Book Review: Poised to Kill

Reviewed By: Webspinner - RAM

Poised to Kill     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Brian Lutterman
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Espionage
Salvo Press; Apr 2004; 227pp

Just as Hal Dwyer's position with his defense contractor employer looks to be taking another jump up, he receives a telephone call. Turn over the new top-secret anti-missile software or forfeit the life of his 12-year-old daughter. A decision one way is unthinkable. A decision the other way would mean the end of his career - in jail. And he only has twelve hours to make a decision.

This book has several things going for it. I like "thrillers" and this book certainly fits into that category. Dwyers solution to the ransom demand was ingenious, to say the least. The plot deepens and the storyline moves quickly. And therein lies the rub. Sometimes, it moves too quickly. I LIKED the storyline, and the main character. Somehow, I felt like I was reading a synopsis of the story. I may simply be used to reading 600 page novels, but i felt that somehow there were more parts to the story that could have been fleshed out, without giving the plot away and while the reader comes up for air, and characters I would like to have spent a bit more time with. Regardless, this one is very tightly plotted and has a fascinating take on an interesting scenario, so it still receives 4 paws. It will be interesting to see where this author goes next.

Webspinner - RAM

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

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.