Jan 20, 2006 10:20 AM
4680 Views
(Updated Jan 20, 2006 10:20 AM)
Looks like when he was in prison they beat the creativity out of this author.Having read all his titles, I had a level of expectation from this chap but sadly this looks more like an effort by one of his prison mates who must have been coached by Archer on story writing skills. The story is very lame. You feel let down after reading Kane and Able and fourth estate. I love reading books that fires your imagination and cajoles you into finishing the ''next chapter'' no matter how late into the night it already is. I have stayed through the night many a times to finish a book or at least take it to a point in the story where I can put it down till the next opportunity.
But with this one I was more than happy to shut the book midway and go beddy bye.
The theme of the story is based on the deceitful ways of a banker and his cronies who cheat people out of their valuable Art collections that has come via inheritance. And how one lady tries to foil his plans. The novel devotes a lot of time on the 9/11 attack on the twin towers but that really feels more like a page filling exercise. (Remember how we used to do those things in our exams days?). He could have bought about the same result is a simpler and shorter way rather than give a documentary about WTC. Guess this must have been a marketing stunt to capture audiences in US.Even his writing methodolgy is different in this novel, which is why it feels like it was written by someone else piggy backing on his name.
The plot is pretty thin and you can actually guess whats going to happen next in the story and that trend continues till the end. The heroines character is not that strong nor are there any gripping scenes which keep you on the edge of your seat. There is an FBI agent who fumbles while tailing the suspect and then conveniently waits for her at her hotel until she shows up and then starts again. Which I believe is the main issue with many sub plots in the story- They are all very convenient. Everything happens too easily.
I love reading books that leave you thinking about the plot even a few days after reading the novel or maybe thinking about the characters lives etc etc.
But sadly I have already forgotten about this book and its characters.
All in all a sad attempt from a great author.
Verdict : If your friends have a copy then read it in leisure. But please dont buy it.
