Review: Well-Done Suspense and Mysterious Migraines Make for a Compelling Read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 11, 2013
Lately I'm very into thriller/suspense novels, and now that I've been through most of the "established" authors in the genre I'm always on the look-out for fresh new voices. Rejean Giguere, with his novel "Endpoint," is one of those voices.  This novel is fast-paced and held my attention to the point that I finished it in just two sittings.Chantal and Gary are leaving a support meeting for migraine sufferers when Chantal is attacked by a group of men. Luckily, Chantal and Gary are able to fight them off, and they escape from the scene shaken but basically unharmed. At first, they seem like an ordinary couple, but soon in the book you see they're both actually quite special. Gary not only speaks Russian, but has connections to a very powerful Russian businessman/criminal who he met as a young boy at martial arts. Chantal has migraines--but very special migraines, ones that mark her as special and incredibly desirable for a mysterious and deadly study on migraine sufferers conducted by Septon Research. Soon, the two are on a run for their lives, trying to piece together the secrets of the migraines before the bad guys catch up to them.As I mention above, "Endpoint" has a plot that moves snappily along. It starts with throwing Chantal and Gary into danger, making the reader care about them and their fate instantly, and then deepens that bond between reader and characters by taking the time to deepen the characters' complexity and relationship with one another. I cared about Chantal and Gary individually and as a couple, which kept me invested in the book. I also liked the scientific bent of this thriller novel--in addition to the tension and suspense, it added a new level of interest and heightened the stakes--I read hoping that not only would Chantal and Gary be okay, but also wondering what exactly was so special about Chantal, and what the ultimate answer to her mysterious migraines would be.The violence is well-done--horrifying enough to make an impact and add some scare to the story, but not so intense as to turn my stomach and turn me off. The bad guys are also actually frightening--determined and dark, they add a brooding threat to the book.And the ending scene adds a little twist of science fiction--if there is a second novel, I would be more than happy to find out what happens to Gary and Chantal! All in all, this is a good addition to the suspense/thriller category and will appeal to fans of that genre, especially ones who enjoy Ken Follett or similar authors.