Customer Reviews

Body of Truth

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I can't quite understand the negative reviews this book seems to be getting here. I think it may well be the best thriller I've read. I've spent a fair amount of time in Guatemala, and I'd say Lindsey may overstate the menacing atmosphere a bit, it is hard to look at Guatemala's recent history and fault him for this. A great book.

I struggled through the interminable descriptions of stench, of fountains bubbling in the background, of statues, wrought iron gates, you name it, Lindsey can write two paragraphs on it.

After 80 pages, I started skipping the paragraphs that were desciptive filler. I gave up by chapter 17.

If ever there were a book that would make me believe the author was being paid by the word, it would be this one. Had some of those words actually created a spark of interest in the characters, I might have pressed on.

Perhaps Lindsey has written better books. Too bad this was my first encounter with his writing. It will be my last.

How could a book like this be published? Yes, He has been to Guatemala. Yes, He knows the structure of the city precisely. Yes, He invested his time and money preparing for the novel. DOES THAT MEAN I HAVE TO THREAD THROUGH ALL THE DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE CITY FOR MORE THAN 300 PAGES? He wrote pretty well at the beginning. But as the story went on he lost balance and wasted too much effort on city and landscape description. DON'T TRY TO READ THIS ONE. NEVER!

Have you ever read a work of fiction or a true account of some event that touches you in a way that is profound? This is that book. It is an incredible essay of the cruelty of man towards man. It will make you think like no other book or story has.

Have you every read a book review and went out to buy the book and purchase the wrong one. I did. I wrote down Lindsey innstead of Paul Lindsay and end up purchasing David Lindsey's book "Body of Truth". To my surprise, I enjoyed the book and could not put it down. It is a mystery novel involving Houston police detective Stuart Haydon. Haydon has been the subject of other Lindsey novels. This time he goes to Guatemala to close a missing persons case. The action is fast paced and the characters and setting well developed. The reader gains a good understanding of the tragic history of this Central American and it's people. Like writer K.C. Constantine, present day politics is interwoven into the story. The writer does provide the reader wuith clues. Yet, the ending will come as a surprise. This is not a book for the feint of heart. It may stir some to activism. However, it is a very good read and one worth the price

Incredible descriptions of a beautiful country. The political situation, guerilla, CIA and all the government involvement in the country are accurate and perfectly described. Murder, mystery, intrigue and unexpected twists are masterfully used. The young woman, Lena, a dreamer-idealist, finds herself understanding the corruption of a country and a goverment. The CIA covers the American Embassy wrongdoings. A novel of this depth implies a great understanding of the real situation in a country where you do not only die but dissapear forever.The command of the language is such that makes you feel a part of the plot

David Lindsay's "Body of Truth" truly conveys the atmosphere prevailing in Guatemala during the last 40 years and especially the time of the just concluded civil war. It is highly realistic, true to time and place in that it enmeshes the characters in the nightmare of crime, politics, and war. I enjoyed this book tremendously, even as it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!

I've read and enjoyed most of Lindsey's books, as they are chiefly set in Houston, Texas, my hometown. In this work, Lindsey has become more descriptive in his writing. This works well when he is characterizing the players, and moving the storyline, however, his descriptions of Guatemala are downright nasty. I understand that it is a country that is fraught with corruption and violence, but the way Lindsey illustrates it, I'm surprised that people still live there. Also, Lindsey is very condescending in his negative portrait, displaying a decided 'U.S.A. Superiority Complex'. For example, in one scene, the main character, Haydon, pays for his meal with U.S. Dollars. Lindsey then describes the Guatemalan waiter's "delight" in receiving payment in a currency that "actually had value". Other passages like this permeate the book to the point where it becomes almost laughable. (With commentary like this, no wonder the rest of the world hates us!). But, despite the digs on Guatemala, the story is fast moving, compelling, and keeps you guessing. Overall, I recommend it - just check your opinion of Guatemala at the door.

I read this on the strength of Mercy, which while no worldbeater was OK. Body of Truth must have been written by somebody else! I only read 25% of this book, it was that bad. The major problem was the endless pages of text describing irrelevancies -and I mean endless! You know, 13 paras on the sky, or on the car passing by the window, etc. Don't waste your time