Desperate Measures [Hardcover]

David Morrell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 1994

Obituary writer Matt Pittman has reached the end of the line but, as his finger tightens on the trigger, the phone rings...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the seventh thriller from the creator of Rambo (introduced in First Blood), yet another defeated soul becomes a rebellious dynamo eluding evil minions of the Establishment as he campaigns violently for personal justice. His son's slow death from cancer has ended Matt Pittman's marriage and led him to quit his newspaper job and stick a gun in his mouth. Before Matt pulls the trigger, however, his editor calls in a last payback, assigning him to a deathbed interview with Jonathan Millgate, one of five patrician diplomats who have recommended war to every President since Truman and grown rich from ties to the arms industry. Arriving at the Manhattan hospital just as the other four are spiriting Millgate away, Matt follows them to a walled estate, into which he breaks to find Millgate struggling, his life supports detached. Hooked back up, the old man mutters, "Duncan... The snow... Grollier" before guards send Matt running for his life. Daybreak finds the former reporter wanted for murder, his assets frozen and a gunsel in his apartment. So begins Matt's bloody journey to the truth. Morrell is a master of formula action fiction and his fans won't be disappointed by the complex but hurtling plot. Major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Burned-out and grief-stricken after the death of his son, journalist Matthew Pittman is sitting in his bathtub with a loaded revolver pointed at the roof of his mouth when the telephone rings. His suicide interrupted, Matthew is assigned to write an obituary for the dying Jonathan Millgate, an 80-year-old member of a prestigious group that advises U.S. presidents. Soon, however, Millgate is kidnapped from his deathbed and killed, and Pittman is accused of the murder. Fleeing Millgate's true murderers and the police they control, Pittman suddenly gains interest in a life that he was prepared to abandon only days before. Here, best-selling author Morrell is at the top of his craft. The in-depth characterization, believable and unpredictable plot developments, and psychological depths of this thriller will draw all readers. Libraries should put it at the top of their must-buy lists for the fall.
--Alice DiNizo, Raritan P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (August 11, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074721056X
• ISBN-13: 978-0747210566
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Desperate Measures" was Very Good!, February 15, 2004

By 

Vickie R. Terhune "James" (Northwest Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desperate Measures (Mass Market Paperback)

Have you ever bought a First Edition hardback book at a grocery store? Well, a grocery store is where I found several (like-new-condition) copies of this book a few months ago, so I got one. I hope David Morrell never reads this review, because I paid a mere 50 cents (priced as two books for $1) for the book, the stock of which I guess was remaindered from an out-of-business bookstore. The book sat on the top shelf of my bookcase for a while until about four days ago, when I took the novel down and decided: "Ah, what the heck, I'll give it a whirl"--and I was hooked from the first page! After Thursday evening, during most of the following Friday, then Saturday evening (Feb 12th, 13th, 14th) the pages kept turning.
I really liked this book; I have two more of Morrell's (First Edition) novels, "Burnt Sienna" and "Extreme Denial", that I look forward to reading since I was pleased with "Desperate Measures". "Desperate Measures" was a fairly original story/plot with a TON of action and suspense. Morrell's writing style is accessible; however, I think in some parts/scenes the action was a bit too quick (I like a mildly-paced story, not too fast but not too slow). All in all, this book was well worth what I paid for it. Also, the novel's dust-jacket is the prettiest I've ever seen (the sparkling red cover caught my eye when I saw it). I give "Desperate Measures" 4 stars, though, because no book is one hundred percent perfect. Nevertheless, Morrell's "Desperate Measures" is worth reading. Recommended? Yes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MadManMike, March 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Desperate Measures (Hardcover)

If You Like A Fast Read...

I read this book start to finish in about 6 hours. Better than I expected after picking up a first edition hardback version off the bargain rack.

The pace is fast, the dialog is girpping. I've argued that nobody writes a thriller like Stephen Hunter (Point of Impact is the best book I've ever read) but David Morrell could prove me wrong. This book was an incredible, non-stop adventure. I found myself cheering for Pittman throughout.

It is a great book that doesn't resort to graphic gore or trash talking. I've recently purchased Brotherhood of the Rose and I look forward to reading that work by Morrell also.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A well developed main character makes this a great read, July 16, 2001

By 

"kleac" (Murray, Ky USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desperate Measures (Mass Market Paperback)

This book pulls you in quickly. You follow the main character as he runs into one dangerous situation after another. The plot may be old hat after you finish the book, and if you really reflect on it, it seems dull and obvious, but while reading Morrell's books, you just can't put them down. I reccomend all of Morrell's books. This one might not be his best, but its a good read.