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It has been less than four years since David Brody broke into the thriller genre with Unlawful Deeds. So, why does it seem so much longer? Well, with a debut as exceptional as Brody's, it just leaves you starving for more. Not that you could really say Blood of the Tribe is more of the same; this sophomore effort manages to exceed its predecessor in every area. Quite simply, David Brody went from a smashing novel to an even more irresistible story.

Blood of the Tribe picks up almost eight years after the close of Unlawful Deeds, taking up a story that was begging to continue. Even so, readers who are new to Brody's fiction should have no trouble jumping into the series midway. All of the information is there; having read his first novel simply adds more layers of richness to the additive tale.

In my review of Noise Abatement, by Carol Anne Davis, I described the people upstairs as the neighbours from hell. How wrong you can be? Rex Griffin had yet to put in appearance. Griffin brilliantly uses every con imaginable to make life unbearable for the residents of a posh, new Cape Cod subdivision. And, he manages to re-ignite a land battle between the native Wampanoag tribe that threatened to tear the town apart a decade ago. Is it any wonder that only one person mourns the death of Griffin when he is found dead in a ditch? Come to think of it, if she knew everything about him, his sister wouldn't be shedding a tear, either.

Into this explosive situation step some of the characters from Unlawful Deeds, somewhat worse-for-the-wear after the events of the first book, but working on rebuilding their lives. Revisiting these characters is like getting back in touch with old friends -- well, most of them are friendly, but you'll figure that out for yourself. He's sweetened the pot by adding a whole new raft of complex, intriguing characters that will pull you in so tightly you won't come up for air until the very last word. Remember, this is Brody's startling real world and no one is exactly what they seem...

Brody has accomplished a master stroke by giving a believable, very human face on the ongoing struggles between government agencies and Native American tribes. This is not just a piece on 60 Minutes or a biased view of the troubles; these are people you come to care about, facing problem with no easy answers. Whatever your views on the subject, you are bound to come out of Blood of the Tribe with a more intimate understanding of what is really at stake.

Monumental issues. Multi-faceted characters. Taut drama. Enthralling mystery. It's all in a day's work for David S. Brody. Well, a night's work, maybe. He still has that nagging day job to contend with. Luckily for his readers, it just adds more depth to an already engaging thriller.

In between reviews, articles, and interviews, Lisa DuMond writes science fiction, horror, dark realism, and humour. DARKERS, her first novel, was published in August 2000 by Hard Shell Word Factory. She is a contributing editor at SF Site and for BLACK GATE magazine. Lisa has also written for BOOKPAGE, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, Science Fiction Weekly, and SCIENCE FICTION CHRONICLE. You can check out Lisa and her work at her website hikeeba!.