Chameleon Tpb [Hardcover]

Mark Burnell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 16, 2001

Fergus Mackenzie finds himself naked, badly hurt, on the side of the road in Chile. He has no idea who he is or how he came to be there. It transpires that a badly burnt car was found nearby: and that a woman from the accident dies in hospital. Gradually his memory comes back - up to the point when he was working in London, but not beyond that. This loss of a month in his life mesmerises him - and he is determined to find out what happened. It is as if he has been asleep in his life until then. But are the friends - old and new - who appear to help him, acting innocently? What is the film he finds in state documents with sequences on his private life? What is the connection between his mother's early life and the dosolate Murmansk peninsular? And can he trust his passion for Sarah, even when he knows she has tried to deceive him? At the centre of this compelling novel is a terrifying secret, rooted in the past, but able to cause havoc in the future if it remains in the wrong hands.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stylishly written yet desperately in need of a good kick in the pants, this plodding sequel to 1999's The Rhythm Section marks the return of Euro-assassin Stephanie Patrick. As the story opens, Patrick has retired to southern France, trying hard to forget her past and live a normal life. Her old employer, a shadowy organization called Magenta House, persuades her to take one more assignment: find and eliminate the mastermind behind a plot to stockpile vast amounts of Marburg virus, one of the world's most feared bio-weapons. To carry out the task, Patrick reverts to her old identity, the ruthlessly efficient Petra Reuter, to whom each new contract is "just a shift at the factory." Patrick proceeds to go deep underground, moving freely between American, European and Russian capitals in her search for the terrorist. Along the way, she meets and falls hard for shady Russian business tycoon Konstantin Komarov. They join forces in the pursuit, yet along the way both discover that in the treacherous world of espionage and terrorism, loyalties often get lost in the shifting sands. Throughout, Burnell shows exceptional skill portraying mood and moments of swift action. His narrative moves smoothly between third- and first-person viewpoints, a technique adding depth and dimension to Patrick's character. His plot, however, sags badly in the middle and loses sight of its target. After enduring many scenes of anguished romance between Patrick and Komarov, many readers may find themselves forgetting what the story is about.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“A ‘Casablanca for the 21st Century.” (Boris Starling, author of MESSIAH and STORM )

“Stylishly written...Burnell shows exceptional skill...” (Publishers Weekly ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 351 pages
• Publisher: Harper Collins; 1st Paperback Edition edition (July 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0002259176
• ISBN-13: 978-0002259170
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,938,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not As Good As The First, But Timely, November 12, 2002

By 

"opusv5" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chameleon: A Novel (Hardcover)

This book, like "The Rhythm Section", is at least timely. Whereas that book partially predicted 9/11, "Chameleon" partially deals with current, and volatile issues:Russia,Chechens, violence, and chemical weapons."Chameleon" again features Stephanie/Petra, here compelled to search for Koba, the unknowable magnate of Russian organized crime.She thus penetrates one of Russia's most powerful Mafiyas, displays her skills as an international assassin, and encounters deadly, even evil players leading to a climax involving the purchase of biological weapons.She also finds love with Kostya, a money launderer and man of respect within Russia's Mafiyas. This, though believably done, is one of the book's weaknesses. Their brief, passionate meetings don't sustain interest. More compelling but confusing is the plotting. Some events (the torture and murder of Salibi and his bodyguard) seem not fully explained. The author, however, has done his homework. His description of Russian crime, its structure in various countries, and those minor or major figures within or around it are authentic. So is his knowledge of the former Soviet Union's ethnic composition and description of chemical weapons. Though not as engrossing as "The Rhythm Section,""Chameleon" is an intelligent, above average installment in Stephanie/Petra's career. Where, if anywhere, will the author take her next?

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Confusing and boring, January 27, 2003

By 

J>B "J>B" (Malta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chameleon: A Novel (Hardcover)

Comparing this book with other thrillers, I think it's not the Casablanca of this century but rather the most confusing book I have ever read. A very good introduction but too many characters lost the plot and thus as a result the reader may find the book boring just like I felt. I've just finished reading Home Run by Gerald Seymour and I really enjoyed the latter. It's about international terro. as well but it's simpler and much more entertaining. Hope that not too many authors copy the style of this book.