Someone to Kill

Rating:
Summary: Two thumbs up! Ten stars!
Review: Someone to Kill is a great thriller. I literally couldn't put it down. The plot moves at a relentless pace, with twists and turns that continually build suspense and seemingly disparate strands that come together beautifully in the end. What's more, the book has characters who are real. Pavlak is masterfully drawn -- complicated, gutsy, sharp, and with a negative streak that breaks the hero mold. Karin is a great contrast -- warm-hearted, non-violent, attractive, and very bright. What a refreshing change to read a thriller that combines action, suspense, and intrigue with lead characters who don't fit stereotypes and who change each other in genuinely human ways.
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Rating:
Summary: move aside John Grisham!!!
Review: This is the most refreshing thriller I have read in a while. It is very difficult to put down, and there are surprise twists and turns at every corner. Korriher has a command of the language seldom seen in books of this genre and his characters come to life in an amazing way. If Grisham is starting to get old for you, and you like action-packed stories that are well-researched and take you on a roller coaster ride, this book is for you. It would make an excellent movie!!!

Rating:
Summary: Strongly recommended thriller debut
Review: What could possibly generate more anger and sympathy in a reader's mind than a mother and young child being blown apart by a car bomb. This is just what happens to the ex-wife and daughter of John Pavlak, a small college athletic director and ex- military hero. The question is, why? Pavlak will stop at nothing to discover the truth no matter the cost in dollars or loss of life. As we accompany Pavlak on his search for "someone to kill", we enter into the world of the cold war and its spies. Pavlak must also search for answers in his own family's history including his relationship with his physically abusive father.

Kurt Corriher is a student of the international thriller sub genre. This is quite evidenced by the fact that his first novel is almost a survey of what makes a thriller successful. First of all is a sympathetic hero with a military background who can be realistically expected to step into the role of savior of the universe. John Pavlak easily fits that part. The loss of his ex-wife and young daughter, not only make him a victim, but generates much anger against the villains by, not only Pavlak, but the reader, as well. Pavlak needs a beautiful love interest and Karin, sister of another victim eventually is just that. The scenery must change and with the book comes a free ticket to such widespread places as Germany to Crete. Most important of all, the plot must be plausible, have a certain level of complexity and move like the wind. All of this is successfully accomplished. A problem with this book, albeit a minor one, is the length. Thrillers can be quite lengthy. However, this particular book is a bit too long as the book appears to run out of steam into a somewhat disappointing solution and predictable conclusion. However, there is much promise in this book and it is one that is strongly recommended.