Outer Perimeter

Rating:
Summary: You MUST Read This Book...
Review: ...if you read First Evidence. Not only does Outer Perimeter continue the characters, I think it was a better book overall!!! The writing style is perfected in Outer Perimeter and flow is incredibly strong.

The book nearly made me call in to work sick in order to keep reading. (grin) Ken Goddard is one of my favorite authors and I strongly recommend starting with First Evidence and then continuing with Outer Perimeter.

The way the book ends yields 5 stars in itself! Most books I read tend to fizzle near the end, or have a predictable ending. Outer Perimeter keeps you reading until the last page. Once you finish, you will wish there was more!!!

Also, Balefire is an excellent book, especially considering the fact that it was written over 20 years ago and reads like it was recently written.

Take my word for it, this guy is incredible!!!

Rating:
Summary: Second Contact
Review: Being the sequel to one of the most suspenseful books I've ever read, (First Evidence) I expected a lot. I didn't get quite what I expected but it was an engaging read. For the most part, this book fills in the gaps from "First Evidence." It explains a lot and makes you go, "Oh yeah." You must, however, read the first book or you will be lost. "Outer Perimeter" started slow but built it's intrigue bit by bit. Several times, I thought of putting it down but it finally grabbed me. Most books fizzle by the last third. This one takes off like a UFO! The ending didn't grab me but it makes me think he may be thinking of writing another one. (Sidenote: It's interesting that three recent novels all have "black panthers/jaguars" as a nemesis. Have I missed a wildlife trend?)

Rating:
Summary: The Problem with Sequels
Review: I liked First Evidence. But if I'd wanted to read it again, I would have. Outer Perimeter was little more than a re-hash with a subplot woven in. I'm a big fan of episodic fiction - following the same characters through DIFFERENT stories - with little or no reference to previous events. However, I had the feeling throughout Outer Perimeter that I was reading the next few chapters of First Evidence. It had very little of its own plot. When I got to the end just to discover the story lines, such as they were, weren't even resolved, I just had to throw up my hands. It's my guess the next in the "series" will be another weak subplot with the bulk of the book simply re-hash of the first two.

Rating:
Summary: Too much of a good thing
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed "First Evidence" and anxiously awaited the sequel. "Outer Perimiter" was good, but the plot was too dependent on "First Evidence". If you haven't read the first book, this one will not make much sense. I find the plot of this "series" interesting and exciting, and most of the characters well developed. However I was hoping that "Outer Perimeter would advance the plot more than it did. About half of the book was a retelling of events in the first installment. Mr. Goddard is an excellent writer and has provided many great thriller stories. This plot line has great potential. I hope the next installment, if there is one, will advance the plot and provide closure to some of the plot lines.

Rating:
Summary: What a waste
Review: This was by far the worst book I have ever read. I can hardly believe a publisher actually thought it was worthy to publish. The plot is ludicrous and loosely strung along. I only finished this book simply because I had to see if the ending was as innane as the rest of the book. It was.