Harry Williamson

When I've been asked who my favorite authors are, John Sandford has always been in the top five. I've read all of his books twice, Kidd, Flowers, and Davenport, and enjoyed doing so. Having said that, Toxic Prey was very disappointing. The normally strong connection between the characters and the creative plots seen in all Sandford stories was lacking, the pace was repetitive and almost boring, and the tone seemed preachy and shallow. I'm hoping that this latest Prey story, and actually the last one, Judgement Prey, also not the caliber we've come to expect from the author, are anomalies. If not, then I guess I'll just have to read the whole collection of stories a third time.

Nelson Demille has been one of my favorite authors for 30 plus years, but it saddens me to say The Maze is not worthy of his name on the cover. Plodding, repetitive, and just plain boring. How many times must we hear about the women in John Corey's life, or his possible demise at the hands of the Russians, the Iranians, or the CIA? We have all enjoyed the sarcastic wit of Corey going back to Plum Island, but in this book the wisecracks seem forced and just plain out of place. I've started reading all of Mr. Demille's novels for a second, and in a couple of instances, a third time. I guess I'll just pass when I get to The Maze the next time around.