Rating: 
Summary: Demille's heroes are an endangered species
Review: At the time, Max, town sheriff in this Long Island community, thought it was a good idea to ask convalescing NYPD homicide detective, John Corey, to help out with a double-murder case. After all, this one is way out of local boys' league. The murdered couple just happens to be scientists employed on mysterious Plum Island. A compound where the government does its top secret studies of animal diseases (y'know like anthrax and Ebola, the real fun stuff). The plot thickens when some government spooks try to keep things quiet, and did I mention the female detective who is really supposed to be in charge of the case. They just didn't know what they were dealing with when Corey got involved. Demille fans know what I'm talking about. While, mystery/suspense novels aren't my favorite reading preference, I'll always pick up a Demille book. His heroes are the macho, stand-up guy, shove the politically correct [stuff], man's man, types that, unfortunately, are so scarce now-a-days, they should be on an endangered species list. This story makes a very surprising turn about half-way through that you'll never see coming and like him or not, Corey is just the man to see justice done.
Rating:
Summary: A New York story for everyone
Review: Mind you, there is romance but nothing a stop watch would sweat. This mystery takes place eastern end of Long Island--not the "Hamptons" but the North Fork. A New York City Detective, sitting out from his usual duties, is lured into a murder case linked
to Plum Island. Interesting tie-ins to historical character
Captain Kid and the lost treasure. Great stuff.
Also recommend: "Damsel in the Rough" by A. M. Tempesta and
"By Evil Means" by Sandra West Prowell
Rating:
Summary: Not my favorite but still a good story.
Review: I have read several stories by Nelson DeMille. This one isn't my favorite and didn't hold my attention as totally..i.e. I found it easier to put down at times...but its still a good story and the characters are entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: broken reality
Review: Fiction is a remarkable phenomenon. It begins as an
unread sequence of words, the whimsical construction
of the author's mind. But as the pages pass, the reality
gels, the events become meaningful, the author disappears. But sometimes work strains the suspension of disbelief to the
breaking point. The veil of reality disappears, and one is
again left with words... words of the author's design,
the events they describe without importance or causal connection. This is what happens with Plum Island. It isn't a total loss. Some of the character interactions,
through most of the book, are compelling, and the description
of the local culture sustains interest. But the end-game
is where it falters. Drama surrenders to silliness. The reader
is betrayed. I haven't ready anything else from Demille, and probably
won't. I instead recommend Robert E. Parker's Spenser series
(I recommend starting from the beginning) as superior
in virtually all aspects -- it's a far better execution
of the same style.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Read
Review: While not as good as Lion's Game, Plum Island is still very enjoyable. I'd love to see both these as movies. John Corey is a lovable strong main character with all his flaws (and aches and pains.) Nelson DeMille spins a good yarn here that's hard to put down. This would be great on your summer reading list.
Rating: 
Summary: Start Here!
Review: If you're even slightly interested in Demille, or just looking for a good novel to try out, this is one that will get you hooked on Demille. His main character, NYPD John Cory is a man's man and a lady's man, in a somewhat (self admittedly) sexist way. If you decide to get it, you will then be looking for your next Demille book - I suggest going to Lion's game, then Gold Coast. You will then be effectively hooked.
Rating:
Summary: Good Novel, Corey is a Trip!!
Review: Plum Island is my third Nelson DeMille book and like the previous two I've read (Gold Coast and Charm School), it's a little long winded, probably 100 pages longer than it needed to be, but the primary character, John Corey is his best character to date. I agree with other reviewers that he is arrogant, but he is pretty funny with his sarcasm, which makes him tolerable when the story drags. The storyline, which deals with the murder of employees of Plum Island, where work is done with hazardous materials (including anthrax) is obviously very timely today. It makes a lot more sense today than in 1997 when this book was first published. You get to learn a little about this stuff, so DeMille's research doesn't go to waste here. I found fault with DeMille's decision to let Corey figure out who the criminal was midway through the book and then spending the rest of the book showing how he gets this person. It would have been nice if he threw in a plot twist somewhere later to shake things up and add some suspense, but it's a good book that will lead me to read The Lion's Game (another Corey book) in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a bad read
Review: I can't say it's the best book I've ever read. Detective Corey is pretty cool and I like his attitude but the story line seems very "manufactured" even with the twists. It was as though characters were thrown in left, right, and centre to throw the reader off the plot. I think I liked the setting of the book and the accuracy of certain elements more than the story line. I just couldn't see how he deduced so quickly who the murderer was. The last half is the best part of the book. Overall, I'd prefer to see it as a movie.
Rating:
Summary: If this is typical of DeMille's work...
Review: I began this book with great hopes, but was very disappointed. First of all, I found John Corey tedious, with his constant wise cracks and gods-gift-to-women behavior. I kept waiting for the "mind twisting suspense" to happen, but it never did. The story line was weak, with Corey deciding who the murderer was in the middle of the book, and then we just get to watch him act out his revenge, without any real proof or justification till almost the end. I guess we're just all expected to cheer for Corey, but he's so obnoxious and so vicious, that I found myself hoping he was wrong! Nothing is "hair-raising", except his sadistic behavoir towards the murderer. I seriously doubt that I'll waste money on any of DeMille's other books.
Rating:
Summary: From a Long Islander
Review: My father worked on Plum Island for a brief time in 1957, and my family lived in Greenport, where all of my mother's family were born and raised. Demille's descriptions of the areas, including the restaurants, hotels, etc. are definitely on the mark. I must admit I'd never heard any stories about Capt. Kidd's hidden treasures, so this was an unexpected and delightful surprise. The story line was rather ho-hum.....I'm pretty sure all the readers knew who the bad guy was fairly early on, and the final scene was a typical "Nancy Drew" stereotype. It's an interesting story to follow, and for anyone who lives or has visited Long Island, the book will bring back some memories.
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