The Fiend

 

The Fiend / Margaret Millar 
NY: Soho Syndicate, 2016, c1964.
245 p.

Another creepy tale of psychology and suspense from Millar. This is a very 60s book, it exudes its time period without even trying. Set in a small California town, it looks at two families who are irrevocably connected, and the convicted pedophile who lives in their community. But you will have your expectations upended here, as usual with Millar's writing - nothing is ever quite what it seems. 

Charlie Gowen is a disturbed individual, one who has done his time for crimes involving children, and is now living with his older brother Ben. Ben tries to keep Charlie going as a functioning member of society, but it's wearing on him. Doing research at the library one day, Charlie meets a young librarian who inexplicably falls for him. Ben is more than willing to hand over the care of Charlie so encourages this relationship. 

But at the same time, Charlie has been hanging around a schoolyard, watching with concern as young Jessie Brant, a real tomboy, plays on the equipment. She might hurt herself! He sends an anonymous note to her parents warning them to look after her better. 

But her parents have their own concerns. Her mother wants to move back to the city, her father is occupied with many things, and their dysfunctional neighbour is becoming obsessed with Jessie since she doesn't have her own children to worry about. 

Jessie best friend has a single mother who is also obsessed; she is fearful of what her ex-husband will do, trying to take her daughter away. And one night, Jessie does indeed disappear. 

There is such an ominous overtone to all the varied elements of this novel. Each of the characters feels unstable in some way, and there is so much looming violence. The threat of violence to women and children permeates this book, even if nothing is made explicit. Millar is so good at developing character and examining the hidden psychological elements of a character's actions. Nobody is ever what you expect, and the action goes in ways that I had not foreseen, not until the very end. 

This is a fascinating study of a small circle of people who are connected without really knowing it, and of the social views of mental illnesses, phobias and more, in this era. Quite a read, a bit disturbing, and unpredictable. I found it dramatic and convincing; I admire Millar's skill at creating people who are troubled and unlikeable but somehow you can't stop reading about them.