Thursday, November 1, 2012

Book Review - Placebo by Steven James



Placebo…a fake drug used in controlled research. Placebo…the subject of Steven James’ latest novel. Nothing fake about that.

Unlike James’ Patrick Bowers thrillers, Placebo is a medical thriller. However, you will find many of the same elements he included in the Bowers books within this new series about Jevin Banks. Jevin Banks has a female co-worker who appears to be his love interest. He also has a good friend. The characters are interconnected and work together to solve the case. The villains are just as creepy, and the answers still aren’t always clear. I hung on the edge of suspense all the way through this novel, just as I did reading the Patrick Bowers series.

The one thing I noticed in Placebo is the amount of information shared concerning technical medical terminology and procedures. At times, it felt like I was reading a textbook more than a novel, but the information seemed necessary in order for me to understand what was going on within the plot. It did tend to slow the story down, though.

Otherwise, I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. Jevin Banks is an intriguing character who is dealing with the grief of losing a spouse and asking the deep questions that coincide with such sorrows of life. The opening chapter is the best opening chapter I’ve ever read in a novel. I would totally keep reading this new series and look forward to the next book.

*Available November 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

To purchase your copy, please visit one of the following retailers:

Please Note: I received a copy of Placebo from the publisher for review purposes. I am not required to give a positive review. It is my intent to give my readers a thoughtful review. Thank you for reading this one!

2 comments:

  1. I'm 50 pages in...and I agree about that opening chapter. Wow!

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    Replies
    1. Right, Lynn? Loved that opening chapter. There were a few lulls for me throughout the book, but who can't finish a Steven James novel? :)

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