Insufficient Data

Rating:
Summary: Great Initial Effort
Review: While a little slow in getting to the mystery-action, the pace picks up considerably around page 85 or so and propels the reader forward with vivid locale descriptions and cryptic messages that gradually unfold the plot. For a first-time novelist, however, this is excusable, but I mention it so that would-be readers will give the novel a chance and not be too hasty in expecting James Bond -like explosions of blood, sex and mayhem from the gitgo.

The author's ability to vividly describe geographic and gastronomic delights is simply "delicious." Sadly, this does not correspond to her talent for describing her characters. I didn't seem to be able to fashion an image of any of the major characters, Pam, David, Tom. Karim (Galina, excepted) as clear and colorful as e.g her descriptions of Brooklyn, Rome, Frascatti and the tasty Italian repasts the characters enjoyed in the many venues they dined at.

Interweaving scientific principles and jargon (the book's narrator Pam is married to David, a Physicist) into the vivid travelogue of the couples' movements was difficult but worked more than reasonably well. But Peczenik's most discernible talent is her linguistic craftsmanship. She smoothly navigates between dialogue and narration in a manner more experienced and successful writers might envy (Grisham comes to mind).

I would encourage her efforts and hope that her action becomes faster-paced and her characters more easily "picturable" in future novels. One final note - the "denouement" was a bit too long; it should have been more "Aha!" than "Ah well.." Nonetheless, I like the book and and thought it was a great first effort.