Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Book Review: PLAGUE MAKER by Tim Downs


FBI counterterrorism agent, Nathan Donovan, has an encounter with fleas. Deadly fleas. Because of an NYPD partner who can't keep his mouth shut, the press gets the story, and that story leads to an even bigger one when an old man living in London calls Nathan with a tale of his own.

At first the FBI is skeptical, but since 9/11 they can't afford to ignore anything. To help with the investigation and corroboration of the information from the old man, they team Nathan Donovan up with Marcy Monroe, an expert in the psychology of terrorism--who also happens to be Donovan's ex-wife.

Downs gives us a well-researched and well-written ride in Plague Maker, tying together events from sixty years ago halfway around the world that culminate now off the docks of New York City on the fourth of July. He brings us well-rounded characters with strengths and weaknesses--and the opportunity to exploit both.

Oh yeah, and a deadline.

Recommended. Well worth your time.

It's all better with friends.

2 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this one, too. As well as the rest of Tim Downs' bibliography. He's coming out with a 3rd Bugman novel called First the Dead in a couple months.

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  2. This was the first book of his I've read. Impressive. Just when I thought I was getting bored, he'd throw something incredibly interesting into the mix.

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