Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Rules of Deception
Book Review: Expect to lose a lot of sleep
Summary: 5 Stars
This story pulls readers in and won't let them go until it's finished. If you read at night before bed, as I do, expect to spend a few extra hours reading every night until you find answers to all the questions that start building from the very first chapter.Book Review: Following the "Rules"
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the first book I've read by Christopher Reich, and it is very good. I was prompted to buy it by all the critics and famous authors who compare it to Ludlum, Follett, Forsyth, Trevanian, etc.--all my favorite writers of globe-trotting espionage. RULES OF DECEPTION closely follows the formula set down by those masters, with the idealistic doctor/mountain climber being drawn into a frightening, ever-growing conspiracy and racing the clock to find his enemies and beat them, with plenty of fights, chases, and surprise revelations along the way. I read the book in a matter of hours, and I think most thriller fans will, too.
My one reservation that keeps this from being a 5-star recommendation is the fact that RULES seems to resemble a lot of other big thrillers a bit too much--Reich never quite seems to make this material his own. He has clearly been "inspired" by EYE OF THE NEEDLE, DAY OF THE JACKAL, THE EIGER SANCTION, and the complete works of Robert Ludlum. But, hey, that's a small complaint from a reader who counts all those as faves. If you're looking for a fast, satisfying summer read along these lines, RULES follows the rules as well as any book I've read in a long time. Try it.
Book Review: Gave up half way through
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm not sure that this book is that terrible (it isn't laughably silly or anything), but I stopped reading half way through (well, technically I stopped 'listening' half way through - it was an audio book). I'm mystified by the positive reviews for this book and the praise that has been lauded on the author. There's just nothing here to engage the reader. The biggest problem is the flatness of its characters, particularly the leading man Dr. Jonathon Ransom. Reich's characters aren't just one-dimensional, they're lifeless and uninteresting.
True, it's possible to enjoy a novel with cardboard characters but the author has to bring something else to the table. A unique story concept, an intriguing plot, white knuckled suspense, or a healthy dose of humour are all examples of qualities that can overcome poor characterization. But Reich offers none of these things.
The story concept is nothing new. The plot is plodding and predictable. I didn't finish the novel but I have a pretty good idea what will happen. It's painfully obvious, for example, that Ransom's wife faked her death on the mountain (this isn't a spoiler, because I didn't finish the novel and don't actually know what happens. I could be wrong - although I doubt it.) The predictable and uninspired plot, combined with a lack of engaging characters, results in a complete lack suspense. I can't even say the novel had its funny moments. It's humourless.
I gave up near the end of disc 7. With five more discs to go, I just couldn't stick with it. I honestly don't understand why there are so many favourable reviews for this book. Maybe the novel gets better. Maybe there are clever twists and turns in the story that I would have enjoyed. Maybe Jonathan finds a personality somewhere along the way. But I doubt it.
Rules of Deception isn't terrible - it's just devoid of entertainment value.
Book Review: Good Read
Summary: 4 Stars
Good espionage novel with some interesting plot twists. One of the best books I read all summer.
Book Review: Good book, but human rights quibble
Summary: 4 Stars
Jonathan Ransom is on a ski trip with his wife in the Swiss Alps when she is injured. When he returns with help, she appears to have fallen to her death down a crevasse in the ice. In mourning back at his hotel room, he receives a note to pick up two packages at the train station arriving for her. When he picks up the packages he's assaulted by two men who also want them. Jonathan escapes with the packages, but inside finds evidence that his wife had more than one identity and was not at all who she seemed to be. He is now on the run from various groups, with each new thing he finds out deepening his knowledge of his wife's duplicity.
This is a fast read with an enjoyably complicated plot. The NYT review made it sound like the best thing since sliced bread, but I wouldn't go quite that far. At the end I almost felt inclined to go back and look over the events again in terms of how they meshed together for believability, but that might ruin the fun. A slight opening was left for a sequel; if there ever is one, I'll be inclined to read it.
I do have a specific problem with the book, which is somewhat political. Considering we have an administration (soon to end) which uses fiction as an inspiration for how they do things (ie. getting ideas from the tv show "24" as referenced in Jane Mayer's The Dark Side) I don't think it's responsible to portray extraordinary rendition or torture as useful ways of getting accurate information or keeping people safe. That is a fiction.