Incarnation

by Daniel Easterman

A fast-paced thriller combining the forces of fear, love, heroism and extraordinary adventure. 'In northern India a twelve-year-old boy is being interrogated by three intelligence officers. A tape-recorder turns; there is no air conditioning, no fan. Everyone but the boy is sweating: his tale is so incredible that none dares believe it.' The child appears to be the reincarnation of a dead British secret agent: his knowledge is that of a grown man, Matthew Hyde, who disappeared in China's Sinkiang province whilst investigating the links between Iraqi nuclear scientists and Chinese research bases. Somewhere -- and only the boy knows the secret -- there is a massive conspiracy to supply Saddam Hussein with a weapon against which there can be no defence. From the corridors of power in London to the lost cities of the Taklamakan desert, this crackling novel encompasses fear, love, heroism and extraordinary adventure.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

708 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

A pseudonym used by Denis M. MacEoin (aka Jonathan Aycliffe).

Reviews

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say this book was particularly enthralling, at times it was a little bizarre including scenes which didn't really seem to advance the plot much nor illustrate a character any better than other methods perhaps could have done so. One particular scene as an example is the sex scene with a child prostitute, which turns into a murder followed by necrophilia, I found this to be a rather coarse inclusion to the story and rather unwarranted.

Other out there oddities included the use of acupuncture as anesthetic to perform an amputation of fingers - seemed far fetched and unrealistic. Another unrealistic inclusion was a pilot who earlier was mentioned as being an elite specialist some how managed to fly into a wall just as it seemed the protagonist was going to be foiled, this was explained away as the pilot being tired which seemed weak. Then there was building a mound of sand, by the hand of two exhausted people with no proper tools to reach a ceiling of a vault, to the use an "explosive" of gunpowder extracted from bullets by failing torch light packed into a condom, never mind this would simply burn quickly not explode and dislodge a thousand year old keystone out of a vaulted roof.

Overall, there was a decent story within those 708 pages, but it was buried within filler, illogical additions and strange plot advances. Even in the closing of the book there was the really odd occurrence of a trained operative who moments earlier out foxed a field agent only to be beaten in hand to hand combat by a half drugged amateur woman.

In closing, I'd give it a miss unless you're about to embark on a long haul passenger journey without entertainment and this is the only book available, I wasn't impressed.

[Judi K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only persevered with this ponderous book because I had nothing else to read. It could have been half the length. I didn't care about any of the characters and found most of the story beyond belief. I don't see the point of the choice of title either.

[Johannes Bertus · Rating 3 out of 5]

That main character really got over the torture-killing of his son very fast.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the worst book I've ever read. I only finished it because always finish what I start.

The title and subtitle are totally misleading. I can' tray any more without it being a spoiler.

The book is full of "filler". Page after page of exposition that does nothing to move the story along.

Anytime a plot situation arises that promises excitement and drama, the author deflates expectations with a cursory gloss over and moves on. He displays no skill in writing exciting narrative. Additionally, his plot devices are simplistic and unrealistic. The protagonist barely struggles to resolve his problems. There is one exception, he struggles mightily to traverse a desert. Yet, solutions to starvation, thirst, and near death, magically appear in the nick of time.

Here's my warning -- when the mystery of the reincarnation is revealed and you feel let down, know that the book only gets worse after that.

[Jyv · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only persevered with this ponderous book because I had nothing else to read. It could have been half the length. I didn't care about any of the characters and found most of the story beyond belief. I don't see the point of the choice of title either.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. You had to stay on the story or it was easy to get lost in the plots. I did enjoy it and would recommend to others.

[Baz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever plot. Really enjoyed it.