John Bailor's debut novel is a compulsive page turner. Thriller fans will enjoy the fast-paced action and find Death Dealt the Hand an entertaining read.
The plot centers around agent Trevor Byrne, who is investigating the suspiciously-fast approval of human trials on an experimental AIDS cure. He quickly finds himself enmeshed in a dangerous web, fighting for his life at every turn. The pacing starts out a little frenetic- jumping from scene-to-scene with different point-of-view characters, reminiscent of the opening of James Rollin's Black Order, but quickly settles into an even pace as the action centers around Trevor. Like most thrillers, the plot is laden with action, with some good hand-to-hand fighting scenes that reflect martial arts knowledge on the author's part. The book is also heavy on sexual content: gay sex, forced sodomy, naked hotel employees waiting in the room. While nothing is presented in graphic detail, it's a strong undercurrent that runs throughout the story. Seemingly every woman Trevor meets immediately wants to sleep with him, and the reader gets the sense that if he needs something, there will always be a hot babe just around the corner to help him out. Save this borderline excess of charisma, though, Trevor is not one of those "too-perfect" characters that crop up in the genre. He doesn't win every fight in dominating fashion, and he's not a genius, sharpshooter, computer guru, pilot, mechanic, Nobel Prize winner with a bionic arm. He's a tough, appealing, but human character.
I would have enjoyed a stronger treatment of the mystery angle. A deeper and more varied exploration of the truth about the experiments and those behind the sinster plot would have, for me, fleshed out the story and added a layer of interest. I enjoy it when the main character has to untangle a complex puzzle in addition to fighting the bad guys. A touch more back-story about Trevor would have been welcome as well. The downside, of course, is that the pacing of the story would slow at points, so it's a matter of taste in that respect.
Overall, Death Dealt the Hand is a fun story for the thriller fan. You can read it now in e-book format, or wait for its print release in August. Visit Bailor's website for more details.
11 comments:
Congratulations on your first review John! Here's to many sales!
Regan Taylor
This looks like a wonderful review John.
Jodi
Congratulations John,
A wonderful review and I wish you many sales on your book, Death Dealt the Hand.
Skylar Sinclair.
www.skylarsinclair.com
A blessedly good review. So good. Bless you, you are my action master.
Congratulations John E. Bailor! Your book is a slam dunk! I have been recommending it to friends, family, and coworkers (not necessarily in that order). When are you going to have a public book signing?
I would be stoked about a book signing, and meeting the author in person. You know, I live in SOuth Central PA, and I recently saw someone resembling that hot picture on the back near Harrisburg. I wonder if it could have been him? If it were, and I had known, I would have run up to him and asked him to marry me! ;)
sorry BondGirl17025 he's married.
Too bad. I must say she is a lucky lady. That does not really matter to me though, I am from Utah. Perhaps I can turn him to the Mormon way: two wives!
bondgirl17025, this is his wife...maybe I'd like that as well....smile.... Yes I am a lucky woman...Glad you enjoyed the book! Check John out on his myspace page!
Melissa, I checked out John's myspace page. I just gotta comment: Wow that kiss looks hot I wish I could be right in the middle of that! ;-) That is a great picture. You two sure do look happy together. Is there another book in the works for John?
Bondgirl contact us through John's myspace page and we'll see about getting you in the middle of a kiss like that!
Post a Comment