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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A well written, exciting, and clever thriller, 3 Nov 2004
I have read a number of Demille's books but after reading The Talbot Odyssey I was somewhat put off picking up another one.How glad I am that I did pick up this one... The book focuses on the seizure of New York's St Patrick's Cathedral, and with no hint of irony, on St Patrick's Day! The main protagonist in the book (Brian Flynn) and his merry band of follows are IRA based, which really could have opened the door to some good old fashioned right wing writing and US patriotism. Thankfully this didn't materialise and Demille skilfully looks at the more human side of the characters and really looks to make the reader understand the motives for each of the major players. The one caveat I would bring to that, and the only reason I haven't given this 5 stars, is the under use of Major Martin, whom I thought could have been both an intriguing, and frankly far more pivotal player in the story. The book never drags, even though it is well over 500 pages and the majority of the book is set within one day. This in itself is some achievement! Demille really does make you care what happens to all of the players and doesn't make use of too many overt stereotypes. This book wont challenge your morals / ethics toward terrorist / freedom fighter groups, so please don't expect it too, it also wont openly seek to portray the IRA as psychotic butchers. It is far subtler than that and for once with a story of this nature actively portrays individuals who are under control of the group mentality, but individuals nonetheless. Overall this is an excellent read and one that I would thoroughly recommend.
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by Nelson DeMille
by Nelson DeMille
by Nelson DeMille
by Nelson DeMille
by Nelson DeMille
