The Altman Code: 05/04/07
I picked up The Altman Code at one of last year's BookCrossing meetings. I'm a sucker for international spy thrillers so was willing to give this first in a series a go.

Agent Jon Smith and others must race the clock to get a manifest to prove that China is shipping chemical weapons to Iraq. The basic adventure plot is entertaining but it has to compete with an incredibly cheesy soap opera involving the President of the United States. Castillo's missing father disrupts the flow of the plot and interjects some unintentionally funny scenes.

The other major flaw is the sheer number of characters. No scene lasts more than a half dozen pages before the plot blips to another location and different characters. There is too much action and too many characters to ever get to know any of them well, even the hero, Jon Smith.

bookcrossing | books | thriller | fiction

Comment #1: Thursday, May, 17, 2007 at 15:10:33

dew says:
"That's one of the most interesting takes on the book that I've seen. Neat insight!"

Comment #2: Thursday, May, 17, 2007 at 12:15:18

Pussreboots says:
"The meeting is only five (maybe eight) miles away. My husband did all the driving. I just had to sit and enjoy seeing my friends and of course showing off Harriet!"

Comment #3: Friday, May, 18, 2007 at 01:25:15

Michelle says:
"Really? Online since 1997? REALLY? That's got to be a record."

Comment #4: Thursday, May, 17, 2007 at 10:36:33

Pussreboots says:
"Yes indeed! August 2 will be my 10th anniversary. I've been doing web design since 1995 but have only had this site since 1997."