Customer Reviews

Deadspin

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

 

 

I have a tendency to wander the aisles of bookstores and buy fiction that can most easily be described as "books with airplanes on the cover." Books by Dale Brown, Dean Ing, etc. I picked up Deadspin through the same heuristic. Obviously it wasn't a technothriller in my usual vein, but on the other hand I've also been known to read and enjoy a Grisham novel or two.

Anyway, I bought the book, and my "verdict" is that it is a good read and that it showcases a writer with a lot of talent. MacGregor indulges in cliches, of course, but he doesn't prop his story up on them. Nor does he prop it up on science or an industry that he doesn't understand. I'm not saying he doesn't understand the "techno", just that he shies away from technobabble that might belie an understanding, if you know what I mean.

What I liked about this book, somewhat surprisingly, was MacGregor's very careful drawing of his protagonist, the litigator Lang, a man with loyalties, morality, responsibilities, and decency. Although some scenes are viewed through other characters' eyes, the book is essentially a third-person narrative told from Lang's viewpoint, and he turns out to be a character with whom it is not only easy but pleasant to identify. This is unusual in this age of monotonous eight hundred page omniscient--and uniformly ambiguously moral--"thrillers."

The thing I found most lacking, or perhaps that I most wanted to find, was the sharp sense of humor and irony that John Grisham and even, nowadays, Tom Clancy inject into their works. I wanted a twist or two toward the end, a surprise or an O'Henry hook, but it never materialized. Realistic perhaps, but I have the History Channel for that.

Deadspin is a freefall; a heart-pounding legal thrill-ride, packed with politics and seared by the white hot lights of a media frenzy. The story of a sharp, secure, somewhat cocky litigator unwittingly sucked into another man's war against a dynamic presidential hopeful, is laced with layers of convincing conspiracies. Riveting and memorable scenes transport the reader across three continents as this multi-level battle of ambition is masterfully woven by an extraordinary new storyteller. Obviously MacGregor knows his way around the courthouse, but it is his impressive ability to use less words to say more that makes him unique in his field. Encircling the hero and villain are myriad supporting characters so roundly developed that you leave the book wishing for sequels, pre-quels and spin-offs. Buckle up. This is one wild ride on an experimental, recreational aircraft with a tendency to spin and leave the reader breathless. Deborah Roffino/DZR0545 @ AOL.com

He has the charisma of a Kennedy (the previous generation), the charm and statesmanship of Ronald Reagan (the presidential era), and the mystique of Howard Hughes (the recluse period). He was once a poor person, but established a dynasty that turned him into one of the richest men in the world. Currently, he is the front-runner in the race for the Oval office. However, Russell Lindstrom is, in reality, a traitor to the United States.

A cadre of former military officers known as "The Fortress" realize what Lindstrom is. They have no concrete proof that the Republican candidate illegally sold technology to the enemy during the Viet Nam conflict or that he sold prohibited electronic parts to the Sandinistas, etc. One particular member of "The Fortress" lost a brother in Nam due to Lindstrom's machinations. He plans to discredit the villain. He chooses litigator Christopher Lang as the person who can stop the cancer from spreading any further by proving Lindstrom committed fraud. Lang, unaware that he is being manipulated, knows that he must stop the evil giant before he enters the White House.

This pulse pounding espionage/legal thriller is a one sitting read. Gregory Michael MacGregor's debut novel delivers a knock out that leaves readers stunned by the quality of the prose and the brilliant characterizations. DEADSPIN is the ultimate conspiracy thriller because it seems so plausible and its characters come right out of the media. Even after completing the novel, its impact lingers as readers reaffirm that politicians should never be only judged at face value.

Harriet Klausner

Imagine a collaborative effort from the minds of Tom Clancy and John Grisham. Now throw in the suspense of Crichton's "Jurassic Park." You're on your way to visualizing the hi-tech courtroom drama of "Deadspin." MacGregor has concocted a pulsating storyline populated by characters so real they jump off the page into your mind, lingering for hours after you stop reading, beckoning you back to the book. That is, until the final 150 pages, where I defy you to put it down until you reach the end. I only hope you don't reach that end late into the night, because the adrenaline rush will make it very hard to sleep! Strongly recommend. This is going to be a big hit!

Deadspin delivers an interesting plot with well-developed characters. What kept this book from being a top-notch legal thriller for me, however, is Macgregor's too heavy emphasis on describing every mood, thought and motivation his main characters experience. As a result, the book dragged on in many passages and, thus, was unable to sustain a high level of continuous excitement. The old adage "less is more" definitely applies for Deadspin. If Deadspin was 100 pages or so shorter, it would have been a much better book. Overall, Deadspin is entertaining and you probably won't be disappointed if you read it -- but there are much better books out there in this genre.

I am a sucker for a well researched, well written, fast moving book. Here's one that I'll save to read again and an author that I'll watch for on the shelves.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing from page one, and ended with enough twists and turns to simulate the infamous "deadspin" itself. It's a well-informed legal drama, a riviting courtroom story, and even full of human interest.

It's just about 100 pages too long.

By the time the central case goes to trial, I'd lost patience, skimmed the trial itself, and then read the last 3 chapters. I wanted to like this book, but it just wouldn't quit!

I've read books twice this size with no problem, but this story just couldn't hold my attention to the last page. If you have the time and the patience, give it a try. If you don't... well, I managed to understand it without reading the whole thing, maybe you can too.