I have a few favorite series: Harry Potter, Paulsen's Hatchet books, Mitch Rapp, Jack Reacher, Det. Edward X Delaney, John Rain, but I think the Alex Rider books by Anthony Horowitz get my personal award as Favorite of Favorites.
"Crocodile Tears" is the latest and most thrilling entry into the world of 14-year-old secret agent Alex Rider. That's not a typo--Alex is indeed a secret agent and, in fact, was trained from early childhood to assume the role (although he didn't know at the time). He continues to work (for free) for England's M16. I must rephrase: He is tricked into missions for M16. His parents died when he was very young; his Uncle Ian assumed guardianship. Both father and uncle were agents. Ian taught Alex how to do so many practical things (that would later save his life times over), speak several languages, handle foreign travel. On the other hand, one could say that being a secret agent was a genuine talent for Alex, much as painting or music is to others. Being flexible is one ingrained "talent." An example: To escape a particular mountaintop location Alex had to improvise. The only way out was helicopter with none available. He used an ironing board to "sled" down the mountain. Another time he skateboarded down a pier and over and onto a departing boat, barely making the landing, but, of course, always making it.
In every book there is at least one villain, usually two working jointly to commit mayhem, fraud, evil, and violence on many innocent, unsuspecting people. In "Crocodile Tears" Desmond McCain is the villain--philanthropist extraordinaire and bad to the bone marrow! He is the organizer and disperser of millions of dollars that come into his relief agency which goes from hot spot to hot spot to aid people in dire circumstances. The first is a nuclear reactor explosion in India. First on the scene. How great Mr. McCain is! How compassionate! However, the tears he sheds are crocodile tears.
Normally, I don't read reviews before I write mine, but I did this time. Mixed reactions. I agree with those who call this a page-turner, a must-read-long-into-the-night. I did, too. (Not too long ago I read Mark Twain's "
Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc (Dover Thrift Editions) and could not read more than a few pages at time before falling asleep.) With "Crocodile Tears"--I read WAY PAST my normal bedtime. Anthony Horowitz knows how to write a thriller!
Other reviewers called this book the worst of the series. On what scale? By what standard? I do agree that the series is taking on a formulaic format, although this book, for the first time, shows human heart in Mr. Blunt, Alex's handler. In previous books he exudes complete indifference to any fate that might happen to Alex, or that is how it seems.
Another reviewer called Horowitz on the horrible women who people his books in his female villainy. But I remind those readers that Alex's girlfriend is quite genuine and kind, that his guardian (a woman just a few years older than Alex) is a perfect role model for any young lady.
What I do protest and the reason I deduct one star is the really over-the-top escapades Alex must experience and, of course, escape. On one hand, I recognize that it IS possible to escape from all these bizarre circumstances, but, on the other hand, not so many and not so likely. They are just TOO incredible in this book. One example at the beginning--that obviously Alex must escape if the story is to continue-- (SPOILER!) is his escape from a Nissan that crashes over a rail on a steep mountain and into a deep, dark loch in the middle of night. Not only does he rescue himself, but he saves his girlfriend's father--all in freezing water. Then miraculously someone is right there to take them to a hospital for hypothermia.
But really, I don't care how extreme the circumstances. Horowitz is a rare and talented writer who can put words and plot lines together to make a reader want to read. That's worthy of recognition and respect. His books may not become classics, but they will endure to take down for a thrill ride when one is old and in the rocking chair and in need of a little action.
