Kyle Kerr

Gideon’s Sword

01/9/11 | Books, Reviews | 0 Comments

Written by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
For sale February 2011

“WHO IS GIDEON CREW?” reads the cover of the Advance Reading Copy sent out to reviewers.  Who indeed.

I’ve never read one of the many novels by either Douglas Preston OR Lincoln Child, as co-authors or individuals.  They’re internationally bestselling authors, and this was my first foray into one of their worlds.

Gideon Crew witnessed his father’s death by government agents at the age of twelve.  He grows up believing his father is a traitor, responsible for the deaths of 26 undercover agents.  But on her deathbed, his mother tells him the truth.  His father is not a traitor, but tried to warn the government about a flawed new encryption standard, and was used at a scapegoat when it eventually failed.  She sets him the task of clearing his father’s name and bringing down the man who made it happen.

This in and of itself could have been a sufficient novel, but it’s only the beginning.  The takedown happens within a couple of chapters and serves the purpose of highlighting Gideon’s ingenuity, persistence, and superior analytical skills.

Thinking he can finally get back to his life, he’s summoned by a mysterious organization working with the US Government to track down a Chinese defector known as Mark Wu, who supposedly possesses the plans for a revolutionary weapon more devastating than the H-Bomb.  He doubts his own abilities to succeed on such a mission, and soon finds himself embroiled in an international race to uncover Wu’s secret before his adversary—a ruthless killer called Nodding Crane—finds it first… and kills him in the process.

The story was well crafted and not predictable (I’m one of those people who LIKE to figure out the mystery before the character does).  I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Gideon Crew, whose multi-dimensional background added real life and purpose to his journey.  His efforts often impressed me, even as he occasionally fumbled because of his inexperience.  The only thing about him that isn’t fully explained his is past life as an art thief.  It helps him bring down his father’s killer and is an asset to him in his pursuit of Wu’s secret, but it’s mentioned almost as an aside.  Hopefully it’s explored in future books.  But regardless, I look forward to more adventures with him!

As far as the writing goes, I have to pay the authors the highest compliment I can in saying that it reads with one consistent voice.  I dare anyone to pinpoint where Preston ends and Child begins; their collaboration is flawless.  The only criticism I can think of is that, as a pretty voracious reader and lover of words, they still managed to use a couple terms that even my Kindle didn’t know (it took a bit of online searching to find what a tubercularium is).

In a fast paced, thoroughly unpredictable romp, Gideon Crew is the newest go-to man for international espionage and intrigue.  He’s a great addition to the tradition of the everyman-cum-superman, and I can’t wait to see what he gets wrapped up in next.

9/10

[Note: When searching online for images of the book’s cover, shots of director Michael Bay (Transformers, Armageddon) kept appearing.  After checking IMDb Pro (you’ll have to take my word on this, it isn’t on regular IMDb yet), it appears Gideon’s Sword is already optioned property, and he’s set to produce and direct the movie version for Paramount Pictures, the screenplay of which is currently being adapted by Chap Taylor (writer of ‘02’s Changing Lanes), for a possible 2013 release.]

Until next…

Kyle W. Kerr