On Borrowed Time by David Rosenfelt

On Borrowed Time by David Rosenfelt

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

From the description provided on the jacket, I expected something similar to Flightplan. There is either a conspiracy or the main character is really loopy. The story sucked me in from the start. It wasn't too technical, political or complicated. I enjoyed the writing style, a funny sort of cheerful banter. It reminded me of George R. Stewart's narrative in Earth Abides, but much happier because its not the apocalypse.

Richard Kilmer, a 29 year old journalist, has recently arrived in Manhattan. He's met a few friends playing basketball at the Y. They hang out and watch games at the local sportsbar. After he has lived there for 3 months he meets Jen. It seems their relationship moves a bit fast. They meet, she passes the friend test, and 4 months later they have already moved in together. She moves into his place because its bigger (and coincidentally leaves less of a paper trail). What little is exposed of Jen is likable. She is fun, witty, intelligent and easy to get along with. She has some excellent comeback lines. She even enjoys sports. And although she is suspiciously perfect, she isn't too perfect. She doesn't like the same team as Richard, she is for the death penalty while he is opposed to it and she packs 4 suitcases for a week long trip to her parents (but I can completely see why she might need 4 suitcases).

Together they drive to Ardmore, two hours from their home in Manhattan, so Richard can meet Jen's parents. Janice and Ben's house is well kept and the food is awesome. They are happy, friendly and living comfortably. If you can judge what the future of your relationship might be like someday by your partner's parents, Jen was definitely a keeper. (When my husband met my parents he should have fled the country.)

They decide to take a drive in their convertible with the top down, and in a freak storm Jen just seems to disappear out of nowhere. Then suddenly it as though she never existed. Richard questions everyone he knows who has met Jen. No one seems to have any memory of her. How could everyone be in on a conspiracy? Richard is understandably torn apart with confusion and grief. Jen is like his dream girl and they just got engaged. Its easy to see why Richard would be so concerned about finding her, other than to prove he isn't crazy. By this point my mind was reeling with all the possible explanations. On page 30 the story gives a glimpse of what is really going on, and from then on its somewhat a mystery as to who is involved and why.

The story obviously weakens as it continues and I really lost my reading gusto about halfway through. I was a little disappointed because I loved the beginning. The premise while interesting, is a very complicated one to pull off. In the end it was not much the 'how' as to the 'why' that had me scratching my head.



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