Deus Ex Machina
(Feel free to pronounce it any way you like, Latin’s a dead language anyway.)
The literary term, “Deus Ex Machina” refers to a plot device employed by the author where something unrelated pops out of the sky and saves the day, resulting in a neatly tied up story line.
The origin of the term comes from classical Greek Theater when the gods were lowered from the heavens to save the day, theatrical divine intervention.
I’d love a little “deus (or dea, not particular about the deity’s gender) ex machina” action. But in books? I think it’s a cheap shot. Which is what disappointed me about Santa Fe Rules, a nice thriller, a suspense tale. But the resolution depends on a device that neatly wraps up all the loose ends.
What was missing from the text? That sense of place. If I’m reading about New Mexico, I want the sights, sounds and smells of the area. I think that was missed. And some corrupt politicians, too. It’s only right.
The plot’s interesting enough to move right along, but the ending, not like there wasn’t a clue on the way, but the ending was a little over the top. Up until then it was almost believable.
To that end, I sure could use a little dues ex machina these days.
