Review: Read after Inside Out and before The Detachment
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 25, 2011
I've enjoyed all of Barry Eisler's novels, but I do confess that I liked the John Rain series a bit more than his last two featuring Ben Treven.  I enjoyed "Fault Line" and "Inside Out," but I really enjoyed the tales about John Rain more, especially those with the sniper Dox.  Now, with this short story, "The Lost Coast," Eisler has done something unique.  He wrote a short story about one of the characters from his last novel "Inside Out," who will appear in his next full length novel "The Detachment."  While not needed for either of the full length novels, it does allow fans to have a little something while waiting for the next full length book, and for readers to learn a bit more about one of Eisler's darkest characters.This short is about Larison, who was introduced in "Inside Out" as sort of an anti-hero.  As readers of that novel know, Larison is not someone to mess with, nor is he a "nice" guy or a John Wayne type hero.  Larison has a very dark side, and this is a dark and explicit tale that allows readers to understand this character a bit more.  It is not a feel good story by any means.  And I'll admit, it went places I didn't expect.  I liked reading the story to learn more about this dark character that will be featured in "The Detachment," a book I am looking forward to reading.  The writing draws you in and includes action as well as the  understanding of violence and operators that Eisler possesses.Purchasing the short also gets you a short interview where Eisler answers a few questions and then an excerpt from "The Detachment."  This next novel will feature Larison, Treven, Rain, Dox, and others that readers of Eisler's earlier novels are familiar with.  Eisler also is planning on more shorts that will feature these other characters.  I think it is a great format to allow readers to connect with these characters in a different way, and to bridge the novels.  I applaud Eisler for branching out in this area.  It is different, and I'm sure fans of Eisler will enjoy this quick read (it is short) while waiting for the next full length novel.  I don't think this will turn people into fans if they have not read his other works and read this first.  For that reason, I really recommend you read this after reading "Inside Out" and before "The Detachment."Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer.