Unacceptable Risk

This is the second novel by David Dun that I have read after The Black Silent. The basic problem is the same: a conflict between science used as a benefit for mankind or as a dangerous threat to humanity as a whole when in the hands of ruthless gangsters - or in this case (under the influence of 9/11) terrorists. Of all scenarios this is the worst imaginable. There is always the discussion in the media whether authors like David Dun give those terrorists ideas what they could do next. But I believe it works the other way round. Those monsters are never short of ideas. So authors depict certain possibilities, but it would be short-sighted to think that distorted criminal minds have not yet played with similar ideas. What the authors do is open their readers' eyes to what they might have to expect and prepare for the worst. The entertaining side-effect of these horrors is the thrill that they experience while reading those stories. And - as in The Black Silent - the reader can expect excellent story-telling, and a plot with a lot of unexpected twists and turns that make you read the book in one go. The tremendous speed of the action is breath-taking. Who cares that some characters - above all Sam and his terrorist opponent - are slightly exaggerated and are on the way to becoming supermen? It only helps to make the novel's message clear to the reader and makes us aware of the possible dangers that fate may have in store for us. A remarkable and very recommendable novel, not only for the friends of the genre.

Unique Chemistry. This book has a fairly unique mix of action, love, and some science. Sam, the hero is hunting a terrorist by the name of Devan Gaudet who wants to tank the US financial markets for politics and profit. Gaudet is an instrument of rich zealots who want to mix business and religious fanaticism. Gaudet has some high tech capability that translates into an interesting instrument of terror. The latest hottest science can, as usual, be used to kill people as well as benefit them. But he only has part of the science of a now defunct company and wants the rest for profit. Benoit Moreau, locked in French jail almost forever sees the French government grasping for the science that they now own but don't actually possess and she sees Gaudet seeking the same prize. Finally, she sees Sam hunting Gaudet. Putting it all together she conceives a way that Benoit can get out of jail free. And it is Benoit's quest for freedom and her clever manipulations that will enthrall the reader. Sam, being the clever fellow that he is, figures out what Benoit might be doing and decides to work with her scheme to get Gaudet--his main interest in the unfolding events. As Gaudet rushes to destroy the US financial markets Benoit rushes to win her freedom and Sam rushes to catch Gaudet. In a fascinating plot they all three collide and you will marvel as Dun weaves the plot elements into an exciting conclusion. This was unique and a great read.