DEADLOCK by Iris Johansen
The mysterious Iris Johansen has a new book out titled DEADLOCK. I call her mysterious because I have never seen her on TV, never heard an interview with her, never met anyone who has seen her. She supposedly lives near Atlanta but I have never been able to determine that conclusively. Of course none of this really matters; all she owes us is a good book and that she does consistently.
Having said that, I have to add that DEADLOCK is one of her weakest efforts to date. It is not as exciting as previous novels, not as understandable, and not as full of compelling characters. The book is easy to read but for some of these stated reasons not as easy to enjoy.
Emily Hudson is an artifacts expert for the United Nations. She and her co-worker Joel Levy go to Afghanistan to look for treasures at a museum. While they are there they are captured by terrorists of a sort. These men, led by the truly evil Staunton, question them about an artifact known as “Zelov’s Hammer.”
The CIA knows Hudson and Levy have been captured and make plans to rescue them. The man chosen to head up the rescue party is Jon Garrett. He is as cunning and fierce as Staunton and the battle of wits and strength between these two men is the crux of the story.
Of course there is a romance that arises between Emily and Garrett which adds some flavor to the story but it is never as engrossing as it should be. Emily and Garrett are in the thick of things but their characters and motivations remain elusive to the reader. There strengths and purposes are stated but not explained.
There is a solid aspect of the plot in the book that involves Rasputin, as well as Tsar Nicholas and his doomed family. It plays into the modern day story but is so complex that it muddies the present day storyline.
Johansen usually has a familiar cast of characters who inhabit her books but this time she decided to go with an entirely new collection of heroes, villains and heroines. They will take some getting used to by her readers and fans.
DEADLOCK is certainly not a boring book. There are moments in the story where the pages fairly fly by. Emily and Garrett may yet become readers’ favorites but they are not at that point at the end of this book. Sequel anyone?
Iris Johansen is a talented writer and the mystery surrounding her enhances her stories. She is not bound by any preconceived notions about her talent. She has the ability to pleasantly surprise us and sometimes does. DEADLOCK is not one of those times.
DEADLOCK is published by St Martin’s Press. It contains 374 pages and sells for $26.95.