The Highest Form of Killing [Paperback]

Malcolm Rose (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 18, 1995

Three young people begin to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding a series of deaths at the Ministry of Defense. “The novel, set in England, moves quickly; the characters are developed fully; and the theme of chemical and biological warfare offers interesting subject matter for individual or group response. Rose captures the structure of the mystery well, builds strong emotional ties among the three primary characters, and provides a compelling theme for young adult readers.”-English Journal

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Chemist Derek Thorn, his student and paramour Sylvia Cooper, and Sylvia's former boyfriend Mark Little stumble across clandestine, government-sponsored chemical weapons experiments while investigating the mysterious death of Derek's sister. When the threesome's search for the truth is stymied by an official cover-up, the conflict between their evolving romantic triangle and their opposing political and moral opinions brings events to a mesmerizing, tragic climax. In this ambitious work, Rose attempts to blend intrigue and action with amatory interludes and philosophical debates. Except for a few awkward transitions and one or two heavy-handed conversations, he pulls it off with considerable style and verve. The English seacoast settings and thoroughly British tone make this riveting thriller especially captivating for Anglophiles. Ages 14-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-- After animal-rights activists break into a high-security laboratory run by the British Ministry of Defense, mysterious deaths start occurring. Sylvia and her ex-boyfriend Mark find a body, suicide note, and a stolen vial of something called T42, while Sylvia's university advisor , Derek Thorne , coincidentally becomes involved when his sister is reported as having been killed in a car accident at a nearby beach, though no body is found. Sylvia, Mark, and Derek, determined to investigate the ensuing cover-up, discover that the Ministry has created a chemical weapon that can wipe out an entire city with a single drop. Their romantic triangle (Sylvia is now sleeping with Derek) complicates their actions and eventually leads to a rash and dangerous attempt to blackmail the authorities by threatening to release T42 on an unsuspecting public. This absorbing thriller has a good plot but weak characters; their actions and thoughts are presented but they never come to life as people readers will care about, and their physical descriptions are disconcertingly given several chapters after they have been introduced. The novel is very adult in tone. As its strong point is its entertaining plot, it might have been more successful as a screenplay than as a work of literature. --Lyle Blake Smythers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Graphia (April 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152003738
• ISBN-13: 978-0152003739
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,600,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it!, June 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Highest Form of Killing (Paperback)

I recieved this book as a gift from my parents. At first I thought it would be boring, the title didn't sound very appealing to me, and the beginning of the book didn't really grab my attention. But as I read on the story seemed to weave into a plot of excitement with an undercurrent of romance, fullfilled in a love triangle between the 3 main characters. The story line really grabbed my attention, pleading me to read on faster, just to find out what happened. Mark, Slyvia and Derek, the 3 main characters, each have a realistic personality which gives the story an even more lifelike feel. Although the story is based upon the dissapearance and leacking of a highly dangerouse, poisonouse gas, linking with the MOD and Military, you do not need to have any interest in these fields- I don't, and I still found the book an excellent read! I have read this book 3 times already, and each time I still get wrapped up in the story line, and cry at the ending. I would advise anyone who enjoys reading books for young adults/elderly teens to definitely give this book a try.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, June 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Highest Form of Killing (Paperback)

This book, The Highest Form of Killing wasa weel writen book. At first you were on the edge of yoursets but as the story moved on it got less and less interesting. I would recomend it to anyone who likes mysteries and has time.