Hand of Fate

In our town, we have a rather obnoxious radio host (and his two half-wit cohorts) who, six mornings a week deigns to share with us, the captive listeners, his opinions on various topical controverisies. Since a corporation has taken over all of the local stations, trying to find something decent to listen to in town is next to impossible. Therefore it's this guy or easy-listening.

As I read all about main character Jim Fate, all I could do was picture this guy in my head. As Jim Fate is brutally murdered in the first scene, this vision of our local blow-hard as Jim somehow made the book all that more enjoyable. He does suffer a rather grisly death.

Hate of Fate could have been pulled straight out of any newspaper headline. Jim Fate is brutally murdered by a deadly poison distributed via an unusual aerosol distribution system. In minutes he's dead. Terrorists are automatically suspected, setting off a panicked frenzy in downtown Portland. Caught in the panic is Allison, a Federal prosecutor. Once the danger passes, Allison with long-time friends, Cassidy, a crime reporter, and Nicole, a FBI special agent are bound and determined to solve Jim's murder. Was it a terrorist, or one of his rabid fans? Did he tick off the wrong listener? Or his disgruntled Co-host? Finding someone who didn't want Jim dead may be an easier task.

While the basic premise of the novel was entertaining and well written, the story lacks, I don't know- something. Perhaps the murder was wrapped up too quickly? The main characters lacked depth? The ending could be seen a mile away? Needed about fifty more pages of quality writing? Tough to put a finger on what  the problem was exactly.

Don't get me wrong- reading this book is a great way to spend a plane ride. You won't mind the slightly paunchy business guy in the next seat over who keeps hitting you with his laptop bag as you'll be engaged in the story. But this isn't a book for the best novel I've ever read shelf.

Disclaimer: Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of BookSneeze.com provided me with the book for editorial purposes. All reviews on zoereads.blogspot.com are the honest opinion of its author and editorial samples do not, in any way, affect the outcome of product reviews.