Category Archives: Thrillers

(Originally published February 14, 2009)

The only type of thriller more fascinating than a good creature story is a treasure hunt. And when the treasure hunt involving “supernatural” occurrences, terrifying traps, and compulsively evil villains? Even better. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, the team responsible for “Relic” and “Reliquary” have woven a supremely compelling suspense novel that transcends all the flaws of their previous works. “Riptide” is a gripping, fast-paced story with strong characters, a multilayered search for treasure, and an explosive finale.

The novel follows Malin Hatch, a young doctor whose family has owned the dangerous “Ragged Island” for decades. Local legends say that the great pirate Red Ned Ockham, sensing the end of his life, forced a brilliant English architect to build him the ultimate treasure vault: an underground labyrinth known as the “Water Pit” on the edge of Ragged Island. As a boy, young Hatch watched with horror as his brother was brutally killed by one of the Water Pit’s insidious traps…and now, more than twenty years later, he returns to discover the truth.

Along with a group of daring treasure hunters, Hatch slowly ventures into the bowels of the Water Pit, deciphering ancient codes with modern technology. But it soon becomes clear that the treasure he and his companions are searching for is more than merely gold…and may claim all their lives in the search. “Riptide” wraps up with a dazzlingly epic confrontation in the depths of a sunken vault.

From a worldview standpoint, “Riptide” is an interesting case. Apocalyptic imagery is frequently used for dramatic effect, yet one of the book’s major characters (the town minister) is an unpleasantly slimy character who raves blindly about “sin” and “a lust for gold.” It should be duly noted, however, that he undergoes a remarkable transformation throughout the course of the story. As in most thrillers, issues of faith take a backseat to action and suspense. Hatch references his personal faith early on in the novel, but says that he “prefers not to discuss it.” and we never get any explanation.

“Riptide” does contain some disturbing moments – most noticeably at the beginning of the book. A man’s legs are trapped beneath a fallen beam in a swiftly flooding mine shaft, and Hatch uses an axe to brutally amputate the limbs. Several treasure hunters are also killed by a variety of grisly traps that result in massive bloodshed. Some of these elements were unsettlingly gruesome, even for a thriller fan like myself. On the bright side, though, bad language and innuendo are generally absent.

Overall, “Riptide” is the perfect adventure novel for a slow weekend afternoon or long car trip. It’s fast and fluid, with good characterization and a well-woven plot. Fans of “National Treasure” or any of Clive Cussler’s novels will not be disappointed.

VERDICT: 8.5/10
A riveting ride through mysterious, dangerous subterranean grottoes. Highly recommended.

(Originally published February 13, 2009)

“If it sells, make a sequel.” Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child obviously learned this lesson after the success of their first book, “Relic.” “Reliquary” fits neatly into the same genre – suspense/horror, set in the dingy back alleys of New York City. And like its predecessor, “Reliquary” relies heavily on the same mix of wooden characters, dark environments, scientific mayhem, and brutal action violence.

Set eighteen months after the events of “Relic”, “Reliquary” follows the same formula as before. People are disappearing all across New York City – and quite literally losing their heads. The search for answers takes anthropological researcher Margo Green down into the catacombs beneath Central Park, where she battles a menacing cult of mutants and encounters the shadowy “Mole People.”

It is here that “Reliquary” distinguishes itself. The authors have created a fascinating subculture of homeless people living in the tunnels under the city, and their characters are compellingly drawn. Comprised of the insane, the drug-addicted, and ex-Vietnam veterans, the “Mole People” face off with a horde of bloodthirsty mutants in a series of heart-stopping underground confrontations.

Unfortunately, gut-level shocks often supplant plot development or exposition. While the book isn’t quite as gruesome as “Relic,” reading about heads being ripped from bodies is still unsettling. But quite honestly, I found certain other aspects of “Reliquary” more unpleasant than the gore. The book is positively awash in urban grunge – the characters make their way through every kind of disgusting sludge known to man. If scuba diving through tanks of raw sewage sounds like your idea of fun, “Reliquary” just might be for you.

“Reliquary” is certainly not for the squeamish – or for any readers interested in character development or complex abstract thought. It’s an unapologetic thriller through-and-through. The carnage comes fast and fierce, amping up in the novel’s final pages with a ferocious hand-to-hand battle…and the authors’ underground melees are undeniably gripping. The authors try to toss in a few bits of societal commentary about the rights of the homeless, but this aspect flounders in comparison to the savage catacomb brawls.

Fans of “Relic” will certainly appreciate this sequel. It’s fast-paced and exciting with some very creative elements of underground exploration. Incidentally, I learned quite a bit about New York City in the process. However, if you’re looking for strong characterization or literary depth (or if you’re easily nauseated), your reading time might be better invested elsewhere.

VERDICT: 7.5/10
If you liked “Relic” you’ll like “Reliquary.” Good reading for thriller fans.