Majestic Descending

As an assistant librarian here in Portland my interest became peaked by the number of people checking this book out or asking for it, thus I located a copy and began to browse. To say the least, I was thoroughly impressed. Mitchell Graham is a writer of immense talent and I completely agree with the previous post that suggested the story would make a great movie. It would. The action just keeps coming and coming at a breakneck pace, but with enough rests to let the reader catch his or her breath and a cup of coffee before plunging back in. I think this book that will appeal to men and women alike. The characters are strong, likable and will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. So I'm sold. Pencil me in as a fan. This is one of the best mysteries I've read in a long, long time. And you can take that to the back from your friendly librarian! Sophia

The mystery manager at my local bookstore put this one in my hands when I asked for a recommendation. Over the years I've learned to trust her judgment and I wasn't wrong this time. The characters were intriguing, including the female protagonist, Katherine Adams, an Atlanta attorney, who is as tough as they come. I found the story extremely well written and fast moving. Mitchell Graham shows great ability with contemporary dialogue. The story flowed naturally and was largely responsible for keeping me turning pages. A very solid book. I'm definitely a fan.

It's a real pleasure to read a thriller like MAJESTIC DESCENDING, the exciting new novel by Mitchell Graham. This is a tightly-written suspense story that starts with a bang and just keeps going to the startling conclusion. Graham mixes familiar plot elements with unusual touches to keep you reading, and my favorite unusual touch is the principal cast. Katherine Adams is an attorney with three kids, an ex-husband, and a violent tragedy in her past (as a teen, she was the only survivor of a serial killer). Now, her vacation cruise with her closest friend turns deadly when their ship, the Ocean Majestic, is targeted by terrorists. But even after the sinking, it soon becomes clear that someone (the terrorists?) is still after her. A hunky ex-cop she met on board comes to her aid, and there's an international chase and a surprising final confrontation. What makes Katherine, her friend, and the hunky ex-cop unusual is the fact that they are all in their mid-to-late 40s. It's refreshing to read a big suspense novel with mature adult characters, rather than the standard-issue 24-year-olds who normally populate these stories. Katherine is an appealing heroine, and the action-packed plot really flies. I read MAJESTIC DESCENDING in two sittings, and I look forward to more by Mitchell Graham. Highly Recommended.

I got this book as an early Father's Day gift and finished in in one day. Just a super story! The heroine is as tough as nails and reminds me of Sigorney Weaver's character in Alien. I also liked her counterpart, John Delaney. It's merely speculation on my part but I'd be surprised if these two don't hook up in Graham's next book. For my money the plot had everything I like in a murder mystery. I can easily give this my higest rating.

Atlanta lawyer Katherine Adams needs some down time so she and her best friend Beth Doliver are going on a cruise aboard the Majestic, a ship that is like a small city with all of the luxuries. Also on board is Dr. Ellis Stephens who is celebrating his scientific breakthrough of growing stem cells in a dish. The rewards from the research means that any organ can be grown form the stem cell. A research company sends a representative to see if Dr. Stephens intends to sell his work, which he is not. Unknown to the passengers, three terrorists are on the ship and they are planting explosives in strategic locations so that when they detonate it, the Majestic will sink. When the alarm sounds, Katherine sees Ellis' body with bullets in it. When they are rescued, the authorities want to question her but someone tries to kill her. Katherine figures the murder of the scientist and the sinking of the ship is linked but until she discovers how and who is behind the operation, her life remains in danger because she refuses to give up investigating. She is helped by ex-cop turned lawyer John Delaney who are instantly attracted to one another. Over nine hundred deaths of men, women and children and the sinking of a billion dollar luxury liner paint a scenario of greed run amok. The readers feel they are in the middle of the catastrophe because the detailed action scenes bring the audience into the plot. The heroine is a strong and likable person who is persistent in her inquiries regarding the murder and the sinking of the ship. She doesn't let fear paralyze her which is one of the reasons the audience adores her. Mitchell Graham has written a powerful, enthralling and believable (unfortunately) thriller that should land on the bestseller lists. Harriet Klausner