Rating: 
Summary: Critical Mass Should Be Critically Acclaimed
Review: This book was outstanding. It was wonderfully read and extremely entertaining.Not your usual terrorst wants to take over the world book. With the reduction of nuclear arms in the sovier union and the state of their economy is it possible that someone might sell an old nuclear weapon to a rebel group. This book made you think about this and many other things. I rank this book right up there with the best of the best authors. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Martini the Master
Review: Once again Steve Martini brings out the best in lawyers. Now, now, no snickering! In "Critical Mass", we meet Joss, someone we can all relate to. She wants to leave the hustle bustle of this whacky wired world. She starts her own law office in a supposedly quiet area. Add a mysterious illness among the local fishermen, a wealthy but possibly lethal client, a dab of government hanky panky...and we get a twisting energetic legal thriller from Martini. I enjoyed this book. I finished it & then promptly handed it to my husband. He already likes it. And he is usally not one for female heroines. But, he is hooked on this one. if you find my comments interesting, please click the *yes*--thanks--CDS
Rating:
Summary: gripping from first to last page
Review: From the start of the book, until the last nailbiting pages, this book kept me turning the pages until early in the morning. All of the main characters were developed completely. I found myself wondering if this books outcome would be feasable, and still haven't made up my mind! I look forward to his next book.
Rating:
Summary: So good, I've recommended it to friends
Review: The story is gripping. Many twists and a surprise ending. Unlike Grisham, who writes complex stories with too many characters for me to keep track of, Martini keeps down on the number of characters and still makes the story compelling to read. Although the main character is a woman, it's the kind of book men would like as well. In fact, I mailed it to my brother -- and I've never given him a book to read before. I know he'll absolutely enjoy it. I'm also recommending Critical Mass to female friends. Get a copy.
Rating: 
Summary: One star seems like too many
Review: I can't say that this is the worst book I've ever read. I can't remember all of the thousands of books I have read over the years. However, this is the worst book that I can remember reading. This is a very poorly written and badly researched pile of garbage. It insults the intelligence of its readers. The grammar is terrible, and it is filled with banal comments and cliches. While I was reading it, I got the impression that Martini had accepted a big advance from his publisher and suddenly realized that he only had a weekend to write it. And, to make matters worse, every book editor in the world had gone on a three hour cruise to Gilligan's Island and couldn't do anything about fixing it. The only way Martini could advance his plot was to make all of his "good guy" characters incredibly stupid. If one of them had had an original or creative thought, the book would have ended by page 90. Apparently, he must have been paid by the word because he kept them blundering around until his one zillionth coincidence enabled goodness to triumph and this mess to end. Side note to Martini: You cannot destroy the records of a Government agency, or any other large company for that matter, by blowing up its headquarters. Standard prevention of data loss calls for storing copies off site, usually at some distant spot. Also, I believe the IRS, for which Martini drips venom, (been audited recently Steve?) uses service and computing centers around the country to store most or all of its data. A little research would have showed him this, or didn't he care? I hate books (or shows or movies) that assume I am stupid. I hate best selling authors who have become lazy and feel they can turn out anything, and the public will buy it. The only good thing I can say about this book is that I bought it ......... at a discount bookstore and should be able to get most of that back at a second hand shop.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing for Martini fans
Review: I am a huge fan of Steve Martini. I liked every one of his books, "The List" being my favourite. This, however, was a letdown. Terrorism, a nuclear bomb, covert operations, this has Tom Clancy written all over it. I was lost in pages of descriptions of nuclear devices, radioactive waste and the likes. Exactly the reason why I don't like Clancy. And an ending that calls for a sequel. I am not sure that I want to read it, if Martini writes it. Well, if you are a die-hard Martini fan, you probably need to read this, if not, please, stay away and read one of his other books, they are all a lot better.
Rating:
Summary: Critical Mistake
Review: I usually am very loyal to authors I've come to prize and buy their hardcover editions to show my support. I had a collection of Steve Martini's work right up until I bought Critical Mass. I know everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I also am entitled to not having to pay for someone mocking mine. Specifically by ridiculing a President and his wife whom I enthusiastically support. Dale Brown did the same thing some time in the past and I quit reading the offending book mid-page and tossed all of his work. Tom Clancy did a similar thing when saying that he felt persecuted for smoking (after all, it wasn't like he had AIDS!). Out that pile of paper went. I hope Martini feels better now that he's catharsis'ized his political opinions, and that the good feelings are enough to offset the minimal amount of discomfort my ceasing to further contribute to his income will cause. Plus, look at the book shelf space I freed up!
Rating:
Summary: A fabulous and thrilling read, despite the epilogue
Review: Truth be known, I picked up this book and simply could not put it down. The characters were completely believable, the action instense and non-stop. The down side? The epilogue seemed as if Mr. Martini's agent or publisher insisted on tacking it on to say, "Hey, stay tuned... we might have a sequel coming out someday!" There was truly no other purpose for this epilogue, and the book would be a five-star rating without it. My advice? Read the book and skip these last few pages.
Rating:
Summary: Reasonably entertaining
Review: I enjoyed this book for the most part, although it's not Martini's best. The main area of confusion for me was the jumping around from island to island. Maybe if I was more familiar with coastal Washington, I could have followed the action a little better. A map of the key locales would have helped. Finally, I found the romance angle to be a little contrived.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific novel to take on a plane
Review: This is some of Steve Martini's best work since his early Paul Madriani novels. The book gets moving immediately, and the plausibility of the story makes it all the more captivating. I liked Joss Cole instinctively, but perhaps more importantly, the story pulled me in. For me, it was the kind of read that makes you forget where you are. Four hours into my flight, and I had no idea that we were about to land. I tried to put it away, but it was too late. I read the last 4 chapters while sitting on my suitcase at the baggage claim.
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