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The Shimmer

by David Morrell

3.25 · rating details · 327 ratings · 84 reviews

When a high-speed chase goes terribly wrong, Santa Fe police officer Dan Page watches in horror as a car and gas tanker explode into flames. Torn with guilt that he may be responsible, Page returns home to discover that his wife, Tori, has disappeared.Frantic, Page follows her trail to Rostov, a remote town in Texas famous for a massive astronomical observatory, a long-aba...more

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published July 7th 2009 by Vanguard Press

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Nov 06, 2009

Nancy rated it

Shelves: escape-reading

There's just no way a person can pigeonhole this book. It's a novel that's a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, suspense and action-packed thriller. Personally, I think it defies categorization, unless you lump it into one of my favorite categories -- escape reading.

In an afterward following the novel, David Morrell explains that he used the true-life, strange-light phenomenon in Marfa, TX as his inspiration, moving them to the fictional town of Rostov, TX in his book. As the novel opens, Dan...moreThere's just no way a person can pigeonhole this book. It's a novel that's a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, suspense and action-packed thriller. Personally, I think it defies categorization, unless you lump it into one of my favorite categories -- escape reading.

In an afterward following the novel, David Morrell explains that he used the true-life, strange-light phenomenon in Marfa, TX as his inspiration, moving them to the fictional town of Rostov, TX in his book. As the novel opens, Dan Page, a police officer in Santa Fe, is trying to unwind by flying his small plane, but unwittingly becomes involved in a high-speed chase on the ground that doesn't end well. He returns home to share his day with his wife Tori, but she's nowhere to be found. Tori has gone off to visit her mother, 800 miles away, by car. Dan alerts authorities along the way to keep a lookout for her car, and she turns up in the tiny little town of Rostov, where he eventually finds her staring out over the desert at some mysterious lights in a viewing area where other people are waiting for the lights as well. Dan doesn't understand, but people who can see the lights are mesmerized by them. In the midst of a gathering crowd, one crazed man begins a wild shooting spree to make people stop looking at the lights. This is where the action begins, and it doesn't let up from there.

It's a fun read, although sometimes the characters are bit larger than life and maybe just a wee bit stereotypical, but then again, this book isn't purporting to be great literature. If you want something just a little different, and if you can suspend your disbelief for a while, you might enjoy this one. This is more for people who like action-type thrillers, a genre that is not my cup of tea in the larger sense of things, but this one was fun. There's just no way a person can pigeonhole this book. It's a novel that's a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, suspense and action-packed thriller. Personally, I think it defies categorization, unless you lump it into one of my favorite categories -- escape reading.

In an afterward following the novel, David Morrell explains that he used the true-life, strange-light phenomenon in Marfa, TX as his inspiration, moving them to the fictional town of Rostov, TX in his book. As the novel opens, Dan Page, a police officer in Santa Fe, is trying to unwind by flying his small plane, but unwittingly becomes involved in a high-speed chase on the ground that doesn't end well. He returns home to share his day with his wife Tori, but she's nowhere to be found. Tori has gone off to visit her mother, 800 miles away, by car. Dan alerts authorities along the way to keep a lookout for her car, and she turns up in the tiny little town of Rostov, where he eventually finds her staring out over the desert at some mysterious lights in a viewing area where other people are waiting for the lights as well. Dan doesn't understand, but people who can see the lights are mesmerized by them. In the midst of a gathering crowd, one crazed man begins a wild shooting spree to make people stop looking at the lights. This is where the action begins, and it doesn't let up from there.

It's a fun read, although sometimes the characters are bit larger than life and maybe just a wee bit stereotypical, but then again, this book isn't purporting to be great literature. If you want something just a little different, and if you can suspend your disbelief for a while, you might enjoy this one. This is more for people who like action-type thrillers, a genre that is not my cup of tea in the larger sense of things, but this one was fun. (less)

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Sep 05, 2009

Diane rated it

In The Shimmer, David Morrell, Dan Page is a Santa Fe Deputy, who returns home after a horrific day at work to find his wife Tori missing. His search for her leads him to Rostev, Texas, a town know for its mysterious bouncing, shimmering lights. These lights have been reportedly seen beyond the horizon for many many years. Although many people have their theories about these lights, no one knows for sure their origin.

When Dan finds his wife, she is staring at these mysterious lights ...more

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Apr 26, 2009

Nick Cato rated it

After discovering her suitcases missing and a note that turns out to be a lie, Dan Page learns his wife Tori has left for a small town in Texas--a town with an unusual history.

After some quick detective work (easy, being Page is a cop), Page lands his small plane on the outskirts of Rostov and is taken to his wife by the local sherriff. Before long Page discovers Tori hasn't actually left him, but felt "called" to come to Rostov after a recent medical diagnosis as well as m...more

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Apr 15, 2010

Amanda Lyons rated it

The Shimmer is the first book I've read by David Morrell an author my fiance has long recommended and read himself for several years. Having read this book I can see why.

The Shimmer is an interesting tale about a strange phenomenon in the west Texas dessert and how it comes to affect one couple, a military man, a journalist and the town where it generates. The central story revolves the couple but we also get a quite a look into the other aspects of the story as it goes along. Based...more

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Sep 01, 2009

Rob rated it

Dan Page, a Santa Fe police officer, and his wife Tori, are having marital problems. Tori, on her way to see her mother, decides to divert to the fictitious city of Rostov, Texas. Years before as a child, she was fascinated by the mysterious lights that shows up and could only be seen by some people, not by others. Her father, who could not see the lights, forced her to leave. When Dan receives a call from the sheriff, telling him that his wife's car was found there, he becomes mystified when th...more

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Mar 08, 2010

Kay Elizabeth rated it

The Shimmer (Vanguard Press, ISBN 9781593155377, Hardcover, 352pp) is an engrossing and suspense packed thriller from the pen of Rambo creator, David Morrell. Set in and around the fictional Rostov, Texas, The Shimmer’s about mysterious lights in the sky near the small town. Are they so much more than they appear to be or just some geological anomaly as some think? An out of town policeman’s search to discover their source unveils centuries old sightings, hidden government projects and that his ...moreThe Shimmer (Vanguard Press, ISBN 9781593155377, Hardcover, 352pp) is an engrossing and suspense packed thriller from the pen of Rambo creator, David Morrell. Set in and around the fictional Rostov, Texas, The Shimmer’s about mysterious lights in the sky near the small town. Are they so much more than they appear to be or just some geological anomaly as some think? An out of town policeman’s search to discover their source unveils centuries old sightings, hidden government projects and that his marriage is suddenly in turmoil.

There’s action from the story’s outset. Dan Page, our Santa Fe cop, witnesses from the air the fatal end to a disastrous car chase he’s involved in. After the debriefing, he quits for the day. Upon arrival home, he finds his wife Tori has disappeared. Page finds her eventually outside the small town of Rostov, sitting almost catatonic at an observation deck in the middle of nowhere. Tori tells Page she’s watching for the mysterious Rostov Lights she remembers from childhood. Page, understandably upset and confused about what’s going on with his wife and her reasons for her sudden departure, is even more so when he sees the impact these lights have upon her.

Crowds come from miles around hoping to catch a glimpse of the unexplained phenomena. What’s unusual about these stunningly beautiful lights is that not everyone sees them, even when standing shoulder to shoulder. Those who do experience different reactions to the sighting. Some may feel a euphoria, while others can feel a rage. What is it about these lights that creates such a wide spectrum of emotion and this overriding compulsion to always be close to their mystical luminosity? No one has ever come close to solving their existence. But when a deranged man fires a rifle into the lights and the crowd gathered at the viewing platform one night, Page becomes more deeply embroiled in finding out.

I enjoyed The Shimmer very much and this fast-paced mystery’s intricacies. Thanks to the presence of comprehensively developed characters, the lights shine in more ways than one for the reader and from many perspectives. There’s Brent Loft, a small station TV reporter who sees the slaughter not as a tragedy but as his ticket to the big networks; the secretive and callous Colonel Raleigh who protects his long forgotten research base and its workings at any cost; and the Rostov townsfolk with tales of the lights that span decades.

No matter which one of Morrell’s characters you are reading about at any given moment, the light’s power over its uninformed witnesses grows and matures in your mind just as they do. Some smaller character roles are played in The Shimmer but none are insignificant, each weaving another thread in the mysterious lights’ history and their wide reaching effects. This attention to detail, a hallmark of David Morrell’s writing, adds a three-dimensional vividness and depth to the lights that slimmer descriptions could never have achieved.

David Morrell has hit the New York Times bestseller list more times than I’ve had hot dinners and his success is well deserved. Incredible as it sounds, Morrell’s first novel, First Blood, was published way back in 1972. Many of my generation will remember this as the thriller that introduced us to John Rambo, the movie of which starred Sylvester Stallone. Morrell’s skills as a master craftsman of mystery and thrillers certainly haven’t diminished over time. With excellent characterization, an unusual plot line and a believable setting that’s based loosely on real life happenings in a real small Texas town, Morrell has created in The Shimmer a thriller that’s intense, thought provoking and exciting all at once.

I don’t want to give too much away. Suffice to say that The Shimmer makes you wonder upon completion of this book how those lights would have affected you and that thought doesn’t fade easily from your mind.

With eighteen million copies of his books in print and in twenty six languages, David Morrell reigns supreme as a thriller writer extraordinaire. The Shimmer is a cracking good read and Morrell is quite simply a phenomenally good writer. I guarantee you that The Shimmer’s suspense laden pages will grab you by the throat and not let go until the very end. You won’t be disappointed in this glittering prize of a thriller. Don’t miss it!

Visit David Morrell’s website here. (less)

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Jan 21, 2010

Christine rated it

Shelves: 2010-reads

Strange lights appear in the sky above the town of Rostov, Texas. Dan Page’s wife disappears on the way to her mother’s house and is found mesmerized by the lights. When police officer Dan finds her with the help of the local police department the “shoot ‘em up” action starts. As much as I enjoy Mr. Morrell’s books I found this one just a little bit “pat”, like its been done one too many times before by too many others. The book does take interesting little side treks into the history of the...more

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Aug 07, 2009

Steve rated it

Shelves: favorite-author, mystery, suspense-thriller

Engaging characters, high suspense, and a mysterious phenomena based on fact, David Morrell again brings a spellbinding, gripping story. The mysterious lights, actually seen in four places around the world, are still unexplained and the catalyst that moves the story (Google "Marfa lights"). Some of the background plot scenes were actual stories from residents, including the fascination of a young, superstar actor whose life and career were tragically cut short (hint, he starred in East...more

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Sep 10, 2009

Debbie rated it

I have heard great things about Morrell’s books but this one just was not for me. It starts off strong and there were certain threads that was interesting to follow but overall the story just didn’t do it for me. I did not feel like I connected with either Page or his wife. Even the general who was portrayed as the nemesis in the story seemed very mediocre and didn’t invoke any real strong emotion for me. In fact, the only character I really got into was the arrogant reporter, Brent. His ch...more

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Aug 23, 2009

S.D. rated it

Shelves: mystery-thriller

Weird lights have been appearing over Rostov, TX for years. When Dan Page's wife disappears, he traces her to TX but is astounded to see the effect the lights have on her and the residents. Morrell weaves in the too often used bogeyman - the government, as a possible culprit. Although I'm a huge alien fan, this didn't quite satisfy my alien craving. Having read Morrell's CREEPERS, I was hoping for the same intensity but SHIMMER fell short. His background check in the actual lights in Marfa ...more

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Feb 01, 2011

Derek rated it

I've read every David Morrell novel so far, and this one ranks as a mid-lister. Like many of Morrell's other novels, this one features a troubled marriage, some historical mysteries, and a government conspiracy. Unfortunately, it just doesn't "gel" as well as some of his best books, such as TESTAMENT, CREEPERS and BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROSE.

The first 1/3 of the book was pretty slow going for me, although it did pick up about midway through and become fairly compelling by the...more

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Jan 06, 2011

Tim McWhorter rated it

This one was good, but not great. Very frustrating. It's like Morrell couldn't decide if he wanted it to be literary, or more of a straight forward action thriller. Every time the tension mounted and my pulse started racing, he'd throw in a rather slow and cumbersome flashback. They were major roadblocks for me. I hated them. But you can't skip past them because he gives you a piece of info that you need in each one. I have to believe there were other ways he could have given the reader t...more

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Jan 20, 2012

David rated it

Shelves: 2012

Though this is probably a three and a half star read overall, I'm rounding up rather than down because the strengths outweigh the weaknesses. David Morrell is an author who has produced winner after winner, building most of his career off military thrillers and spy fiction (First Blood, The Brotherhood of the Rose, The Fifth Profession, etc). In the first decade of the 2000s, he has included more elements of horror in his books. This actually reads like a '90s Dean Koontz book. The town in t...moreThough this is probably a three and a half star read overall, I'm rounding up rather than down because the strengths outweigh the weaknesses. David Morrell is an author who has produced winner after winner, building most of his career off military thrillers and spy fiction (First Blood, The Brotherhood of the Rose, The Fifth Profession, etc). In the first decade of the 2000s, he has included more elements of horror in his books. This actually reads like a '90s Dean Koontz book. The town in the book is Rostov, Texas and it is the source of a mysterious phenomenon of night-time lights and the strange effect they have on a town. The real life town and phenomenon this is based on is Marfa, Texas. It's almost amusing to go see Wikipedia's entry on the town and compare it to every detail in the book on Rostov. Rostov (named after character in War and Peace). Marfa (named after character in the Brothers Karamazov). Once featured a famous film called Birthright (Giant) starring died-too-young actor James Deacon (James Dean). Both are near the Mexican Border in extreme West Texas.

Like typical Morrell books, the terror feels real and the scenes of violence are realistic and visceral. Where this book differs from his other books (besides the aura of the supernatural) is in its meandering narrative. Instead of a limited third-person narrative focusing on one plot thread, it's wide ranging, employing many uses of historical flashbacks. Instead of the no-nonsense thriller (even if exquisitely plotted) style he normally does, Morrell attempts to be more literary here. While the mystery of the lights and the strange not-so-abandoned military air field keeps the plot intriguing, the author focuses on the ambitions of a journalist and his attempt to get the story, including his own self discoveries and growing closeness with his female camera operator. It explores the troubled marriage of the protagonist as they spend a strange week in the town. It's about the town itself and the history of the lights. It's more the kind of novel you might expect if Philip Roth or Don Delillo tried for a genre novel (without nearly the flowery prose).

I usually appreciate such finer points of a novel, the refinements, and do here as well to an extent. However, I also missed the straight-forward Morrell. The ending is a bit much on the melodramatic. None of these detractions are major. This is still a very enjoyable thriller.(less)

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Oct 20, 2010

Rich Stoehr rated it

I'll take a cue from Morrell's style and get right down to it: The Shimmer is one of the best thrillers I've read recently.

The story is a complicated one, spanning generations and peopled with many characters. Despite this, Morrell handles it all with what looks like natural ease, transitioning from the present-day to the past and back again, from one character to the next, moving the ball forward at a steady pace. As the story begins, we get to know a policeman and his wife and their ...more

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Jan 01, 2010

Michelle added it

"This is my first experience with David Morrell's work. I can see how he would be considered a great thriller writer. Unfortunately, I suspect that The Shimmer is not an example of his best work, which is extremely disappointing because it has such great potential. [return][return]The premise itself is intriguing. Mysterious, unexplained lights hold some interest for me because there is a location north of Houston, Texas that has a similar phenomenon. My husband took me to see these par...more"This is my first experience with David Morrell's work. I can see how he would be considered a great thriller writer. Unfortunately, I suspect that The Shimmer is not an example of his best work, which is extremely disappointing because it has such great potential. [return][return]The premise itself is intriguing. Mysterious, unexplained lights hold some interest for me because there is a location north of Houston, Texas that has a similar phenomenon. My husband took me to see these particular lights when we were first dating. Besides, I'm a sucker for anything that is unexplained and has a hint of something otherworldly. The Rostov lights are based on the real-life Marfa lights in West Texas, also unexplained and mysterious. In fact, Mr. Morrell mentions that many of the events that occur in the book are based on experiences that occurred around the Marfa lights. It all makes for a lot of potential for the book.[return][return]My disappointment with the book has to do more the with pacing of the plot and the lack of character development. I never felt sympathy with any of the main characters, never understood why they chose certain actions, never feared for their safety. To me, the characters were caricatures rather than characters - the jaded policeman, the evil military officer with his own secret agenda, the wife who doesn't understand the husband, and so forth. As for the plot, it moved so quickly that I never got a chance to absorb what was happening. By the time I got to the climax of the story, I was so confused that it took me a day to understand it. I understand that the pace was designed to build suspense, but it is difficult to build suspense when the reader doesn't particularly care what happened. [return][return]Another point of disappointment was how Mr. Morrell chose to explain the mysteries. The answers were the only reason that I kept turning the pages - I did want to find out the reasons why for all of the situations. Unfortunately, I was disappointed here as well. In fact, the explanations left a particularly sour taste in my mouth and a definite WTH moment. I understand that Mr. Morrell was working with real-life unexplained phenomenon, but I feel that he could have explained them a bit more satisfactorily. [return][return]Overall, it wasn't a bad book, in spite of my words to the contrary. It kept me reading as I wanted to find out what happened and how the lights were to be explained. It isn't Mr. Morrell's fault that I had high, possibly unrealistic, expectations for the ending. I can definitely see this being made into a decent movie. It wasn't the worst book I've read but it wasn't the best either. I know many others are going to really enjoy The Shimmer. Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.[return][return]Thanks to Anna Sukov at FSB Associates for the opportunity to review this book!"(less)

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Aug 25, 2010

Mike (the Paladin) rated it

Well, what can I say. Take a Miracle sight like Lourdes or one like it, combine it with Close Encounters of the Third Kind, mix in a little PC cr*p and you've got the book. Personally I can't believe this is the same writer who gave us First Blood, The Brotherhood of the Rose, Fraternity of the Stone and others. At times I found this book silly and even annoying.

And as a rule I like Morrell.

The opening scenes of the novel were, I though rather promising and I was getting ...more

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Jan 13, 2010

Mishel Zabala rated it

This is my first novel by David Morrell and I have to say I didn't really know what to expect going into THE SHIMMER. I knew the synopsis intrigued me and I was basically just hoping for a good read...which is exactly what I found! The fast-paced story is filled with mystery, action, and suspense and I had a good time reading it.

The book opens up to police officer Dan Page flying his Cessna like he does on most of his days off. But he ends up becoming part of a police chase as he wat...moreThis is my first novel by David Morrell and I have to say I didn't really know what to expect going into THE SHIMMER. I knew the synopsis intrigued me and I was basically just hoping for a good read...which is exactly what I found! The fast-paced story is filled with mystery, action, and suspense and I had a good time reading it.

The book opens up to police officer Dan Page flying his Cessna like he does on most of his days off. But he ends up becoming part of a police chase as he watches over the perpetrator from the sky. The car chase goes horribly wrong and Page goes back home to his wife upset and filled with guilt. However, he finds that his wife, Tori, isn't home. She's left him without any explanation as to why.

The plot could definitely be apart of the "X-Files" because of the Rostov Lights which are mysterious and eerie balls of light that only seem to appear for a select few. The lights draw people from all over the country to the small town of Rostov, Texas and it seems they can have more than just a soothing and euphoric presence. After Page finally tracks down his wife near the lights, a man starts shooting at the lights and ends up killing a lot of people all the while screaming frantically about the lights and the onlookers being evil.

The author has many different story arcs going on that didn't really become too complicated or confusing for me to get through. It seems the public isn't the only ones interested in the Rostov Lights because the military has it's own agenda. There's also a reporter that is hell-bent on riding his story all the way to a major network airing. And you still have Page's struggle to save his wife and ultimately his marriage. David Morrell does a really good job weaving the different arcs together with fast-paced action into a very climactic ending that doesn't really disappoint.

Overall, I enjoyed THE SHIMMER. I can definitely imagine it being made into a movie that many would like. And even though the Rostov Lights were still as mysterious at the end of the novel, I think it was a smart choice of Morrell to keep the mystery going...
(less)

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Nov 07, 2009

Alexia561 rated it

Shelves: review-copy, fiction

My first David Morrell book was Brotherhood of the Rose, which was also my first time liking movie so much that I wanted to read the book. David is a very talented writer, and you can tell that he does his research and really knows what he's talking about! For instance, one of the main characters in this book is a pilot. David learned how to fly planes and is now a pilot as well.

The Shimmer introduces us to policeman Dan Page right in the middle of an unusual car chase. Dan had the ...moreMy first David Morrell book was Brotherhood of the Rose, which was also my first time liking movie so much that I wanted to read the book. David is a very talented writer, and you can tell that he does his research and really knows what he's talking about! For instance, one of the main characters in this book is a pilot. David learned how to fly planes and is now a pilot as well.

The Shimmer introduces us to policeman Dan Page right in the middle of an unusual car chase. Dan had the day off and was flying his small plane, when he gets pulled into a car chase which does not end well. Dan's day does not get any better when he returns home to find his wife Tori gone, leaving a short note that she's gone to visit her mother. Even more surprising is the news that Tori was going to drive, but never made it. Tori is eventually located by the local police chief in a small Texas town called Rostov. Dan flies down immediately, and things go from strange to downright weird.

Rostov seems like a nice enough small town....aside from the spooky abandoned military base, a huge observatory and, oh yeah, the appearance of mysterious lights that not everyone can see. Some people have positive reactions to the lights, but some become angry and one angry observer opens fire on the crowd, killing several bystanders. Despite the massacre, Tori does not want to leave the Lights, so Dan decides to investigate in order to save his marriage and solve the mystery.

This was not what I'd call the usual Morrell thriller, as there's a touch of science fiction because of the Rostov Lights. Are they a natural phenomenon, a government experiment, ghosts, or possibly alien visitors?

I think Morrell did a great job incorporating the mystery of the Lights, the possible government involvement, the various townfolk, and the relationship between Dan and Tori. Enjoyed this story much more than his last few books, and am now intrigued about the real-life lights in Marfa that inspired this story.

Gave this book a 4 out of 5 rating as I think the writing was very good, it had a well thought-out plot, and the characters were both believable and interesting. I couldn't wait to read what came next, and recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with a touch of the paranormal!(less)

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Oct 19, 2009

Cheryl rated it

Police officer, Dan Page receives a call from Police Chief Roger Costigan in Rostov, Texas. He is calling to notify Dan that his wife’s car was found on the side of the road and Victoria near by. Dan has no clue what Victoria could possibly be doing in Texas but he aims to find out. He books the first flight out to Texas.

When Dan arrives to retrieve his wife, he finds himself fighting something that just may be bigger than him. Tori and dozens of other people are drawn to an unexpla...more

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Sep 21, 2009

Shawn Monk rated it

Shelves: fiction

A fun read for those individuals interested in a mild suspense/thriller. Overall, not a very action-based novel, but the storyline and writing more than compensate. It definitely kept me turning the pages, without resorting to some of the cartoon-ish action hero fight scenes that commonly grace the pages of similar stories.

I was looking for a bit more of a climax to the multiple, converging story lines, but I still can't say I was disappointed with the result.

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Mar 24, 2011

Jerit rated it

David Morrell, the author of First Blood fame, wrote this suspense/mystery thriller.

I had high hopes for this book coming from this author with a dash of the supernatural mixed in. But I was disappointed. The story follows the main character and his wife as they investigte the mystery of the Rostov Lights (based on the Marfa Lights in Texas) and try to reconcile the problems in their marriage. Only half of the story comes to a conclusion. If you are one of those readers that does not...more

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Jan 16, 2010

Randy rated it

I might have given it another 1/2 star but really, it was kind of a simple deal for a guy of Morrells ability. He tries something different with this one, continuous back storys from even seemingly incidental characters. Using this technique he tries to flesh out the history of the shimmer.... and really, one back story would have been good. It's not a long book so ixnay the back storys (which tell you little) and you really don't get much book for your 30$.

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Feb 07, 2012

Cindy Summers rated it

Good overall, yet I expected more. The characters were well drawn and I really cared about what happened to Page and Tori. The writing kept your interest and the suspense up. I just felt somewhat let down by the ending. As the author explained in the afterword, this is based on the real town of Marfa, Texas and events that have occurred there. But that is no reason to leave the ending so wishy-washy. Good, but I wanted more

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Nov 21, 2009

Jennie rated it

Shelves: read-in-2009

A real page-turner of a book with an interesting plot and characters. Brent Loft, the reporter who will do anything for a story, is a very strong character who is way more interesting than the main characters Dan Page and his wife Tori.

Usually I'm not a fan of "flashbacks" but in this case they were used to tell the stories of people's experiences with the phenomena on which the story is based and this was done really well.

I knew that nothing would really be ex...more

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Jul 09, 2010

Tina rated it

· review of another edition

David Morrell is by far one of my favorite thriller writers. And I really enjoy his thrillers with paranormal themes. The Shimmer definitely falls into that category since it is based partly on some very interesting and unexplained lights in the area of Marfa, Texas. He did a great job expanding on this phenomenon and creating a good story around the lights.

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Jul 31, 2009

Dawn rated it

Just finished this book....Finding it was more difficult than I thought considering he is from Iowa and used to teach/write here. Anyway, his books are not what they used to be. It kept my interest (barely) but I was disappointed that he covered a Giant reference, multiple times with cheesy names and I found it distracting...Not one of my favorites....

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Dec 09, 2010

Andy rated it

Shelves: fiction, thriller, mystery

Not one of David Morrell's best (he has set very high standards though!) - still a good read however. It left me slightly unsatisfied and was only exciting in a few places. David Morrell's books usually crack along at a right old pace (scavenger creepers the protector brotherhood books etc just some examples) but this one doesn't.

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Nov 17, 2009

Amy rated it

Shelves: 2009-books

I have always been a huge fan of David Morrell, but this book left me unsatisfied. The story behind the story, about the unexplained lights, was interesting, but the tale that Morrell told seemed forced. It seemed like lots of parts of the story were left open-ended. Not one of his best works, and one I will forget quickly.

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May 15, 2010

Harry Roger Williams III added it

This book is one of a small number that I consider outstanding for a rather strange reason. It deals with strange events that could be considered occult, science fiction, or merely strange and unsettling. The strange thing about it is this: my wife Jody and I both liked it and found it to be a compelling page-turner. We rarely like the same books, or music, or anything except our home and one another. When I told Jody this is the creator of Rambo, that was not a selling point. She found her...more

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Jan 06, 2010

Marleen rated it

This was a fabulous thriller with some very nice supernatural elements but realistic enough to make you think this could actually be happening. Especially since it is all based on true events, as the author tells in the afterword. I greatly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers.

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About David Morrell

David Morrell is a Canadian novelist from Kitchener, Ontario, who has been living in the United States for a number of years. He is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. More recently, he has been writing the Captain America comic books limited-series The Chosen.

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The Shimmer

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