Bear Island

Rating:
Summary: Not Worth the Time
Review: I read this book because I'm attracted to stories set in windswept arctic places, and had also read and liked one of the author's previous books, "The Guns of Navarone." I found Bear Island to be very much a second rate thriller. There are a lot of characters, most of whom are not very well fleshed-out (I found myself confusing one with the other, and wishing for a scorecard). They spend most of their time sitting around and drinking hard liquor (especially Scotch). While I don't know anything about Alistair MacLean, his fixation with alcohol in this book seems to suggest he may have had a drinking problem, himself. Two of the female characters are constantly referred to as "Mary dear" and "Mary darling" respectively, a usage which I found patronizing and annoying. The plot, involving several murders and an illegal quest for Nazi gold and securities, is not as interesting as it sounds. Although the book is short (243 pages), I found I had to work to finish it. In conclusion, unless you're really hard up for something to read, don't bother with this one.

Rating:
Summary: A good, not great, mystery
Review: I think the previous reviewer from California has this novel confused with some other book. I certainly wouldn't give Alistair Maclean's Bear Island to a small child and I'm not aware of any illustrated editions.

The book in question does, however, feature multiple murders committed during a trip to the arctic circle. A group of filmakers are going to Bear Island (a snow covered wasteland) to make a new movie, but only the producer and screenwriter know what the script is. Poisonings and drownings give way to blunt instrument trauma as the cast and crew diminishes quickly. Only the film crew's doctor can investigate the mysterious occurences. Except he's not all he seems, either.

I usually enjoy Maclean's writing and that's true here as well. The only problem I had with Bear Island was that it bogged down in the middle when the shipboard deaths had already occured and they still had not reached the island.

All in all, though, a good solid read.

Rating:
Summary: Bear Island review
Review: There's nothing wrong with this book but there are so many better books to buy. I had this book as a young child and don't remember ever asking my mom to read it to me.The story is cute, the pictures are nice but I would advise you to purchase somethig a little less average.