The Third Gate: A Novel [Hardcover]

This is a typical adventure thriller with paranormal overtones, in other words "Indiana Jones - Light". In place of Indiana Jones we have Jeremy Logan, a professor of history who specializes in enigmas (the bizarre, weird things that most of us refer to as paranormal). Logan has been asked to join an expedition lead by a reclusive millionaire, Porter Stone, who has a reputation for remarkable finds. This time Stone has gone in search of the tomb of the Pharaoh who united Upper and Lower Egypt 5000 years ago. The tomb site is not located along the banks of the Nile but instead in the Sudd, the vast swamp that lies to the south of Egypt. The expedition is large, filled with experts in all fields, including the leading authority in near death experiences and his wife who has her own unique abilities. The expedition headquarters is located in the midst of a nearly impenetrable swamp, cut off from almost all outside contact when, of course odd things begin to happen just as they nearly achieve their goal.

This is not a bad story, just a familiar one. We have met all of the characters before, the hero who has arcane knowledge, the mysterious millionaire on a quest, the doctor who has a deep, dark secret and a vulnerable woman. We have also been to the isolated scientific outpost before, seen the increasingly disturbing events that finally cannot be ignored any longer. It is all standard fare in books or movies or tv shows, sometimes done quite well and resulting in a riveting tale, and other times done so badly they become inadvertent comedies. This one is pretty much middle of the road - the premise is good, the characters are reasonably believable but it does have some flaws. The site of the isolated base is inaccessible except when it is not. Events are slowly built up to and then rushed through. Characters at times behave illogically, even to the point that other characters comment on it.

Overall this is not a bad novel, just not a very original one. It is not a particularly poorly written novel, just not a well written one. It is a quick read, complicated enough to keep the reader interested but not so enthralling that it cannot be put down. It is therefore, a great novel to take on a trip, put in a beach bag or curl up with on a rainy weekend.

Before I write another word, I just want to tell you that this book was fun. Is it capital "L" literature? No, but it's well-written, pulpy fun. Gosh, I wish there were more books like this. Now, on to the story...

After a brief, expository prologue, we meet Dr. Jeremy Logan, enigmalogist. When asked what it is he does, exactly, he answers, "More or less what it sounds like. I investigate phenomena that lie outside the normal bounds of human existence." Apparently, that encompasses proving the existence of the Loch Ness Monster and dealing with the occasional poltergeist. For his latest job, he's been hired by Dr. Ethan Rush of CTS--the Center for Transmortality Studies. After his wife's NDE--near death experience--the former anesthesiologist dedicated his life to the study of the phenomena. But Logan wasn't hired on behalf of CTS. There's another employer. Rush is a go-between in the employ of a very well-known man.

With few questions asked, Logan allows himself to be flown across the planet. They land in Egypt, where he has always wanted to work, but he is told, "I hate to disappoint you, Dr. Logan, but actually, it's nothing quite as straightforward as Egypt." It never is. Their eventual destination is the Sudd. This place is real, but I'd never heard of it before. Child quotes Alan Moorehead's non-fiction book The White Nile at length. It states, in part, "There is no more formidable swamp in the world than the Sudd." This place is an amazing setting for an archeological thriller--or any thriller for that matter--and that's even before they go diving in the mud!

I don't want to be much more specific about the plot of this novel. A big part of the entertainment is letting the revelations come in their own time. Child has crafted a novel where the more paranormal elements of the tale (which I have limited patience for) are well-balanced by real science in a variety of fields. There were moments, even, when things began to feel positively Crichtonesqe.

I mentioned above that this is not literary fiction, so don't expect in-depth character development, but Child has gathered an enjoyable and amusing cast of characters for this adventure. Do expect a compulsively page-turning pace. This is a novel designed to be read fast, preferably on a beach. As for Jeremy Logan, I can't say if we'll ever see him again, but Lincoln, could you please, please write up the story of how he proved the existence of Nessie?

High price to pay for boredom. Anyone who grew up in the 'Age of Aquarius' knows more about the paranormal than the - experts- in this novel!
Lackluster plot, weak characterizations, repetitious descriptions. No thrills, no chills, no surprises....and there could have been many too.
The opportunity was there. You missed it Child. I agree with one other reviewer - wait for the paperback, because this is waaay overpriced!
p.s. Preston and Child as a writing duo will shock you, thrill you, pull you into the story to become one with it. Writing separately? I find each of
them loses the 'soul' of their stories.