Amped by Douglas E. Richards (Book Review Club)

Amped (The Wired Sequel)
by Douglas E. Richards
Paragon Press, 2013
Adult Science Fiction / Thriller

Dr. Kira Miller is a brilliant scientist who has found a way to increase both human longevity and intelligence. But there are downsides. Intellectual arrogance and a sociopathic disregard for lesser people come with enhanced intelligence and could lead to disastrous consequences. The government considers her dangerous and will do whatever it takes to catch her.

In Wired, she convinced David Desh, the operative sent to find her, that her intentions are not evil and that she was set up. After faking their deaths, she and David are secretly married and building a network of brilliant scientists to aid them. She guards her supply of gelcaps to make sure they are only used to enhance intelligence under controlled conditions or extreme duress.

In the prologue of the sequel, Amped, their enemies find them and attack their laboratory. Kira and David escape, but their colleague Ross Metzger isn't so lucky. Kira and David soldier on, until one of their scientists is abducted. This time the government's man is Colonel Morris "Jake" Jacobson who is convinced Kira is the most dangerous human on earth. A cat and mouse game ensues between the two sides.

At first, I found the beginning of the book a little slow and seemingly more of the same. The surprise in this sequel came in the form of a surprising and intriguing subplot involving a space probe approaching earth, apparently sent by an advanced alien society. It will take all of earth's scientists and leaders working together to solve this problem.

Amped is more high powered action combined with cutting edge science and philosophical discussion. Another great read from Douglas E. Richards that entertains while asking questions about the nature of humanity, the limits of intelligence, and the ability of humans to survive their own worst impulses. Enjoyable thriller.

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Linda

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@Barrie Summy

Wednesday Book Review: Inferno

Inferno

by Dan Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dan Brown's Inferno starts with Robert Langdon waking up in a hospital room with no clue where he is and no memory of the last forty-eight hours. An attractive doctor named Sienna Brooks tells him he is in Florence and has amnesia due to being shot in the head. Fortunately, it was only a graze, but he is still disoriented. He has vague memories of scenes seemingly out of a horror movie and a white-haired woman telling him "seek and find". Things get even more perilous when a leather-clad woman bursts into the hospital and shoots another doctor. Sienna and Robert manage to escape to her apartment. There she shows him a strange artifact that had been found in his clothes that projects an image from Dante's Inferno but the picture has been altered, leaving him with a puzzle that must be solved within 24 hours to a global catastrophe.But as we and Robert learn, nothing is exactly as it seems.

Enjoyable thriller that give the reader something to think about in between the action sequences. I could tell more, but then you'd want to kill me!

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Linda

Dear FCC: I checked this book out of the library.

Book of Lost Fragrances (Book Review Club)

The Book of Lost Fragrances
by M.J. Rose
Paranormal Thriller

The intriguing notion at the heart of this book is that an ancient Egyptian fragrance could be the key to unlocking the mysteries of past life.

For generations, the House of L'Etoile in Paris has created exclusive fragrances, but now the business is in trouble. The family patriarch is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and children Robbie and Jac (Jacinth) must find a way to save the company. Jac wants to sell two of their premiere fragrances, but Robbie is certain that if Jac, who has a superior nose, will help him, they can find the lost elusive fragrance of memory. Jac, a skeptic, dismisses his ideas. Robbie has an ulterior motive. A converted Buddhist, he hopes to find the lost frangrance and give it to the Dalai Lama to help the beleaguered Tibetan people. He enlists the help of Griffin North, Jac's former love.

As a child, Jac suffered from schizophrenic episodes made worse by the scents in her father's workroom. (Or were they memories of past lives that the young Jac had no way to process?) Since finding psychological help from Dr. Malachai Samuels, a familiar figure in previous books in this series, she has kept her distance from the family business. Then Robbie disappears from the House of L'Etoile, leaving a dead body behind, and Jac and Griffin must work together to find out what happened.

I really enjoyed this book. The main plot about the lost fragrance is quite fascinating and takes from present day to Ancient Egypt and Revolutionary Paris. The subplot about Chinese attempts to prevent the fragrance from reaching the Dalai Lama complicates matters, as does Malachai Samuels's attempts to obtain the lost memory tool. In previous books, Malachai has been a suspected villain, even coming under FBI surveillance, but he now seems determined to clear his name.

I found the book fascinating, both for plot and the ambience. MJ Rose was clearly inspired by her research into the history of perfume. The book doesn't have the happy ending I wanted but it was satisfying nevertheless. I have read the entire series and this is one of the best, along with The Memorist. I'm hoping there will be more.

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Linda McLaughlin
aka Lyndi Lamont

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@Barrie Summy