Customer Reviews

The Shadow Box

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As someone who has read and enjoyed "Mosaic" and "Time Out of Mind", I delved into "Shadow Box" with great anticipation. Alas for my expectations! Maxim seems to have been having a difficult time writing this novel. Most jarring of all are the "jumping tenses," by which I mean literally within the same sentence the verbs will change from present to past to future tense. Maybe this is some literary tool that's supposed to make the tale more suspenseful; I found it annoying. Also, some of the plot devices has the hero seemingly unusually thick-headed (I'm thinking, 'for Pete's sake, man, it's called a contact lense!') just so his heroine can be brilliant and explain the whole thing to him later.

That being said, the relationships between the characters are extremely convincing and well-developed, the motivations behind the bad guys' actions are mysterious and revealed masterfully, and I also especially enjoyed the character of Moon (he should have his own book!). Maxim's worst is still better than the majority of books written in his chosen genre.

I would strongly recommend this book to fans of suspense fiction. It is compelling, dramatic and features some very interesting character, including one of the best, most loathsome villains I've encountered in a while. I will definitely be on the lookout for more Maxim books after this one!

"John R. Maxim" wrote:

I know I shouldn't bother, but I'm having a slow day. So, let's see. What can I deduce about you?

You're mean-spirited dick head. That much is clear. You're negative, opinionated, self-important, a boor and probably a coward. Therefore, you're certainly unpopular, ridiculed by those who know you, and your sex life must be almost non-existant. You live a life that's devoid of grace, good manners, or any worthwhile accomplishment. The latter would explain why you feel the need to tear down what everyone else has praised.

How am I doing? No, don't tell me. If I see a reply, I'll delete it unread. I'd be willing to bet that almost everyone who knows you wishes that they had a button they could press that would make you shut up and go away.

JRM

Maxim writes well and I enjoyed this book. Although this novel is a "thriller" by definition, the parts of Maxim's writing that I enjoy most are not the action parts of a book. It is the character deveopment, the location descriptions, and the love story that I really like. The author does an excellent job with those things in this novel. Just the right length too; not stretched out nor too thin. You will enjoy Maxim's other books if you like this one. I did and do.

Thought this was a great story and am buying several copies to give as gift. I've read most of Maxim's novels (the 4 Bannerman books are great too) and I haven't been disappointed with any of his work. As for the negative critics listed here, JRM's reply says it all (I'm still laughing about it).

The Shadow box is the one of the best books I read. It's trilling, and it will keep you on your feet to the very end of the book. It's about a man who is losing everything and everyone he knows to what he thinks is a cruel city. He is getting tired of running, and he's making a stand. In this thriller there is many little twist and turns in it. So, if you're into a good twisting and turning in a book you should read the shadow box.

What started off as just something to do in the sun on holiday turned into the finest read ever. Every time I put the book down, and that was tough, I would look forward to the next installment. Maxim has found a sublime way of mixing suspense, intrigue, politics and violence with a deep character analysis that allows us to believe in the lives of Michael Fallon and his people. Makes me want to take a trip to Martha's Vineyard and find my very own Megan Cole.

Loved the book, the characters are easy to become attached to and the plot is a new one. I especially like how he fills in details as the story goes, not giving away all the background info during the first chapters. I stayed up till 6AM twice to finish it. Loved it, but I don't think my roommate or my grades for that matter appreciated it.

Maxim surprised me with his ability to provide enough surprises without making the story sound unbelievable. The story, while somewhat annoying in the middle, comes through with a fantastic finale scene fit for the Silver Screen.

I have read everything I can lay my hands on from John Maxim, and some of them (especially the Bannerman series and Time Out of Mind) twice--or more. This one both kept me on the edge of my seat and made my hand shake when I took my prescriptions at night! Buy anything you can get of Maxim's--he's a great writer, and you can't go wrong! John and Lou, if you're reading this--WE WANT MORE BANNERMAN!