The Exile

The Exile is a rather big departure it would seem from his first two novels, but do not make the mistake of letting that keep you away from picking up this large adventure-laced, conspiracy-filled yarn. The Exile is going to be absolutely HATED by the vast number of law enforcement members in the country, but taken simply as fictional entertainment, this book DELIVERS. While not quite as good his his first scorching read (The Day After Tomorrow, still one of my favorites) I would place it way AHEAD of his 2nd novel (Day of Confession). Even though this book is quite different from the other novels, it DOES share one major theme: Conspiracy...and plenty of it. This time the conspiracy comes at the expense of the Los Angeles Police Department. Is there a secret band of Officers who quietly kill perps instead of arresting them? Do they painstakingly arrange for all the deaths to look justifiable under the circumstances? Before he even realizes what has happened, young LAPD Detective John Barron finds himself waist-deep into the Brotherhood. A conspiracy that he realizes there is NO escape from. The ONLY way out of the Brotherhood is through Death. Everyone involved, including some of his early career heroes, firmly believes in what they are doing. Saving the system millions by eliminating violent scum before some attempt to bankrupt the California Justice System or through some lucky twist of fate, get off scott-free due to some crazy fluke or technicality. On the surface, John can see the logic behind it all, but it doesn't take long before he realizes how being involved violates all he holds sacred. Before long John himself is fleeing from the same men he used to look up to and moves to Europe only to find himself knee-deep into another facet of the same conspiracy which forced him out originally. How is it all tied together? Good question, but I won't spoil it (as some others find it fun to do) by revealing too much. Just suffice it to say that whether or not you believe some of the reviews written here, the best measure of any novel is to read it for yourself. I personally found the story, although complicated and almost to the point of being convoluted, all made sense and was well worth the journey for me. Great storytelling by someone who you can tell took a LONG time piecing together this novel to make it as fun and all-out entertaining as possible. I would recommend it whole-heartedly.

I don't understand the folks who gave this book a three star rating, unless they are Harry Potter fans. This book kept me up late many a night. As for the length of the book, I wish it were longer. It's been six years since Folsom's last novel, much too long for a writer of his caliber. I would like to recommend his debut novel, which came out in 1994, "The Day After Tomorrow." Especially for those who were a little disappointed in this book.

Once I began this book I could not put it down until page 58 - and only then because I had to. Last Sunday, I went out to my cottage (no TV, no telephone) and spent the last five hours finishing the book (that was my objective for the day). It is a fast-paced book and a great story. I am not going to tell you any of the plot - just know it was very interesting and satifying. I highly recommend it!

This novel is a page turner until the very last word on page 702. John Barron, the main character is a police officer with an elite branch of the LAPD called the '5-2'. Once a member, a member for life or more appropriately, till death do us part. The 5-2 is a vigilante unit and John Barron isn't quite the vigilante type. Enter Raymond Thorpe who kills all across the country and then ends up on a train and in LA. He is captured, then escapes, kills a bunch of people and all the while, the wonder is "who is Raymond Thorpe and what does he want". The 5-2 squad finally captures Thorpe and Barron helps him escape his ultimate "capture" by the 5-2. Unfortunately, Thorpe is captured again and is ultimately killed..or was he. Barron must leave the country, obtain a new identity (enter John Barron aka Nicholas Marten) and start anew in Europe. After all, the LAPD doesn't forgive and sure isn't about to forget. Life in Europe progresses nicely for a moment but John just can't let go of the Raymond thing. Murders start to happen in Europe which are eeirly familiar. John's best friend is murdered and John begins to think.."is Raymond really dead?" The balance of the story involves politics, a constitutional monarchy, a madman with a royal bloodline, a scorned woman seeking revenge and the future of a country. This is truly a gripping, page turning, incredibly well written novel which WILL NOT disappoint.

See storyline above (Booklist's). I was not at all disappointed in Folsom's latest international thriller. The action, as well as the depth, will draw you in from page one. A memorable and truly entertaining novel fans of Allan Folsom have come to expect. Highly recommended.