Panic. Jeff Abbott

`PANIC' is the first Jeff Abbot novel that I have had the pleasure of reading but it most certainly will not be my last. In the last couple of years I have found myself shying away from the mystery/ suspense genre a bit (which happens to be one of my favorites) because, with the exception of the usual suspects such as James Patterson, Dan Brown and Harlan Coben I haven't found too many authors that have held my interest enough to pick up another of their books. However, after reading `PANIC' Jeff Abbot has put himself in the aforementioned category of a "must read" author. `PANIC' is an intricate tale of spies and espionage that takes you deeper into the world of the "Deeps" with every turn of the page. The Deeps are a freelance spy network that has worked for every high-ranking government agency in the world including the CIA, FBI and KGB. They stay under the radar, have connections in extremely high places and you never know who is an operative. Unfortunately for filmmaker Evan Crasher his picture perfect life is turned upside down when he finds out that his parents are two of the Deeps chief agents. Now with his mother dead and his father being held captive Evan is forced to attempt to take down the Deeps all on his own. However, this task proves to be even harder than first imagined as the layers of this story slowly peel away to reveal just how far the Deeps run. Abbot has masterfully woven a tale with brilliant twists and turns at every corner. I assure you this book is impossible to put down and will keep you wanting more, if you are a fan of thrillers `PANIC' is a must!

If you ever travel anywhere with Jeff Abbott, insist on driving. Even if it's just to the corner convenience store. Because if he drives like he writes, you'll be so wired by the time you get to your destination that you'll be hunched beneath the dashboard, with your fingers covering your eyes. Well, you'll be peeking, but you get the idea. My reason for saying this is that I just finished Abbott's latest novel, PANIC, a task that requires --- nay, demands! --- your nonstop attention from beginning to end. The body count starts on page six and doesn't stop until practically the very end. However, this isn't a spray-and-pray gorefest; it's a smart, intelligent thriller that keeps you unsteady and guessing throughout, combining the best elements of such novels as MARATHON MAN and nearly everything that Robert Ludlum ever wrote, and whipping it into a verbal frenzy that is all Abbott's own. PANIC begins with Evan Casher getting an early morning telephone call from his mother, who tells him that he needs to come and see her in Austin, TX immediately. Casher makes the two-plus-hour drive from Houston in record time to find his mother murdered in her kitchen and himself on the receiving end of a brutal, deadly attack. He is saved by a mysterious benefactor who sets Casher on a dangerous path of discovery and duplicity. An up-and-coming documentary filmmaker, Casher is not without his own resources, but soon he finds himself in way over his head. He quickly discovers that his parents are not who he thinks they were, and that someone --- actually, a group of someones --- believes that Casher possesses information that they are all too willing to kill for in order to obtain. Casher cannot trust anyone --- his mysterious rescuer, his girlfriend, even his own father --- and one of the fabulous elements of this book is that the reader can't either. There are also a couple of really, really nasty guys, Dezz and Jargos, who collectively are a lifetime's worth of nightmares. But don't get too attached to anyone in PANIC; they'll either break your heart or disappoint you by not making it to the end of the novel. Well, there might be an exception or two, but you'll have to read to find out. If you need an adrenaline jolt, or your heart kick-started, PANIC is just the ticket. The title is in big letters on the cover for a reason. And don't start it if you can't finish it on the same day or night. You'll drive yourself crazy waiting. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

There are few authors capable of writing a novel with utterly unbelievable characters living out a totally unrealistic plot. Jeff Abbott proves that he is one of these remarkable writers. "Panic" has Evan Casher, 24 year old Academy Award nominated documentary filmmaker finding his mother murdered. He is rescued by a mysterious character, escapes from his would-be benefactor, is retaken and cast into a world of international intrigue and mystery. The plot has more twists and turns than the Gordian Knot. But Abbott handles them beautifully. I willingly cast aside disbelief simply because the action is furious. This is truly a page-turner. Anyone with a sophisticated knowledge of computer technology will laugh, as I did, at Abbott's uncountable gaffes in that area. But it's all forgivable because Abbott makes you want to get to the next page, the next twist, the next step in the adventure. This is definitely not great literature: it's just a fun thriller. A great thriller, in fact. Jerry

This is an out and out good thriller. Chases, suspense, international intrigue, cat and mouse, red herrings, it's got it all. A well written fantastic thriller that puts Jeff Abbott at one of the top spots on my 'must read' list. Highly recommended.

When an unsuspecting person leading an ordinary existence is suddenly trapped in a horrifying, life threatening situation it is even more spine tingling than when readers/listeners know there's probably a psycho on the loose or an extra-terrestrial hovering. This abrupt twist is only one of the plots at which Jeff Abbott excels. In the case of "Panic" we meet young film maker Evan Casher. Life is good for Evan - his career is on the upswing and his girl, Carrie, seems to be the woman he'd hoped to meet. One phone call from his mother turns his world upside down. He travels to Austin, Texas, only for a shocking surprise - his mother has been murdered and his father missing. Further, there's a swift attempt on Evan's life and he has no idea why. Evan has never heard of the Deeps, never even dreamed of a spy ring made up of sadistic killers but they're the ones pursuing him. They believe he has access to a computer file holding information that would seriously compromise the Deeps. How did this come to be? No spoilers here - suffice it to say that his mother, a travel photographer, and his dad, a computer whiz, were secret agents. What of Carrie who appeared to be the girl of his dreams? Those who remember Abbott's "Cut and Run" and "Black Jack Point well know this author turns out heart-stopping thrillers. Right on with "Panic." Voice performer L. J. Ganser (seen on TV's Guiding Light, As The World Turns, etc) turns in a pulse racing performance as Evan tries to stay alive, save his father, and discover the secrets of his past. High level intrigue and suspense at the touch of a button. Don't miss this one! - Gail Cooke