Crime Zero: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Coulda' been a contender
Review: A work of fiction, which is based on science, must use science fact as far as it will go. When there is conflict between the science and the fiction, the fiction must bend, the science cannot. I was turned off by errors in the science in the first chapter, and after that it becomes harder to suspend disbelief. The premise is interesting, and the action is thrilling, although a little stretched out in some places. It's overall a fairly entertaining read, but it could have been a real winner with some advice from a neuroscientist, and a little more editorial help.

Rating:
Summary: First Miracle Strain, now this! Incredible!
Review: An eye-cathing book design is the first step to success. The next is a great story. Michael Cordy's Crime Zero has both. Although initially shocked at the fact that men were responsible for 90% of the crimes, I felt better only after I discovered the true prupose behind Project Conscience. So it seems guys *weren't* that bad after all. And yes, I do agree with Luke Decker, that it is the path man chooses that is his destiny, and he is responsible for his wrongs, not his genes.

Rating:
Summary: Chilling
Review: Especially that last line.

I picked this up because I was thirsting for some science fiction, and there was pretty slim pickings in the library. I wasn't expecting much. I was glad to be disappointed.

Cordy writes convincing characters, interweaving future science possibilities with practical life. But the best part of the novel is dealing with the philosophical issues of predestination and Arminianism, nature vs. nurture. The best of science fiction causes us to think beyond our paradigms, and this is no exception. To what extent do criminals, or any of us, choose our errors? Even when we do not choose, are we still responsible? It would be easy to simply bring up these issues through dialogue between the characters. Instead, Cordy discusses the issues through the characters' lives, and the plot of the book.

I strongly recommend you have snacks and drinks already prepared before beginning the book. I was unable to put it down after I began. Cordy provides the realism of science and the fantasy of the genre to weave a tale that encompasses the reader's reality, if only for a few hours.

Rating:
Summary: Crime Zero found to be shallow
Review: I found this book to be shallow, with poorly developed, non-believable characters, weak science, and a poorly justified plot.

The thesis is interesting, but the writer just didn't have the chops to pull it off -- it fails the suspension of disbelief test.

The science is poorly described; it's as if Cody had memorized some technical terms and sprinkled them around in the text.

Compare with Neal Stephenson's recent book.

Rating:
Summary: Fast paced and exciting
Review: Michael Cordy has once again proven himself to be the master of the "genetic thriller." Not unlike the Miracle Strain, Cordy's latest offering is based heavily on modern genetic research mixed with well thought out fantasy. Crime Zero, however, doesn't take that fantasy to such extremes, providing a more subtle and, in many ways, more believable story.

Crime Zero is fast paced and exciting from beginning to end. The tension in the story isn't bad, and Cordy uses the "battle of the sexes" to his advantage. There's also a Clancy-like FBI hierarchy, complete with a female director to add to the conflict. The storyline jumps around between subplots, an approach that can often be frustrating, but ultimately adds to the complexity of the plot.

Unfortunately, Cordy's style of writing is very simplistic, especially in contrast to his scientific explanations. While these inclusions sound very well researched, they can at times read more an encyclopedia than a novel. Unlike Michael Crichton, Cordy doesn't always make the reader feel as though these explanations are vital to the plot. The author also attempts to overcome the lack of depth that was apparent in the Miracle Strain by digressing into the characters' pasts, but they often end up sounding like convenient, last minute additions.

Overall, Crime Zero is an excellent gauge of Cordy's creativity and philosophy towards the future of genetic engineering.

Rating:
Summary: Fast paced and exciting
Review: Michael Cordy has once again proven himself to be the master of the "genetic thriller." Not unlike the Miracle Strain, Cordy's latest offering is based heavily on modern genetic research mixed with well thought out fantasy. Crime Zero, however, doesn't take that fantasy to such extremes, providing a more subtle and, in many ways, more believable story.

Crime Zero is fast paced and exciting from beginning to end. The tension in the story isn't bad, and Cordy uses the "battle of the sexes" to his advantage. There's also a Clancy-like FBI hierarchy, complete with a female director to add to the conflict. The storyline jumps around between subplots, an approach that can often be frustrating, but ultimately adds to the complexity of the plot.

Unfortunately, Cordy's style of writing is very simplistic, especially in contrast to his scientific explanations. While these inclusions sound very well researched, they can at times read more an encyclopedia than a novel. Unlike Michael Crichton, Cordy doesn't always make the reader feel as though these explanations are vital to the plot. The author also attempts to overcome the lack of depth that was apparent in the Miracle Strain by digressing into the characters' pasts, but they often end up sounding like convenient, last minute additions.

Overall, Crime Zero is an excellent gauge of Cordy's creativity and philosophy towards the future of genetic engineering.

Rating:
Summary: Fantistically Realistic
Review: This book is excellent. If you have read Miracle Strain I would say Crime Zero might just pip it to the post.

If you can imagine that potentially the gene responsible for crime can be modified to create pasive individuals and no violence among peoples and countries. Ok then imagine that this could also wipe out certain races or class of people. Scary thoughts.

Crime Zero actually becomes incredibly real. Rogue geneticists have identified the gene and are intent on creating a world of stability and peace (nothing wrong with that you say). But in doing this it will involve a number of deaths (millions) generations wiped out.

Only one person can stop the genocide and she created the original gene modifications necessary but she is being shut down.

A very very good read.

Rating:
Summary: Coulda' been a contender
Review: This is a great book that you could see from two perspectives. If you are a male reading this book, you would see it differntly than how a female would see it. The females have a lot of power in this book, and it's kinda like a World War of the sexes. This is a very original book, or at least I have never read anything else like it.

Rating:
Summary: Hard to believe -- the second better than the first
Review: Well Written book about the future battle of sexes. I found myself drawn into the story wanting to take sides with one character or another! Goood BOOOOK!