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Desperate Measures **Spec Price Offer Edition**
  

Desperate Measures **Spec Price Offer Edition** (Paperback)

by David Morrell (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

In the seventh thriller from the creator of Rambo (introduced in First Blood), yet another defeated soul becomes a rebellious dynamo eluding evil minions of the Establishment as he campaigns violently for personal justice. His son's slow death from cancer has ended Matt Pittman's marriage and led him to quit his newspaper job and stick a gun in his mouth. Before Matt pulls the trigger, however, his editor calls in a last payback, assigning him to a deathbed interview with Jonathan Millgate, one of five patrician diplomats who have recommended war to every President since Truman and grown rich from ties to the arms industry. Arriving at the Manhattan hospital just as the other four are spiriting Millgate away, Matt follows them to a walled estate, into which he breaks to find Millgate struggling, his life supports detached. Hooked back up, the old man mutters, "Duncan... The snow... Grollier" before guards send Matt running for his life. Daybreak finds the former reporter wanted for murder, his assets frozen and a gunsel in his apartment. So begins Matt's bloody journey to the truth. Morrell is a master of formula action fiction and his fans won't be disappointed by the complex but hurtling plot. Major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


From Library Journal

Burned-out and grief-stricken after the death of his son, journalist Matthew Pittman is sitting in his bathtub with a loaded revolver pointed at the roof of his mouth when the telephone rings. His suicide interrupted, Matthew is assigned to write an obituary for the dying Jonathan Millgate, an 80-year-old member of a prestigious group that advises U.S. presidents. Soon, however, Millgate is kidnapped from his deathbed and killed, and Pittman is accused of the murder. Fleeing Millgate's true murderers and the police they control, Pittman suddenly gains interest in a life that he was prepared to abandon only days before. Here, best-selling author Morrell is at the top of his craft. The in-depth characterization, believable and unpredictable plot developments, and psychological depths of this thriller will draw all readers. Libraries should put it at the top of their must-buy lists for the fall.
--Alice DiNizo, Raritan P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
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4 star:
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3 star:
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Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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4.0 out of 5 stars "Desperate Measures" was Very Good!, Feb 15 2004
By Vickie R. Terhune "James" (Northwest Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Have you ever bought a First Edition hardback book at a grocery store? Well, a grocery store is where I found several (like-new-condition) copies of this book a few months ago, so I got one. I hope David Morrell never reads this review, because I paid a mere 50 cents (priced as two books for $1) for the book, the stock of which I guess was remaindered from an out-of-business bookstore. The book sat on the top shelf of my bookcase for a while until about four days ago, when I took the novel down and decided: "Ah, what the heck, I'll give it a whirl"--and I was hooked from the first page! After Thursday evening, during most of the following Friday, then Saturday evening (Feb 12th, 13th, 14th) the pages kept turning.
I really liked this book; I have two more of Morrell's (First Edition) novels, "Burnt Sienna" and "Extreme Denial", that I look forward to reading since I was pleased with "Desperate Measures". "Desperate Measures" was a fairly original story/plot with a TON of action and suspense. Morrell's writing style is accessible; however, I think in some parts/scenes the action was a bit too quick (I like a mildly-paced story, not too fast but not too slow). All in all, this book was well worth what I paid for it. Also, the novel's dust-jacket is the prettiest I've ever seen (the sparkling red cover caught my eye when I saw it). I give "Desperate Measures" 4 stars, though, because no book is one hundred percent perfect. Nevertheless, Morrell's "Desperate Measures" is worth reading. Recommended? Yes.
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2.0 out of 5 stars Made It To Page 60, Then Skipped To The End, Oct 25 2002
By Oliver Towne (Riverside, CA United States) - See all my reviews
Apparently I'm the only person so far to agree with reviewer "davlo." I just read Morrell's "Long Lost," and though I found it interesting enough to finish, the words "movie-of-the week" occured to me early on. "Desperate Measures" also has this TV quality, especially the "Penguin-explains-everything-to-Batman" ending. The only thing missing would have been to strap our hero to a conveyor belt beneath a spinning sawblade.

There are themes for suspense novels which cause my eyes to glaze over as soon as I read the dust-jacket. 1.) A serial killer is on the loose. 2.) A terrorist/criminal/madman is about to acquire a weapon of mass destruction. 3.) There is a conspiracy at the very highest levels of government.

"Desperate Measures" is a category 3, and unfortunately Morrell doesn't come up with any reasons to make me abandon my prejudice. It's a story we've all seen a hundred times. Why should I (watch) read it again? The attempt to inject some pathos into the plot with the protagonist's ongoing bereavement strikes me as a bogus attempt to make the story "about something." As for the narrative, yes, Morrell is great at describing action scenes. But does everything have to be drawn out so long? Again, TV "movie-of-the-week."

If you want to see an excellent example of how to do a conspiracy story in a fresh and imaginative way, check out Robin White's "The Ice Curtain." I think you'll see why I didn't mind taking desperate measures of my own.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Morell Does it again, May 7 2002
By Greg (Staten Island, NY) - See all my reviews
Once again David Morrell does not disapoint. Desperate Measures is a great read by the man who brought us First Blood , Brotherhood Of The Rose, and other great novels. This is another great book that has great character development. Mat Pitman starts out wanting to end his own life but when he is given a assignment he begins to fight for his life. Part of Morrell's magic is that he can make you see what the characters are going through and always make each event in the book be significant when it comes to the end. He also shares yet another political view of McCarthyism and the Red Scare in the 1950's which is what this book's plot is all about. Mr. Morrell does it again.
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Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Made-for-TV type fluff
Reading this book was like watching a made-for-TV movie; it was somewhat entertaining, somewhat predictable, somewhat preposterous and completely forgetable. Read more
Published on Oct 18 2001 by Davlo

4.0 out of 5 stars A well developed main character makes this a great read
This book pulls you in quickly. You follow the main character as he runs into one dangerous situation after another. Read more
Published on Jul 16 2001 by kleac

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining.
This is the kind of book that many of us like to read during vacation or on a relaxing weekend. The plot begins with an interesting twist and then moves along quickly. Read more
Published on Jul 16 2001 by Philip Hamilton

5.0 out of 5 stars JUST AS HE'S READY TO PULL THE...
A PHONE CALL INTERUPTS MATT'S PLAN TO KILL HIMSELF AND FINALLY FIND THE PEACE HE'S BEEN DESPERATELY SEEKING SINCE HIS SON'S DEATH NOW FINDS OUT HE HAS TO PUT THE PLAN ON HOLD FOR... Read more
Published on Jul 2 2001 by G. Bowser

4.0 out of 5 stars FAST
This book is one of the fastest reads ever. I just couldn't stop turning the pages. Morrell really knows how to move a story along and throw in some decent characters that are... Read more
Published on Oct 20 2000 by J. Duindam

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
This book was a thrill ride from start to finish! The characters are great and the action never stops! Definitely a keeper!
Published on Jun 19 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars As always, I was totally thrilled.
Great Book! Even though I didnt miss Supper this time(sorry but not even Morrell himself in person would make me miss deer steaks that and it was midnight), it is still a awesome... Read more
Published on Jan 29 2000 by Matt Sherwood

5.0 out of 5 stars Equal to First Blood
Did!nt want the story to end
Published on Oct 15 1998

3.0 out of 5 stars Promises a lot but fails to deliver
This particular book of Morrell starts off on a high note, has a reasonable build-up but fails to deliver the knock-out punch. Read more
Published on Dec 3 1997

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and interesting
Stimulating read. David Morrell always gives me a terrible night's sleep (because I tend to read until the wee hours of the morning.) This book is no exception.
Published on Dec 26 1996

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