Customer Reviews

The Lazarus Trap (Premier Mystery Series #2)

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

 

 

I have always enjoyed Davis Bunn's leisurely, but to the point, approach to his story telling. The Lazarus Trap breaks the mold, though; it is unusually fast paced. This is not a book you want to start on a weekday evening; unless, of course, you don't worry about calling in sick the next morning.

Imagine waking up, hurting all over, bleeding from the forehead; you have no memory of anything, including who you are. What you do have is a wad of cash in your pocket and a driver's license that says Jeffrey Adams. Even with nothing else to go on, Jeffrey Adams doesn't seem right.

In bits and pieces, fragments of his life start coming back to Val Haines; but the mystery is just beginning. Maybe an email in his computer will shed some light, so he replies to Audry. He was supposed to be dead. As it turns out, maybe being dead was for the best. A past that Val cannot outrun comes roaring back to life.

As good as this novel is, it would make a better movie.

This is my first Davis Bunn novel, and it is set in the world of corporate business, embezzlement, murder and betrayal, yet at the heart of the novel is solid characters and a wonderful story. Terrance D'Arcy and Val Haines are rivals in business and rivals in love. Val married Stephani but Terrance wanted her and soon set out to take her from Val. The story opens with Val Haines awakening in a jail cell having no memory of who he is. Soon, he is assumed to be dead because of a plot set in motion by Terrance. Val slowly regains his memory and soon remembers everything, but author Bunn chooses to reveal the plot and the Haines' past slowly, increasing the tension and suspense.

Bunn does a great job of establishng a heartbreaking situation. Val Haines is by no means a great man, but he has suffered through a painful divorce with a wife who has cheated on him. But who is right and wrong is not easy to figure out, especially when everyone's lives are being manipulated by Terrance D'Arcy. D'Arcy, as a villian, is almost over the top, with decade spanning ambitions for evil finally coming to fruition in this novel.

The above 2 paragraphs were written before I finished the novel, and the book's latter 2/3rds turn out to be a meandering mess. Bunn follows the story from Val Haines point of view and from Terrance D'Arcy. He alternates point of view every other chapter which keeps the reader from ever becoming comfortable with the story line. The hook of the book, that Val Haines has awakened without a memory and the world thinks he is dead, is resolved quickly and thus any suspense built up is gone. Author Bunn seems extremely focused on plot and therefore ignores the characters. Haines is supposedly attracted to Audrey D'Arcy, yet no past is given between them. Haines also supposedly remembers everything he forgot, and that memory should explain what he was doing in a seedy bar early in the morning at the beginning of the novel, yet that is never explained. Also, why did he lose his memory? An explanation is given but the memory loss gimick in the end just comes off as a cheap plot device.

This is supposedly a Christian novel, although there isn't any mention of God or faith anywhere. This novel doesn't have any objectionable material so can pass as an acceptable novel to discerning Christians. I final complaint has to do with the treatment of Val's ex wife. Glimpses of Paradise, a great Christian novel by James Scott Bell, has a similar problem but is strong enough to overcome it. Because of Terrance D'Arcy, Val and Stephanie split up. Terrance is an evil man who devoted his entire life to destroying Val. So although Stephanie had an affair with Val, is it entirely her fault. Also, Stephanie believes her child is Terrance's or is it or does she really beleive that. Bunn sets up Val's relationship with Stephanie to be the most tragic and the most in need of redemption. Also, Bunn isn't clear on who knows what. In my opinion, this relationship could have been saved if all the characters knew the truth. Either they did and chose not to act, or didn't and Bunn was a lazy writer, but in the end because I'm not sure is reason enough to be disappointed in Bunn's writing.

I'm surprised how disappointed I was in this novel because it starts out great. However, the premise of a man thought to be dead and waking without a memory is dealt with quickly and all we are left with is a cat and mouse chase and business thriller and characterization is pushed to the back burner leaving the reader wanting more depth to the characters.

I've been a fan of Davis Bunn's ever since reading his excellent The Great Divide a couple years ago. One of the best Christian authors around today, he's a consummate storyteller without (thank you!) being preachy. Not in the least. I also love his masterful use of language. Gorgeous, thoughtful, rich. And with The Lazarus Trap he's really ramped up the pace and excitement factor. I read it late into the night. Couldn't put it down. Excellent! Can't wait to read his next one. You should also check out Elixir. That dramatic opening surf scene had me right there riding the waves with him. And I don't surf. This man can write!

The Lazarus Trap is a fast paced novel with a good deal of action and international intrigue.

It takes place in New York, Orlando, England, and Jersey Island. The story features corporate treachery, massive embezzlement, murder, and English mafioso.

Val Haines is the protagonist who wakes up with amnesia. He slowly begins to regain his memory and the action begins. Although most of the book is very well done, I think that the ending is a bit anticlimactic. Nevertheless, it is very entertaining. It is also a rarity in novels in this genre. It is not filled with gratuitous profanity and sex scenes. It is a 'clean' read and well done.

I will likely read more of Mr. Bunn's work.

Reading mystery/fiction writings sometimes gives you a book full of cursing and language not fit to read, but this book is clean and does have an excitement about it. This is a face-paced book that keeps you on the end of your chair.
I do agree with the other reviewer to say that I don't understand why this book was in 'religous fiction' when it has nothing to do with God or faith in God at all. It was a good clean book, well written and enjoyable.

THIS WAS MEAN! But it was good. This is the credit I give to Mr. Bunn. It is a book that probably won't be for everyone, but for some it will be just what they need for a little inspiration.

You could almost mark this as a fictional "Catch Me if You Can", if anyone's read the book or seen the movie. Valentine Haines is EVERYWHERE in this cat and mouse type thriller! In a way, it sometimes gets just a little far fetched, but it still kept the pages turning for me. Bunn Makes a fist, and makes us deal with some very raw emotion. Take a little hatred, along with some vengeance motivated, add memory loss to fuel the fire a bit, and you've got "Lazarus Trap". Then just add the right gal and BOOM! You've got something worth reading here, worth the money, so to speak. Add some fisticuffs to the woodwork, just to make it interesting.

While this has good action, and while the approach is harsh throughout, Bunn somehow manages to do it with the elegance he always maintains through a Davis Bunn read. I don't know HOW he does it, but that's what has made him an author to read in the past. He also has a message, and it is worth sharing with everyone. That's what keeps me coming back for more, every time!

this is the first book of Davis Bunn i have read. it was fast paced and for the most part thrilling. Val....the lazarus of the story suddenly disappears......not really. he awakens in a jail and is amnesic. in a very short time he has most of what is neeed of his memory back and is being hunted by 2 of his collegues. the mafia gets involved and of course there are dead. in the end Val is vindicated and becomes an honorable person. i was hooked by just reasing the first chapter in Sams club and had to buy it.