The Wrong Side of Brightness

Rating:
Summary: Interesting plot concept - very choppy execution
Review: After reading this book, I realized that the basic plot was actually fairly interesting. And that the protagonist, Peter Ford, was a fairly believable character.

But I didn't realize these things while reading the book because I was continually distracted by changes in structure and delivery. Another reviewer here commented on his trouble reading unpunctuated conversations. That's true in the later parts of the book, but in the early parts the usual indented & quoted style is used for conversations. And at a minimum, this novel should have been more carefully edited.

I also formed the impression that this book had been written in 3 or 4 separate sessions and that the seams between them were a little too visible. Either this book was written over several years and illustrates Mr. Bay's evolution as a writer - or he was pushing a deadline and just flat ran out of time to finish it in the manner he'd begun.

While I consider the book worth its price, the bottom line is that I won't be afraid to loan this book.

Rating:
Summary: buy something else
Review: I went to hear the author plug the book at a local bookstore, left early, but bought the book because it was cheap and I was curious. It wasn't even worth the $7.50. The plot is unclear (tho it is basically a good one) because the author's style of narrative and dialogue is murky. Page-long paragraphs of dialogue without quote marks make it very tricky to follow what's being said by whom. The role of the characters in the plot is frequently vague. And a lot of the book is just corny. As an aside, as a sometimes reader of the author's op-ed columns, and having read his biography, I'm pretty sure he inflates his qualifications in the field of intelligence/foreign affairs.

Rating:
Summary: great story
Review: Mr. Bay's foreign policy and intelligence expertise shines in this book. The story is quick and the topic makes it timely reading for anyone interested in current world events. The plot is "real world" in its complexity, but very interestingly ties together an engaging story. I highly recommend the book.