Review: Big Ice

Seth Peterson is not just a recluse - he's phobic about it. His phobia has cost him his fiancé, his family, and his job. He's managed to start over in Washington, DC working for the National Ice Center for the last year and developing a program that will actually predict large-scale ice bergs breaking off from the Antarctic ice shelf. With knowledge of the fault lines under the ice, he's hoping to give science enough time to keep a cataclysm from happening.

On his way to work one morning, Seth pulls a stranger from a burning car, barely escaping himself. Panicky to avoid any publicity, Seth refuses medical help, gives the investigating officer the minimum amount of information possible, and rabbits to his cubicle at NIC. But that week is destined to turn Seth's life upside down again; this time by the media, by his boss, and by the fanatics who are out to kill him to prevent his knowledge from becoming public.

This entire story is told from Seth's point of view and, because of the phobia, it's quite a different viewpoint, indeed. Young, idealistic, and a total loner, Seth is the groundwork for what could become a fascinating new character in mystery-thrillers. Author Jonnes knows his subject matter, DC, and Minnesota. He also has his own agenda. Now, that's not necessarily a bad thing, and Jonnes probably considers himself to be objective, but at times he's a bit heavy-handed with the agenda, when he could have been putting more effort into developing his protagonist and some of those around him. In fact, while it was a thoroughly enjoyable read, it could have been longer. There was more I wanted to know about Seth, his co- workers, his neighbor, his family, his childhood through his memories, and Campbell. People in general don't accept problems like Seth's as easily as Campbell and his family did. I'll be waiting for the next installment, and hope to see more in the way of character development to go with it.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Webspinner - RAM

Book Review: Big Ice