Customer Reviews

Night Fall

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I think I read all of DeMille's novels written in the last decade. This man knows how to create rich, satisfying thrillers - his plots and characters are never stale. Meaning, the story is unpredictable. This is the best kind of genre writing - its a political thriller that you forget is a political thriller - you keep devouring the pages because its simply a very, very good read.

(This review contains spoilers)

Not sure whats happening with Demilles writing of late. Up Country, and now Night Fall both were a somewhat disappointment.
Nelson is a good writer and weaves a usually exciting tale.

Point of irritation:
It seems Demilles favorite words are "I (or he/she) didn't reply" or "I/he/she nodded". I kid you not. In Up Country it drove me bananas! Ha....... I nodded.

John Corey, the NYC retired detective was perhaps the most serious, ingenious and at the same time hilarious, character in Plum Island and Lions Game. In Night Fall Demille seems to have parked Corey's wit on the curb. The fact that Ted Nash appears again was the best part of this novel. The interplay between Corey and Nash are extremely entertaining. In Plum Island and Lions Game Corey's musings, observations, saracasm and dislike for Nash had me in stitches at times.

The plot of Night Fall was taken from a real event, mildly interesting, but, predictable. I mean, the missle theory had to be the explanation.
The hints toward the WTC disaster were easily spotted several chapters before the end.
The fact that the ending defeated an potentially incendiary outcome, and left a big question, was well done though.
I still a Demille fan, but not of his last two books.

The fact that DeMille clearly had done a lot of research on the subject of the TWA 800 crash caused me to wonder how much of the material which he presents as fiction is actually disguised reality (in order to protect his sources). I've read most of Demille's books. I'd rate Charm School #1, By The Rivers of Babylon #2, Plus Island #3 and Lions Game #4. The only one I really didn't like was Up Country. This book, while not one of his best, is still a great book. Also VERY highly would recommend two other books: McCrae's The Children's Corner and the book Plot Against America.

As in PLUM ISLAND and LION'S GAME, DeMille's protagonist is John Corey, a former NYPD detective retired on disability. The story takes place shortly before the events of 9/11 so there is a lot of talk about terrorism prior to that event (USS Cole and Tanzania). The major problem I had with the book was over the premise that was holding the whole thing together. John Corey is trying to expose a major cover-up of the cause of an aircraft crash, yet there is never a suggestion that there might be a compelling reason for the cover-up. Pretty unbelievable considering the lengths that the FBI has supposedly gone to. I liked this book overall and would recommend it. I also recently enjoyed a book (TOTALLY different in scope, theme, and everything else from NIGHT FALL) and that was one called THE CHILDREN'S CORNER by Jackson McCrae. Also, check out BLUE DAHLIA-another great read.

Our book club reads anything and everything, from the latest bestseller to Oprah picks like Roths "The Plot Against America" and McCrae's collection "The Children's Corner." But I wasn't prepared when someone (actually the head of the group) recommended "Night Fall." Especially after I read the premise. Given the everchanging and perilious climate in this country and beyond, I wasn't sure I wanted to dredge up the memories of the TWA flight that crashed over the Atlantic in 1996. But I was right away drawn in. Does anyone remember that over a hundred eye witnesses SAW a missle fire and bring down the plane? Has anyone put together that with the fact that security people are saying terrorists are trying to do just such a thing, possibly again? Well, that's sort of what this book is about. It's a thriller, but it will also send chills down (or up) your spine. This book is sure to be as popular as any of the other bestsellers out there. I really, really, couldn't stop reading. Would also recommend the other two books we read--The Plot Against America by Roth and the stellar collection of stories, The Children's Corner by Jackson McCrae. Both are excellent, but please, please try Night Fall first.

The book was an alright read but made me kind of upset with the plot. DeMille is such a wonderful author I take him too seriously, his books almost become reality. In this case I hated contemplating the possibility of a reality that would truly denigrate the U.S. navy and even as a Canadian ex-military the thought was kind of offensive to me.

I am late in discovering Demille, this is my first book I read of his and enjoyed it a lot.

This novel is a tail full of tension and action, a real page-turner. The story will leave you asking was there a missile, a cover-up, or a conspiracy theory? And what really happened to TWA Flight 800 of the coast of Long Island in the summer of 1996. This story is a disturbing portrait of people in power.

It is very difficult to comment on this book since I have not received it. Poor Service!