Jericho's Fall by Stephen L. Carter


It just didn't work for me

Published in 2009 by Knopf.

This wasn't a bad book - I finished it and I wanted to know what was going on, but...

The book successfully creates a mood. It reminds me of one of those novels set in the Highland Moors in which creepy Lord Whatshisname gathers his family, friends and professional acquaintances to his manor as he lies dying. The sparks fly and secrets are revealed as the horrible weather howls outside.

Jericho's Fall is not based on the Highlands, but on a lonely mountaintop mansion compound in Colorado. There is no English Lord, but instead we have a former Secretary of Defense/CIA Director. His daughters, his ex-lover and loads of professional contacts are in and out of the compound. Sparks do fly and secrets are revealed as freezing rain and snow fall.

Well, I hate those kinds of books and this one had a few too many hidden agendas, double secret agents and super spy secret gadgets for my tastes. Too much posturing and too many mind games. It is readable, but not great.
Stephen L. Carter
On the positive side, however, I was intrigued by the author's non-fiction titles inside the front cover and have begun to read them. I have found them to be quite well-written and have added many of them to my wish list.
I rate this book 3 stars out of 5. It can be found on Amazon.com here: Jericho's Fall by Stephen L. Carter.

 Reviewed on July 23, 2009.

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