Grave Descend

Med-School Era Crichton

Those familiar with Michael Crichton probably already know 'especially if you've read Travels' that Crichton wrote fiction under pseudonyms while in Harvard Medical School, and upon graduating decided to become an author instead of a doctor. Genetically-engineered dinosaurs everywhere are grateful, I suppose. Grave Descend represents one of Crichton's later efforts in medical school, and has been recently reprinted. It's interesting to see Crichton's early work, before he became fascinated with research as a substitute for characters and plot. Not that the plot here is much better in fact, the entire book is woefully cliche. Most of the twists are obvious, the characters are two-dimensional 'not much has changed for Crichton over the years' and the descriptive prose is completely inadequate. Grave Descend does have plenty of action going for it, along with a quick pace that makes it easy to read and mildly captivating in spite of it's flaws. Crichton fans may enjoy this, but mystery fans can do far better elsewhere.

Grave Descend

The best thing that can be said about Lange's Grave Descend is that it moves swiftly. Beyond that, I would be hard pressed to come up with anything else. I've read several of the Hard Case novels, and Grave Descend features some of the weakest characters yet- derivative and uninspired. Lange has little talent or patience for description, and is content to TELL rather than SHOW. You know you're in trouble when after 100+ pages there is suddenly a Mafia/Nazi angle to the story...

No text was provided for this review.