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Summary: The Great Gilstrap does it again.
Review: A routine drug bust in a sleepy South Carolina town (with dozens of federal agents toting automatic weapons, no less) nets more than case agent Irene Rivers bargained for: One of her collars is #1 Most Wanted Fugitive Jake Donovan. Jake and Carolyn Donovan were responsible, says the Federal gov't, for the worst ecological disaster in US history, the biological equivalent of Chernobyl. The Donovans are completely innocent but have been on the run for 14 years. Barely escaping identification by the FBI, the Donovans flee, their 13 year old son in tow. Then Jake decides to take down the very people who'd framed them. This story, quite implausible in several spots, still provides as many thrills as a DIE HARD or LETHAL WEAPON movie. Only Mr. Gilstrap, a safety engineer writing from hard experience, maintains the theme established in NATHAN'S RUN- The heartache of being falsely accused and forced to go on the run. Family counts equally in both books. This is an action novel with heart.
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Summary: you'll read this page turner well into the night
Review: a well written action novel with a human touch. Very enjoyable read and the twists just keep on coming.
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Summary: Not what I expected
Review: After reading NATHAN'S RUN, a solid, polished first novel, I hoped AT ALL COSTS would be only better. Considering the many plot twists and considerable cast of characters, it is certainly longer. But what I found disturbing about this book was a pervasive air of implausibility. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK, YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO CONTINUE. I know little about explosive storage facilities, but Mr. Gilstrap certainly does, and his attention to detail seemed first rate. But I couldn't believe at all that the newlyweds would run. Even though Gilstrap, at the book's end, proves why running turned out to be the best option, I never thought any normal person without precognition would think so. And the dialogue, while great in some places, rang untrue in many others. Instead of what I call "bookspeak," it's almost as if Mr. Gilstrap tried to write dialogue the way people really talk, which usually doesn't fly. I also thought some of his prose was a little stiff, a! nd occasionally his descriptions and dialogue became trite in the way that 3rd and 4th installments of action movie series usually are. On the positive side, the plotting was very good, and I was particularly pleased with how well he tied ends which I was afraid would remain loose. Mr. Gilstrap obviously worked hard on research and it shows. He has a feel for "middle america," and I'm sure his characterizations will only grow with time.
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Summary: I hated to put it down!
Review: After reading Nathen's Run, I was anxious to see if this was as good or better. Pleased to say that it surpasses Nathen's Run. The plot is intriguing because it doesn't tell you the whole story up front. You haven't a clue as to what happened to set up the scenerio presented. Ending unexpected. Congratulations to the author.
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Summary: WAIT FOR THE PAPERBACK
Review: At All Costs is by no means a classic. Indeed, there are many flaws with the thriller including occassionally unrealistic dialogue, over-simplicity and the fact that you have undoubtedly seen the elements of At All Costs before. This is where At All Cost suffers. The plot is a very simple one, your typical- American-citizen-turning-out-to-be-a-fugitive blend. The main charatcers are likable enough and the political aspect of the book isn't exaggerated. The action was intense and I found my palms sweating when appropriate. The fundamental problem is, at the end of the day, that we, Americans, are being choked with thousands of thrillers JUST LIKE THIS ONE. The successful ones offer never seen before literature but sadly, At All Costs does not. It's a good, fast read, nothing exceptional. Unless you're a die-hard fan, wait for the paper-back.
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Summary: Thriller involving FBI and their most wanted criminals
Review: At All Costs was a gripping book. It was well written and had enough reality in it to make you accept some implausible happenings. The reader is swept along at such a pace there is no time to question and why should you. Reading if for enjoyment! Other reviewers have given the basic plot so it doesn't bear repeating. I was amazed at how much punishment the human bodies in this work of fiction were able to take, including inhalation of toxic fumes, bullet wounds, beatings, major blood loss, hanging by the neck leaving only a range of motion defect! etc. and keep on ticking. One jarring note threw me off stride for quite a while. The equating by the author of homosexual behavior and a pediophilic activities was inexcusable. We do not need more mis -information tossed idly about as fact on so serious a matter. Pediophiles are actually heterosexual. With that adjustment, I was able to get back to the plot. I am also surprised it is a book recommended for teens as it is very violent and the language is as well.
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Summary: A great read!
Review: At the definition of "page-turner" your dictionary should have a photo of this book! It's about a family struggling to survive, being on the run for 14 years. They seem to be like that nice family next door---or are they actually mass murderers? A truly skilled author spins a truly fascinating yarn.
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Summary: A fine story about a family on the run
Review: Clancy has his military hardware, Grisham has his law offices, and Gilstrap is a fine author who, at least thus far, specializes in weaving skilful tales about innocents on the run. John Gilstrap's first novel, Nathan's Run, follows the trail of a 12-year-old, wanted for murder, who is on a desperate flight from law enforcement and a determined hit-man. The second, At All Costs, is another page-turner about The Donovans, a couple that takes flight with their young son after they are accused of slaughtering sixteen of their friends and initiating the country's worst-ever environmental disaster. After fourteen years on the run, a false arrest puts the Donovans in a plight that will either destroy them, or prove their innocence. Gilstrap is not a particularly fine stylist, but he does excel in structuring original, exciting stories that entertain and surprise. The net effect is very similar to a John Grisham story, and that's not bad company.
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Summary: Fun for what it's worth...
Review: For mindless entertainment, this book fits the bill. Entertaining, but by no means a work of art, I recommend getting it from the library or waiting for paperback. Better than Nathan's Run.
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Summary: Slick exciting thriller by a master of the game
Review: Gilstrap's debut novel "Nathan's Run" was the best debut in the genre for many a year .Subsequent novels have not quite matched it for pace ,power and heart but then very few could."At All Costs"is still pretty darn good and vey few who read will feel short changed in the thrills department
It is in essence a chase story."Jake" and "Carolyn"are outwardly solid reputable citizens,albeit with a troubled child prone to get involved in fights with school mates who pick on him for his trailer park life.They are ,however,on the FBI's "Most Wanted List" having been wrongfully accused of terrorism and murder several years previously
They were aided in their escape from capture by "Carolyn's"wealthy uncle who sets them up with a new identity and it is to him they turn when by accident the FBI stumble upon their true identity,and are forced ,with son "Travis"to go on the run It is not I trust ,revealing too much of the plot to say that the frame-up was initiated at the highest level of the government and the family are chased by some very potent and resourceful enemies.However ,neither they nor the uncle is without resources and the scene is set for some high velocity thrills with two especially effective hitmen-one for each side-stirred into the mix My one reservation is that it is "Nathan's Run"writ large.It is a family on the run ,not just a boy,the pursuers are the Federal governmentand not ,as in the earlier work,local criminals.Still,this is carping,and lovers of a good yarn well told should dive into the book with all expediency and despatch.
Strong narratives are always welcome ,and since Hollywood has abandoned them for special effects,we must rely on our writers.Gilstrap does not let us down.
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