Deep Storm: A Novel
by Lincoln Child
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Book Reviews of Deep Storm: A Novel
Book Review: Nice blend of reality and sci-fi....
Summary: 4 Stars
So what exactly resides under the crust of the earth? That's the premise behind the mystery/sci-fi novel Deep Storm by Lincoln Child. I'd have been happier if it moved a bit faster in the center of the story, but the overall effect was definitely entertaining.
Peter Crane is called upon to solve a medical mystery... A number of people are becoming increasingly sick on a project related to a deep sea drilling platform. But in order to get the details, Crane has to sign an endless number of confidentiality and non-disclosure statements related to what the project actually is. Even then, there's a wide gap between what he gets to know and what he needs to know. Once he commits to come on board, he finds out that the actual platform is really nothing more than a facade for a full-fledged research facility located many miles below the surface. Crane quickly finds out that the strange mix of science and military is blocking all his attempts to diagnose the strange symptoms of the occupants at the facility. With more people showing symptoms, he slowly gets more access to the actual focus of the project, and comes face-to-face with things never before seen or imagined. And how do you cure people when all the tests you know of come back normal, yet it's obvious that something is amiss? Couple that with the increasing tension as they get closer to drilling through the Moho, or the final crust of the earth before the molten core. The military thinks it will provide weaponry more advanced than anything ever seen, but other indicators show it might be the end of life in the entire known universe...
Overall, this was a good blend of reality and sci-fi. Without spoiling the plot, I thought that the premise behind what was below the crust was unique and interesting. Things got a bit slow in the middle, when you knew there was something going on, but the plot wasn't revealing enough to figure that out (or at least I couldn't). Still, I looked forward to picking up the book each time to see what exactly was stored down there. If you're looking for a few hours of adventure, Deep Storm will fit the bill.
Book Review: once this story starts going, its a lot of fun
Summary: 3 Stars
I have enjoyed following the books of Child and Preston. From Relic onwards they have skirted the supernatural and sleuth genres with a panache and joy that is very appealing. Together Child and Preston have the ability to create engaging premises for story lines and characters with at least a minimal outline. However, I have noticed while reading the authors solo efforts that neither is as strong alone as they are together. Working in tandem, they have the ability to fill in the short comings of one another.
Deep Storm might be the best of the solo efforts by Child and Preston. I kept thinking of correlations between this story and a couple of 'B' movies... the 'Poseidon Adventure' and 'Abyss'. Once events start to fall into place and this story takes off, Child gives us pretty much a non-stop action adventure.
The major fault of this book in my opinion, is the very under-developed characters. Child barely sketches out protagonists and supporting characters. If you hold up this book in one hand and a story that is character driven like Russo's 'Nobodies Fool', its almost like looking at an empty post modern wasteland when you scour 'Deep Storm'. Not only that, but the story here is very 'science fiction'. As an admirer of the sci-fi genre before it died out a couple of decades ago, its hard to take any premise of this story seriously. Its so simple-minded. Basically all of this is an excuse for Child to write an action thriller. So lastly, and perhaps most akin, if you were to look at one of Ludlum's better efforts like the 'Bourne Conspiracy', a story composed for non-stop action purposes with little character development, its hard to say that Deep Storm comes close to Ludlum's prowess as a writer.
Hey, if you have not read the early Child/Preston books, you are in for a treat. Start with the first books in the series. They are the best. I would skip this one unless you are like myself and have read everything these writers have done and are curious as to what they are currently working on.
Book Review: Hi tech thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
Lincoln Child's latest offering "Deep Storm" while a fast reading imaginative thriller, once again demonstrates that without the collaborative efforts of writing partner Douglas Preston his solo efforts lack the same uummph. While some of Child's advanced technological knowledge seems dubious, he cleverly gives the reader small bits and pieces as he advances his plot slowly not giving it all away at once.
The drama plays out on the Storm King offshore oil platform located off the coast of Greenland. Oil drilling exploration at the site unexpectedly uncovered a fantastic archaeologic find purported to be the legendary lost city of Atlantis. Twenty months later a massive scientific research facility has been constructed there two miles below the ocean surface under the dual leadership of military man Admiral Spartan and scientific leader Dr. Asher. The perplexing discovery that the site has been dated at only 600 years old fuels uncertainty as to what is actually being uncovered.
Lately however a spate of unexplained illnesses both physical and psychological have overtaken a large proportion of those working on the converted oil rig. With Dr. Asher's insistence Dr. Peter Crane, a physician with a naval background and specializing in undersea, pressure related afflictions is brought in to get a handle on the debilitating illnesses.
Crane, sworn to secrecy is subjected to exhaustive security measures and initially not allowed access to classified areas. As Crane gets the confidence of both Asher and Spartan and is allowed a freer reign, he begins to realize that the digging being conducted through the earth's core may involve a discovery much more dangerous and foreboding than Atlantis.
Child leads the reader at a suitably measured pace towards the revealing of what actually lies deep beneath the ocean floor as the main characters continually receive warnings that the discovery might be so technologically advanced as to threaten mankind.
Book Review: Deep Trouble in the Deep Storm
Summary: 4 Stars
Navy physician, Peter Crane is called to investigate a mysterious illness abroad an oil platform. Upon further investigation, he discovers what could be the single most greatest discovery of all time, and also the deadliest!
Unlike many of the reviewers who were Lincoln Child fans, this was my first novel that I have read by Lincoln Child. The reason I picked up this book was because of the Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child writing team. I had read "Tyrannosaur Canyon", by Douglas Preston, and liked the book for the most part. There was a lot of predictability to Tyrannosaur Canyon, but an entertaining book none the less. Deep Storm has a lot of clichés and a fair amount of predictability as well, but the book was entertaining as hell!
The beginning of the book had a kind of familiar feel to it; I was reminded of the movie "Sphere", based on the book of the same name by Michael Crichton. Especially when Peter Crane was tasked to investigate an illness in a Navy facility on the bottom of the ocean; if you had watched the movie "Sphere" or read the book, you'll know what I mean.
I really liked Lincoln's use of science in the book, just to make the story a little more believable. That's one thing I noticed about Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, they seemed to walk a razors edge with regards to the science fiction elements of their novels without going overboard. Somehow, the science fiction was grounded enough to be entertaining without being too cheesy. I thought the writing was tight and well executed; I wouldn't be surprised if either Douglas Preston or Lincoln Child were tapped by a Hollywood studio to write a screenplay based on one of their books.
In conclusion, this was a good book as far as writing and concepts, but there was a lot "I know where this is going..." to the book. Overall, the book was a little formulaic, but highly entertaining.
Book Review: Deep Mystery?
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent. His best so far. Deep Storm is a wonderfully written science fiction thriller. The plot is engrossing and the story tightly written so as to keep the reader involved at all levels. Technically accurate, it does not dwell on just the "gizmos" but develops the story along several levels: personal, scientific, technical, and human interest. Is it all plausible? Could it happen? Do we have the technology to do this? As Hamlet said, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Although it is just a "story" you be the judge of this amazing tale.
The plot concerns the discovery of "something" at the bottom of the ocean. From there mystery and intrigue take over to weave an intricate tale. At times I was reminded of Michael Crichton's Sphere and its interesting hypothesis. What is down there and how will it impact humankind? As the story develops, Mr. Child adds human suspense to the equation to flesh out the plot. From there the story picks up speed as it blazes its way to a dramatic conclusion. I am not going to tell you the amazing ending but suffice it to say it IS NOT what you think it is as you digest the intricacies of the story.
Plot was excellent. Character development was superb as one grew to know the characters only to see them change in the blink of an eye. Who are the good guys? Who are the bad? Mr. Child does an excellent job of making them all seem believable yet keeps one guessing as to who to believe. Fear, turmoil, suspense, intrigue, frustration, the unknown, they are all present in each of the characters and bubble up in different ways.
No gratuitous violence, sex, or language. An outstanding read for just about anytime or place. But be warned, once you are into the story it becomes very difficult to put the book down. Don't say I didn't warn you and be ready for a great, fast paced ride!