Review: Bad Monkeys by Matt Ruff (2007) [Not Free]

Posted on February 19th, 2008

Beware: this novel is insanely enthralling. You will likely finish it the same day you crack it, so do not wait past early evening to begin reading it if you have to work in the morning.

This is the story of Jane Charlotte, who is being interviewed by a psychiatrist in the Las Vegas lockup after being charged with murder. Charlotte doesn’t dispute that she killed anyone, she just knows the psychiatrist interviewing her will not believe her story: that she is a hitperson for a super-secret organization that knocks off Irredeemable Persons, the "Bad Monkeys" of the title. In her eyes, she works for the good guys.

Charlotte tells how she grew up and how she came to do what she does. Meanwhile, the interviewer tries to pick holes in her story to force her to confront reality. The only problem is, you’re not sure which one is better grounded in reality. Her story not only has more twists and turns than a Grand Prix track, but they come upon you even more suddenly. This novel throws the reader left, right, up, down, and backwards trying to figure out if Charlotte is good, bad, sane, insane, or just a liar.

I don’t even know how to label this: a science fiction thriller, I guess, but you could also go with conspiracy theory, psychological study, interrogation/crime thriller, suspense novel, you name it. It really does cross genres, while still throwing in some satire and humor.

I very highly recommend this book. While it’s not free, you can read the first chapter here. Or you can just go ahead and order it now, because you will not be disappointed:

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