Terminal Event: A Novel (Hardcover)

This book opens with a horrific scene: former NTSB investigator, Joe Durant, is running towards an airplane crash and encountering parts of human bodies. As a former National Transportation Safety Board investigator, Durant has seen many crashes, but this one is different: he knows that his wife was on Emerald Airlines plane calledï¿ Sacajaweaï¿.

Author James Thayer then develops three major plot lines in the investigation into the cause(s) of the crash and each plot line depends upon the kind of people, the characters, involved. The first centers on Joe Durant, the NTSB engineer, who develops an engineering theory based upon improper design or, perhaps, incorrect maintenance. The second revolves around the FBI and ATF agents, who scour the Northwest part of the Untied States for skinhead groups who are anti-government enough to shoot down commercial airliners. The third plot line introduces a Saudi Arabian prince, in the United States for treatment of alcoholism. His presence on the crashed plane is ascertained from identification of those attending funerals and memorial services, and determining why those individuals would be at these events. All three plots compete and it seems, to the reader, that each competing cause is plausible: engineering failure, or terrorist attacks or assassination of the Saudi. But then, not to give away the surprise ending, the main protagonist , Joe Durant, discovers the one important clue that leads to the actual killer.

The discussion of technology is appropriate to this type of mystery, and the hint of romance, with the hotshot FBI agent, Linda Dillon, serves to lighten the book. Author James Thayer does know the Northwest part of the country. Read the book to find out ï¿who dun itï¿.

It is an easy read, and I was also baffled by the nearly complete inaccuracy of the description on the back cover (there is never any suggestion of pilot error). However, if you can put aside the expectations of the story his publisher is advertising, this really is a great story.

Thayer's "Terminal Event" finds a wonderful balance among those three elements. The action is compelling, the technicalities interesting and germane, and his characters are appealing and real.

Joe Durant, his daughter, Wayne Ray, the FBI agents --they are all well-drawn and each advances the story line. Linda Dillon, arguably the central character, even if the book is told from Durant's point of view, is fascinating but, frankly, is a bit much. The only reason I didn't rate this book 5 stars was her over-the-top assaults on credibility (to say nothing of civil rights) while arresting Fahey and Dietz or disrupting the shipping carrier's offices.

Still, even Linda Dillon is a refreshing change, for all her ramboism: here is someone in a story who actually has morals, beliefs and prejuidices, and acts on them... we could watch one million Hollywood movies and never see anything like it.

There are a couple of irritating editorial lapses --for example, when Joe Durant interviews the "Lady in the Hat" in her limousine, she's described as wearing a pants suit, but in the next paragraph she's adjusting her hemline-- but those are minor.

The relationship between Durant and Linda Dillon is particularly well handled --a growing, believable intimacy, but with the clear understanding that there's a line which can't be crossed, not because the author chooses not to but because the character won't allow it.

This book made me want to read more of Thayer --a rarity these days, believe me-- and I recommend it to all of you. I'd be interested in hearing from others who've read it.

FJB