Collision
by Jeff Abbot
Published by Dutton, Member of Penguin Group
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Reviewed by Patty Inglish
Collision is an energetic crime/suspense drama that left me wishing for several sequels. However, some of the captivating characters died and subsequent installments would leave the gritty survivors searching for new friends and collaborators. Each of Abbott’s book is unique and “Collision” leaves survivors with a new self confidence and grasp of a political world. Take the current Oil/Environmental Crisis – What is it really hiding? Whose interests does this combined phenomenon serve? These are the types of questions answered in a novel reminiscent of “The Man from Uncle” with faster guns – and they are all ours. As Walt Kelly’s Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and they is us.”
“Collision” follows government contractors that will go to any lengths to ensure top dollar, guaranteed, long-term income from the Bush Administration in Iraq, just screaming the “Halliburton” accusations to any who wish to hear. The storyline screams “Halliburton”-type accusations for any who wish to listen, and, the possibility of scandal satisfies the politcal suspicions of some current pundits, while making for good drama. It will spur arguments through the 2008 Presidential Election, and much speculation afterward. The book is hard to put down. In it, a double frame-up among assassins creates short lived friendships as well as long-term intrigue in a fresh way and will likely become a fine film.
A major frame up includes the assassination of a business developer’s wife on their honeymoon and the theft of his identity by a deep undercover ex-CIA man that believes the ID is fictitious. Crime rings in the US and Ireland are key to this frame and the developer Ben and undercover man Pilgrim finally join forces after a collision of identities makes it the only choice. A surprise ending and its threads are good enough for a film by itself, a bit reminiscent of the film web of “Crash.”
The story is fast paced and uses clean language for the most part, showing that men and women can express themselves intelligently during any level of frustration or extreme stress.
Armchair Interviews says: Anyone from high school level through adult that loves stories of crime and suspense will enjoy Collision.
Author’s Web site: http://www.JeffAbbott.com