“7TH Heaven” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

The duo Hawk and Pidge are arsonists of the worst kind. They bind their victims in their house and burn it down. They refuse to kill poor folks but rather enjoy killing the rich. Their modus operandi are brilliant, brutal and meticulous.  Detective Lindsay Boxer and his team are overwhelmed by the duo. The more acts of arson they commit the more it seems that they will never be caught.

Junie Moon, a hooker is also being tried for murder of Michael Campion, the son of the former governor of California, Connor Hume Campion. The mystery surrounding his death or disappearance when revealed is totally shocking.

This novel depicts top notch writing and editing. It is carefully written and holds your attention. It is certainly Patterson and Paetro at their best. I still cannot figure out why the novel is entitled “7^TH Heaven”.

“The Dangerous Days of Daniel X” by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Daniel X had his parents killed by a hideous alien when he was only three. He retrieves the list and succeeds his parents as an alien hunter. He goes on a crusade to rid the world of alien outlaws. As to whether he will succeed or not I leave it for you to read without spoiling the suspense.

 The plot is simple but interesting. We see supernatural powers exhibited by the characters from telepathy to transmogrification. It is interesting and thrilling but the plot could have been expanded on so as to make it far more thrilling and exciting. I expected all the alien outlaws to have been dealt with but to my disappointment it did not happen. I think it lacks the Midas touch that Patterson novels are known for. The language is simple, the writing unambiguous. The novel more or less targets the young adult but everyone will enjoy it.

“We were The Mulvaneys” by Joyce Carol Oates

The Mulvaneys were just like any ordinary American family. There were a family of six. The father Michael Mulvaney, the mother Corinne Mulvaney and the chidren who were Mike jr.,  Patrick Marrianne and Judd Mulvaney.

Joyce Carol Oates starts by introducing the Mulvaneys to us.  She makes us get to know them like friends or acquaintances. The Mulvaney story is told by the youngest of the Mulvaneys who is Judd. His narration more or less is that of an omniscient narrator.

Just like any other family they had their hopes and aspirations. The children were blessed with parents who worked hard to better their lives. The parents were also blessed with children who were good children.

They were a happy family and everything seemed to be going well for them. However, it just happened that an incident occurred that had disastrous effect on the family. The Mulvaneys were never the same again.

The novel is well written though there is very little suspense or thrill. However, the characters stand out and they are very much alive and unique. The story is tragic as well as realistic. It depicts the ups and downs of the human life. That is to say no human being or a family has it all rosy. Joyce Carol Oates is indeed a great author owing to her ability to weave a plot around such a storyline and producing such a voluminous book.

“Whiteout" by Ken Follett

It is Christmas Eve and one of the top pharmaceutical facilities, Oxenford Medical in Scotland is facing a crisis. Two doses of an experimental drug are missing. A lab technician is suffering from Madoba-2 an incurable form of viral disease. A group of professional thieves are determined to break into Oxenford’s BSL4 facility which is the most secure and heavily protected. It houses  viruses which has no antidote or vaccine like Madoba-2. It also contains experimental drugs and vaccines.

Antonia Gallo is the head of security. A shrewd and intelligent woman who is meticulous and will do anything to protect the Oxenford Medical. She is up against professional thugs and traitors of the worst kind who are determined to pull off the robbery come what may. They are ruthless and do not value human life.

The novel is thrilling, full of suspense. It is well researched and educative. The story is certainly one that can happen in a real world situation where terrorism and certainly bio-terrorism is not out of place.

The characters are well developed and certainly humanized. The characters by their actions and character flaws mirrors us and we can relate to them.  Follett displays a great knowledge of human psychology which reflects in the characters. You are made to feel part of the unfolding story.

The plot is well written and the suspense is intense. . It is never boring.You are unable to put the book aside for an instance. Follet shows us why he is the great master thriller . Follett knows how to write. His writing is concise and beautiful. It is a story that is interspersed with love and romance.It is certainly a must read.

The setting is Scotland over the Christmas festivities and the snow was indeed falling heavily. Perhaps informing the title and inspiring the cover.

PS. It is a thriller taking place over Christmas and I had the privilege of reading it over Christmas.

“The Flanders Panel” by Arturo Perez-Reverte

“The Flanders Panel” is a great thriller based on a painting by Pieter Van Huys. This painting which is called The Game of Chess which was painted by him in 1471. It shows two chess players battling it out on a chessboard.

Underlying the simplistic fairly routine game of chess depicted in the painting holds the key to solving an age old mystery or to be precise a murder case committed five centuries ago. Julia an art expert tasked with the restoration of the game of chess stumbles upon a secret imbedded in the painting. It seems that the unfinished chess game is still being played by a master chess player or players murdering people based on the chess moves.

The novel is deep, philosophical, educative, entertaining and thrilling. Arturo Perez -Reverte masterfully weaves the plot around a game of chess depicted in an old painting. It is only a great writer who can write a thrilling story around a chess game.

The Flanders Panel makes one remember another great writer Saramago whose extraordinary writing ability make it possible for him to write a master piece around the theme of blindness. “The Flanders Panel” shows an indebt knowledge of chess and extraordinary imagination. It is worth reading.