Review: The Master
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 29, 2014
The Master is a horrendous man who fully intends to take over the world.  Right now South America is very close to being under his control.  His next goal:  North America and all of the United States.  FBI agents went to South America in an attempt to locate this Master, but they all disappeared or went mad with murder mania, a condition that the Master can control at will.  Meet Rex Stout, the one man tasked to save the world.  Rex is a member of the Talent, a secret arm of the FBI that does not officially exist.  The agents that belong to the Talent can identify each other, but when the mission ends and you decide to continue on your own, there may not be anyone to help you and if you disappear, no one will claim knowledge of you.The Master courts the highest members of society and slips them his specially made poison.  Within two weeks the most common side effect begins to show itself and if not treated, expect the absolute worst.  Only the Master and his nephew have the antidote and each victim must bow to their will, which includes ensnaring new recruits, making female family members available when called, and giving up your children if need be.  So the Master’s rule is one of depravity and it just so happens that he wants Stout to be his deputy in the United States.  Stout does everything in his power to discourage this offer, but it only makes the Master more determined to have his way.Join in the action as Stout, fellow agent Jamison, and lady friend turned love interest Pamela pull off unbelievable escapes with each one getting them closer to the Master, whom no one has ever seen.  Some previously loyal deputies assist them and welcome death to end their servitude.  The Master is not what Stout expected to find and his cockiness asserts itself as he does not believe that Stout would dare harm him and leave so many to go murder mad without the antidote.  How wrong he is!  As the truth comes out the Master reveals the real reason that he wants to rule the world.  There may be some validity in his reasoning, but his method has been all wrong.  Will you agree with his reasons?  Will Stout get the antidote in time?I liked this book even though the action was not as exciting as I think it could be.  I also wanted Pamela to have more personality and more to say.  The cover depicts a hideous looking man that my mind easily accepted as the way Master would look and I would buy the book based on that.  Some editing is in order, but the read was still enjoyable and I recommend putting it on your “to read” list.