Desperate Measures

Rating:
Summary: Once you get past the first 35 pages, its quite a ride!
Review: Newspaper reporter Matt Pittman, the protagonist, is literally preparing to kill himself with his pistol out of grief for his son that has died from cancer when the phone rings. Pittman decides to answer it because he wants to make sure that he exits this life without owing anything to anyone. It is his best friend and his boss who covered for him innumerable times when his son was sick. He asks for one more favor and Pittman reluctantly goes back on the job for one more story.

It was at this point in the book that I was about ready to close it up and start another book because the whole "I'm going to kill myself" angle was getting very, very old.

Suddenly, the pace of the book changed and Pittman's research into a well-connected diplomat leads to murder, mayhem and a multi-state manhunt for Pittman. From about page 35 on the book is a roller-coaster of a ride, very reminescent of 'The Fugitive'. It is well worth the read - despite the fact that you have to slog through the first 35 pages.

Rating:
Summary: Morell Does it again
Review: Once again David Morrell does not disapoint. Desperate Measures is a great read by the man who brought us First Blood , Brotherhood Of The Rose, and other great novels. This is another great book that has great character development. Mat Pitman starts out wanting to end his own life but when he is given a assignment he begins to fight for his life. Part of Morrell's magic is that he can make you see what the characters are going through and always make each event in the book be significant when it comes to the end. He also shares yet another political view of McCarthyism and the Red Scare in the 1950's which is what this book's plot is all about. Mr. Morrell does it again.

Rating:
Summary: Made-for-TV type fluff
Review: Reading this book was like watching a made-for-TV movie; it was somewhat entertaining, somewhat predictable, somewhat preposterous and completely forgetable. I read this during a beach vacation and it definitely kept me interested, but always in the back of my mind was this voice telling me how ridiculous the book was. Read it if you have nothing better to read.

Rating:
Summary: Made-for-TV type fluff
Review: Reading this book was like watching a made-for-TV movie; it was somewhat entertaining, somewhat predictable, somewhat preposterous and completely forgetable. I read this during a beach vacation and it definitely kept me interested, but always in the back of my mind was this voice telling me how ridiculous the book was. Read it if you have nothing better to read.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting and interesting
Review: Stimulating read. David Morrell always gives me a terrible night's sleep (because I tend to read until the wee hours of the morning.) This book is no exception.

Rating:
Summary: Not Morrell's best
Review: Suspenseful at times, good action, but a pattern develops, as I remember (it's been 2 or 3 years since I've read it). The pattern is: 1. our hero runs to a person for help; 2. within minutes assassins kill the person our hero has contacted and our hero narrowly escapes; 3. repeat steps 1 and 2 about a dozen times. Not a terrible book, by any means, just disappointing. Keeps you interested while you're reading, but a week later you think: "It really wasn't that good after all, was it? And why do I talk to myself so much?"

Rating:
Summary: Fun, but forgettable
Review: This action-packed story is a decent way to kill a few hours. It centers around a suicidal man who is cajoled into investigating a prominent statesman as a final favor to an old friend who is editor of a failing newspaper. While the characters are not very well developed, you'll enjoy watching the protagonist uncover a trail of dirty secrets. Just don't think about the plot too closely, or you'll start to see its holes.

Rating:
Summary: FAST
Review: This book is one of the fastest reads ever. I just couldn't stop turning the pages. Morrell really knows how to move a story along and throw in some decent characters that are sometimes a bit soapy, but will fit the purpose of the writers intention. Every know and then it is time for a zippadi-do-da read and this book more than fullfils that promise.

Rating:
Summary: A well developed main character makes this a great read
Review: This book pulls you in quickly. You follow the main character as he runs into one dangerous situation after another. The plot may be old hat after you finish the book, and if you really reflect on it, it seems dull and obvious, but while reading Morrell's books, you just can't put them down. I reccomend all of Morrell's books. This one might not be his best, but its a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This book was a thrill ride from start to finish! The characters are great and the action never stops! Definitely a keeper!