From Publishers Weekly
An intriguing concept--a microchip inserted in the brain to cure blindness that also allows certain recipients to see the future--falls short of its potential in this poorly paced, digressive thriller. Suzannah Lord saw her career as a neurosurgeon destroyed when she resisted the sexual advances of the microchip's inventor, Roland Lancaster. Several years later, she discovers the chip does a lot more than cure blindness when she meets painter Andrew Dugan, one of the first to receive the implant, who is now desperately troubled by visions. Suzannah begins an investigation that results in a series of confrontations with an old classmate named Archer Montross, himself a chip recipient and now member of a rogue band of CIA operatives who see its side-effects as the ultimate espionage tool. Buried in the repetitive plot, which wanders aimlessly from one near-escape to another, are some interesting questions about the effects of knowing the future on individual sanity and creativity. Dugan, for example, loses his desire to paint when he can "see" the finished work before he even picks up a brush. Overall, unfortunately, this is a disappointing effort from the author of Before I Wake . First serial to Good Housekeeping.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Spruill, who showed promise with Before I Wake ( LJ 3/15/92) and Painkiller ( LJ 4/1/90), continues in the vein of medical suspense. A microchip implanted in the brain can restore sight even to those blind from birth. The FDA will approve the microchip only if an experiment with 50 volunteers is successful without any devastating side effects. Of course there are side effects: some in the experiment begin seeing the future in alarming ways. They seek out Suzannah Lord, a neurosurgeon involved with the implanting, who has been discredited by the head researcher. The CIA becomes interested, as does a criminal element, both with guns blazing. Suzannah's trials soon rival the perils of Pauline in escapes that strain credibility, weakening the story. Someday Spruill, who has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, may master the art of breathing life into his characters. When and if he does, his books will be best sellers. Still, this is a satisfactory novel, unusual and provocative. First serial to Good Housekeeping ; previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 11/15/93.
- Ralph DeLucia, Willoughby Wallace Lib., Stony Creek, Ct.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
