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Level 26 - Tome 2 (2000)

by Anthony E. Zuiker(Favorite Author)

3.79 of 5 Votes: 3

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

series

Level 26

review 1: Zuiker is the creator of "CSI", & this second entry in the "Level 26" series is an exciting game of cat-&-mouse between a serial killer & the world's greatest manhunter. The first book tied into the "Sqweegel" episode of "CSI", whereas this book stands alone several years after the events of the first story.This book (and its predecessor) are very un-"CSI" - it is more about the pursuit & anticipation than the analysis. Steve Dark is analytical, but not written to be overwhelmingly so; he's not Superman, he's an empowered "victim", so to speak. His past haunts & drives him to pursue the worst of the worst.The story here plays out similarly to the first book, though it's less disturbing; a serial killer is on the loose, and Dark must stop him. There is one inherent flaw... more to the plot of this book, but unfortunately to say what it is would result in several spoilers. Regardless, it doesn't really detract from a well-crafted, action-packed novel.It would be remiss of me if I did not mention that the books in this series are "digi-novels", which are pretty neat; every few chapters or so, there is a keyword you enter on a website that plays a video that "enhances" aspects of the story. So, if the killer is stalking a victim, the video shown might be of that very scene. Credible actors were cast & a decent budget helps this new genre, though if you choose to skip the videos, you lose nothing in just reading the book(s).
review 2: This book is by the creator of the CSI franchise, and it's fairly obvious. Like CSI, this book is heavyhanded with its use of metaphor and awful puns, and it has loopholes that anyone with a vague knowledge of law will throw their hands up after reading. But the darndest thing is - they're actually kind of fun. There's a reason CSI has high viewership: it's just interesting enough to keep you coming back, just vaguely plausible enough that you don't change the channel. These books are kind of like that. Steve Dark doesn't have a personality, but he's enough of a Good Guy Chasing The Bad Men stereotype that you root for him. The killers have ridiculously elaborate schemes, but they're sort of cool, so you keep turning the page long enough to get just invested enough to read the whole thing.If you're looking for something fun that won't make you expend too much brainpower, pick these up. They're fantastic "beach reads". Think of it like cotton candy for your mind - there's no nourishment to be found here (words are truly food for ones' soul), but you'll have fun licking it off of your nose. less

Download links for: Level 26 - Tome 2

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