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CHASING THE DEVIL
by James Brant
Onyx, November 2004
320 pages
$7.50
ISBN: 0451411595


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Harry Dymes works in the San Francisco Police Department's homicide division. A man identified as Paul Morris was found murdered in his hotel room. Dymes is assigned this case. Morris was not a native to this area, hence, it is difficult to find a likely suspect. In addition, there is little evidence that could point to a single person. Luckily, someone wants Dymes to know this man's actual identity and wants him to piece together a huge conspiracy.

Paul Morris was a friend of Nicolai Tarasove, a Russian scientist. Tarasove is interested in toxins and biological weapons. During the Cold War, he defected to America and was placed in the Witness Protection Program. Unfortunately, several people have determined his location and want him back. This includes the Russian mob, the Triad and a hired assassin.

The FBI sends Marta Citron to take over Dymes' case, as they have been involved with Tarasove since the beginning. Dymes and Citron must somehow work together in order to protect Tarasove and prevent a biological toxin from being released.

CHASING THE DEVIL, the second book by James Brant, is a typical thriller. Citron and Dymes have the usual sexual tensions that always appear in thrillers between the female and male protagonists. The book is action-packed and fast-paced; however, there is not much depth given to the actions or behaviors of the characters. By including both the Russian Mob and the Triad, Brant ensures that there are plenty of bad guys to go around. In short, this is the type of book that can be read easily in a single afternoon -- that is, a beach book.

The biggest fault with the book is the science or lack thereof. Tarasove supposedly invented a toxin that could target a single person or the entire population depending on the version released. This is somehow done with the inclusion of DNA. The idea is rather interesting and frightening, but Brant does not explain this toxin in any greater depth. While the pursuit of this toxin is what holds the plot together, Brant does not attempt to explain how this toxin would work or why he believes it is even possible. The inclusion of this type of information would have made the book much more effective and enjoyable. If Brant could convince the reader that this biological weapon could exist and destroy the population, the actions of the characters would begin to make more sense.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, November 2004

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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