Review: 4* for most 'thriller' readers; 2* for those more knowledgeable of physical limitations
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 10, 2013
Proof of Death, an e-book by Chris Pearson, a British writer living in France and the UK, is a mystery/thriller that presents an unusual plot.Cryptography, simply stated, is the basis of privacy. It is a system where information is scrambled by employing the large mass of numbers known to all. If a key were found to unscramble this mass, it would be as the Rosetta stone to hieroglyphics. It would allow revelation of the prime factors necessary for the unscrambling of the numbers and as a corollary the possessor would have unimpeded entry to every financial institution, government agency, military base and other `secure' data. The plot of this story portends that a mathematics professor in war torn Chechnya has solved the Riemann Hypothesis containing this `Key' and resulting in his becoming a target for powerful forces that will stop at nothing to obtain this coveted prize.With respect to the book's mechanics, this reader is somewhat ambivalent. At times it would appear that some further editing could remedy some confusion with respect to individual identity, action or location and a little more character development might be helpful. However, the story line is excellent, the action non-stop and there is a somewhat `British' flavor to the approach that provides a sense of authenticity that makes the reading enjoyable. All of these are distinctly plus factors for this reader. Now however, we believe a SPOILER ALERT is required. Persons not sensitive to activity that strains the boundaries of physical prowess should simply proceed to enjoy the book as described to this point and read no further.Individuals more attuned to physiology will discover some activity in the last few chapters will stretch the limits of credibility with respect to physical limitations. And let me say that quite unfortunately this author is not alone. Either from lack of knowledge or from over involvement in plot advancement, characters occasionally are involved in action, or placed in positions that physiologically are highly improbable if not impossible. Proof of Death presents such material that is quite disappointing to a discerning reader who otherwise was enjoying a very good story. Reviewed by John H. Manhold, award winning fiction/non-fiction author.