Ambitious debut: Jim Peach's 'Hinton' combines international intrigue, oil and murder

“Hinton” is the title of Jim Peach’s debut novel, and it’s the surname of the protagonist, Eddie Hinton, a University of Oklahoma economics professor and an expert on the worldwide oil and gas industry.

Hinton is called back in to work, temporarily, for the Central Intelligence Agency, a previous employer.

His assignment is to shadow fellow OU professor Douglas Ross and report back on the agency’s suspicions that Ross may have killed a respected energy analyst and been involved in the disappearance of two others.

The book carries the ambitious subtitle of “A Novel of Murder, International Intrigue, and Oil.”

Yes, there are murders. Yes, the novel’s settings are international.

Hinton travels to London, Paris, Vienna, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and, briefly, in Norman, Oklahoma.

Oil, more expansively the oil and gas business, is a dominant character.

We learn about the politics, the issues, the markets, the alliances and the machinations inside the multifaceted industry.

A modicum of intrigue links Hinton’s hunt for the elusive Ross to people in the industry, some who are Hinton’s long-time friends. And who is this “mystery woman” following Hinton?

Unfortunately, the novel lacks an overarching dark tone central to intrigue. In its place, Peach injects pleasantries that devolve into too many digressions that weaken the plot structure and dilute the mood.

The upshot is the book feels more like it is part travelogue, part diary and part report on the state of the oil and gas industry.

Here are a few examples of those digressions:

• Hinton’s opinion of large airports: “Like millions of others, he found the long lines, crowded waiting areas, mediocre and sometimes unfriendly service, full flights, and cramped seating to be disgusting.”

Disgusting? I might have chosen a more appropriately derisive adjective. Maybe tiresome.

• Hinton’s sunny relationship with Fergie, a stray dog he adopted. We learn he named Fergie for famous Chicago Cubs pitcher Ferguson Jenkins.

Hinton is a Cubs fan, as is the author.

• Hinton’s need to satisfy a barbecue craving before leaving on the assignment: “Van’s on Porter was just what he needed,” the book notes.

“… They had great ribs, greasy fries and friendly service. Hinton demolished the ribs but skipped the fries. Sadly, they did not serve beer.”

Sadly, it’s one of too many commentaries on what he ate, where he dined and with whom, if he has company.

Perhaps the author is using these digressions to shape Hinton into a likable guy who would rather enjoy life in Norman, teach, listen to country music and visit Texas’ Big Bend country than be on assignment for the agency. If so, Peach has succeeded.

Central to Hinton’s life is the character of Millie Parker. Millie is Hinton’s best friend, sometime companion and “fixer,” meaning she cuts through red tape for him at the university.

Theirs has been a “special relationship” from the time when they were married — to different people — and then into the present when they are both single. Know this — their relationship has never moved from the platonic to the romantic.

The novel’s first four pages spill over with Hinton’s reflections on his life, opening with Millie’s welcome presence in his life: “Millie was always fun. Everyone should have a Millie …”

Strangely, she shows up when Hinton is in Paris, encouraging him to return home. She’s had enough of caring for his daughter, his dog, his house, her daughter, her dog, her house. Or is it separation anxiety or fear that Hinton is in harm’s way?

Ambitious debut: Jim Peach's 'Hinton' combines international intrigue, oil and murder

Peach, a Las Cruces resident, is a retired regents professor of economics at New Mexico State University.

He said in a phone interview that he has studied the oil and gas industry for many years, “so I know something about it. … I’m a native Texan and I have lived in Oklahoma for a long time, so I kind of know the state. I deliberately did not want (the novel) centered on New Mexico. I’ve got too many friends in the state and I didn’t want to step on any toes.”

Peach said he plans to write a sequel.