Customer Reviews

The Eden Prophecy: A Thriller

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

 

 

Graham Brown's latest thriller opens, as these things often do, with a prologue. Not set in antiquity, but dealing with antiquities--specifically on an archeological dig in Iran, circa 1979, just as the American hostages have been taken. All hell is breaking loose in the country, and what is briefly found is quickly lost again. Next at the United Nations in present day New York, an American delegate opens a letter containing a lot more than empty threats. The building is quarantined.

Soon after that, readers are reunited with Hawker and Danielle Laidlaw, the NRI operatives who are the male and female protagonists of two prior novels. (Knowledge of their previous exploits is nice, but not necessary for the enjoyment of this latest.) These two and the agency get dragged into the drama above through an acquaintance of Hawker's colorful past. And that's really about all you need to know. The fun of these books is in the twists and turns and non-stop forward momentum. Mr. Brown has always excelled at acceleration. His books move at a lightning pace.

My favorite aspect of these novels continues to be the smart integration of science within the plots. Whatever the discipline (and he's tackled quite a few at this point), the author always appears to have done his homework. In addition to the science, Brown's prior novel, Black Sun, dealt with a well-known Mayan prophecy. This book, as the title indicates, returns to Judeo-Christian territory most creatively.

Black Rain, the novel in which Danielle and Hawker were introduced, was very much peopled by an ensemble cast. The two characters were at their best when surrounded by and interacting with others. Alas, a lot of their associates tend to die, and as this novel opens the two alone are at the center of the action. Fortunately, as the story moves forward, the cast expands. For some reason, I still find these appealing characters to be at their best when they have others to play off of. It makes me wonder if I really do want these two to get together, while at the same time feeling frustration for the things that keep them apart.

This novel wraps up reasonably completely, so there's no indication of what to expect next from Mr. Brown or his characters. Whatever it is, I'm counting on it being brainy, brawny, and byzantine.

At her office in the UN building, US Ambassador Claudia Gonzales receives a legal sized letter marked Diplomatic, Materials, Private and Confidential from the office of the Secretary General. She opens it and reads a horrifying threat that claims she is now carrying a virus that will rapidly spread; her fingers are stained making the final salutation gut her stomach: "Welcome to hell."

While medical and anti-terrorist experts look into the unknown virus; in Paris, Dr. Ranga Milan feels alone amidst a crowd. He wonders how much further the once prestigious geneticist will fall. His fingerprints are on the envelope sent to Ambassador Gonzales. Desperate and frightened, Dr. Milan sends a plea for help to a friend and fellow exile, former CIA agent Hawker. Dropping everything Hawker goes to Paris where he finds NRI operative Danielle Laidlaw also seeking Milan. They find the scientist dead, a victim of torture. Hawker and Laidlaw team up to seek the person who viciously murdered Milan who most likely deployed the virus.

This is an exciting action-packed thriller that never allows the reader a respite from the opening scene in 1979 Iran as the Revolution begins to the final confrontation. Fast-paced throughout, The Eden Prophecy is an entertaining good vs. evil battle with a Proto-Elamite script on a scroll and tablet from the same biblical era as the Dead Sea finds. Over the top of the Zagros Mountains and under the streets (in Beirut) fans will enjoy touring the Middle East with Hawker and his growing team.

Harriet Klausner

Stop me if you've heard this before: terrorists are about to unleash a dangerous new virus on an unsuspecting world. Yes, you've heard it before. You're also familiar with the chase scenes (this book features a car and motorcycle chasing a boat and dune buggies chasing ATVs), gunfights, explosions, hot women, studly men, and exotic locales, all standard ingredients in the recipe for a movie-style thriller. There's even a villain named Draco and some international finance intrigue involving stolen artwork. So why bother to open this book when it sounds like bad imitation of a Bond movie? A few reasons come to mind.

First, the virus is designed to infect cells but leave them intact, rather than destroying them as would a typical virus. The purpose of the infection isn't immediately clear, but once it was revealed I had to give Graham Brown credit for avoiding the obvious. His virus isn't unique -- I've seen the concept before -- but it isn't trite. Second, the terrorist group isn't one of the usual suspects (hint: it isn't Islamic!). Third, before it turns into a Bond film, the novel sounds like a Dan Brown story, complete with archeologists and a lost scroll written in a lost language that holds the key to .... something. The intersection of the two thriller subgenres produces an intriguing result, even if it's not quite new. Fourth, the novel has important things to say about overpopulation and torture and the inequities that result from making medical research largely dependent upon a market economy. There's also a useful theological message: Question authority, even (or especially) if the authority is biblical, but don't invite Armageddon to prove the falsity of divinity.

But enough of messages and plot points. The real reason to read The Eden Prophecy, despite its familiarity, is simple: it's a good book. In addition to the standard story about good guys saving humanity from bad guys, there is a more personal story about saving a child from a fast-approaching death, although it fades into the background until the final chapters. The good guys, National Research Institute operative Danielle Laidlaw and an ex-mercenary named Hawker, have been road tested in Brown's earlier novels, Black Rain and Black Sun. (Reading the prior novels isn't necessary to understand this one, but doing so would enhance a reader's appreciation of the secret revealed at the novel's climax.) Laidlaw and Hawker aren't complex characters but Brown gives them good chemistry. The story races along faster than a turbo-charged dune buggy. Brown's writing style is clean and direct, well-suited to an action-driven story. The "race against the clock" ending might be too predictable, too movie-like despite the insertion of a final plot twist, but it's consistent with the novel's slightly outrageous, cocky attitude.

The Eden Prophecy is well researched: in addition to the Old Testament (as suggested by the title), we hear about ancient languages and Gilgamesh and telomeres and Middle Eastern geography and the 5.9K event (a geological event, not a race). A surprising amount of information is packed into this novel. Still, I don't recommend The Eden Prophecy for its history or science lessons. I recommend it because it's fun. I would give The Eden Prophecy 4 1/2 stars if that option were available.

Loved this book! Another great adventure with Danielle & Hawker. You will not be disappointed, i highly recommend you read this book! I was totaly surprised and amazed while along for the ride. Keep them coming!!!

Have you ever read a movie? We don't mean a screenplay, but a thriller action/adventure that uncoils in your mind as you turn the pages? With the complex twists and deep underlying revelations of a Dan Brown novel and the rollercoaster speed of a Michael Bay film, "The Eden Prophecy" is one of the most satisfying, impossible-to-put down novels your reviewer has read in a long time.
We have Hawker, the James Bond-ish agent who travels the world righting wrongs and doing good deeds, but he is neither perfect nor superhuman, which is a nice touch. With Danielle--his co-operative with whom he may or may not be in love--Hawker goes up against the newest breed of terrorist: the possessors of a new virus that can wipe out humanity...or can it? Can it end life prematurely, or prolong it forever? In either case, humanity would be doomed.
The author convincingly leads us to the present site of the Biblical Garden of Eden, where the virus is found in the fruit of, yes, The Tree of Life. He takes us to the slums of Paris and the Iranian desert and the most dangerous parts of Africa and the high-tech genetic labs of the world. He gives us antiques from the time of Adam and clear explanations of the latest genetic engineering. More importantly, he give us characters who live and breathe, especially a hero who does not take bullets with the impunity of a Fearless Fosdick, but endures physical, emotional, and mental anguish as those he cares for and those he never met are faced with extinction. While we thrill as he rides his motorcycle through Paris, chasing the boat with the bad guys, we never think to utter the "bull" word, but can't wait to turn the page to see how this scene plays out.
Mr. Graham is a very skilled writer, a master of bringing together action, pathos, thrills, excitement, science, and philosophy. We cannot recommend this novel with any more enthusiasm. In a word, it is a TREAT.
Reviewed by Elliott Capon, author of "Prince of Horror" published by Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine

If Danielle and Hawker continue toward emotional maturity at the rate they do in this book they will need the secret they sought to obtain the several lifetimes they will require.An otherwise good read hampered by the pettiness of the characters that becomes a major distraction.