First, there was Superman to help mankind. Then, Batman arrived to fight crime. Now, it’s The Janitor because everyone knows they’re Invisible but have access to everything. The Janitor, playing soon at your local multiplex starring Ben Affleck.
Paul decides not to reenlist as an Army Special Forces Military Intelligence Officer (aka spy) because he wants to return home to reconcile with his father. However, when he arrives his father is dead.
The police arrested his father’s business partner for fraud and manslaughter. However, crucial physical evidence is lost in the courthouse forcing a mistrial. The partner vanishes two days later. The detective on the case not so subtly tells Paul that if the evidence is found, the case will be retried.
Paul uses his spy craft to acquire a job as a janitor in the courthouse so he can find the evidence files. While working there, he hears various tales of woe and becomes a vigilante. He calls himself, The Janitor.
Okay, it sounds pretty campy. You can almost see the big red Pow! and Zonk! in your mind as you are reading Invisible. It begins completely differently with Paul’s last job for the Army. I would have preferred more of that story. However, the janitor story was entertaining. It seemed very cinematic. You do root for Paul though his side trips to fix everyone’s problem before resolving his own are distracting.
The author, Andrew Grant, is the younger brother of Lee Child. He has written two series, both are trilogies, so I expect to see a couple more books in The Janitor series too.
If you like superhero movies and thrillers, this novel will be perfect for you. If you like thrillers, Invisible is recommended as a breakneck read with a likeable lead. 4 stars!
Thanks to Ballantine Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.