Graft

Hill (The Folded Man) introduces a lawless Manchester, U.K., in 2025, where Roy and Sol, two hitmen and carjackers, eke out a miserable existence for themselves. After stealing a car, Sol discovers a three-armed woman, Y, in the trunk; she was a prisoner who was left behind by her traffickers. Sol resolves to help Y escape the horror that is her life. As the mystery of Y’s existence and her purpose unfolds, Hill captures the dark underbelly of Manchester in visceral prose. There is a unique horror in Y’s predicament, and Hill renders it in chilling terms. The dual points of view is a nice addition to the narrative. Several sharp jolts in the story are employed to heighten suspense, but sometimes they confuse the narrative. Hill’s world is tinged with a sense of foreboding in this refreshing take on a futuristic mystery. Agent: Sam Copeland, Rogers, Coleridge and White. (Feb.)