Customer Reviews

Double Vision

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Once again, Randall Ingermanson had me on the edge of my seat with his newest romantic suspense novel. His opening line, "Keryn Wills was in the shower when she figured out how to kill Josh Trenton." compelled me to read more. The cast of main characters comes from varied backgrounds that interweave in surprising ways, and I nearly forgot these were fictional people. They seemed so real that I found myself wanting to call some of them.

Dillon Richards, one of the main characters, is a brilliant engineer with Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism. Ingermanson did a superb job of helping me understand what it might be like to be autistic. He also helps remove the stigma often attached to the condition by portraying Dillon as a person with real thoughts, concerns, and feelings. The supporting characters are colorful and entertaining without interfering with the story line.

Ingermanson explains the quantum tech ideas about computers so well that even a non-techie who failed physics (like me) understood the premise. The last 2/3 of the book kept me up way past my bedtime four nights in a row. The twists and turns held me in suspense, because every time I thought Keryn, Rachel, and Dillon were safe, they ended up in danger again.

His tagline on the back cover says it all. "Three secrets. Two women. One man. NO time." I thoroughly enjoyed his time-travel historical fiction books, Transgression, Premonition, and Retribution, and I look forward to his next book, whether it's contemporary or historical.

What happens when two diametrically opposed women are thrown into the den of an autistic but brilliant physics engineer? The fun starts when Dillon Richard, a man with zero experience with women finds both of these women interested in him. Rachel Meyers is an independent spirit, a biophysicist who has developed a quantum computer that could forever change the world. She is hired to work with Dillon to combine their talents to bring this computer to market.

Keryn Wills writes mysteries. She is also part-time financial officer at CypherQuanta, the same company for which Dillon and Rachel are working. Problem is, Keryn finds herself in the unwanted position of competing against the quirky, vivacious Rachel for Dillon's attention. Yet, despite her increasing jealousy, Keryn's job is to keep Dillon and Rachel together, and focused, so they can finish the quantum computer, which their company is depending on for their financial future.

However, it soon becomes apparent that their secret project has been discovered. Dillon's lab is vandalized. Grant O'Connell, their boss at CypherQuanta is acting uncharacteristically. As financial officer, Keryn knows their entire future depends on getting this project to market. Who has learned about the quantum computer? Before long, Keryn, Dillon and Rachel realize that not only is this project in jeopardy, but their lives very well may be in danger, too. And soon they are on the run. The thing is, they don't know who they are running from. And they don't know who they can trust. Not even the government.

This is a fantastic read. I'm certainly no physicist, but no special education needed to enjoy this one. Randall Ingermanson, himself a physicist, has created an intricate puzzle and fitting the pieces together will keep you occupied to the very last. As the tension mounts, Ingermanson manages to inject some fun moments as we watch Dillon try to learn about women and understand his attraction to both Rachel and Keryn, for totally different reasons. The two are nothing alike.

DOUBLE VISION had me turning the pages trying to find a good place to stop so I could go to sleep. Hard to find one. You'll love Dillon while you want to shake him at the same time, and you'll find yourself cheering for both Rachel and Keryn, curiously swapping your loyalties from one to the other throughout the story. Good reading-and great writing!

Peggy Phifer ©2004

A physicist with a sense of humor. Go figure.

For those of us who are acquainted with Randall Ingermanson, this comes as no surprise. The reader will learn, laugh, cry, stress out, ponder, and in the end, say: "How in the world does he think this stuff up?"

Dillon, the brilliant darling of CypherQuanta, suffers from Asperger's syndrome and conflicting emotions. Keryn, the novelist/CFO, is concerned not only about her manuscript's deadline, but also about the new young Caltech Ph.D. her boss has brought in for a special project. Enter flirty Rachel Myers, who has the beauty to go with her brains. Rachel turns heads with as much success as she talks quantum mechanics.

A lucrative computer brainchild spawns a life-threatening race as CypherQuanta's employees speed against time and seek refuge from those who wish to pilfer their technology. But who can they trust? The government? Their own boss?

Even a normal brain can wrap itself around this subject matter, which is a positive for the average reader. Humorous quirks and dialogue bring a unique reality to the characters. Harrowing dilemmas propel the reader forward on a ride as wild as any roller coaster. However, unlike a roller coaster ride, there is no down side to this book!

I look forward to more from this witty genius, and recommend Ingermanson to any reader who wants to lose himself in another world. Even if it's only for the few hours it takes to wolf down the tasty book of your choice.

Any suspense fan should run to buy this book. Each character is vivid and distinct, the action slams along non-stop, and the mystery keeps you absorbed until the end.

There is a small bit of geek speak to explain the quantum computer the bad guys are after. However, if the average reader doesn't quite understand the underlying scientific principles, it doesn't detract from enjoyment in this story.

Along with the aura of danger, Ingermanson's quirky signature humor is woven into the pages without dissipating the tension. He gives accurate portrayals of the dot-com companies, the high-tech atmosphere, and the culture of southern California.

The characters are larger-than-life, with abilities to awe the reader and personalities to make you root for them. A romance thread keeps you guessing until the last page, literally.

The spiritual thread is both subtle and not. Nothing "in your face" or overtly evangelical, but this clean fiction will both entertain and provide insight into how true Christians think and live.

I have no qualms about lending this book to teenaged boys in my church youth group--it has the action to keep them riveted but also the clear message of Christian living, right decisions, standing up for truth.

I've read and enjoyed a few of Randy's novels. The City of God series (Transgression, Premontion, Retribution) is among my favorites. His writing and marketing ezines are some of the best resources for wannabe writers like me. His Snowflake method for constructing a novel is a great tool for many who write.

I recently received a copy of this novel, Double Vision, and was anxious to dive into it. I was not disappointed. The story is one of quantum computers, nano-technology, humor, off the wall, yet endearing characters and--dare I say it . . . romance.

Dillon Richards is a brilliant and talented man. Like many with great talents, he has his own thorn in the flesh. Asperger's Syndrome. He's not Normal and he knows this. He doesn't think like you and me. He's very literal, logical, rational and intellectual. Order and structure are the pillars in his life. And yet he doesn't get the most simple things about people. Slang really does a number on him. Chaos and disorder in the lives of those around him confounds him. And women might as well really be from another planet.

Now he finds himself with a dream project that will revolutionize encryption and, not one, but two woman battling for his affections. Not only this, but now someone wants the technology he and his co-workers are developing. This technology being a last ditch effort to save the company he works for ramps up the action.

It's enough to make a guy with AS crazy. :-)

I enjoyed this novel and look forward to the time when I can read all of Randy's works.

In reading the reviews here I've noticed several comment negatively on Randy's 'simplistic' writing. Much of this novel is from Dillon's perspective and as such requires such an approach in my humble opinion. Dillon is so different from the common man that he doesn't speak or think like most people. This is reflected in much of the narrative involving him. I don't think it has anything to do with lack in Randy's writing style. Read his other works and see if you agree. Rather, I believe the more simple style was a technique Randy used for the Dillon character, as well as to help make the technical aspects of the story more accessible. Just my 1 cent there, buy what you will with it.

I'm not sure who wrote this book. I have read Mr. Ingermanson's others books (Oxygen, The Fifth Man, and the time-travel series) and those were good books, tightly written and with some good character depth.

This book, on the other hand, is very frivolous, shallow and silly. Maybe there was so much potential that it needed a more thorough treatment in an expanded series but, as another reviewer noted, it's all wrapped up in a nice neat package (with a thousand loose ends that don't seem thought through) so I'm glad to note we won't be seeing this band of goofballs in print again.

I'll check out more novels by this author if he continues to write, but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. :(

Randy's knowledge of physics is evident in this well-written romatic suspense. Just when you think you know what will happen, you get a surprise, right down to the end. I loved the plot twists and the way the story played out. A friend of mine, who is a physicist, said it was right on. The quantum mechanics encryption thing was a great premise for the plot. Zany characters, profound dilemmas and an awesome love triangle made this book hard to put down. Great stuff!

I picked up this book with high hopes, considering all the good reviews I've read regarding it. However, I was sorely disappointed with Ingermanson's simple - exceedingly simple - writing style and predictable plotline.

The book started off good enough and was quick to get into the action. In fact, the first few chapters of the book were the most enjoyable and clearly the most humorous of the entire novel. Certainly Dillion - the main character - is a novelty: an autistic with an unusual outlook on his fellow human beings. The love triangle between Dillion, Rachel and Keryn was equally interesting and entertaining. I was prepared to wholeheartedly enjoy this book, but ending up bored and dissatisfied in the end.

The biggest problem with this novel is the writing style. Ingermanson writes in such a simple, elementary style I found it hard to relate to any of the three main characters. Their emotions seemed insincere at best and artificial at worst. I eventually found myself not caring whether or not they made it alive till the end. And the only true suspense in the book - the carjacking - ending up being quickly resolved in the most cliche manner possible.

But the most disappointing part of the book had to be the ending. Terriblely unsatisfying. Everything resolves out sickeningly perfect. In fact, the author makes sure to round up ever character in the book in a classic Brady Bunch reunion the had me perfectly nauseated.

This whole book is even more disappointing because the Ingermanson had such a promising storyline and then just threw it away in slopshed writing and a boring ending. Sorry, but I won't be picking up another book from this author for a long time to come.

Dillon Richards is one of CyberQuanta's most talented computer programmers, but he isn't "Normal" like everyone else. Afflicted with "Asperger's Syndrome" his entire life, he's always seen life from a different perspective; through a different set of rules and regulations. To Dillon, order is the cure to chaos; logic the bedrock of existence, and rationality the key to a better life. He believes in science and God, and though both "faiths" have seemingly unsolvable contradictions, his belief in them remains unshakable. However, though he understands quantum string theory and the "multi-verse", he finds women and love to be inherently chaotic and impossible to understand - why would anyone allow themselves to fall in love in the first place?

Keryn Wills, part-time mystery author and financial accountant for CyberQuanta is just the type of woman Dillon finds interesting and fascinating. A committed Christian who loves books, talking about alternate universes and Shakespeare, Keryn seems to be the right fit for the order-conscious Dillon - until the vivacious, risky, and outlandish Rachel Meyers storms onto the scene. Not only is Rachel bold and beautiful, she's dreadfully smart, almost as skilled as Dillon himself, and not afraid to flaunt "what God gave her".

Suddenly, Keryn is faced with daunting competition for Dillon's affections...but is there really any competition? Despite her infectious zest for life, Rachael is horribly conflicted about God, and it's very possible that in his strictly ordered, nonsensical and logical world, Dillon finds the idea of relationships and love beneath him in the first place. What's a romantic mystery novelist to do?

Of course, throw in a revolutionary quantum computer that will change the way the world thinks about encryption, personal security and privacy; federal conspiracies and a flight from powers wanting the quantum computer for their own nefarious reasons, and these three individuals are thrown into a pressure cooker that will not only test their limits and entangle them in a web of deception, misdirection, and lies, but also force them to consider their relationship with each other and their relationship with the divine power behind all design and purpose - God himself.

Double Vision is a quirky tale full of suspense, humor, and intrigue that brings a fresh flavor to Christian fiction. Randall Ingermanson writes about romance with as much authority as he does about all things scientific, and a carefully structured narrative results in a solid story leaving no stone unturned, no loose ends, and a painstakingly concealed plot twist at the tale's conclusion. His depiction of Dillon as an adult afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome is authentic, and his character development - juggling three main characters - is rich and full of depth.

Though Double Vision is billed as "A Novel of Intrigue and Suspense", the real focus is the developing relationship between Dillon, Rachel, and Keryn. Most of the suspense serves to put all three characters into situations in which stress brings them closer together and challenges their preconceptions of each other and the world around them, but this doesn't detract from the novel in any way, just makes it much more of a character-driven story, rather than a plot-driven one. The suspense and action builds slowly, much like the movie The Pelican Brief (Denzel Washington; Julia Roberts), and we don't really go "on the run" until a little over half-way through the novel.

Though more of a romance novel than pulse-pounding action/suspense, Double Vision is sure to entertain and engage readers, and the conclusion does come out of "left field", surprising the reader with its revelations. For some quantum computing, romance, and intrigue, pick up Double Vision today.

Double Vision is an intriguing and entertaining story of three unlikely co-conspirators trying to keep the ultimate "Big Brother" technology from getting into the wrong hands. The hero, Dillon, struggles to understand the societal interactions most of us take for granted while also trying to handle his attraction to two very different women. Both Keryn and Rachel are strongly attracted to Dillon though neither understands his unique way of looking at the world. Meanwhile, they race together against time and against an unseen enemy to keep the world safe from misused technology. The story takes us into the far reaches of science, as well as the hidden corners of the human heart. The ending is both surprising and delightful. A thoroughly entertaining read!