Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Seek

September 1, 2018
It can be nerve-wracking when a contemporary author takes on an established classic, but books like this prove that some revisits can be rewarding. O'Neill (The Dark Side, 2016) has crafted a deft and engaging sequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's original Jekyll and Hyde tale. It departs from its source's horror and sf leanings, instead settling pretty snugly into the mystery genre. Henry Jekyll's attorney, Gabriel Utterson, is ready to take possession of his (presumably) late client's fortune and effects. But Utterson hears that Jekyll has reappeared and finds that their friends seem convinced it's true. Now, the attorney must begin a frantic campaign to prove that this "Jekyll" is actually an impostor. The writing style is consistent with the classic, but the pacing is distinctly modern: this is an engaging, rapid read that will be difficult to put down. Fans of the original will be delighted to encounter familiar characters and places, but even readers familiar only with the basics of Jekyll and Hyde will enjoy this twisting trek into identity and paranoia.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)