Jolt
Bernard Becket

Longacre Press 2001

174p pbk  $16.95

ISBN: 1-877135-50-X

This novel is a realistic thriller, set in New Zealand in present times. The story is revealed through Marko’s diary.  There are two main storylines, one set in hospital and the other in the bush.  This leaves you wondering, until in a bizarre way the two merge together.

Marko is a seventeen-year-old boy who goes camping with his PE class.  Unfortunately, Marko’s group falls behind and is separated from the rest.  An earthquake occurs and in the chaos that follows three men cause the death of a female teacher.  Seeing the attack Marko panics and runs to find his friends.  The men pursue him and eventually ambush the group and cause Marko to again be separated from his friends.

He gains consciousness in a psychiatric hospital.  We learn that Marko has visited a psychiatrist for a problem before and this problem has returned.  He tries to kill his doctor on numerous occasions, but a twist allows for an exciting and unpredictable end.

This is a very appealing book aimed at teenagers.  The language used is clear and contemporary though some people may be offended by the use of coarse language.  The writing style makes it easy for the reader to relate to the characters.  The way the book switches scenes back and forth between the bush and the hospital leaves you in suspense.  You won’t want to put this one down.