A review by msand3
Black Sunday by Thomas Harris

2.0

I tried reading this novel three times previously without making it past page 35. Having read all other Harris novels, I finally pushed myself to get through this one, which was his first published book. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any better after page 35. The plot is a typical mid-70s spy/terrorist thriller with stereotypical characters who walk and talk like poorly-drawn characters in a bad spy movie. There’s the crazed ex-Vietnam vet with a chip on his shoulder (complete with sexual frustration), the dark and mysterious female agent who urges him on, the sinister terrorist who is out for glory, and the Mossad agent who has to use rough tactics to track them down. The high-concept plot is revealed on the book cover’s front image: a plot to blow up the Super Bowl using the Goodyear -- *ahem* -- I mean the “Aldrich” blimp. Considering this was written by the author of the Hannibal Lecter novels and takes place partly in New Orleans (my hometown), I was expecting to love this book. I’m pretty disappointed it was such a dud. I’m still holding out hope that Harris has one more novel left in him -- or perhaps an unpublished manuscript sitting inside his desk to be found posthumously, as with Crichton. If not, then his career would have been bookended by two less-than-stellar novels, this one to begin his career and the recently published [b:Cari Mora|42118856|Cari Mora|Thomas Harris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1547216289l/42118856._SY75_.jpg|65710928] to end it.