The Second Trap

Claudette Young was a freelance reviewer in Burlington, Ontario.

My actress daughter, who recently toured schools in Newfoundland for nine months, set the stage for this book by reading some passages aloud in the unique Newfoundland accent. This gave the dialogue a definite flavour and added to my enjoyment of the book. But even without it, Douglas Hill’s first novel, The Second Trap, is a fascinating visit to Molly’s Cove, Newfoundland.

The narrator, Dan Harris, is a student doing field research for an MA degree in sociology. A likeable young fellow, Dan becomes accepted by the locals and soon finds that the sleepy fishing village is not as quiet as it appears to be.

The story begins slowly, invoking the feel of the village, the beauty of the place, as well as the sadness and the sometimes hopelessness. The storytelling and humour of some of the residents fascinates Dan (and the reader, as well).

Romance enters the picture, as does sex, but no explicit sex. Much is left unsaid, which seems to suit the modest nature of the villagers.

Gradually the mellow mood shifts. Fear and anxiety begin to surface in this troubled community, and the atmosphere of the harbour no longer seems so gentle. There are questions about the goings-on at the fish plant and about union organizing. There is gossip over a young fisherman’s death from a drug overdose in an isolated community with no easy access to drugs. And there is great concern as more accidents occur in violent and mysterious ways.

The pace picks up considerably when Dan and two friends decide to investigate these events. Dan’s research becomes the “cover” for asking questions, and asking questions brings trouble.

Written in an easy and entertaining manner, The Second Trap keeps the reader interested. Facts aplenty about the life of a small Newfoundland village combine with fiction in this tale of intrigue, romance, and adventure, to make a story that subtly educates while it entertains.