I love the frantic pacing of the Gray Man novels and the clever plotting. These novels are always fun and action packed. There is always some mysterioI love the frantic pacing of the Gray Man novels and the clever plotting. These novels are always fun and action packed. There is always some mysterious plot and some meglomaniac surrounded by mercenaries-- in fact- the meglomaniac seems necessary to each plot,though after 8 installments they all seem to blend together and they all bear a resemblance to each other. As necessary as they are to the plot, I'm finding the meglomaniac cliche' to be a bit tired.
What I'm not tired of is the secerets that each person carries. Zoya looks at a file on the death of her father and immediately begins to break out of the CIA safehouse where she is being debriefed. She carries the secret with her and it is fed to the reader in just the right sized bites.
Our knight in shining armor, Court, continues to act in irrational behavior when he responds emotionally to Zoya. She could be an enemy, but in his heart he knows differently. This corn-syrup sweetness seems necessary to mantain Court's humanity. This is sort of like Child's Reacher character reacting emotionally. Both of these characters share this ability to be detached at times, but then their authors feel the need to make them human to remind the readers that they are not emotionless killbots. At times, both authors overdo it a bit and we wind up with sweet moments in the middle of the action. I won't state outright that this is a flaw, but at times it seems a bit too much.
The plot in this one is convoluted and at times the switching back and forth reveals too much of it to the reader. There are parts of the plot the readers need to know about in order to watch Court and Zoya seeking to extinguish the plans of the meglomania (I know, I used that word a lot in this review-- hehe) However, Greaney either gets paid by the word (or chapter) or just believes that the more of the evil plot's gears the reader can see the earlier he/she can put it together.
You'll note I still gave this novel 4 stars, with the reasons stated above as my reasoning. That doesn't mean that this was not an action-packed, page-turning thriller that I enjoyed. There are times when this type of literary intake just fits my menu perfectly and this was one of them. ...more
While I enjoyed this installment of the Travis McGee series, it wasn't nearly as good as other titles in the series. That doesn't mean it was bad, it While I enjoyed this installment of the Travis McGee series, it wasn't nearly as good as other titles in the series. That doesn't mean it was bad, it just seemed different.
Travis and Meyer are fishing at night under a bridge when a woman comes toppling down attached toi a cement brick. Travis rescues her and soon they discover she is into something really bad and has committed a number of criminal acts. Despite her beauty, and efforts to seduce Travis, he finds it difficult to respond to her-- seeing her for the selfish creature she is-- But she asks his help in retrieving some money she has hidden in her apartment, but before they can get it she is murdered.
Travis doesn't really feel vengeful regarding her death. What motivates him is the fate of the victims of the bad stuff she was involved in. He feels compelled to find a way to stop it and contrives a plan to trap the criminals so that they will be hoisted by their own petard. The plan is clever and by far the best part of the novel.
While Travis is dealing with two different women involved, he is detached and literally turned off by their attitude. An interesting philosophy discussion between Meyer and Travis explains how they could be so involved in their misdeeds without pangs of conscience. This dialogue explains the "I vs. the Not I" compartmentalization that some criminal minds use to think of themselves as important, but their victims as not important. The women that Travis deals with are terribly detached from their part in this crimes, which leads Travis to a period of depression.
While reading this section about Travis' moody response to the resolution of the action, I was thinking that MacDonald has managed throughout the series to paint Travis as a borderline manic depressive.
This one was shorter than most of the McGee novels, and like McGee, I was so disgusted with the women that I was almost depressed. McGee found a solution, however, and so did I... I finished the book and will move on to my next reading choice.
I like the fact that these novels have an emotional depth to them. McGee and Meyer are both unlike any characters I can think of and that creates a thinking man's thriller. ...more
Thus far, I have found NO Western writer who comes closer to the REAL west than Brett Cogburn. This guy takes his time to get the setting, the dialoguThus far, I have found NO Western writer who comes closer to the REAL west than Brett Cogburn. This guy takes his time to get the setting, the dialogue, the people, the equestrianship, and the weapons 100% correct. Into that very carefully crafted setting he inserts a plot designed to keep the story moving at a fast pace. The plotting is both interesting and realistic, keeping true to the period.
First, I have to praise the author's understanding that everybody in the old west did not carry a revolver designed by Mr. Colt or a rifle bearing the Winchester emblem. The author introduces weapons that drive this reader to the internet to check his research, which is always spot on.
The only complaint I have about this particular installment is the title. The title implies that the story revolves around Morgan Clyde, the Hero from "Smoke Wagon." While a major component of the story revolves around Morgan's "duel" out in the wilderness with the man called the "Traveller" that was introduced in the first book, the story is so much DEEPER and BETTER than that. This is more than a story about Morgan Clyde-- it is a story about the building of a railroad (THE MK&T) and the people working at the railhead or seeking to exploit the workers there. This is much more than the settling of a long-standing feud story-- it is about the building of the west.
Cogburn is an expert when it comes to writing western novels. They are far and away much better and deeper than the usual western formulaic novels. He manages to portray the continued bitterness stemming from the Civil War, the competition of those involved in vice, and even teaches a lesson about building the railroad. There is a great scene where Clyde meets a railroad man who speaks of the difference between those who are actually involved in building the railroad and those who are using the railroad as a cash machine to sell stock, etc. Cogburn demonstates both types of these people. He also demonstrates those who want to use their size and reputation to intimidate others and the efforts others go to avoid trouble.
This is a GREAT novel. If you like westerns at all, Brett Cogburn is your man.
Nobody does a better job at creating zany characters, zany situations, and hilarious resolutions than the master, P.G. Wodehouse.
The Girl in Blue is Nobody does a better job at creating zany characters, zany situations, and hilarious resolutions than the master, P.G. Wodehouse.
The Girl in Blue is a miniature portrait which an upscale lawyer has finally acquired. However, his houseguests include an American lawyer seeking to keep his shoplifting sister out of jail by taking her on a journey to England. When the American lawyer warns the owner of the portrait, his warnings are taken as a joke, but in the middle of the night he hides the portrait in the owner's desk. His message, at the owner's office, gets garbled and much of the rest of this wacky story is built around the efforts to find the portrait, assumed to have been stolen by the American's sister.
There are other misunderstandings along the way, far too many to mention, but one side story is the efforts of an unorthodox butler to get even with a local constable- which he finally does in a very humorous and zany manner.
If I use the word zany a lot, it is because this novel is a lot like a Marx Brothers farce. Lots going on, some wonderful dialogue that generate snickers from me...
Wodehouse is a master, and this particular novel was the change in pace from all the action and mystery stuff I've been reading. It falls short of greatness, but it tickled my fancy. ...more
This is a decent western novel, but stops short of being really great. The novel builds several plotlines based on nothing more than conincidence. On This is a decent western novel, but stops short of being really great. The novel builds several plotlines based on nothing more than conincidence. On one level this is a revenge novel and on another it is about a range war. The author manages to coincidentally merge the two plotlines together.
The major flaw in this novel is the coincidences. A minor, but annoying flaw, is the description on the back of the paperback gives the wrong name for the villain. Another flaw was the continued use of the phrase "have a tussle" for sexual congress between soiled doves and the men they serve.
I've enjoyed previous titles by West, but this one was a bit of a chore to get through. The final blow came on the last page, leaving to the imagination of the reader the hero's plans regarding his romantic future. Perhaps I'll discover that the author wrote a sequel that resolves some of this, but for now, I haven't a clue. ...more
After about 100 pages I set this one aside-- not for me... just rambles on and on with the author reveling in creating odd characters that make no senAfter about 100 pages I set this one aside-- not for me... just rambles on and on with the author reveling in creating odd characters that make no sense whatsoever... Just not my style... I'm almost ashamed because I know it is a classic. ...more
Awful stuff... some good ideas, but so poorly executed and organized as to be Awful.... Only made it about 100 pages before tossing it in the trash-- Awful stuff... some good ideas, but so poorly executed and organized as to be Awful.... Only made it about 100 pages before tossing it in the trash-- a fate it truly deserved....more
Chris Klick is an interesting hero and the author provides both an intriguing mystery (fooling me a number of times along the way, which I like) and aChris Klick is an interesting hero and the author provides both an intriguing mystery (fooling me a number of times along the way, which I like) and an interesting background. Klick is a sometimes songwriter turned unofficial private eye cut somewhat in the pattern of MacDonald's Travis McGee. His major occupation is finding musicians who are long-owed royalties and helping them obtain those royalties for a percentage. This is often sad as he finds a down and out musician.
However, in this situation, he is approached by a woman who is looking for her dog, and incidently her missing husband. Klick doesn't really want to take the job, but he is immediately smitten by this woman and soon finds himself puzzling over his absence. He soon suspects that a body thought to be the missing husband is actually a local rancher and that the switch is not an accident.
The dog? It comes crawling home with a butt filled with buckshot.
And the mystery-- it is most assuredly not what it seems to be, but the actual mystery is hinted at for the perceptive reader-- I like the way that this writer plays fairly with the reader.
However, the heartsick emotions expressed within, while making the novel deeply emotional, at times got in the way. The author uses the heartsick emotions of Klick to continue to compel him to pick away at the mystery-- but at times he is so besoughted with infatuation that the story is marred.
I liked the resolution of the mystery, but not the final pages of the novel. It certainly left me almost angry, when I suppose I should have felt sorrow. ...more
This one gets a one-star bump for its nostalgic value. After reading the atrociously bad "New Doc Savage" thrillers books one and two, I was hungry foThis one gets a one-star bump for its nostalgic value. After reading the atrociously bad "New Doc Savage" thrillers books one and two, I was hungry for the real Doc Savage.
Doc Savage is not the bloodthirsty killer his grandson imagines him to be. However, he is also not the hero I remember. He has some clever moments and a few feats of strength. But, as I recall from my youth the majority of the work was done by his team, who at times are the most ridiculous group of men ever gathered.
This one was fun, but again, only because of the nostalgia factor. It is not exceptionally well written and the mystery isn't well-developed. But for a pulp novel, it was satisfying and scratched the itch I was feeling. ...more
I could not find the correct image for the copy of this book I read. The description is also slightly inaccurate, because the name of the town in the I could not find the correct image for the copy of this book I read. The description is also slightly inaccurate, because the name of the town in the book was Cactus, Texas, not Hades.
With that said... With minor flaws, this is a competently written western novel. I'm not certain that this novel belongs in the "Gunfighter" series. The story involves a number of ordinary men who join a posse. There is not a single hero. The Sheriff leads the posse, but his former deputy, who reluctantly joins the posse tends to take the lead. The posse is a ragtag group, including two elderly men, and they don't realize that they've taken to chasing a group of men who are part of a much larger outlaw gang. Eventually, they will become the hunted instead of the hunters and there will be a huge race back to their hometown.
The minor flaws are things like wrapping up the action far too quickly, trying to throw in an Indian encounter that just seems out of place with the rest of the book, etc.
Still, it was an enjoyable book and not bad. ...more
I struggled my way through "Murder Island" in hope that the book would improve. My strong negative opinion is two-fold:
1) Apparently, neither author eI struggled my way through "Murder Island" in hope that the book would improve. My strong negative opinion is two-fold:
1) Apparently, neither author ever read a Doc Savage novel in their lives
2) The editors felt that having the name James Patterson, a best-selling author, on the cover of the book would mean that they wouldn't have to do any real editing.
Now, granted, this is a new Doc Savage, the grandson of the original, transformed into the man of Bronze by Kira, a trained assasin. Therefore, we can expect this new Doc Savage to think and function differently than the original. At the end of book # 1, we see that the new Doc has been transformed from a bookish, cowardly, wimp into the strong, courageous and noble Doc Savage. When we get to book # 2 he's still strong, but his courage seems to have run off into the brush with the cowardly lion. Gone is his noble courage, though he struggles to regain it.
When I speak of failing to have read Doc Savage.. there are multiple references to the original Doc's bloodthirsty attitude... Wait a minute... Doc invented mercy bullets so he wouldn't have to kill his enemies. Doc preferred to capture his enemies and take them to a mountain stronghold where he would lobotomize them (okay, by today's standards pretty unethical, but preferential to killing them, right?)
When I speak of editing I mean stupid proofreading mistakes like leaving out the word "it" and typing "nearly" when "nearby" is clearly meant. Further, the editors didn't seem to have any desire for the chapter breaks to make any type of sense. It is almost as if the two authors were playing a game.. one would write the first half of a chapter, the other would finish it. However, the editors would break that chapter into two segments, sometimes more.
The novel suffers from the worst case of multi-author-personality disorder possible. Changing scenes and points of view in a matter that is distracting to the reader than the dog in the movie "Up" who kept thinking he saw or heard a squirrel.
I really thought we would see Doc grow into a heroic figure-- but the truth is that this novel is not really about Doc. He becomes a pivotal but peripheral character, a sidekick to Kira, his love interest and mentor. She's the real hero, doing more fighting than Doc, thinking more clealy than Doc, and often resolving the problems before Doc.
This series is junk. Made me want to read some of the old Doc Savage stuff. Fortunately, I've got some. I know that stuff is pulply and old fashioned, but it will easily be better than this load of crap pretending to be a new, improved, and modernized Doc Savage. ...more
Blue Heaven is a somewhat complicated novel. It masquerades as a simple novel following a popular formula: Children in Trouble seek help. Then it is lBlue Heaven is a somewhat complicated novel. It masquerades as a simple novel following a popular formula: Children in Trouble seek help. Then it is layered with rich characters who are dealing with their own set of problems. The rancher who assists the children is dealing with a likely bank foreclosure, pressure from his ex-wife to sell his ranch, and concern for his grown son with mental and drug issues. The small-town detective who suspects some of the ex-cops (LAPD) were involved in a robbery before retiring to this rural community is dealing with retirement AND this unsolved case. The children's mother is forced to face some of her life choices. Meanwhile, the LAPD retirees are busy trying to cover up their crime and this also means killing the children who witnessed them committing a murder. The banker is trying to figure out a way to help the rancher, but also is facing some banking irregularities.
There's an underlying theme of how communities tend to get "swallowed up" by larger communities until they lose their own identities. This was a most interesting issue and was dealt with in a way that didn't disrupt the narrative.
Box teases the mysterious part of the novel out piece by piece. The reader thinks he knows the whole story, but more mystery comes out piece by piece.
The hero is no detective. He's just an old rancher trying to survive and dealing with the issues in an old fashioned manner.
This is the first of Box's material I've read outside of the Joe Pickett novels. I don't think that there is a better writer when it comes to describing terrain, ranch life, and weather. The action scenes are not long, this is not an action novel though action is necessary in order to bring about the climax of the story.
When an almost broke rancher saves a child and a horse from a burning barn the video goes viral, attracting the attention of a lobbyist who thinks proWhen an almost broke rancher saves a child and a horse from a burning barn the video goes viral, attracting the attention of a lobbyist who thinks promoting him as a candidate for the Texas assembly is a crackerjack idea. Soon, our bewildered hero is serving as a freshman representative in the Texas legislature.
At this point, the novel takes on a little bit of a "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" vibe. While this is meant, at times, to be a parody of Texas government, instead it offers a bit of a message about the future of Texas if the legislature doesn't change its divisive tone. While this message is welcome to me, as I think differing political opinions are being offered in a manner that is much too mean-spirited. We can (and should) disagree about many topics, but we need to learn to disagree in a civil manner, and that is the main message of the novel.
I hated the novel's conclusion, however. It left several unresolved issues and one BIG ONE! C'mon, Mr. Wright... that was really an unfair and unexpected endings. Not sad or happy, but essentially unresolved. ...more
While I thoroughly enjoyed the action content of this thriller, there were elements that to me, were just ridiculous.
Think Die Hard meets the A-Team While I thoroughly enjoyed the action content of this thriller, there were elements that to me, were just ridiculous.
Think Die Hard meets the A-Team meets Face Off (The John Travolta/Nicholas cage movie) and Doc Savage novels and you will see how absurdity rules.
Die Hard, because the marines are locked inside a multilevel secret military facility taken over by bad guys. While our hero is not alone, there are times when he is climbing, swinging, ducking and dodging more than John McClain in the classic action film franchise. There are a lot of Die Hard type improbable escapes. Don't get me wrong-- these are fun, cheap thrills, but very little could I take seriously.
A-Team because of the frequent shootouts where elite troops keep shooting around the feet of their targets. People on both sides get wounded and killed, much unlike the A-Team where bullets outrageously strike up puffs and clods of dirt. Silly because apparently our hero can fly anything from helicopters, to old bi-planes, and space shuttles.
Face Off because all of the Science Fiction elements, though SOME of the described technology may actually exist. There was a description of a special attack space shuttle. There is a biological threat being built and a vaccine. There is specialized equipment and the plot (not going to spoil it) involves a surgical procedure and an executed criminal who is amazingly revived. Oh, and not lets forget the elite soldiers who are physically augmented for speed and reflexes.
Doc Savage, because of the animals in the lab, A huge bear family gets out during the story and there is a room with big komodo dragons. The Science Fiction elements also remind me of a Doc Savage novel.
Is this a bad book? I can't say that it is- because I enjoyed it. The author manages to group all of those silly elements with some serious elements and then mix up an amazing milkshake of all out action. Somehow, between the absurdity and action it was just plain fun. ...more
Hard Cash Valley is a REALLY good novel that succeeds on multiple levels. On one level the hero is dealing with extreme tragic loss. Gradually, througHard Cash Valley is a REALLY good novel that succeeds on multiple levels. On one level the hero is dealing with extreme tragic loss. Gradually, throughout the novel the hero's "secret" (that most of the other characters know already) is slowly revealed. Part of the story deals with his "imaginary" conversations with his deceased wife and another part deal with an ongoing personal crisis that I won't reveal. The author's deft handling of the hero's sorrow and longing for his dead wife, the real love of his life, moves this novel up a step from a bloody, violent crime novel. Most authors who attempt this type of tale struggle to maintain a proper balance, but Panowich succeeds like an Olympic gold medal winner as he walks the literary balance beam.
That doesn't mean that there isn't a decent crime novel here. There is a great deal of violence and ominous encounters, not to mention some real detecting.
At the end, I thought the author was going to stumble and ruin the conclusion of the novel. I saw the direction he was going and wanted to cry out, "No!"-- but it was only a careful act of misdirection.
This is a fine novel and I'll be picking up the first two in the series. ...more
For the first half of this novel I keep thinking to myself-- This is not a Doc Savage novel. Doc Savage is mentioned, but pretty much only in passing.For the first half of this novel I keep thinking to myself-- This is not a Doc Savage novel. Doc Savage is mentioned, but pretty much only in passing. Eventually I become aware that this is not an old-timey Doc Savage novel, but a new imagining of a new Doc, the great grandson of the original.
Doc's descendant is kidnapped and held captive and forced into intense training by a female assasin. The story jumps back and forth between his training flashbacks of her own cruel training. Eventually, the reader discovers that she has turned a milquetoast version of Doc Savage into a modern day Doc Savage.
While I enjoyed watching the transformation of the young descendant into a powerful facsimile of the original hero, there were a couple of plot holes that defied my imagination. The first, was the new Doc's discovery of the old Doc's fortress of solitude. This was not aided by map, GPS, or some other aid-- his discovery was nothing more than a total accident. This bordered on the absurd. In the end of the novel, the new Doc saves the woman's life and again, there is an absurd moment that I won't share because of its spoiler.
The flashbacks were clearly labeled, and I get why the authors felt the need to use them in order to fully paint a picture. However, the choices made about breaking chapters into short segments, often with only a a page or two for each chapter, was annoying, though it appeared to be attempting to to build a cliffhanger type feeling,
Still, it was interesting enough that I will move on to the next novel in the series and see if it improves. ...more
In the Last Widow, Karin Slaughter goes to a great effort to reveal her hero, Will Trent, flaws as well as strengths. Because of this, there were portIn the Last Widow, Karin Slaughter goes to a great effort to reveal her hero, Will Trent, flaws as well as strengths. Because of this, there were portions of the novel I enjoyed and gained new insights into Will's struggle with Dyslexia, managing money, foster home abuse, and ability to rebuild things (like his house and his car)... These portions of the novel rounded out my view of Trent-- a view that is only partially reflected in the ongoing TV series.
This time, Will and his new love, Sara, are rushing to the scene of a terrorist attack when they come upon a car accident and then Sara is kidnapped for the purpose of rendering medical aid because these are the terrorist. Will takes out several of the attackers, but is beaten down, hard and suffers a concussion. And here we find a flaw in the novel, at least for me, and that flaw is that Will keeps pressing onward even with a concussion. This struck me as absurd, though it clearly shows Will's devotion for Sara.
Sara is a clever girl, and is able to leave some sprinkles of clues around. What follows, though, is much more than a simple solving of a kidnapped doctor, because there is a connection with the CDC and a possible bioterrorist attack. The FBI are semi-aware of that connection and risk, but not exactly forthcoming with the Georgia Burea of Investigation-- so there is a lot of cat-and-mouse political manuevering.
The bad guy in this one is exceptionally evil. A cult leader willing to die for what he believes in. And a pedophile, to boot.
Will's only chance to find Sara is to go undercover and infiltrate this group. This was a difficult concept for me to agree with. I could see Will's desperation, but his mission amounted to intense stupidity in my opinion.
I enjoyed the investigatory angles of this story and the action was fun. I just felt that the plotline was a bit over-the-top as well as the cruelty of the cult leader.
I really want to like the Spenser novels. There is usually a good mystery, some cool smartaleck P.I. dialogue, and some decent action.
This time arounI really want to like the Spenser novels. There is usually a good mystery, some cool smartaleck P.I. dialogue, and some decent action.
This time around, Parker builds a good mystery and some solid investigation takes place-- but in between, Spenser and his gal have to explore her psychology-- that and eat... and eat... and eat.
Barely a chapter goes by without Parker describing a meal or a snack. I imagine the fellow thought it was endearing and gave the book more characterization. In fact, it is amazing that Spenser can ever have time to solve a crime since he is always looking for a donut shop, griping about Starbucks Scones, eating a lobster sandwich, or making a steak salad with cajun seasoning. Add to this the number of beers the guy drinks throughout the book and the reader is left to wonder how he manages to stay in shape enough to fight the bad guys.
Then, the resolution of this one is thoroughly disappointing. The guys he is supposed to be helping does not end up helped at all-- and in fact-- (I won't tell you because it might spoil it for you.)
Parker does a great job describing the weather, the streets of Boston, architecture, and at times interior decorating (almost always a restaurant being described)... I like the short, clipped dialogue-- Spenser doesn't give long speeches and the style of that dialogue matches the pacing of the novels...
This one... I was enjoying-- but the conclusion just bombed for me. ...more
Jack is a one-hit wonder movie star. However, after his hit film his life spiraled down into alcohol and drug abuse. Then, his wife made allegations oJack is a one-hit wonder movie star. However, after his hit film his life spiraled down into alcohol and drug abuse. Then, his wife made allegations of domestic abuse and he was no longer box office material.
Now, three years later, he still is identifiable as a celebrity, but his life is on cruise control. Clean and sober for some time, his efforts are really nothing more than a rut of staying clean and exercising at the gym. When an old friend roped him in to use his celebrity status to entertain some Czech mobsters and facilitate a drug deal his desperation to make a few bucks drags him in. His approach is to pretend it is an acting job.
Suddenly he is drawn into a murder, gang threats and violence-- all the time acting as if he is his character in the action movie. For the first time in years, he feels alive and vibrant. When the bullets start flying- can he stay that way?
This novel is fast paced, even as the reader is thinking that the hero is stupid for continuing to be involved in such a dangerous situation. It is written completely in the present tense-- sort of like "A guy walks into a bar and orders a...." This style, though odd, seems appropriate for this quirky story that is a cross between an action crime story and a dark comedy.
I see that this is the first book of a series and I think I'm game to try another....more
I thoroughly enjoyed this title, though I thought I was purchasing a pre-Spencer Parker novel, and this turned out to be a different Robert B. Parker I thoroughly enjoyed this title, though I thought I was purchasing a pre-Spencer Parker novel, and this turned out to be a different Robert B. Parker (Who apparently only wrote two novels.)
This one is a post world war II thriller and after the first few chapters becomes a page turning adventure. The hero is a former news correspondent who needs to penetrate the iron curtain in order to try to discover what happened to his brother, shot down during the war. He purchases a passport to assist in this and later discovers that instead of a forged passport, it is a stolen passport, stolen from the dead body of a man involved in a Nazi conspiracy. From there, he tumbles into a conspiracy that has him caught between Russians, Americans, and Nazis, as the quest for a lost envelope becomes essential to his escape. The fact that he is mistaken for the dead man is quite interesting, kind of reminiscent of a Danny Kaye or Donald O'Conner movie, without the humor.
The hero is sort of an everyman-- not a spy, not especially courageous, nothing special-- which makes his frustration and actions allow the reader to enjoy a very suspenseful novel.
The only real complaint I have about the novel is its very quick completion. What could have been another very exciting part of the novel becomes a very short glossed over two pages. The author spent all this time creating a wonderful and tense novel only to mar it slightly with a rushed, simplistic conclusion.