Reviews

Plum Island by Nelson DeMille A Novel

shirlee2024's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

The first time I read a book by Nelson DeMille, I was charmed by the narrator's wise-ass dialogue. After a few books, it grew stale, though, and it had been years since I'd picked up another. This time I found it so annoying that I almost gave up. But the plot was good and different. So if a constant smart mouth doesn't bother you, I can recommend this book, and that's why I gave it three stars. I hope this experience stays with me for a few years, though, so that I stay away from this author.

corvids_feather's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I had a hard time with this story because I found the main character John Corey to be unlikeable. The plot itself was fun and decently paced but the romance was underdeveloped and unfocused. 

beardedbookstr73's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

4.0

hopecaldwell's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

another funny, entertaining,fast read from DeMille. A great thriller writer.

joooools's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I spent a good portion of this book rolling my eyes, which is a dangerous venture as I listened to this book on my commute. While the plot wasn’t one I’ve heard before, which was refreshing, I was irritated with the characters. The main character was a hypermasculine macho man, and the two female supporting characters were there to provide information and to heighten his macho-ness to an absurd degree.

jbarr5's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Plum Island by Nelson DeMille
This novel is about John Corey who's recuperating on the beach and gets a call to help investigate.
The bio chemical animal testing island, Plum Island is the main focus. There are a couple, scientists, that had been murdered who worked there.
Love all the clues he finds that don't add up when touring the island with the officials.
Like how he talks and then tells you what's on his mind. Gives an insight to what's going on. Love the connection between Captain Kidd and the sex scenes and the investigation.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

marilynw's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Plum Island (John Corey #1) by Nelson DeMille

This audiobook comes in a 19 hours and 45 minutes and Scott Brick's narration made it a fun ride. He didn't just read the lines, he was John Corey and he brought out all the corniness that is John Corey spouting dumb dad jokes even though he's not a dad. He's a NYPD homicide cop taking a break at his uncle's rural eastern Long Island home while he recovers from on the job wounds. If he's not talking someone's ear off (while not saying much of anything), he's still nonstop thinking, joking to himself, snarking all the way. He can be charming but he's also rude and crude. He'll find a way to get the job done despite rules and regulations. He doesn't care who likes him and or that everyone complains about his wise cracks.

When a young couple who John has befriended is killed at their home, the local law asks him to help out with the investigation. Once John is on the case, he's not going to be called off even though that is what happens pretty quickly. But no one tells John what to do and he just keeps digging deeper, while ignoring phone calls from his NYPD boss and everyone else. John ignores phone calls almost as much as he tells bad jokes.

I enjoyed this audiobook despite it's length and it was because of John's goofy snarkiness and Brick's narration. I'll need to rest up before I give the next audiobook a try but I will give it a go since Brick narrates again. Thanks to my Goodreads friend, Jonathan, for suggesting this story since I enjoy some good snark.

Published April 1, 1997

scottwcoleman's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Finally read the first book in the John Corey series. Loved it... wish I would have found this one first.

mskeesh's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I liked the story, but the main character was soonest somewhat annoying.

ericbuscemi's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This book started out needlessly verbose, and languished far too long on its tour of Plum Island, which encompassed six chapters and over 100 pages alone
SpoilerAnd had almost nothing to do with the actual mystery. This showed a hell of a commitment to a red herring, or an inability of the author to pass up sharing research he did on the island
. Add to that, the main character, NYPD detective John Corey, was as irritating and grating to me as the book's first-person narrator as he was to every single character in the book, even the ones he was trying to sleep with.

At one point, these complaints almost led me to abandon the book, unfinished, which is something I rarely do, but, in hindsight, I am glad I didn't. The story began to slowly pick up, building steady momentum as it unfolded, and led to a hell of a crescendo in the final act. I would definitely recommend this book, with the caveat that it is a bit of an investment at a lengthy 600 pages, but taken in its entirety, is a very satisfying mystery that is worth the investment. I hope John Corey turned down the snide commentary in future books though, as he was a bit much to take.