Outbreak

Another Robin Cook thriller that higlights the horror of an outbreak that mysteriously seem to appear at several places one after the other. The medical investigative teams are baffled by the mystery. The limited information seems to point out to trivial possibilities that nobody cares to validate. But one of them - Marissa Blumenthal seems adamant. And so seems this trait of virus that remains temporarily controlled only after it wrecks havoc. As Dr. Blumenthal tries to collect facts, she falls prey to a horde of sinister forces that tries to eliminate her in any way possible. With nobody to trust and a psycopath trying to compose a game of death, the pace accelerates in just the correct way to keep the suspense growing but never becoming monotonous. With the right mix of mystery and suspense it remains enjoyable till the final pages. The Cook novel like always has an underlying motto that finally points out a horrifying theme. As the terrifying scheme is finally revealed it is upto the reader to judge for themselves whether it is a boon or curse that science and socio-economics of modern civilization ultimately promise.

A Stranger is Watching

A cunning psychopath is on the loose evading the law by pure luck but can't evade his fear. A fear that thrives on obsession drives him to commit murder once more. He has a master plan. But bearing the burden of his crime innocent Ron Thompson waits electrocution. As pleas to the Governor for stay order doesn't stand a chance it remains for coincidences to pile up that saves the day. Yes the most disappointing part of the novel is its tight plot fails to make it a good detective story but remains an action packed suspense narrative. With all the ingredients for an inverted detective story it remains a thrilling race between the psychopath and the police. I went to buy another novel by Mary Higgins Clark but chose thise one instead among the others due to the unavailability of the intended title. I admit that it is not very dissappointing as far as a crime thriller but the mystery part was actually not there in the narrative.