Review: KUDOS! once again!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 26, 2013
I arrived home after several hours drive & by chance located my favorite author's latest offering. It's very suitable for those of us who don't know any better & will try to stay up most of the night (several nights, really) immersing ourselves into the world of the "Friends from Damascus." This is now, what? the fifth book in the series... wow.(An aside, I plan to start over again from the beginning, soon... see how much I have forgotten; if it's as exciting reading it all the 2nd time through). I digress...The Happy author (pun, attempted) has been finely tuning his craft over the few years that I have been reading his work. The start of the "Absence of the Normal" tale is a jewel. About the time you are wanting more information about the background of one of the main characters, here it is. The author's usual modus operundi is noted. The early chapters are setting up the pieces on the board... the descriptions are sometimes implausible, or out-right weird,  but worded flawlessly. The suspense  mounts on several levels.The "trick" for me is to find a good stopping place before the clock says "Three A.M."  *(As has happened on more than one occasion with "the Friends" series and his wonderful "Seawolf" books.OK... I'm just a few chapters into it and maybe the whole thing blows up like a house of cards, but i seriously doubt it considering Mr. Happy's track record. I just got too excited and had to take a break and what better use of the energy but to say "thanks" by writing this review.(EDITED: 10/29/13- early A.M.)(couple of sleepless days later... I've finished the book)Kudos! Whew! what a whirlwind! I'm in awe of the author's command of facts about all sorts of spy-craft, weaponry, aircraft, politics, geography, history etc. (Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, knowing his military background, history teacher...) Anyway, this sheer mountain of facts is skillfully used as he crafts this newest thriller. (I've added "the absence of normal" to my personal vernacular...)Maybe it's just me, but I think his craft is becoming more deft, precise... Not to mention his imagination. I think I'm most impressed by his use of dialogue...  especially between two certain characters... but no more... don't want to slip and utter any spoilers...I know I'm paying for the book; but think about it... what? two days? three days? How long does it take you to devour a favorite author's book? It must take Cliff Happy months, years to develop, write, edit, etc. this (& his other novels...). For me, that's time well spent by both of us. "thank you" favorite author!