K. A. PATTERSON ~ Writer/Editor/Publisher

The Cell: A Novel, by Stephen King

Not his best work by far, but it certainly entertained me and kept me turning the pages. Reminiscent of the 'old' Stephen King style, I gobbled up this pseudo-zombie tale in 1 1/2 days, but found the ending rather anti-climatic. The big dramatic battle the story builds up to never really happens ~ or at least it seemed to fizzle out to me, like Stephen tired of the tale and simple rushed the ending.

But where he may have given up at the end, he definitely had that 'old' King sizzle and enthusiasm in the beginning and middle pages of the book.  The first three pages suck you in fast, and the chapters there after teased me along as a reader, making me want more and more.

The characters were too stereotypical for me, easily recognizable as rehashes of other King characters, tough without the depth a novel should have.

But again the focal point ~ the apocalyptic aftermath of the Pulse ~ how it effects mankind and the norm of the main character’s world carries the story and keeps the reader curious enough to read on.

I found his incorporation of a simple everyday device as a catalysis for the ensuring horror a masterful stroke.

For me, Cell: A Novel was an apt tribute to George A. Romero and Richard Matheson. It was an enjoyable read.  They’ll make a movie of it, you can bet on that.

***

The Resort, by Bentley Little

This delightfully twisted tale is Bentley Little at his finest. Luckily, I savored this masterpiece a little over 4 days ~ though I was sorely tempted to speed-read it from start to finish in one sitting.

This ghoulish luxury resort could be situated anywhere and the tale would be equally appealing ~ although you wouldn't catch me vacationing at any desert resort, no matter how much my travel agent touted the palce as an oasis paradise.

Gory, bizarre, and shocking at times, it's wonderfully inventive. Like King, the main characters could use more depth to make us care, but still the book is definitely a must read for horror and Bentley Little fans.

***

Cabinet of Curiosities, By Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

I’ve been a fan of this duo ever since I snatched up a copy of the suspense-filled Relic. This was long before the movie, Relic, hit the big screen mind you.  Soon after I became enamored with their engrossing writing style.

After Relic, I plucked up a copy of Reliquary, which I enjoyed but didn’t find as satisfying.

But when I happened upon a used copy of Cabinet of Curiosities on the ‘New Arrivals’ shelf at Half Price Books, I admit I was intrigued. Once I carted the book home and plopped on the couch to read it, I was immediately hooked.

Preston & Child do their homework.  They research their subject matter thoroughly. They immerse you in time and place, pulling you deeper and deeper into a tale that twists and turns quicker than the hairpin turns of an s-bend road snaking down hills along the west coast. Their characterization is impeccable. Heroes, heroines and villains are richly defined, with deep-ocean depth and quirks galore.

do their homework by researching their subject matter thoroughly. They immerse in time and place, pulling you deeper and deeper into a tale that twists and turns. Their characterization is impeccable. Heroes, heroine and villain are richly defined, with deep-ocean depth and quirks galore.

The here and now of the story is equally depicted.  The reader expends little effort to visualize where the authors are taking you with each turn of the page.  And the suspense becomes so intense at times you'd jump out of your skin if the slightest sound disturbs your reading.

Agent Pendergast is a true gem ~ a character I enjoy reading about again and again in other Preston-Child novels. I also loved being reaquainted with Lieutenant D’Agosta.

This was another sweeping tale I hated to see come to an end.