The Project

Very good book. I read it in a day. There wasn't a lot of endless technical jargon, but just enough to understand what the project was about and how it went so wrong. Looking at the human scientific experiments performed in Nazi prison camps, in American insane asylums, and by intelligence agencies the "project" was horribly plausible. There are researchers, companies and agencies that consider some people to be "throwaways"; the homeless, mentally ill, abandoned children, etc. As lay people we would be naive to believe that there is a limit to what technology is possible. One of the things I liked best in this book was that although the two leads were slowly building towards a relationship, the suspense was front and center. I've read most of Jan Coffey's books and have never been disappointed.

A recent rash of mass killings at schools fails to fit the previous profile. Instead of bullied loners living in small towns, the murderers are intelligent, do well in school, are popular and participate in activities. The latest one is in Westfield, Connecticut where fifteen year old honor student Juan Bradley fired shots at a teacher and students, but miraculously no one died though seven injuries occurred. What makes this case unique is Juan is the first of the six shooters in the last month to survive; though he lies in a coma. The FBI brings in Secret Service Agents Bryan Atwood and forensics psychologist Hank Gardner who worked together on the Secret Service Safe School Initiative project ten years ago. They are considered the experts though neither wants to return to this world. They head to Connecticut to learn why a good happy kid began shooting. There they meet Juan's adoptive parent Dr. Lexi Bradley, who insists her son is in danger from an unknown assailant. As they work the case, the two agents begin to agree with the beleaguered mother as evidence mounts that not only is Juan in danger so are they and that the teen is not responsible for the mass shooting; but whoever is has powerful connections. THE PROJECT takes off at lightning speed and never slows down as Lexi and Bryan begin to uncover a horrific truth that makes the belief that Juan went over the edge seem minor in comparison. The story line is filled with action yet the key cast members seem genuine especially the lead duo. Most frightening is the scenario that they uncover seems plausible in today's secretive America. Though the romance between Lexi and Bryan appears a forced unnecessary subplot, readers will hold onto their seats as they learn just what THE PROJECT is. Harriet Klausner