Rating: 
Summary: An Absolute Page-Turner
Review: An excellent piece of work. Gray Matter was thought provoking and provided enough technical detail for the concepts to be eerily plausible. My interest was captured throughout. Braver's clever infusion of "Flowers For Algernon" as the million dollar question was an entertaining tribute to this similarly themed classic sci-fi novella. I'm looking forward to Braver's next offering.
Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous Read!
Review: Fans of Jeffery Deaver and Michael Crichton will appreciate this well written, gimmick free, completely engaging book. Personally, I find books that posit the question "Could this really ever happen?" are the ones that grab me and I was in this book's clutches from the first chapter. The characters are all well fleshed out, some of whom are revealed tantalizingly slowly, others whom are easily identifiable, giving you an opportunity to bond with a few while eagerly looking forward to learning more about others. The main story has plenty of twists and turns and unexpected moments, but I never felt manipulated, as I do with so many other popular writers of this genre. In all, this book is an excellent, satisfying read that not only gives you a good thrill, but then makes you think deeply about the subject matter, sort of like a modern day "A Modest Proposal". Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: EXTRAORDINARY!
Review: I read many mysteries and thrillers, but GRAY MATTER is one of the best I've read in years. First, it's an original and clever story line that centers on the matter of children's intelligence, posing the controversial question, "Just how far would you go to significantly increase your child's IQ." Second, the book is masterfully written--a rarity for "thrillers". The language is fresh, precise, even lyrical in places. Yet the narrative thrust keeps you turning the pages. Third, and more importantly, unlike many mysteries and thrillers, GRAY MATTER resonates with philosophical, social, ethical, and moral issues that concern readers. And, yet, these issues are woven into an wildly imaginative story line so that you never feel that you're being preached to. On the contrary, you're pressed into questioning your own thoughts and feelings long after you've finished the book. The story centers on a woman, Rachel Whitman, who appears to have everything going for her--health, youth, a successful marriage, money and a beautiful and charming six-year-old son, Dylan. But the boy has learning disabilities, and the mother learns that she is to blame. Other kids are beginning to make fun of him. And the Whitmans live in an upscale community where the rewards for intelligence are conspicuous. Ripped apart with guilt and anguish for her son, Rachel hears through the grapevine about a new expensive medical procedure that claims to turn slow kids into geniuses, and she's tempted. But at what cost? Meanwhile, a police detective from Cape Cod, MA is obsessed with the cold case of a missing child. Their stories cross and propel the novel to an explosive conclusion. I won't give anything else away. But if you're a parent, you should read this book since it will make you re-examine your notion of intelligence and what is most important to you regarding your children. Even if you don't have kids, read this book just to see just how well written a thriller can be.
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING
Review: Frist time I have read anyhting by Gray Braver and I must say OUTSTANDING. From the first page to the last I was glue to this book.
Gray Braver has hit the heart of how we all want the perfect child.
At what lengths some of us will go to get it.
Once again Outstanding
Rating:
Summary: What a Lucky Find
Review: Gray Matter is a must read for everyone addicted to fast paced thrillers. Not only was this novel frightening as it explored the moral and ethical questions that it presented, but it was emotionally powerful, compelling the reader to become personally involved, either as a parent or as a member of the human race. Add the factor of suspense to the above, and you have a compulsive page turning thriller. I was impressed with the author's ability to develop and capture the personalities of the complex characters and simultaneously weave an intricate backscape based on the age old themes of jealousy, greed, passion and love. Gary Braver's deep knowledge of the world - both good and evil is evident. I have placed my copy on my library shelf alongside my Koontz, Crichton and Cook books.
Rating:
Summary: Gray Matter is great reading matter.
Review: Like Braver's excellent previous novel, "Elixer," "Gray Matter" represents the bio-medical thriller at its best. While on one hand a true page turner -- fast-paced and suspenseful -- it also raises a number of controversial issues related to such subjects as the nature of human intelligence, experimental medical practices, and parental pressures to do what's best for their children (or perhaps more accurately, for themselves?) The story considers how far parents should -- and will -- go to ensure that their children grow up with all the advantages superior brain power offers. Moreover, what is the cost of enlisting extraordinary medical procedures to enhance thinking capabilities, especially in terms of the ultimate effects on the personalities of the young subjects? Gray Matter makes both your brain and heart race, its subject matter made even more compelling with the current discussions surrounding the recent announcements of human cloning efforts. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: I would highly recommend "Gray Matter" to anyone who likes to read suspense and mystery. From the time I picked it up until I finished it, I couldn't put it down. It has high interest, lots of action, and very believable characters. I will definitely be on the look out for the other novels written by this wonderful author. I can hardly wait for his next one to be published.
Rating:
Summary: BRAVO BRAVER!
Review: Was put on to Braver by a student in his Horror class. Fabulous, well-written book with an intelligent and eerie poke at society's obsession with "intelligence" and social status. Characters are well-developed and the reader is compelled to delve faster into the book to discover the sinister secrets that are alluded to from page one.
Definitely don't let this one pass you by.
Rating:
Summary: Gray Matter
Review: An absolutely incredible read. I couldn't put it down from the moment I received it. It draws you in to the point where you don't want to put it down even to go to bed. I have read my fiction writers and Gary Braver is, by far, the best I author I have ever read. I have read both Elixir, and Gray Matter and I am waiting in suspense for the next Gary Braver masterpiece to come out. A definite must read for any fiction lover.
Rating:
Summary: CUTTING EDGE THRILLER...
Review: The author has written a medical thriller that will have the reader glued to the pages of the book until the very last. It is a well written, suspenseful novel that heralds a novelist whose prose is spare, lean, and taut, moving the story along at a brisk pace. Fans of Michael Crichton and Robin Cook will, undoubtedly, enjoy this well paced thriller, as will anyone who appreciates a great story. The story line is fairly simple. A well-educated, intelligent, and affluent couple, Rachel and Martin Whitman, have a six year old son named Dylan. He is a sweet and beautiful, good-natured child with a penchant for singing show tunes. He can sing amazingly well and is simply adorable. Unfortunately, he has a below average intelligence quotient, as well as a learning disability that makes academic pursuits a trial for him. His parents' dream of a bright future for Dylan seems remote, given his limitations. Suddenly, however, they are given hope, when a friend of Rachel's suggests that she see a Dr. Malenko, a neurologist who may be able to help with Dylan's problem through an experimental, surgical enhancement, which appears to be done clandestinely. It is a risky business, but Dylan's parents seem willing to do almost anything to ensure that their son will be able to be all that they would like him to be. Or are they? The ultimate cost may be more than that for which they bargained. Running parallel to this story line is another one involving a Detective who is investigating a series of puzzling homicides involving children with unusual markings on their skulls. His is a quest that will intersect with the Whitmans' dream in a head on collision, making for a pulse pounding grand finale. The climactic surprise ending will leave the reader open-mouthed. This novel is multi-layered and complex, providing an engrossing and absorbing read while proffering a whole host of ethical and public policy dilemmas for consideration. This outstanding thriller provides much food for thought buried between its lines. It is a book that demands to be read and one that will have the reader riveted to its pages until the very last one is turned. Bravo!
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