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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Engrossing page turner with a WMD theme, April 26, 2003
This review is from: Living Proof (Paperback)
This is the kind of book that is terrific to pick up when you want a readable, absorbing, thrill-a-minute page-turner that pushes away the woes and cares of everyday life. Peter Thompson shows great promise here as an author of science-based suspense thrillers, and *Living Proof* is all the more exemplary in its employment of "secret biological warfare experiments" subject matter, which recent political events have rendered uncomfortably plausible. Readers may differ as to whether they believe our government is capable of the kind of conspiratorial skullduggery suggested by Thompson. My own impression was that while the basic premise that the government might develop illegal secret weapons is sadly realistic, some aspects of the "secret plan" uncovered as the story unfolds were ultimately too bizarre even for most hardcore conspiracy buffs. But sorry, no spoilers! As is typical for this kind of quick-read thriller, the major characters (and especially the "bad guys") are drawn with a fairly broad brush without a lot of complexity. So it goes. Despite the obvious made-for-the-big-screen chararacteristics of both personalities and plot, this book succeeds as entertainment. I think that's sufficient to pronounce Thompson's effort here a success overall.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Timely Thriller..., March 4, 2003
This review is from: Living Proof (Paperback)
There's a dark vein of paranoia in every reader of suspense novels. Deep inside, many of us see ourselves as potential prey, the hapless mouse toyed with by some malignant power, merciless and faceless. We can run, but we can't hide-- and therein lies the delicious tingle we feel with every turn of the page. And with LIVING PROOF, the debut novel by Peter J. Thompson, you'll be turning pages long into the night. At its core, LIVING PROOF is a classic man-on-the-run tale. It is replete with danger at every turn, relentless pursuit by remorseless forces, betrayal and narrow escapes. But "classic" here means anything but dated. The themes woven throughout LIVING PROOF are so timely you could set a chronometer by them: wrongful conviction by a flawed judicial system; the morality of the death penalty; dark manipulations by a government obsessed with its own secrets; even the question of illegal biological weapons development. Thompson clearly has his finger on the pulse of today's headlines, and his writing skills ensure that his readers will feel their own hearts racing as a result. The author shows a fine talent for crafting action scenes that pack a furious, visceral punch. In summary, LIVING PROOF is a strong first novel from a promising new voice. ... I'm eager to see more from him in the future.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A terrifying conspiracy endangers mankind., March 11, 2003
This review is from: Living Proof (Paperback)
Ramon Willis is on Death Row in Texas at the beginning of "Living Proof," a thriller by first-time author Peter Thompson. Willis was convicted of murder, and he is on the verge of being executed, despite his repeated claims of innocence. Lena Dryer is an ambitious reporter who interviews Ramon for a series of newspaper articles that she is writing on the death penalty. Soon, Ramon becomes a target when he uncovers a bizarre conspiracy involving the prison system and high-ranking members of the military. He enlists Lena's aid and the pair frantically try to stop the plan before it is implemented. If Ramon and Lena are caught, they will be quickly eliminated. Thompson does a good job of setting up the novel. His opening sequences effectively draw the reader into the action. Thompson's characterization of the death penalty, Texas style, is chilling and realistic. Without editorializing, the author brings home the horrifying nature of assembly-line executions. Thompson maintains a high level of suspense throughout the book, keeping the reader turning pages anxiously to see how the story will play out. I liked the character of Ramon, an intelligent and compassionate individual who used his time in prison to "get his act together". There are a few areas where the book falters. Conspiracy theories are a staple of current fiction, and the conspiracy in "Living Proof" is a little too far out to be believed. The villains are stereotypes, with no shading or subtlety. In addition, as the book progresses, the plot becomes rushed and repetitious, as the good guys constantly scramble to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. However, "Living Proof" is a worthy first effort. Peter Thompson is a promising author with a knack for writing suspense and I look forward to his development as a writer.
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