Customer Reviews

Dantes' Inferno (Nova Audio Books)

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When an elementary school class was asked to select between going to Universal Studios and Getty Center in Los Angeles, they chose the latter. That decision led to a lifetime of regrets at least for those who survived the bomb blast that killed their teacher and ten year old Jason Redding. Dr. Sweetheart, a counter terrorist expert and the uncle of Jason believes that anarchist John Dantes is the culprit. Using all his contacts, Sweet launches a manhunt that culminates in the capture of Dantes.

Dantes asks Dr. Sylvia Strange, a forensic psychologist, to fly to California to administer court ordered test. As the pair battle for supremacy, Sylvia becomes convinced John did not commit this crime, but instead is a victim of a cunning predator playing deep-rooted psych games with all of them. Her theory soon converts her and Sweetheart from hunter to hunted, as they struggle to survive a deadly killer.

Serial bombers are a product of the last forty years so that data is limited and subsequently profiling is difficult. DANTE'S INFERNO uses that premise to build a fantastic story line based on one knowledgeable pro Trying to destroy the infrastructure of a city. Sarah Lovett's latest Dr. Sylvia entry is an exhilarating read due to the antihero John gaining grudging respect from an audience who want to see him burning in hell.

Harriet Klausner

This is a powerful, fast-paced story. I especially enjoyed the literary allusions so thoughtfully and accessibly woven into the novel. Ms. Lovett's use of the Inferno's geography of hell is fascinating and, added to the things we experience with her always-deep characters, makes complex moods and a terrific foreboding that continually draws in the reader. When I finished the book I felt like I knew these people (including the villains) and had been through a lot with them.

Dante's Inferno, despite a fairly intricate plot, fails to deliver much suspense or mystery. Most of the developments upon which the story twists and turn were formulaic and predictable. Sylvia's character is one-dimensional, and the adventures in which she participates would never be remotely possible in a real life setting. The other characters simply hover around Sylvia, who calls the shots for police, forensics, FBI,other psychiatrists, and the rest of a large but poorly defined cast of supporters. Even sociopath John Dantes comes across as wooden, as he helplesslessly becomes enamoured of Sylvia while trying to manipulate her. This is a long book not worth the effort it requires to reach the "climax".

Los Angeles is known as many things. A city under siege is not one of them. But a madman, an intelligent yet devious madman, holds the city hostage.

John Dantes has already been convicted as a murderous bomber. The threat remains even with Dantes behind bars. Someone else is out there - working with or against him.

Dr. Sylvia Strange is called in as the last hope of penetrating Dantes' outer shell. And while Dantes plays cruel mind games, more bombs rock the city.

Sylvia is quickly thrust into the center of a carefully calculated plan. Trying to get into Dantes' head could cost innocent people their lives, as well as her own.

There's only one way to stop the source. Get into the mind of a killer. And get out before the timer hits zero.

Sarah Lovett has really done her homework. It's easy to see an incredible amount of research went into creating this novel. Lovett's talent for writing vivid action scenes put that research to good use.

The fourth outing for Dr. Sylvia Strange is the best one yet. Although the plot of "Dantes' Inferno" might seem familiar, there is enough that is new to keep the reader interested. John Dantes is a particularly interesting villain, both for his brilliance and his passivity. We're never quite sure what he's up to, if anything. Watching him match wits with Sylvia makes for excellent reading.

Unlike most thrillers, this is an intelligent book, interweaving an above-average plot with an allegorical depiction of Los Angeles as Dante's (note the similarity to Dantes) nine-circled Hell. Throw in the psychological study of "Dantes' Inferno's" twisted bad guys and it's clear that author Lovett is one smart lady. I look forward to returning to this series in the future.

Reviewed by David Montgomery, Mystery Ink