The Blue Zone
Posted by admin in Kindle Monday, 7 June 2010 11:47 5 Comments
Product Description
From the number one New York Times bestselling coauthor of Judge & Jury and Lifeguard comes this electrifying solo debut, The Blue Zone. Kate Raab’s life seems almost perfect: her boyfriend, her job, her family . . . until her father runs into trouble with the law. His only recourse is to testify against his former accomplices in exchange for his family’s placement in the Witness Protection Program. But one of them gets cold feet. In a flash, everything Kate can cou… More >>
First I need to come clean. I know Andy Gross. We were both “copy boys” at Women’s Wear Daily during the mid-70s. Back then I was itching to be a writer and Andy seemed destined for some sort of sport stardom (he was a wicked tennis player) with a sideline for more esoteric wordsmithing such as poetry and philosophy. Click ahead a few years and Gross is commandeering massive sport apparel companies and I’m still itching to become a writer, though now scribing for numerous magazines.
We lose touch but regain contact when I realize Andy is copiloting with one of my quick read faves.
And then…he delivers a solo effort with The Blue Zone.
It is a terrific book, tight to genre but, more importantly, hinting at a care for plotting, character development and dialogue that threatens to expand beyond typecast to a future of solid novels with appeal beyond just bestselling aspiration. Blue Zone has a debt to Patterson but there is also a hint of Puzo-plus through to situation/suspense ala Jim Thompson and Goodis. It’s not there here but…and this is important…it could certainly go there.
That’s a form of “dark” with a hint of “dank” and there are elements of that quality right now. Let’s hope they explode on the next one. This one get’s three from me but only because Andy has always known me as a harsh critic. That three should generate a four next time and a career as a writer well worded in five.
…and I’m still wanting to be a writer while this boy I knew delivered the copy…well worded.
Rating: 3 / 5
Wow, this book was awesome!! I could not put it down and will probably read it again. You keep wondering what is going to happen and you keep rooting for Kate!
If you love Patterson’s books, you will love this one!
This is one of those books that caused me to miss my stop on the train. So, I had to get off at the next stop and walk an extra few blocks.
I hope he keeps up writing books like this!
Rating: 5 / 5
The Blue Zone will get you hooked instantly & keep you Rockin’ & Rolling till the very end. Andy Gross proves that all by his lonesome he can keep you on the edge of your seat. I’ll be reading this one again for sure! Clever and suspensefull with countless twists & turns. Would make a great film!
Henry Gross (No relation to Andy)
Rating: 5 / 5
This was an excellent book. It was hard to put down since it had so many twists and turns. What a surprise ending. After I finished reading this book, I wanted more, more, more. I am anxious to read his next book.
Rating: 5 / 5
I came to read this book based on a couple of very high recommendations. And, now that I’ve read it, I can see how it would really appeal to a lot of readers who love books with tons of plot surprises. I tend to prefer books that have a more realistic feel than this one does, so this story wasn’t really my cup of tea. But, it may be yours, so it’s probably worth a look.
One feature I really liked about The Blue Zone was the way it’s divided into many short chapters. And, the writing style was appealing, so it was very easy to read quickly – easy to decide to read one more and then another short chapter versus committing to start a long one. As a result, this book was a real page turner for me and I liked that. But, at the end, I just felt the storyline went for a few too many improbable plot twists. If that doesn’t bother you, jump on this book.
Rating: 4 / 5