4 out of 5

While it’s certainly driven by a purposeful sensation author Wallace intended, this does not diminish the skill behind the writing – the careful dialogue, humorous passages, thrilling confrontations – nor does it make puzzling out the mystery and less fun (or interesting when the solution is revealed).  ‘Just Men’ was a notable marketing ploy, according to the book’s intro: one of the first novels to push “solve this mystery!” as a primary reason for purchase, initial publication excluding the final chapter and offering a reward for those who could meet the request.  While the stunt sort of backfired, apparently, with more people than planned figuring it out and the rewards paid out surpassing profits, in terms of publicity it propelled Wallace to notoriety.  And thankfully, unlike a lot of scenarios where marketing fuels the public’s attention, the material promoted is solid.  Four Men – one an unwilling participant – meet to discuss the murder of another man.  While these figures are named, Wallace tells us of them through a civilized mist, letting their dialogue and mannerisms suggest their intelligence without delving into detail about their personalities or pasts; thus are they are mysterious bunch, excepting that fourth man, regarding whom we’re allowed more focus, which humanizes him and makes him more judgeworthy; more fallible.  Because of this dynamic, we can accept their discussions as, on some level, justified: their planned murder – not their first – is required due to what they consider an injustice not covered by traditional laws, and will only be carried out if the target, once informed, refuses to see what they consider the light.  The remainder of the novel is then a bomb counting down to the murder.  As it’s a government official, much attention is garnered when a note proclaiming their intentions is delivered; attention only ballooned when the official proves to be a principled man in his own right, standing by his decisions that prompt the threat.  We begin to respect both sides of the equation, and The Four Just Men discuss their regret that they still must off such a steadfast fellow, adding a subtle extra component to the story that also makes it something more than just a simple whodunnit.

Wallace has fun poking at the public’s fascination with sensation (a wink at the reader, given the book’s own media push), as well as some hilariously stuffy back-and-forths between the other government folk who interact, on some level, with the target.  While these latter passages are purposefully jumbled with names and dialogue to make the characters somewhat faceless, elsewhere in the book Edgar supposes familiarity with London government and police structure and bandies the titles around freely, which can occasionally make keeping track of some key people a bit confusing.  And despite the text being slickly written and smartly composed, there are some clear moments of withheld information, like characters whispering plans to one another so the reader doesn’t hear.  On the one hand, it’s a fair bit of clue (and red herring) dropping, but some of these moments are so outside of the main story (a conversation between two characters we otherwise wouldn’t meet) that it distracts from the build-up.

Still, a successful – and perhaps a bit more accessible – entry in the vein of Agatha Christie / Sherlock Holmes, imbued with a dash more humor and certainly, at a brief 150 pages, willing to move things along to give us a fun and thrilling ride.