Double Image

Rating:
Summary: Dark and chilling ambiance in "Double Image"
Review: David Morrell has done it once again with this book--he's truly outdone himself this time. When reading the book, one would wonder why on earth we've gone nearly halfway through the story before the sudden change in plot. The reason is obvious--the title gives much of it away. Most of Morrell's previous novelis have been international thrillers. And why not? That's what he's known for. But the man who gave us "First Blood" has done much more here. There are bright, surface impressions about his main character, Coltrane, but as the story moves onward we go deeper and deeper into the shadows of Coltrane's darker side. We immediately understand the relationship with the heroine, left with the ability to feel her hurt as Coltrane gets sidetracked by a beautiful but dangerous seductress. The great truth about the book is that Morrell ingeniously weaves two themes here in seamless style: man vs. man (and woman) and man vs. himself. The story is told at a relentless pace, with the clarity and flow that makes Morrell one of the best contemporary suspense writers today. The only downside to the book were times where it seemed events took place that didn't need to; events that seemed more interior character studies than contributing essences to the story. Nonetheless, "Double Image" is a chilling, haunting tale of action, suspense and romance. It's chock full of plot and entertaining story and readers are sure to enjoy it. On the reverse side it may not be what Morrell fans are used to, albeit this only adds to the fun and thrill of the book.

Rating:
Summary: It is a compelling read!
Review: I have never read David Morrell's books before and this is my first introduction to it. It was very interesting and I had a hard time putting it down at times. And I love how it was two stories (or two cases) in the book ~~ two chases for Coltrane to live through!

Coltrane, a photographer, is caught photographing mass burial grounds in Bosnia and endured through one hell of which he survived. Then as he thought he was free to enjoy life again ~~ he runs into a reknown photographer who commissioned him to take pictures like his first famous series. Then Packard died ~~ leaving behind a mystery about the most beautiful face in his collection. Coltrane ends up trying to solve that mystery only to find himself in danger. It was a fairly quick read ~~ full of twists and turns! Just when you thought you solved the dilemma ~~ you were taken for a surprise and compelled to read more.

If you are into mysteries, this book is a great one! It's great for those beach reads too ~~ not too dark on the mind or spirits either ~~ but not that slow ~~ so pick it up and enjoy!

4-25-03

Rating:
Summary: War Crimes, Romance, Coincidences, Love, Fear and Suspense
Review: This was a great book by David Morrell, in fact a double book as it had two distinct halves, one almost mirroring the other.

The story begins in Bosnia during the violent years of the mid-nineties. Professional, award-winning photographer, Mitch Coltrane, is hiding in a pit, three feet wide, seven feet long and three feet deep which smells of loam, mold and urine. He has already been waiting 36 hours and is prepared to wait longer . His aim is to photograph the evil Bosnian Serb leader Dragan Ilkovic exhuming bodies of innocent victims from a mass grave for removal and disposal elsewhere. The photographic evidence, should he succeed in getting it without being caught, should enable the International Courts or War Crimes Commission to convict Ilkovic and lock him away for a very long time. Eventually Coltrane's patience is rewarded as Ilkovic arrives and the horror of the subsequent events leaps out through the pages.

The story then takes on a more sedate theme, giving the reader time to relax and enjoy the book as Coltrane begins a fascinating photographic project back in California with the help of his beautiful girlfriend, Jennifer. However, the tension, suspense and horror gradually return, accelerating through the chapters, to another climax and the conclusion of the first "half" of the book. In this section, the detailed knowledge of author Morrell of cameras and photography is evident and he weaves this technical thread through the story without in any way confusing or boring the reader - in fact the very opposite.

As the second "half" of the story unfolds, our hero Coltrane becomes fascinated with, entranced by, obsessed with and ultimately seduced by the irresistible new heroine Tash. The unstoppable development of their relationship and the vivid descriptions of the inner and outer beauty of Tash are described in the most convincing way. It is excellent imaginative writing of the highest calibre. It is not long before terror and fear return, becoming an overwhelming backdrop to the saga. More and more, the second half of the story mirrors the first half in a coincidental but nevertheless believable manner.

It is a very clever book in structure, style, content and presentation. It captures the reader's attention from start to finish and leaves you wanting to read it again for another helping of imagination, romance and fear. Nothing less than true escapism.

Rating:
Summary: Keeps You Guessing
Review: You know when a book promises 'surprising' twists, and you are then able to forecast what's going to happen next, which is disappointing? "Double Image" won't disappoint you. As I read the over 400 pages in this novel, I truly had no idea what would happen to the main character, Mitch Coltrane, and that was refreshing. This book has an expansive plot - you could argue too expansive - that moves from Eastern Europe, to California, to Mexico, and interweaves several subplots involving war crimes, stalking, and premeditated murder. Coltrane, a professional photographer, starts off the novel by photographing a war criminal whose deeds are being investigated by the UN. He succeeds, but pays a heavy price. He also encounters a noted photographer, Randolph Packard, who draws him into completing a project Packard began in the 1920s-30s, photographing unique houses in Los Angeles. A simple project, on the surface, which leads to Coltrane's obsession with a woman Packard secretly photographed in the 1940s, an actress named Rebecca Chance. When Coltrane himself becomes obsessed with Rebecca through the 50-year-old photos, he discovers she mysteriously disappeared, leading him to search for what happened to her. Author David Morrell handles the complex plot well, and although a lot of action is crammed into a short period of time, there's enough realism in the characters and situations to keep you reading and caring about what's going to happen next. The final section of the book is truly surprising as the mystery of what happened to Rebecca Chance is revealed, and the legacy of her relationship with two men obsessed by her - three men, if you count Coltrane. Worth reading.