Rating: 
Summary: A ripping read and wonderful murder mystery! Great!
Review: "Plum Island" is probably my favorite detective novel of all time. No surprise here: DeMille is my favorite author, and in Plum Island he does not let us down. DeMille has two general modes for his writing: deadly serious (e.g. "The Charm School"; "Word of Honor") and somewhat humorous (e.g. "The General's Daughter" "The Gold Coast"). Plum Island falls into the latter catagory, which is not to say that it does not have its serious moments. I am saying that it is absolutely hilarious at times, even if it is a murder mystery.The plot is simple enough (no spoilers here). Detective John Corey is recovering from a gunshot wound in a rustic part of Long Island. Two of his friends are murdered, and the local law enforcement officer asks for Corey's help. The two victims worked at a top-secret Federal germ warfare facility, so things quickly get very complicated. More would be telling, but I guarantee that the ending is unpredictable and does not disappoint. The story moves along at a brisk but not hurried pace, never drags, and hold the reader's interest absolutely. John Corey is one of those unforgettable characters that only very talented authors (like DeMille) are capable of creating. DeMille's marvelous sense of humor is never far away despite this being a murder mystery, and this lightens things up without trivializing it. DeMille's prose is peerless, and it is hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this novel. Plum Island deserves every one of the five stars I gave it. Read it and I imagine that you will agree with me!
Rating: 
Summary: Plumb Disappointing
Review: "WICKED WIT...MIND-TWISTING SUSPENSE...A WINNER" is what the front cover of PLUM ISLAND promised, quoting Newsday. With the exception of the "wicked wit" element, the promise remained largely unfulfilled. Not that Nelson DeMille isn't a competent writer; on the contrary, his easy style and descriptive prose make for lucid reading, but PLUM ISLAND - which may not be typical of his work - never succeeded in raising my adrenaline level once. I thought I was buying a thriller, but this book probably falls more comfortably into the detective mystery genre. In any event, it proved to be a disappointment. The story is related in first person narrative by cavalier NYPD homicide detective John Corey. But although Corey's sardonic, flippant humour (think Sam Spade out of Dave Barry) makes for easy reading, sometimes even evoking a laugh-out-loud response from the reader, the story itself, and its lack of momentum disappoint. After being shot and seriously injured on duty, Corey is convalescing at his uncle's house in a Long Island seaside hamlet, when the local sheriff presses him into service as a "consultant" to investigate the brutal murder of a married couple with whom they are both acquainted. Only a couple of chapters into the book, the story founders, becoming bogged down in an unnecessarily lengthy and detailed exposition of the animal disease centre on Plum Island where the murder victims worked as research scientists. This seems to set the pace for most of the remainder of the book; indeed, the first real action does not take place until more than 450 pages have been turned. DeMille develops his characters well, and the quick-fire dialogue is amusing and frequently entertaining, but Detective Corey's highly speculative deductions, by which he ultimately solves the murders, are implausible. I look forward to reading another, and hopefully more suspenseful book by Nelson DeMille. This one, for me at least, fell flat.
Rating:
Summary: Plumb Disappointing
Review: "WICKED WIT...MIND-TWISTING SUSPENSE...A WINNER" is what the front cover of PLUM ISLAND promised, quoting Newsday. With the exception of the "wicked wit" element, the promise remained unfulfilled. Not that Nelson DeMille isn't a competent writer; on the contrary, his easy style and descriptive prose make for lucid reading, but PLUM ISLAND - which may not be typical of his work - never succeeded in raising my adrenaline level once. I thought I was buying a thriller, but this book probably falls more comfotably into the detective mystery genre. In any event, it proved to be a disappointment. The story is related in first person narrative by cavalier NYPD homicide detective John Corey. But although Corey's sardonic, flippant humour (think Sam Spade out of Dave Barry) makes for easy reading, sometimes even evoking a laugh-out-loud response from the reader, the story itself, and its lack of momentum disappoint. After being shot and seriously injured on duty, Corey is convalescing at his uncle's house in a Long Island seaside hamlet, when the local sheriff presses him into service as a "consultant" to investigate the brutal murder of a married couple with whom they are both acquainted. Only a couple of chapters into the book, the story founders, becoming bogged down in an unnecessarily lengthy and detailed exposition of the animal disease centre on Plum Island where the murder victims worked as research scientists. This seems to set the pace for most of the remainder of the book; indeed, the first real action does not take place until more than 450 pages have been turned. DeMille develops his characters well, and the quick-fire dialogue is amusing and frequently entertaining, but Detective Corey's highly speculative deductions, by which he ultimately solves the murders, are implausible. I look forward to reading another, hopefully more suspenseful, offering by Nelson DeMille. This one, for me at least, fell flat.
Rating: 
Summary: A fun read
Review: "Plum Island" is probably my favorite detective novel of all time. No surprise here: DeMille is my favorite author, and in Plum Island he does not let us down. DeMille has two general modes for his writing: deadly serious (e.g. "The Charm School"; "Word of Honor") and somewhat humorous (e.g. "The General's Daughter" "The Gold Coast"). Plum Island falls into the latter catagory, which is not to say that it does not have its serious moments. I am saying that it is absolutely hilarious at times, even if it is a murder mystery. The plot is simple enough (no spoilers here). Detective John Corey is recovering from a gunshot wound in a rustic part of Long Island. Two of his friends are murdered, and the local law enforcement officer asks for Corey's help. The two victims worked at a top-secret Federal germ warfare facility, so things quickly get very complicated. More would be telling, but I guarantee that the ending is unpredictable and does not disappoint. The story moves along at a brisk but not hurried pace, never drags, and hold the reader's interest absolutely. John Corey is one of those unforgettable characters that only very talented authors (like DeMille) are capable of creating. DeMille's marvelous sense of humor is never far away despite this being a murder mystery, and this lightens things up without trivializing it. DeMille's prose is peerless, and it is hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this novel. Plum Island deserves every one of the five stars I gave it. Read it and I imagine that you will agree with me!
Rating:
Summary: A ripping read and wonderful murder mystery! Great!
Review: "Plum Island" is probably my favorite detective novel of all time. No surprise here: DeMille is my favorite author, and in Plum Island he does not let us down. DeMille has two general modes for his writing: deadly serious (e.g. "The Charm School"; "Word of Honor") and somewhat humorous (e.g. "The General's Daughter" "The Gold Coast"). Plum Island falls into the latter catagory, which is not to say that it does not have its serious moments. I am saying that it is absolutely hilarious at times, even if it is a murder mystery. The plot is simple enough (no spoilers here). Detective John Corey is recovering from a gunshot wound in a rustic part of Long Island. Two of his friends are murdered, and the local law enforcement officer asks for Corey's help. The two victims worked at a top-secret Federal germ warfare facility, so things quickly get very complicated. More would be telling, but I guarantee that the ending is unpredictable and does not disappoint. The story moves along at a brisk but not hurried pace, never drags, and hold the reader's interest absolutely. John Corey is one of those unforgettable characters that only very talented authors (like DeMille) are capable of creating. DeMille's marvelous sense of humor is never far away despite this being a murder mystery, and this lightens things up without trivializing it. DeMille's prose is peerless, and it is hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this novel. Plum Island deserves every one of the five stars I gave it. Read it and I imagine that you will agree with me!
Rating:
Summary: Comments on the audio book version
Review: 1) The reader of the audio book was OK as far as depicting when different characters were talking. But, he sounded like what I imagine John Corey sounding like which was great...especially durning the funny lines. 2) Yes, I did laugh out loud a few times...I enjoyed the humor very much. 3) The four hours of tape kept me interested because I had no preconceptions of what to expect. I didn't expect a thriller with lots of chases but simply a NY Cop uncovers a government cover-up. This wasn't the case and the simplistic plot allowed me to enjoy the characters more. 4) Complaint #1 - Geez, didn't know sex with strangers was that easy nowadays. 5) Complaint #2 - What is up with bad guys telling their plans first then shooting later? Then again how many stories have I read with the hot tempered warrior type or the serial killer who was abused as a child?!? 6) Enjoyable story...at one point I wished I had not listened to the audio version but had read the book instead.
Rating:
Summary: DeMille has struck gold
Review: A fabulously entertaining read with a hilarious, likable protanganist and interesting dialougue, I consider Plum Island one of my top ten books. Not for the plot - while it was nicely woven and gave a fascinating picture of that area of New England- but for the story and the effortless relationships between characters. DeMille has no need to clearly state any relationships or give absolute definitions - girlfriend, partner, enemy, ect. They fall into place seemingly without any effort by the author. While reading, I forget entirely that I am reading a book by an author, and begin to think that I am being told an amusing tale by an ex-cop named John Corey. The next book in this series is equally entertaining, and offers new relationships with the same authentic ring. I was mildly disappointed by the speed with which John Corey abandons one love interest and picks up another, but this is a small complaint in a set of hilariously written novels.
Rating:
Summary: It's about character, stupid!
Review: Actually, I quite enjoyed Plum Island. Fun read, interesting premise, reasonable plot. The thing for me about mystery novels is the hero. If they don't have an interesting personality, forget it. Well, De Mille seemed to be writing this book specifically for a Bruce Willis movie. At least that is what stuck in my head as I read it. I could just see the wry facial twists as I worked through the dialogue. Good enough, even if the plot failed to surprise. Now, for comparison, check out The Fractal Murders, by Mark Cohen. This guy knows how to create a character. Plus a plot that whaps you on the head at the end. Great read!
Rating:
Summary: Plum Island
Review: As with the other books written by Nelson DeMille he has NOT failed in keeping you glue to the book, and always wanting more. This is a exciting book, and recommended. I have read 5 of his books and can not wait for the next.
Rating:
Summary: Kept me up til 4AM!
Review: At my age, most books help me get to sleep. But when I read this book, I was riveted. The historical local details DeMille gives and his sarcastic wit are two of the reasons I'm going back for more DeMille. This story is even more relevant in light of the current events at Plum Island.
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