Book of the Week: James Rollins' "The Last Oracle"

James Rollins' latest Sigma Force novel is another smart and suspenseful thrill ride. Some Russian scientists are working on a project to harness the savant-like abilities of autistic children. Their goal is to unleash the hidden powers of the human brain in order to further their plans for world domination -- and it’s up to the men and women of Sigma to stop them. Rollins combines real-world science with high-octane action to create rousing stories of adventure that are sure to please. The Last Oracle takes a little while to get going, but once it does, there’s no stopping it.

Comments

[I.J.Parker]

The mind boggles! Does anyone suspend disbelief long enough to read this? Clearly, I have some problems with international thriller stuff.

[David J. Montgomery]

I find virtually all mystery and thriller novels to be wildly improbable... So the thing I'm interested in is: does the book tell a good story?

All I really want when I pick up a crime novel is to be entertained.

[Elaine Flinn]

Aw, come on, Ingrid! :)

It's entertainment. But you gotta admit Jim combines some really expert scientific info in all of his books. I love everyone of his books almost as much as I love Jim.

[Doug Riddle]

Picked it up last night and started it.....didn't finish it, but stayed up way too late...lol. Also picked up Brett Battles new book which I can't wait to start.

[Karen Harrington]

Someone gave this book to me as a gift and I haven't read it yet. I'm glad you gave it a thumbs-up. And I agree, I just want to be entertained with a crime novel or film, too.

Thanks!

[Gaye]

I attended Jim Rollins' author signing this week and he was an adroit speaker who laughed at himself and at times at his plot plausibilities! But he writes because it's fun, it's high adventure and he likes to take us all along for a great ride! I found him very curious about the world around him, highly entertaining, extremely well educated, and quite humble. Besides, he just writes some cracking good reads!

[Boggled Mind]

Ms. Parker, isn't your series about detective in 11th century Japan? Or maybe that is Barry Eisler I am think of. All these thrillers start to blend together after a while.

[Allison Brennan]

Just received my copy the other day from Amazon. I'm with David on stories in general--if I am entertained and transported into whatever world the author has created, I don't care whether it's plausible or not. I read my first James Rollins when he came to speak to one of my groups two years ago. Three years? It was SUBTERRANEAN and I was hooked. I've read most of this books since.

[David J. Montgomery]

I do think a thriller needs to be plausible to be good -- otherwise I have trouble accepting the story long enough to enjoy it.

I haven't had that problem with Rollins' books, though. He does enough research (and knows enough science) to give his scenarios enough believability to make them work.

[Elizabeth]

When I read thrillers (which I enjoy immensely) I sort of factor in the unbelievability factor. That said, I hate it when the hero/heroine is practically supernatural in terms of staying alive.

[Lizzie]

I think you have to be a "thriller" mindset to get a kick out of them, which I do. I recently finished (by audiobook) the most recent Mitch Rapp (Vince Flynn is the author, I believe), plus "Death in Small Doses," by Bernard Steele. No Russians in that one, just Jihadists plotting death and destruction here in the USA. It's a wild ride, especially as it ends with a dramatic confrontation on the NY subway!

[Russell35DANIELLE]

All people deserve very good life time and credit loans or just credit loan would make it better. Because freedom bases on money state.

[Adventure Books]

These modern first edition adventure fiction books are maintained in the best of conditions that book lovers would definitely appreciate.