Toxic Minds by Gordon Bickerstaff is the first book of this author that I've read. The book is advertised as being the fourth Gavin Shawlens' Thriller. Did that mean I had to have read the first three books to get this book? No, it would appear each of these thrillers is a stand-alone story, which is great. I think possibly the only negative, for me, in having not read the previous books, was a certain lack of understanding where Gavin fitted into the whole scheme of things, especially as regards his "clandestine" work. Never mind, that just gives me more incentive to read the first three, doesn't it?
There are some books advertised as "page-turners", a claim I would take with a grain of salt, but, in this case, it proved to be very true. I couldn't put it down and I kept wanting to know what happened next, so would find myself reading it at times when I shouldn't be. Always a sign of a good book.
The story, at times, had many threads, yet Bickerstaff manages to keep them all in the air and links them together very nicely as the book progresses. I also felt it was nice, in an out and out thriller, to have some moral dilemmas to be faced by the main characters. Alexa, the principal in this story has to look at the demise of her family and ask herself serious questions about her role in the family's falling apart. I think this whole family tension added to the excitement of the novel and made it even more enjoyable from my perspective.
I admit, there when times when I felt a little "suspension of belief", but then I had to remind myself that in 2016, anything is truly possible when it comes to international terrorism.
This is a rollicking read - fast-paced, well written and thoroughly enjoyable. If you like a good home-grown terrorist plot, then this is the book for you.
No question on this one, the full five-stars from this reviewer. Good job Mr Bickerstaff.
There are some books advertised as "page-turners", a claim I would take with a grain of salt, but, in this case, it proved to be very true. I couldn't put it down and I kept wanting to know what happened next, so would find myself reading it at times when I shouldn't be. Always a sign of a good book.
The story, at times, had many threads, yet Bickerstaff manages to keep them all in the air and links them together very nicely as the book progresses. I also felt it was nice, in an out and out thriller, to have some moral dilemmas to be faced by the main characters. Alexa, the principal in this story has to look at the demise of her family and ask herself serious questions about her role in the family's falling apart. I think this whole family tension added to the excitement of the novel and made it even more enjoyable from my perspective.
I admit, there when times when I felt a little "suspension of belief", but then I had to remind myself that in 2016, anything is truly possible when it comes to international terrorism.
This is a rollicking read - fast-paced, well written and thoroughly enjoyable. If you like a good home-grown terrorist plot, then this is the book for you.
No question on this one, the full five-stars from this reviewer. Good job Mr Bickerstaff.
Be sure to pop on over to Amazon and check out all the other books Gordon Bickerstaff has to offer.
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