Rating: 
Summary: Great==but not his best
Review: I bought this novel after I finished reading "Utopia"--which I consider the best thriller ever written. The characters in "Death Match" were likable, but the plot was more typical (and overused) than Utopia. Again, modern technological marvels come to take over the world. I was disappointed after my earlier read. As a stand alone novel, if you like the anti-technology type, it does earn its four star rating. The writing is top notch, the characters great and it is truly a page turner. But Mr. Child--please--give us a story line that has not been done before! I know you can do it!!
Rating: 
Summary: Even better than I expected
Review: I don't understand the "review" below this one (from the top 500 guy). Everything but the last sentence or two is just a substitute for what you might find on the back cover (or in the amazon summary above). Except perhaps the "reviewer" gives too much information about the book. Then he/she gives the book 3(.5) stars with absoultely no justification whatsoever. Lastly, the reviewer states that Child finds his "Crichtonesque" voice. Having read every novel by both authors (including the novels co-authored by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child) multiple times in most cases, I can attest to the falsehood of this statement. Lincoln Child is better than Michael Crichton in most respects. In particular when writing with Douglas Preston (although in this case he has done beautifully by himself). Crichton's writing (especially his early writing) reads like an overly ordered jumble of college term paper excerpts and relatively lifeless character interactions. Lincoln Child (working alone or with Douglas Preston) weave's the necessary background, the characters and the plot seamlessly together in a much more natural fashion.Death Match clearly demonstrates the application of a great amount of writing experience. The book unfolds masterfully with practically no rushed or contrived scenes. I think this is due in large part to the very plot of the book which itself uncontrives what would otherwise be contrived. The book seems considerably better written than both Lincoln Child's previous solo novel and Douglas Preston's solo novel (though I did enjoy both of these for the most part). It easily stands up with the best of their co-authored novels as well (and surpasses some of them in certain ways). The central theme raises some very interesting questions about human relationships as well. I imagine that most readers would find this highly relevant. Like Utopia, it focuses on some very specific technology (that is realistically just out of reach). This focus on a technology is the fundamental difference in plot style that justifies Lincoln Child's solo novels. This is where my only worry would come in when recommending Lincoln Child's books to others. Some readers may find the technology unbelievable. However, as a computer science graduate, I would suggest that the technology is believable enough if you consider what might be accomplished by applying the most cutting edge theoretical research with a huge infusion of cash from the private sector. It's clear to me that Lincoln Child did his research and then let his imagination run away just a bit. I think things turned out beautifully. However, I can understand if others feel differently. One of my biggest beefs with Utopia was that I found the holographic technology to be far too advanced for its own good. The best thing about Lincoln Child's solo projects is that they clearly haven't slowed down the work that he and Douglas Preston are doing together in the slightest. Nor has it affected the quality of that work (as the recent Still Life with Crows and sample chapters from the upcoming Brimstone prove). The worst thing about Death Match is perhaps its title and cover. The cover for the ARC was much better (hopefully they revert for the paperback). The final cover was probably a result of trying to undo the damage done by the title (which suggests a very a different kind of novel to me). That's not to say that the title isn't appropriate; it fits wonderfully in retrospect, but it may convey the wrong impression prior to reading. Everyone should know not to judge a book by its cover, but that doesn't make it any less difficult to avoid doing so when the title is Death Match.
Rating:
Summary: Even better than I expected
Review: I don't understand the "review" below this one (from the top 500 guy). Everything but the last sentence or two is just a substitute for what you might find on the back cover (or in the amazon summary above). Except perhaps the "reviewer" gives too much information about the book. Then he/she gives the book 3(.5) stars with absoultely no justification whatsoever. Lastly, the reviewer states that Child finds his "Crichtonesque" voice. Having read every novel by both authors (including the novels co-authored by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child) multiple times in most cases, I can attest to the falsehood of this statement. Lincoln Child is better than Michael Crichton in most respects. In particular when writing with Douglas Preston (although in this case he has done beautifully by himself). Crichton's writing (especially his early writing) reads like an overly ordered jumble of college term paper excerpts and relatively lifeless character interactions. Lincoln Child (working alone or with Douglas Preston) weave's the necessary background, the characters and the plot seamlessly together in a much more natural fashion. Death Match clearly demonstrates the application of a great amount of writing experience. The book unfolds masterfully with practically no rushed or contrived scenes. I think this is due in large part to the very plot of the book which itself uncontrives what would otherwise be contrived. The book seems considerably better written than both Lincoln Child's previous solo novel and Douglas Preston's solo novel (though I did enjoy both of these for the most part). It easily stands up with the best of their co-authored novels as well (and surpasses some of them in certain ways). The central theme raises some very interesting questions about human relationships as well. I imagine that most readers would find this highly relevant. Like Utopia, it focuses on some very specific technology (that is realistically just out of reach). This focus on a technology is the fundamental difference in plot style that justifies Lincoln Child's solo novels. This is where my only worry would come in when recommending Lincoln Child's books to others. Some readers may find the technology unbelievable. However, as a computer science graduate, I would suggest that the technology is believable enough if you consider what might be accomplished by applying the most cutting edge theoretical research with a huge infusion of cash from the private sector. It's clear to me that Lincoln Child did his research and then let his imagination run away just a bit. I think things turned out beautifully. However, I can understand if others feel differently. One of my biggest beefs with Utopia was that I found the holographic technology to be far too advanced for its own good. The best thing about Lincoln Child's solo projects is that they clearly haven't slowed down the work that he and Douglas Preston are doing together in the slightest. Nor has it affected the quality of that work (as the recent Still Life with Crows and sample chapters from the upcoming Brimstone prove). The worst thing about Death Match is perhaps its title and cover. The cover for the ARC was much better (hopefully they revert for the paperback). The final cover was probably a result of trying to undo the damage done by the title (which suggests a very a different kind of novel to me). That's not to say that the title isn't appropriate; it fits wonderfully in retrospect, but it may convey the wrong impression prior to reading. Everyone should know not to judge a book by its cover, but that doesn't make it any less difficult to avoid doing so when the title is Death Match.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't finish this book
Review: I have read all of Child's and Preston&Child's books and have never been dissapointed until now. The storyline became so un-believable that I could not take it anymore.
**SPOILER**
I stopped reading the book during the chapter where they lost control of the computer and they couldn't turn it off (because it controlled the power), they couldn't slow it down (because it had redundant systems), they couldn't bash it with a sledgehammer (because all of the computer housings were rebuilt w/ hardened steel cases), etc... All of this for a computer system used for match-making?
The monster in Relic was actually more believable than this.
Rating: 
Summary: gripping start, disappointing finish
Review: I have read all of Child's collaborations with Douglas Preston and have generally liked them-some of their stories are among my favorites. I have also read Child's and Preston's solo books and they have never been quite as good as their team efforts. Much like Child's last solo work, Utopia, this book starts with an interesting premise that grips the reader, but it degenerates as the technology is introduced and fails to follow through with an equally compelling ending. The story begins with the apparent suicide of a couple that were supposedly perfectly matched by the Eden corporation. The main character, a forensic psycologist named Christopher Lash, is brought in to determine why this happened. Then a second perfectly matched couple commits double-suicide and the intrigue builds. At this point, Lash is exposed to the highly secretive operations of Eden and their extensive matching process and this is where the story begins to lose credibility.
The matching process accumulates a massive amount of data that are analyzed by a super computer named Liza. We are told that Liza is based on artificial intelligence concepts and is actually self-aware and can learn. We are supposed to believe that Liza is by far the the most powerful and advanced computer in the world and yet it is owned by a private company and used primarily as a matchmaker? We are told that some of the early funding to build Liza came from the government and that Liza does contracting work for various Federal agencies, but the fact that Liza is not under government control is too unbelievable. Another ridiculous aspect of Liza is her construction. She is cobbled together with computers dating back to the 1960's! Anyone who has ever tried to install a CD/DVD drive or a new operating system is aware of the considerable compatability issues with computers. And yet we are supposed to believe that the world's most advanced system is pieced together with Apple IIe's, Commodore 64's, and whatever else could be found. Finally, the data gathering is over the top and highly illegal. Liza has access to clients' (and Eden employees') internet-related data: bank/credit card records, traffic tickets/crimianl records, etc. I can believe that clients would allow this, but Liza has unfettered access to rejected clients and the general public and constantly spies on them! Liza: the world's most advanced hacker! Overall the characters are well written and their dialog is not distractingly bad. But the book is pretty short and the ending unoriginal. As I read it I couldn't help but think this was a cross between Wargames and The Lawnmower Man. I do not regret reading it, but I was disappointed with it.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, it is simply fun
Review: I recommend this book. I want to be annoyed about the book because it is a rip-off of another plot / premise and follows a stereo-typical forensic psychologist who has mental and human demons and an ex-wife - definitely a tired character - but I can not. This book was too entertaining. I enjoyed the read. A double suicide involving a dating service's clients causes a company (Eden, Inc.) to become concerned and they hire Christopher Lash, a former FBI forensic psychologist. His private investigation of these deaths (and others) is the substance of the book. To describe more would steal some of the suspense. It is a small thing, but in the "how I would improve the book" category, I would reduce the author's usage of the uncommon word "unrelieved." It was distracting. Author Child describes a hall as "unrelievedly white" on page 67. When it popped up again on page 222 to describe a building as "unrelievedly modern," I turned down the page corner. Then again on page 298 "unrelieved dark" and merely two pages later "unrelievedly white". Enough, turn the page on your word calendar!
Rating:
Summary: Read the last 150 pages in one sitting
Review: I was so into this book I read the last 150 pages in one sitting.
Rating:
Summary: very good solo effort by mr. child!
Review: I've been a fan of preston and child books for some time now. And I've managed to read their solo efforts as well. While it was decent, Utopia just didn't live up to the previous efforts that child had worked on with his partner, douglas preston. This book, however, was a great read from beginning to end. It leans more on the technological side, but it doesn't get bogged down in the actual technology like utopia did. The characters are great and there's alot of great twists and turns. Definetly worth reading!
Rating:
Summary: great beginning, disappointing finish
Review: I've read all the novels by Lincoln Child, including those co-written with Douglas Preston, and I would say this is typical of that remarkable team's individual efforts -- a strong premise flawed by a weak ending.
The story involves Christopher Lash, a troubled ex-FBI psychologist who is hired as a consultant by Eden Inc., a matchmaking service that has flawlessly brought couples together using a supercomputer system named Liza. When Eden "supercouples" start committing suicide, Lash tries to figure out what went wrong, The characters are good, the dialogue is fine, and there are some spectacular touches such as The Tank, where computer avatars of Eden's applicants search for their matches.
HOWEVER, there are some problems -- mostly small but one big. First, one victim gives a major clue to Lash, but it is never brought up again. Secondly, Lash receives harassing phone calls, makes an assumption about who is calling him, and confronts that person -- why doesn't he just do *69? Lash is increasingly harassed but just ignores it. etc
The book is 356 pages long and I figured out the mystery on page 170. The ending is derivative and unoriginal. I won't say more, but I kept reading, hoping that there would a twist. There wasn't.
In the acknowledgments the author thanks Douglas Preston for supplying a crucial chapter. Too bad he didn't supply a more interesting ending as well.
Rating:
Summary: "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave..."
Review: It probably won't spoil anybody's reading of this book to reveal that the massive supercomputer at the center of the story turns into a kind of HAL (from "2001: A Space Odyssey") at the end. It was pretty obvious from the start that this was where the story was headed.
Even without a surprise ending however the book was enjoyable. The author brings in quite a bit of learning -- pharmacology, psychological theories, knowledge structure, personality profiling -- and he will make you really THINK about the nature of attraction between two people. Like Grisham or Crichton the author manages to teach you quite a bit while entertaining you.
"Death Match" loses a star only for the rather far-fetched premise, and the conceit that there could be such a thing as a "perfect match" between any two inherently imperfect humans.
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