Review: Terribly Good
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 6, 2014
If a maniac or a magician leaves a trail of bodies throughout the novel, we classify the book under "Horror." But if a detective or spy leaves such a crimson path, we call that book a gripping "Thriller." I do wish Purkiss did not kill so often and so efficiently. I also wonder if his body is made of titanium rather than flesh, as he often endures grueling attacks and emerges with barely a limp. OK, those are my criticisms. Despite these aspects, this is terrific writing. By halfway through page 2, I knew I was in the hands of a very good author, and I gladly read on. Purviss is a very well developed character, and even the lesser characters have substantial flesh on them. I sometimes got confused by all the different groups involved, each with a different but related agenda, but I believe that uncertainty is a deliberate part of the story. There are so many twists and turns and double-crosses that to even summarize the events would supply too many spoilers. I will just say that Stevens knows what he is doing, and he does it exceedingly well. I highly recommend this book, especially to readers who enjoy working mental puzzles.