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bibliothecarius's review against another edition
4.0
The villain's somewhat disappointing revelation at the end, the wonky science, and too many convenient coincides aside, this was one the most entertaining books I've ever read. I haven't read the other books in the series, but now I think I might, though it's good enough to stand on its own. It nearly defies description, but I guess...a murder mystery/comedy/sci-fi/fantasy/buddy-cop story? Good enough.
duplica123's review against another edition
4.0
A good story, but not much mystery. Far more of an adventure thriller with some Michael Crichton science and some Lord of the rings thrown in. I liked the main character a lit, and will probably read at least one more book with him.
This was not the first in the series but they gave enough background to be understandable.
This was not the first in the series but they gave enough background to be understandable.
ericwelch's review against another edition
4.0
"Thermonuclear war may destroy human life--indeed, all life--over the planet, but not necessarily so. In fact, the solutions to the equations indicate that the outside parameters for our existence may be as much as three or four hundred years. But no more. The means by which we destroy ourselves cannot be predicted mathematically--and are, in any case, irrelevant. It is of no value to look around for the catastrophe that will come; in an evolutionary sense, we are the catastrophe, a unique species of self-aware, intelligent creatures that are, as an entire species, quite insane. We are, as the Triage Parabola makes quite Clear, simply an evolutionary dead end. Nature, as is well-known from even the most casual observation, is unforgiving and implacable in erasing her mistakes. On an evolutionary scale, we rose with lightning speed; we shall disappear with lightning speed. In four hundred years, or maybe only four hundred months or days or hours or seconds, there will not be a single human being left on the face of the earth. In four thousand years--a snap of the fingers in evolutionary time--there will probably not even be a trace left of our existence."
Ironically, this passage is from Chesbro's rather unusual detective novel. The hero is a dwarf of unusual intelligence, with a doctorate in criminology and experience as a flying trapeze artist in the circus. He and his brother, a New York City policeman, investigate the death of their nephew and discover a worldwide environmental plot. It is impossible to say more without giving away the story. A good, fast, fun read. By the way, this is a classic example of a cover having absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the contents, unfortunately?
Ironically, this passage is from Chesbro's rather unusual detective novel. The hero is a dwarf of unusual intelligence, with a doctorate in criminology and experience as a flying trapeze artist in the circus. He and his brother, a New York City policeman, investigate the death of their nephew and discover a worldwide environmental plot. It is impossible to say more without giving away the story. A good, fast, fun read. By the way, this is a classic example of a cover having absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the contents, unfortunately?
cspiwak's review
3.0
you need to completely suspend your disbelief for this one, but it was a fun ride
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