David Morrell, a master of suspense and mystery, once again
has Frank Belanger the damaged, but recovering hero of Morrell's
award winning CREEPERS, and Amanda Evert the woman he loves
and has risked his life to save, thrust in a nightmarish
game devised by an evil game designer calling himself the "Game
master". SCAVANGER is a historical mystery along with
a good dose of high TECH and terror. You are drawn into
the novel until you'll also feel you're in the same twisted
game. The novel places the two main characters in two completely
different settings, uniting them only twice as they struggle
through the clues and rules of the game. Balenger and Evert
are together at the beginning of SCAVENGER when Frank receives
an unusual letter from the Manhattan History Club. The letter
appears old and has an aged and brittle feel and closer
examination shows a post mark dating it back to the nineteenth
century and a two cent stamp. This intriguing envelope contains
an invitation to a lecture given by an expert on time capsules.
Both of our characters accept the invitation. When the presentation
is over, Balenger finds himself drugged and separated from
Evert, the object of taunting clues issued from an unknown
and deadly source whose purpose seems either to murder Balenger
or drive him crazy as he struggles to locate Evert.
Amanda too has woken up to find herself no longer at the
Historical Club, but in bed in an unfamiliar house. She
and four other reluctant guests have just entered into the
ultimate scavenger hunt in which 40 hours have been given
to win the game. If they break any of the rules which are
to be revealed as these reluctant players move through the
clues or try to escape the confinements of the gaming area,
they will pay with deadly consequences.
This thriller is a race against the clock and as the time
remaining falls, the tension mounts as we rush to the heart-stopping
conclusion. Morrell switches perspectives throughout the
book, first spending time with Belanger as he gathers his
wits and starts his search for Amanda. Then he switches
our focus to Amanda's plight as she struggles through the
clues and perils of the scavenger hunt. Morell allows us
the luxury of bringing the story to a climax before switching
between scenes and doesn't leave us hanging until he brings
us back to conclude the scene. SCAVENGER in true thriller
style, keeps the outcome completely uncertain and up in
the air until the last page. For those of you that have
read any of the Rambo series, you expect fast paced action,
which has the ability to surprise and terrify. SCAVENGER
delivers.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery
thrillers. The book is a fast mover. I felt I could have
sat down and read to conclusion in one day, as one does
get caught up in the action. I do suggest that the reader
finish "Creepers" first, since the heroes Frank
and Amanda are a continuation of characters from that book.
The use of the technology and the historical aspect of the
story rang true and seem well researched. I am looking forward
to the next David Morrell offering.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Wayne Sears developed a love for reading in grade five
and continues to have a ferocious appetite for literature.
His favorite books are Mysteries, Suspense and Crime Novels.
Wayne was born in the prairie region of southern Alberta
and in his early life enjoyed the outdoors with hunting
and fishing. He still enjoys getting out in the countryside
with his wife of twenty years, enjoying the scenery, but
now shooting with a camera. Besides reading Wayne has
taken up woodcarving and is enjoying take photographs
of scenery and wildlife for subjects but his first love
still is reading a good novel.
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2007 SPINETINGLER Magazine - All rights reserved
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