The Alchemist [Mass Market Paperback]

Ken Goddard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1986

They are called designer drugs, and they're worse than lethal--they're legal.

A beautiful undercover agent and her partner are brutally murdered in Southern California. A special task force of highly trained police officers go underground to find out why. What they discover is a billion-dollar criminal conspiracy--and an elusive mastermind known as the Alchemist.

The Alchemist is a respected chemist who has conjured up a substance worth its weight in gold: a synthetic "designer" drug as potent as cocaine or heroin and twice as dangerous--because its unique chemical formula is perfectly legal!

Caught in the crossfire between a desperate Mafia chief and two ruthless drug lords, the task force must step outside the law to crush the impending crime war, risking being lured so far out from behind the protection of their badges that there is no turning back.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Goddard's prose has sheer explosive energy and it seems clear that he has a long and successful career ahead of him."--Eric Lustbader

"Tense...fast...violent...entirely plausible, because of Goddard's brutal attention to detail and police procedure."--San Diego Tribune

"Cleverly plotted. . .Things happen and scenes shift at breakneck speed."--The Washington Post Book World

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Bantam (March 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553255983
• ISBN-13: 978-0553255980
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,348,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read ALL of Ken Goddard!!, October 30, 2010

By 

wooly bear (pacific) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Alchemist (Paperback)

I've been a fan of Ken Goddard for YEARS!! This book is a great read and makes some major comments about drugs, drug use, and who we are in America. Everyone is looking for the 'holy grail' and when an associate Prof. at the local college finds it, the whole town turns upside down trying to get hold of it! Great book from a great author, just wish he would write a few more, SOON!!!

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Alchemist (Paperback)

From the beginning of the book, Goddard shows superb writing skills. He uses very specific descriptions allowing the reader to visualize exactly what is happening, to the smallest detail. His subject choice for this story is a new and unique one, and is very interesting. Such a situation helps keep the reader glued to the book, as with all great books. He shows great knowledge in the subject on which his book is based. This book is one worth reading.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good read, February 16, 2011

By 

Janste - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Alchemist (Hardcover)

I read this book years ago and wanted to reread it. A bit dated, but not a bad book.