Decker
is a resident of the Junction area of west Central Toronto. When not
determining the truth he is a film / theatre director and acting teacher. He
lives with considerable personal sorrow. His wife has died of ALS. He is
estranged from his 19 year old son, Seth.
Another
synasethete, Michael Shedloski, has a gift for balancing items creating unique
sculptures from ordinary items. His gift extends to determining the ratios that
provide balance in many other circumstances.
Cincinnati
pharmaceutical manufacturer, Henry-Clay Yolles, is struggling with the cost of
production of a new anti-depressant, Calatrex. He hires Shedloski to work out a
new ratio between placebo and active drug. When Shedloski provides an increased
ratio that makes the drug feasible he is dumped by Yolles.
Yolles
is interested in calling on Decker’s truth telling talent. A resentful
Shedloski publicly protests his dismissal and decides to warn Decker that
Yolles will take advantage of him.
In
Washington D.C., the National Security Agency (NSA), is very interested in
Decker as a means of evaluating information from those who threaten America.
Yslan (pronounced “island” without the “d”) Hicks, studying synasethetes, is
carefully observing Decker. The NSA becomes ever more involved as it wants to
protect a potential asset.
Narrowly
escaping death when his house burns down Decker initially does not even realize
it was attempted murder. After realizing someone is trying to kill him Decker
searches for his attacker. The pace accelerates as Decker is both pursued and
pursuer. The book is at its best following Decker in his quest. There is a
startling twist with regard to his son, Seth.
There
are touches of the supernatural throughout the book. I am not found of the
supernatural in thrillers or mysteries but it t never becomes dominant in the
book.
Decker
is a unique hero. I had never heard of synaesthetes before reading the book.
Ordinary synaesthetes have a crossing of senses such as seeing letters of the
alphabet in colours.
The
book is unusual in the plot shifting back and forth between cities in the
United States and Toronto. Few mysteries and thrillers move between the
countries.
It
is the first book in The Junction Chronicles. There are lots of unexplored
threads to the lives of the primary characters. I enjoyed the book. I did find
it disjointed at times. It is a thriller
seeking to meet the challenge of balancing action in the mind and physical
action. I have high hopes for the second book in the series.
The Placebo Effect is my 7th book of 13 to be read in the 5th Canadian Book Challenge. I have now reached the Lac Mistassini level.
(The Placebo Effect is being published on February 7, 2012. I am following this review on Wednesday with Questions and Answers with David as part of the Simon & Schuster blogger tour for the book. I will conclude the trio of posts on Friday with my thoughts on David's answers.)
The Placebo Effect is my 7th book of 13 to be read in the 5th Canadian Book Challenge. I have now reached the Lac Mistassini level.
(The Placebo Effect is being published on February 7, 2012. I am following this review on Wednesday with Questions and Answers with David as part of the Simon & Schuster blogger tour for the book. I will conclude the trio of posts on Friday with my thoughts on David's answers.)
Bill - Thanks for this review of what sounds like a fascinating book. You're right that having a synaesthete as the protagonist is unusual, and the story does sound fast-paced and engaging. I'll be looking forward to your interview with Rotenberg.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. I think you will find the questions and answers interesting with some of the answers even provocative.
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