Koncocoo

Best Financial Thrillers

The Dead Key
Twenty years before, amid strange staff disappearances and allegations of fraud, panicked investors sold Cleveland’s largest bank in the middle of the night, locking out customers and employees, and thwarting a looming federal investigation. Iris, a young engineer working her first job out of the office, finds herself assigned to map out a floor plan for the bank building which has been empty for two decades. Just as Beatrice did 20 years before her, Iris quickly recognizes that there’s something not quite right at the bank and she soon learns that the building is not as empty as everyone thinks.
Reviews
"When I was a regular shopper at my local bookstores, my initial selection was based off thickness (how I discovered Robert Jordon and Terry Goodkind and others of that epic length writing). THE DEAD KEY, however, is largely one single, long wind-up, the pacing not really picking up till well past the last quarter. moments rolling, the suspense tight with wonderment and discovery, simply an exquisite plotline that has made the game a cult classic. And the ending... well, a completion within the same emotional level as Arturo Pérez-Reverte's 1993 novel, THE CLUB DUMAS had concluded with (the novel may be recognized by more as the later movie, THE NINTH GATE). All in all, enjoyable, yet I do have to wonder how even more fantastic these elements would be if the book was the same 477 pages but made tauter in pacing, richer in action, and, yes, even more deeply layered."
"Her use of two major characters in different times yet in the same location brings new meaning to "Hot in Cleveland"."
"Lots of interesting plot twists and turns, with interesting characters, although, not necessarily characters you fall in love with. Matter of fact, I thought the main protagonist was a self-destructive, self-centered, alcoholic with a decidedly myopic view of life."
"The story concept is interesting: an important bank mysteriously closes overnight. When I was about 1/3 into the story it seemed that n.o.t.h.i.n.g. Reading the early reviews, I was sure I was reading a different book. For example, in most instances, we don't read about the secretary's workday, we read about her thinking about her workday or thinking about the personalities of the people she works with, or wondering where her friend is, or wondering about the significance of papers she sees. For example, the engineer meets her boss at the building and explains to him some of the work she has done, but (from the reader perspective) this is merely retelling what the engineer already mused about in the previous pages: she went to the eighth floor, to the room on the left; it was dusty; she made some measurements; she went to the next room; she saw papers on the floor; she wondered why the papers were left behind; she made some measurements; she looked at some of the papers; she wondered what the papers meant; she decided to take some of the papers with her to look at later; she went to the next room; she made some measurements. I second that thought."
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Tripwire (Jack Reacher, Book 3)
Jack Reacher hunts the hunter in the third novel in Lee Child’s New York Times bestselling series. As in Lee Child's two previous thrillers, Die Trying and Killing Floor , Reacher is soon up to his neck in lethal trouble, this time involving a vicious Wall Street manipulator, a mysterious woman (of course), and the livelihood of a whole community. Every bit as lean and compulsive as its predecessors, it also builds on the freshest aspect of those books: Reacher may be a tough, epic hero, but he always remains human and vulnerable. When a PI from New York comes looking for him, and shortly afterwards turns up dead with his fingertips sliced off, Reacher flies north and discovers that the instigator of the search is Leon Garber, his former army commanding officer. As Reacher finds out from Jodie Jacob, Garner's beautiful attorney daughter, Garber was helping an elderly couple to locate their son, who supposedly died in a helicopter crash during the Vietnam War.
Reviews
"So I am driving cross country and decided on this book as an audio to listen to as I drive. Biggest problem I have was the audio book cuts off before the end of the book and you have to read the rest."
"Read this after reading two other Jack Reacher novels."
"The plot, to me, was secondary, but it was taut, well-conceived (even though the truth was easy enough to figure out early on), and it was a real page turner with a very satisfying ending."
"Jack's motivation and life goes a different direction here and he's caught in a "fork in the road" so to speak. So the last two books he's enjoyed not having anything to hold onto and nothing really controlling him like before, but then in Tripwire he debates that he might indeed need to settle down. I just felt this novel developed the Jack Reacher character even more and made him more human than a dream."
"I usually buy the Kindle edition and the Audible edition so I can Whispersync while on the road or in bed at night."
"I think they're as ubiquitous as the spaghetti western in American culture."
"This isn't the first Lee Child book I've read, but I liked it better than the one just prior and some of the other earlier ones."
"Jack liked his life in the sun so when the stranger asked if he was Jack Reached, he casually said no."
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The Last Days of Night: A Novel
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A world of invention and skulduggery, populated by the likes of Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla.”—Erik Larson “A model of superior historical fiction . an exciting, sometimes astonishing story.”— The Washington Post From Graham Moore, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of The Imitation Game and New York Times bestselling author of The Sherlockian , comes a thrilling novel—based on actual events—about the nature of genius, the cost of ambition, and the battle to electrify America. A young untested lawyer named Paul Cravath, fresh out of Columbia Law School, takes a case that seems impossible to win. The case affords Paul entry to the heady world of high society—the glittering parties in Gramercy Park mansions, and the more insidious dealings done behind closed doors. In obsessive pursuit of victory, Paul crosses paths with Nikola Tesla, an eccentric, brilliant inventor who may hold the key to defeating Edison, and with Agnes Huntington, a beautiful opera singer who proves to be a flawless performer on stage and off. As it charges forward, the novel leaves no dot unconnected.” —Noah Hawley, The New York Times Book Review. Moore crafts a compelling narrative out of [Paul] Cravath’s cunning legal maneuvers and [Nikola] Tesla’s world-changing tinkering, while a story line on opera singer Agnes Huntington has the mysterious glamour of The Great Gatsby . He conjures Gilded Age New York City so vividly, it feels like only yesterday.” — Entertainment Weekly. Graham Moore digs deep into long-forgotten facts to give us an exciting, sometimes astonishing story of two geniuses locked in a brutal battle to change the world. But the way all its stories fit together at the end will make you realize that everyone was playing their own game all along. “A marvelous legal thriller set in a magical time when inventions were truly wonders, [Moore] knows how to grab your attention and not let go. This is a riveting book that will hold your attention and will illuminate many on the birth of light in America. “Mesmerizing, clever, and absolutely crackling, The Last Days of Night is a triumph of imagination. Graham Moore has chosen Gilded Age New York as his playground, with outsized characters—Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse—as his players. The result is a beautifully researched, endlessly entertaining novel that will leave you buzzing.” —Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl. “In The Last Days of Night , Graham Moore takes us back to the dawn of light—electric light—into a world of invention and skulduggery, populated by the likes of Edison, Westinghouse, Tesla, and the novel’s hero, a young lawyer named Paul Cravath (a name that will resonate with ambitious law students everywhere). It’s part legal thriller, part tour of a magical time—the age of wonder—and once you’ve finished it, you’ll find it hard to return to the world of now.” —Erik Larson, author of The Devil in the White City. This fast-paced story about the personal and legal clash over the invention of the light bulb is a tale of larger-than-life characters and devious doings, and a significant meditation on the price we as a society pay for new technology.
Reviews
"All three men were primary warriors in what became known as the “current war”, i.e. the battle over whether or not A/C or D/C would win out in the end. In the middle of this tripod of giant historical figures is a young 26 year old recently graduated attorney named Paul Cravath, a name not familiar to me when I began reading this book but who I learned became one of the giants of the legal profession, largely due to his involvement in the “current war” and it successful resolution (depending on one’s point of view). But in addition, thanks to having Paul Cravath as the protagonist character, I also got to witness the concurrent development of the legal profession, seeing it change quickly from a cottage industry into a legal “factory” with Cravath’s introduction of the idea of associate attorneys and building an entire legal firm."
"I did not know some of the history collected in this Historical Novel."
"I enjoyed this book a lot."
"Loved this book - a fascinating insight into this time and the race to electrify the US."
"The character of Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, as well as the money baron J. P. Morgan and the eccentric Nikola Tesla, are examined by the a young lawyer Paul Cravath hired by Westinghouse."
"between Westinghouse & Edison, as seen through the eyes of Westinghouse's attorney."
"A fascinating historical fiction devoted to the electrification of America with the resultant formation of General Electric."
"So much "news" to me!!!"
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Best Medical Thrillers

The Atlantis Plague: A Thriller (The Origin Mystery, Book 2)
The Atlantis Plague is the second book in The Origin Mystery , the trilogy that has become a global phenomenon. In Marbella, Spain, Dr. Kate Warner awakens to a horrifying reality: the human race stands on the brink of extinction. Nearly a billion people are dead--and those that the Atlantis Plague does not kill, it transforms at the genetic level. Industrialized nations offer a miracle drug, Orchid, which they mass produce and distribute to refugee camps around the world. The Immari envision a world populated by the genetically superior survivors--a new human race, ready to fulfill its destiny. With control of the world population hanging in the balance, the Orchid Alliance and the Immari descend into open warfare. This global adventure takes readers back into the world of The Origin Mystery, which began with THE ATLANTIS GENE. A.G. Riddle spent ten years starting internet companies before retiring to pursue his true passion: writing fiction. His debut novel, The Atlantis Gene , is the first book in The Origin Mystery , the trilogy that has sold over two million copies in the US, has been translated into 18 languages, and is in development to be a major motion picture. His recently released fourth novel, Departure , follows the survivors of a flight that takes off in the present and crash-lands in a changed world.
Reviews
"This book definitely had me hitting the "buy next book" immediately."
"This is a military type drama where there is one good guy who has to upset the whole bad regime (think 24 the TV series). The final element of the plot is human evolution and history, which again is very intricately interwoven into the bio-military aspects and well researched. It almost feels like the story line may have had a well sculpted start and end (hopefully) and that this second book is for clarification and set-up for the final showdown."
"David and Kate find themselves in danger as we, the readers, find ourselves wanting answers to all the questions we have asked."
"I really enjoyed how the subject matter was handled, and I enjoyed learning all sorts of historical tidbits."
"I fell in love with the characters and the premis in the first book, and I would highly recommend the Atlantis Plague to continue the story."
"If you're buying this book, be sure you have read The Atlantis Gene first; it fills in some blanks that may leave you wondering."
"This would translate well to a movie series, or mini-series, something like Battlestar Galactica meet Star Wars. We like the overall message of the Atlantis Series & commend the author, who must have a wonderful, complex brain."
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Best Legal Thrillers

An Innocent Client (Joe Dillard Series Book 1)
His drug-addicted sister has just been released from prison and his mother is succumbing to Alzheimer's, but Dillard's commitment to the case never wavers despite the personal troubles and professional demands that threaten to destroy him. "Pratt's richly developed characters are vivid and believable, especially the strong Southern women who fight their male-dominated culture from behind a facade of vulnerability in this brilliantly executed debut."
Reviews
"Other writers will use long descriptions of what the landscaping is like as someone enters a driveway to a house, or a long paragraph describing what a woman is wearing and the scent of her perfume and the necklace she is wearing. And that is exactly what Scott Pratt avoids and makes his books such a delight to read. Each of his books in this series has a great plot that makes them a such page turner."
"He is totally fed up with the system of laws and courts, of police and prosecutors, of judges and juries and defenders wherein the truth never rises to the surface and justice is rarely found."
"While I am reading, I am inserted into the world he creates."
"This is an interesting start to a crime series."
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book..."
"The story involves a small town attorney, his family, his ambivalence to his career and a changing plot line of legal cases."
"She's innocent, ...or not."
"The story moves at a quick clip and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested."
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Best Supernatural Thrillers

Ready Player One: A Novel
Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “The science-fiction writer John Scalzi has aptly referred to READY PLAYER ONE as a 'nerdgasm' [and] there can be no better one-word description of this ardent fantasy artifact about fantasy culture…But Mr. Cline is able to incorporate his favorite toys and games into a perfectly accessible narrative.” —Janet Maslin, The New York Times “Triggers memories and emotions embedded in the psyche of a generation...[Cline crafts] a fresh and imaginative world from our old toy box, and finds significance in there among the collectibles. It marries the fantastical world of Harry Potter with a touch of Orson Scott Card—where fantasy is reality, geeks are cool, and the possibilities are endless.” — New York Journal of Books “ Ridiculously fun and large-hearted, and you don't have to remember the Reagan administration to love it…[Cline] takes a far-out premise and engages the reader instantly…You'll wish you could make it go on and on.” —NPR.org. “A delirious, crypto-nerd fantasia...Crammed with ’80s nostalgia and sugar-high prose, it's ridiculous and addictive and full of toy surprises.” —Village Voice “A smart, funny thriller that both celebrates and critiques online culture...Layered with inside jokes and sly references.” —San Francisco Chronicle “A fun, funny and fabulously entertaining first novel…This novel's large dose of 1980s trivia is a delight…[but] even readers who need Google to identify Commodore 64 or Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde, will enjoy this memorabilian feast.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer “The grown-up's 'Harry Potter’…the mystery and fantasy in this novel weaves itself in the most delightful way, and the details that make up Mr. Cline's world are simply astounding. Grade: A.” —AVClub.com “A preposterously great read and a richly imagined science-fiction world that uses the very idea of nostalgia as a thematic jumping-off point...One of the true geek events of the year.” —HitFix.com “This non-gamer loved every page of READY PLAYER ONE.” —Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I loved every sentence of this book.” —Mark Frauenfelder, BoingBoing "A 'frakking' good read [featuring] incredible creative detail … I grinned at the sheer audacity of Cline's imagination.” — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “ [A] fantastic page-turner….READY PLAYER ONE may be science fiction, but it's also written for people who have never picked up an SF novel in their lives…” —Annalee Newitz, io9.com. “I really, really loved READY PLAYER ONE…Cline expertly mines a copious vein of 1980s pop culture, catapulting the reader on a light-speed adventure in an advanced but backward-looking future.” —Daniel H. Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of Robopocalypse.
Reviews
"The story is fine, but the bulk of the narrative is built around the author showing off his 80s era trivia chops. The If you remove his intense and deep knowledge of the decade (with a few head nods to the 90s and even the 00s) the story is mediocre at best."
"I look forward to the movie, I have confidence knowing the author wrote the script and worked alongside Speilberg among others to put this film together."
"I hope the film does justice to some of the more intense scenes, I think they'll be great in a movie if they pull out all the stops!"
"It makes you feel like you can really picture what is happening as well, maybe there will be some references you won't get, well of course, the author is extremely knowledgeable about his 80's and 90's hits and movies and all those goodies, it's hard to read the book and not get a reference unless you're from a generation that isn't even born yet. Great movie by the way, hahaha, watched that movie and thought it was so cool that it was in the book, the references aren't in your face and forces you to stop reading and look it up, it won't get in the way of the books, but it is very cool if you know even more of what's going on."
"It takes a bit to get started as the world is set up but absolutely worth plowing through it."
"Ever started a book and honestly couldn’t put it down even if you have a full time job, a spouse, a kid, and bills to pay?"
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Best Military Thrillers

Breakthrough
A SECRET THAT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE FOUND. However, when an unknown group immediately becomes interested in her work, Alison realizes John Clay may be the only person she can trust. - Gail Ward "You'll miss a great experience if you don't read this book." "After I finished "Breakthrough" at 11pm in bed I immediately bought his next book; "Amid The Shadows" without even reading the synopsis or the reviews. Being retired and having read several hundred Kindle books, I can honestly say this has to be the most exciting heart pounding story I have yet read on my Kindle. I give it 10 stars out of 5 and - as another reviewer said "I guarantee you'll be downloading his next book.... As a postscript, I finished the book, found that the author had another Amazon book available, Amid the Shadows, and immediately downloaded it. I expect great things from Mr. Grumley and am looking for his next book.
Reviews
"I am 72 years old and I have been reading science fiction since I discovered the genre 68 years ago."
"I am going to buy the next book now to see how the story continues."
"I am tired of reading sci-fi with the promise of an interesting topic and then the author manages to make it boring."
"The story was interesting and well written."
"Clive Cussler better watch his six as this new author takes off!"
"There was much criticism of waves not being about to cancel each other.....Please note that waves can cancel each other out such as standing waves which are the result of two equal waves are going in opposite direction and in this case you get the usual up/down motion of the water surface but the waves don’t progress."
"The story line was enhanced at the beginning by the well-described, but disparate, scenarios of Naval submarine issues in the Caribbean, research on dolphin communications in Miami, and strange events occurring in Antarctica. Having the Miami aquarium research lab rebuilt just like that after the government took it apart was also unrealistic, as was the contrived protection of the populace on the island preceding the second nuclear explosion."
"I liked the story."
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Best Crime Thrillers

Blood on the Tracks (Sydney Rose Parnell Series Book 1)
A young woman is found brutally murdered, and the main suspect is the victim’s fiancé, a hideously scarred Iraq War vet known as the Burned Man. Do yourself a favor and give this bright talent a read.” —John Hart, multiple Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author of Redemption Road. Barbara Nickless has written a twisting, tortured novel that speaks with brutal honesty of the lingering traumas of war, including and especially those wounds we cannot see. I fell hard for Parnell and her four-legged partner and can't wait to read more.” —Vicki Pettersson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Swerve. Barbara Nickless has fashioned a beautifully drawn hero in take-charge, take-no-prisoners Sydney Parnell, former Marine and now a railway cop battling a deadly gang as she investigates their purported connection to a recent murder. Skilled in evoking emotion from the reader, Nickless is a master of the craft, a writer to keep your eyes on.” —Chris Goff, author of Dark Waters. “Barbara Nickless’s Blood on the Tracks is raw and authentic, plunging readers into the fascinating world of tough railroad cop Special Agent Sydney Rose Parnell and her Malinois sidekick, Clyde. Haunted by her military service in Iraq, Sydney Rose is brought in by the Denver Major Crimes unit to help solve a particularly brutal murder, leading her into a snake pit of hate and betrayal. Full of the suspense that holds you on the edge of your seat, it’s also replete with acts of bravery, moments of hope, and a host of feelings that keep the story’s intensity level high. An active member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she has given workshops and speeches at numerous writing conferences and book events.
Reviews
"Here's a quick rundown, without spoilers: THE HEROINE -- At first, it appeared this was going to be another female character who somehow seems to do everything right despite all the angst she has to lug around. Her scene descriptions are vivid, and the attention to the thoughts of her main character Sydney is wonderful. ADDITIONAL WRITING THOUGHT -- The author uses transcripts of the main character's notes, interviews, journals, etc. I don't subtract stars if an author chooses to include language or sex, just letting potential readers know both exist in this book. For me, I enjoy when an author drops clues throughout the book that add up to a strong justification when the murderer is finally revealed, and I personally thought this could have been handled a little better. HOWEVER...even with the "twists" issue, the story is excellent and I found myself really liking the character of Sydney Parnell."
"Since I enjoy reading police procedural novels, I didn’t need to go past the summary description that this one included a K-9 partner to immediately select it as my Kindle First choice. While this is an especially interesting police procedural story since Sydney Rose Parnell and Clyde are part of a railroad police force, it goes much deeper."
"I was hooked from the first chapter - drawn in by the main character, Sydney, who hides her complex and compassionate nature beneath a stoic exterior."
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Best Psychological Thrillers

I Am Watching You
Anna’s best friend, Sarah, hasn’t been telling the whole truth about what really happened that night—and her parents have been keeping secrets of their own. Someone knows where Anna is—and they’re not telling. Covering crime for so long, she watched and was deeply moved by all the ripples each case caused, and the haunting impact on the families, friends and witnesses involved.
Reviews
"However, when the author moved to subsequent chapters (everything else in third person), the phrases and partial sentences continued. The other stylistic device used over and over was the introduction of a secret at the end of almost every chapter. When the guilty person is finally revealed, it was difficult to believe that the police would have neglected to perform a full investigation (the author tells us at the end that police only did a “cursory” investigation on the person). I hesitate to say more as it would potentially become a spoiler, but for me, this became a fatal flaw and made the ending feel forced."
"This story follows the perspectives of Ella, Sarah, Anna's father, and a private investigator in the year following Anna's disappearance. Although not to this extreme, I think most people can relate to being in a position where you question whether or not to say something or stay quiet and mind your own business."
"Fast-moving plot full of unpredictable twists; flawed yet sympathetic characters; realistic dialog."
"Each chapter was a cliffhanger that carried into the next chapter."
"Many POTs."
"I really enjoyed this book."
"This book grabbed me and kept me up until 3am two nights in a row, guessing until the end."
"I found this story a bit slow at first and then the tempo just building and building until I couldn't put it down."
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Best Suspense Thrillers

Origin: A Novel
The #1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of The Da Vinci Code Bilbao, Spain Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to attend a major announcement—the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself . On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery . DAN BROWN is the author of numerous #1 international bestsellers, including The Da Vinci Code, Inferno , The Lost Symbol , Angels & Demons , Deception Point, and Digital Fortress .
Reviews
"I love Dan Brown's novels, his writing style, and his extensive use of history/tech in most of them, and I always learn something when I read his books. Brown has a plug and play format that he follows, and as I read this book, it's basically Robert Langdon at some educational/art venue where a friend/colleague, etc. There was supposed suspense, in that you want to find out what in the world Langdon's friend had to say before his murder--and of course, you have to wait until the end to find out."
"Racing through Spain with Robert Langdon and a captivating young woman named Ambra Vidal is an intriguing way to get us into this world of symbols, artwork and religious extremism. I’d still love to see Dan get back into the Templars someday, like he did in "The Da Vinci Code," but at least some good nonfiction books do that now. Moving from a secret, mountain-top meeting at Montserrat just outside Barcelona to a huge public affair at the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, we are teased with the idea that a revelation will be made which shakes all known religions to their core."
"When you think about the fact that Mr. Brown writes about scholars in their field, his knowledge and thorough detail are always second to none and he does not disappoint this time! Quick chapters, changes of scenes, plot twists....if it isn't broken, don't fix it! I felt that his goal was to (once again) anger the Catholic Church thus making his book a blockbuster."
"After the first few chapters the book hits a road block - it stops being a DaVinci code knock off and becomes something else. I also realized that the small passage of time directly related to the lengthy descriptions of art, books, etc. The early chapters describe the museum at Bilbo and I went online while I was reading to see pictures."
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Best Spies & Political Thrillers

The Short Drop (The Gibson Vaughn Series Book 1)
A decade ago, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard, the daughter of Benjamin Lombard—then a senator, now a powerful vice president running for the presidency—disappeared in the most sensational missing-person case in the nation’s history. “This live-wire debut begins with a promising lead in the long-ago disappearance of the vice president’s daughter, then doubles down with tangled conspiracies, duplicitous politicians, and a disgraced hacker hankering for redemption...Hang on and enjoy the ride.” — People. “Unbridled power and relentless revenge converge in the exciting, tightly plotted The Short Drop ...The multifaceted Gibson has the makings to support a long series.” —SouthFlorida.com.
Reviews
"That said, I did enjoy the second half of the book which did keep moving from beginning to end, holding my interest without my having to push myself to read it like I did for the first half of the book. So, when the central plot line in The Short Drop turned out to be the fact that a current Presidential candidate's 13 year old daughter had been kidnapped, I merely wrote that off as a coincidence."
"I’ve found that thrillers, particularly those with a political bent, can be a little light on character development and a little heavy on the unbelievable-and-over-the-top plots. The characters are well developed, complex and multi-faceted, flawed and susceptible to injury (both emotional and physical)."
"As an old retired IT guy it made sense to me where it needed to and was not written for the 17 year old."
"This book caught my attention from the sample on Kindle and held it through half a week while I told myself I had time of other already purchased books to read."
"His characters are beautifully developed and appropriately psychologically complex, so much so that the reader doesn't know who the "bad guy" is and might even fall in love with him or her in the meantime. 4.5 stars. Note: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review."
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Best Technothrillers

Origin: A Novel
The #1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of The Da Vinci Code Bilbao, Spain Robert Langdon, Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, arrives at the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to attend a major announcement—the unveiling of a discovery that “will change the face of science forever.” The evening’s host is Edmond Kirsch, a forty-year-old billionaire and futurist whose dazzling high-tech inventions and audacious predictions have made him a renowned global figure. Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon and Vidal must evade a tormented enemy whose all-knowing power seems to emanate from Spain’s Royal Palace itself . On a trail marked by modern art and enigmatic symbols, Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ultimately bring them face-to-face with Kirsch’s shocking discovery . -- People Magazine "A brisk new book that pits creationism against science, and is liable to stir up as much controversy as The Da Vinci Code did. In Origin , the brash futurist Edmond Kirsch comes up with a theory so bold, so daring that, as he modestly thinks to himself in Brown’s beloved italics, “ It will not shake your foundations. And just like he was in his original exploits ( Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code ), Dr. Langdon is once again wrapped up in a global-scale event that could have massive ramifications on the world’s religions. Origin is a familiar blend of travelogue, history, conspiracies and whodunit, with asides on everything from the poetry of William Blake to the rise and fall of fascism in Spain." Dan Brown is the author of numerous #1 international bestsellers, including The Da Vinci Code, Inferno , The Lost Symbol , Angels & Demons , Deception Point, and Digital Fortress .
Reviews
"I love Dan Brown's novels, his writing style, and his extensive use of history/tech in most of them, and I always learn something when I read his books. Brown has a plug and play format that he follows, and as I read this book, it's basically Robert Langdon at some educational/art venue where a friend/colleague, etc. There was supposed suspense, in that you want to find out what in the world Langdon's friend had to say before his murder--and of course, you have to wait until the end to find out."
"Although Brown’s writing will not rank well among the great classics, his books turned into film will pack theaters and encourage history buffs to travel Europe. KEY POINTS Using history, science and religion for a thriller is one of the better ways to incite curiosity among readers. Excerpt. ‘…“If you’ve read my books,” Langdon’s voice continued, “you will have heard me use the term ‘God of the Gaps.’ That is to say, when the ancients experienced gaps in their understanding of the world around them, they filled those gaps with God.”. The sky filled now with a massive collage of paintings and statues depicting dozens of ancient deities. “And yet, over the centuries, scientific knowledge increased.” A collage of mathematical and technical symbols flooded the sky overhead. “As the gaps in our understanding of the natural world gradually disappeared, our pantheon of gods began to shrink.”. On the ceiling, the image of Poseidon came to the forefront. “As you know, the same fate befell all the gods—dying off, one by one, as they outlived their relevance to our evolving intellects.”. Overhead, the images of gods began twinkling out, one by one—gods of thunder, earthquakes, plagues, and on and on. These gods did not ‘go gentle into that good night’; it is a messy process for a culture to abandon its deities. Spiritual beliefs are etched deeply on our psyches at a young age by those we love and trust most—our parents, our teachers, our religious leaders. Therefore, any religious shifts occur over generations, and not without great angst, and often bloodshed.”. The sound of clattering swords and shouting now accompanied the gradual disappearance of the gods, whose images winked out one by one. Finally, the image of a single god remained—an iconic wizened face with a flowing white beard. Zeus, more than any other god, resisted his own extinction, mounting a violent battle against the dying of his own light, precisely as had the earlier gods Zeus had replaced.”. On the ceiling flashed images of Stonehenge, the Sumerian cuneiform tablets, and the Great Pyramids of Egypt."
"After the first few chapters the book hits a road block - it stops being a DaVinci code knock off and becomes something else. I also realized that the small passage of time directly related to the lengthy descriptions of art, books, etc. The early chapters describe the museum at Bilbo and I went online while I was reading to see pictures."
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