Category Archives: Thrillers

(Originally published February 8, 2009)

I was wandering through my local library last week and the title of this book caught my eye. It sounded like something out of an Indiana Jones adventure – Max Broadbent, a reclusive old millionaire, hides himself and his treasure in the depths of the Honduran jungle. If his sons wish to claim their vast inheritance, they must work together to decipher his clues and discover his hidden tomb. (This author, Douglas Preston, was also responsible for a previously reviewed title, “Relic”).

The book follows Philip, Vernon, and Tom Broadbent, the millionaire’s three sons, as they venture deep into the heart of the jungle in a desperate search for their father’s treasure. But they are not alone. In addition to a vast treasure of art objects, Broadbent’s tomb contains an ancient Mayan codex that told of certain plants’ healing properties. A wealthy pharmaceutical company has contracted with a sadistic ex-Vietnam veteran to obtain the codex at all costs – even if it involves murdering the three Broadbent brothers.

It’s when they reach the jungle that the real action begins. Fans of wilderness-survival adventures like “Hatchet” will certainly appreciate this rainforest adventure. Throw in numerous parallels to Joseph Conrad’s classic “Heart of Darkness” and you’ve got a pulse-pounding thriller on your hands. Hauser, the murderous ex-Marine on the pharmaceutical company’s bankroll, is one of the best literary villains I’ve encountered in a long time. The book builds to a tense, explosive climax culminating in a rope-bridge standoff à la “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.”

In addition to plenty of gripping action scenes, the book contains a redemptive spiritual element that is quite gratifying. At the beginning of the story, it appears that religion will be portrayed as nothing more than a crutch – but in the closing pages of the novel, a leading character recognizes his helplessness in the face of human evil. Shortly before dying, this formerly hedonistic individual renounces his sinful life and acknowledges the saving grace of a higher power. This is most gratifying, especially in an age of increasing secularism.

It’s unfortunate, then, that such a promising book is marred by problematic moral elements. Foul language (including scattered f-words) is prevalent throughout, especially at the beginning. In addition, “The Codex” contains a graphic sex scene that is completely unnecessary to the plot. Without these elements, the novel would carry a solid PG-13 rating. While there are a few moments of gruesome violence, they’re relatively unsurprising given the genre.

I found myself really wanting to enjoy “The Codex.” It’s fast-paced, exciting, and has a spiritual depth absent from most other thrillers. However, the inclusion of unnecessary bad language and sexual content makes it difficult to recommend to other readers. With a few slight modifications, “The Codex” would certainly rank among my favorite suspense-adventure stories. But, as it stands…readers may want to think twice before reading.

VERDICT: 6.5/10
A fascinating plot marred by needless objectionable content.

(Originally published February 3, 2009)

I like creature stories. A lot. Especially when the creature is a mysterious, primeval monstrosity that stalks the primary human characters through dark, brooding environments. Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” “Congo” and “Prey” were both (for me) intense, gripping reads that kept my attention until the very last page.

And in this respect, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s “Relic” doesn’t disappoint.

The story starts off just like any other novel in the same vein: a scientist on an archaeological expedition makes a horrifying discovery before being killed. The significance of the prologue becomes clearer as the novel progresses, building to an explosive, pulse-pounding climax that had me riveted to my chair. Like most science-thrillers, it has a lot of evolutionary overtones, but fortunately these never come across as trumpeting an atheistic worldview.

The book follows Margo Green, an anthropological researcher at New York’s Museum of Natural History, as she tries to learn the truth behind a series of brutal killings in the museum. As expected, the characters of “Relic” are thinly drawn caricatures who serve little purpose other than to provide fodder for the violent “and-then-there-were-none” games that accelerate towards the end of the book. In this respect, “Relic” is very average – the authors never made me truly care about the characters like Michael Crichton did in his bestselling competitors.

But when the creature gets onstage…things get real gripping, real fast. This book is not about character development or deep, underlying moral messages – it’s about shocks, the more intense the better. “Relic” certainly serves up a heaping portion of terror and suspense, with an epilogue that adds an even more mystifying twist.

Bloody violence – as expected in a novel of this genre – is profuse and prolonged. However, in this context (a suspense-mystery novel) it seemed less offensive to me than in the graphic novel “Watchmen.” The violence, for the most part, is described with clinical coldness, which heightens the tension and makes the pivotal scenes all the more intense. (Warning: the novel culminates in a truly disturbing finale that will certainly upset sensitive readers.)

“Relic” isn’t great literature. It’s an escapist read that exists solely to create white-knuckled suspense and haunting nightmares filled with marauding beasts. If you enjoy this sort of book, “Relic” is certainly for you. One caveat: it’s certainly not for the weak-stomached.

VERDICT: 8/10
An enjoyable, entertaining diversion.