Rules of Deception by Reich, Christopher - 2009

Anchor, 2009. Paperback. Very Good. A crisp clean softcover, no markings throughout: Lee Child has crafted one of literature's most popular anti-heroes in the f orm of Jack Reacher, the iconic ex-military policeman of his bestselling no vels. The author of Nothing to Lose talks about what makes a good thriller -- and why Christopher Reich is a novelist worthy of a gold medal. I discovered Christopher Reich exactly ten years ago. His first book came o ut around the same time my second book was published. The modest prosperity that one's first book deal brings allowed me to pick up hardcovers that ca ught my eye. And Numbered Account caught my eye. And it lived up to its pro mise. It was fast, fresh, glossy, and very exciting. I thought: Reich is a keeper. And then he got better. It was always clear that he had talent to burn, but he chose to accompany it with a real work ethic. His second, third and fou rth books built and built until the release of the next one was an event to be anticipated. (And right there is my only complaint: Reich doesn't write fast enough.) His fifth book - The Patriot's Club - was a real achievement. It was a slam -dunk winner of the International Thriller Writer's first annual Best Novel award. Awards are often awkward. There's usually a measure of grumbling, b ecause often people don't agree with the choice of winner. But not a word w as heard against "The Patriot's Club." In fact nothing was heard, because t he applause was too loud. So I was really looking forward to Rules of Deception. I got an advance copy. I cracked it open. I started reading. Mostly I read like any other reader, but a small part of me reads like a writer. I think a.