“Adrenaline,” by Jeff Abbott

FM's rating:

1.      Premise 8

2.      Prose 8

3.      Plot 10

4.      Characters 7

5.      Overall 8

Comments (optional - but try to keep it under 3000 words!)

As the blurb on the cover of the paperback version says, “Twisty, Turny, and Terrific.” – USA Today.  The main attraction here is the plot, which does indeed twist and turn in a very entertaining series of surprises.  The prose is slightly wooden, as are the characters: a surprise for me because the only other book I have read by this author was much livelier in these areas.  Not the first time that an author has seemed like a different person in one series than another, of course, though it still seems strange to me.  (Could it be that I gravitate toward schizophrenic authors?)  The premise seems to shift with the plot, and while that can create confusion and disorientation in other novels, the flow is smooth and effortless here; very impressive.  To be fair, there really isn’t space for much narrative speculation or character development in a breakneck full-speed-ahead plotline such as this.  At 500+ pages, this book was long enough; thought it does escape the tediousness that has been haunting me lately in many other lengthier books I have read.  I will definitely be going back to this author, the next book being the sequel to the first one of his that I read, “Do Unto Others.”

Here’s the May line-up!

“The Edible Woman,” by Margaret Atwood [5-7]

“Deliver Us From Evil,” by David Baldacci [5-14]

“Un Lun Dun,” by China Mieville [5-21]

“Blood Faerie,” by India Drummond [5-28]


(As always, if there are any books you’d like to recommend for next month, please do so.  Also, if you have already read one on our previous lists, you are invited to send your ratings and or comments for that book!)