Summer jobs are never fun. Summer jobs at a lost and found center is definitely not any more appealing. This is the dilemma facing the soon-to-be young hero, Duncan, who spends his day lounging around in the Toronto Transit Authority Lost and Found in Graham McNamee’s novel Acceleration.

This 17 year-old one day happens to run across a small, unmarked notebook while doing his daily cleaning out routine in the Dungeon- the nickname given to this lost and found center. Curiosity steps in, and what’s found in the book can only be described as gruesome and inhumane. They are diary entries belonging to a psycho who has a fascination with killing and torturing animals and burning down entire buildings.

Roach, as Duncan nicknames him, has also begun stalking several women with an ulterior motive in mind. Roach has moved onto a bigger playing field and plans to kill each of these women. His plans and information on these unlucky few are written in this fateful little notebook, and Duncan feels it is up to him to save these women’s lives and prevent Roach from doing anymore harm.

What I found most interesting about this book was the manner in which Roach was practically dominating Duncan and his mind all through a simple notebook. His actual, physical presence in the story lasts only a few pages. It’s a great style used by McNamee, and one that worked well.

However, while the plot does move forward steadily enough, and the reader can’t help but root for Duncan, the ending turns out to be a bit of a disappointment. In what should be some of the most climatic sequences in the book, the plot seems to fall flat on its face. Everything is over before it could even begin.
A lot of unnecessary backstory is also given that has little or nothing to do with the plot. Most of the time, I would simply skim over these paragraphs.

The saving factor, however, could be McNamee’s knack for writing good dialogue. Duncan is no loner – he is surrounded by his two best friends, Vinny and Wayne, his parents, ex-girlfriend, and coworker, Jacob. It’s often said that kids say the darnest things, but try listening to teenage boys once in a while. Duncan and his friends litter the book with one liners such as, “You’re the devil on my shoulder, man. Darth to my Luke” and “Minimum wage, minimum effort.”

I give this book 3 pencils for McNamee’s entertaining use of dialogue showcased between Duncan and his family and friends, and for the general concept of the plot. It wasn’t a bad idea- just needed a bit more acceleration.

Acceleration. Author: Graham McNamee. Reviewed by Stephanie J. Page Count: 240. Published October 2003.