was abducted. But Lucas anonymously orchestrated the disappearance, paying with untraceable cryptocurrency. Then threatening notes arrive, followed by escalating vandalism, as Lucas's confidence ebbs while trying to find out who is targeting him.
Never Coming Home delivers a portrait of a charming con man who reaches his limit with Michelle's selfishness, especially during the pandemic when his "patience wore less than razor-thin" as he imagined "lots of things, including the music you'd play at their funeral." McKinnon (You Will Remember Me) ratchets up suspense while adding just the right amount of humor. Her darkly comic storytelling makes it impossible to turn away from Lucas, who keeps readers on his side--no matter how outrageous or despicable his behavior. --Oline H. Cogdill, freelance reviewer