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Canadian author offers a unique spin on crime novels

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By Vick MicKunas, Contributing Columnist 4:02 PM Saturday, May 28, 2011

“An Ordinary Decent Criminal” by Michael Van Rooy (Minotaur Books, 294 pages, $14.99)

The late Canadian novelist Michael Van Rooy came up with a unique spin on writing crime novels. When we consider the crime-fiction genre we might have notions about crimes that are commissioned by criminals followed by investigations by the police and/or detectives. Van Rooy has turned this entire notion upside down.

In Van Rooy’s first book in his Monty Haaviko series, “An Ordinary Decent Criminal,” readers discover that the main character knows a lot about crime. Monty Haaviko is a criminal who is trying to go straight. He has gotten out of prison and he is hoping to make a new life for himself with his wife and baby in Winnipeg.

Apparently the author had more than a passing acquaintance with the criminal element. The press release that accompanied the paperback of “An Ordinary Decent Criminal” alludes to Van Rooy’s having once “served almost two years in a correctional facility some time ago.” It doesn’t provide any more detail than that.

Sadly, Van Rooy was in Montreal on book tour in January when he suffered a massive heart attack and died. He was 42.

Suffice it to say that the author appears to have written with some firsthand knowledge that feels rich with precise insights into how Monty’s criminal past has impacted his current existence. As the book opens Monty encounters some robbers inside his home. There’s little time to consider his reaction. Monty kills them.

Monty and his family had a difficult time finding this house to rent. After this deadly altercation the neighbors are not pleased. Who wants a criminal living next door? Someone starts putting anonymous threatening notes on their doorstep. The Haaviko family begins to feel unwelcome.

Monty’s wife Claire is fairly understanding, up to a point. She’s OK with Monty changing his name to “Samuel Parker.” She realizes that Monty has bleak prospects for obtaining gainful employment. He’s never actually held a real job before.

After Monty’s lethal resolution of their home invasion he is hauled down for questioning by the police. And he has a chance to explain his checkered past to an attorney. The lawyer says “You wanna tell me your side?”

Monty explains: “Sure. I used to be bad. Now I’m not.” He offers some examples of his past behavior: “ When I was sixteen, I robbed a pharmacy for product and cash.” When the pharmacy owner tried to stop him violence ensued. Monty continues: “There’s more. Got caught with a duffel bag of sawed-down shotguns. Assault, goes without saying. Dangerous driving. Resisting arrest. Attempted murder. Fraud. Drugs ... been addicted to cocaine, methamphetamines, crank, heroin, and PCP. Alcohol too. Abused and used acid, grass, ether, peyote. You name it.”

This reviewer found himself rooting for this lovable loser and excited to read more books in this series. Van Rooy’s second book, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Criminal” will be out in the U.S. next month. I’ve read it already. It is fabulous. His third book, “A Criminal to Remember,” was recently published in Canada. He has some lovely book titles, doesn’t he?

Vick Mickunas interviews authors every Friday at 1:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 11 a.m. on WYSO-FM (91.3). For more information, visit www.wyso.org/BookNook.html. Contact him at vick@vickmickunas.com.

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