Adrenaline by Jeff Abbott: Book Review

When the opening line is "Once my wife asked me: if you knew this was our final day together, what would you say to me?" you know you're in for an explosive ride! I had to ponder the first sentence for a few minutes to think what I would say to my loved ones. . .  I loved the protagonist's response "We were lying in bed, watching the sun begin to shine through the heavy curtains, and I answered her with the truth: anything but good-bye. I can't ever say good-bye to you."  That line made me want to melt - kind of like watching Jerry McGuire all over again with his "I'm not letting you get rid of me ~ You complete me...." line! Ahhh, I'm still melting - I want Sam Capra to say this to me!

Sam's wife is pregnant, both are CIA agents living in London, and Sam is obviously a loving, devoted husband.  The book opens with a normal morning for the couple except when Sam arrives at the office he shares with his wife, Lucy, he receives a startling phone call from her just as he sits down to a meeting. "I need you to step outside. Now, Sam."  From her tone of voice and the phrasing he knows it is not a joke.  When Sam steps outside he sees his wife in a car with a man just as the building he stepped out of explodes.  I'm telling you this book starts off with a blast - pardon the pun!  While he attempts to recover from the blast he sees the car take off with his wife inside while the man driving is also punching Lucy.

From the explosion, the kidnapping of his wife and unborn child to the accusations of treason, Sam Capra is under intense scrutiny and unbelievable stress.  If I had to relate Sam Capra to another character, I'd say he is similar to Jack Bauer from the tv show 24.  The book moves at a rapid pace, giving you the feeling time is of the essence and Sam is under the gun to discover the truth of the explosion and the alleged kidnapping.  The one thing that was a bit disconcerting was that sections of the book seemingly glossed over parts of Sam's predicament because the pace was so rapid.  It's already a pretty good sized novel at 400 pages, but there were times that I felt Sam was simply marking time.  I can't really report more without giving away spoilers. 

It is intense, the writing is descriptive and deceptively creeps into your thoughts after you've set the book down - just as Lucy's question to Sam the first line of the book.  Adrenaline should stay with you long after you're heart has stopped racing and you've determined Sam is the ultimate in a hero.

This book definitely should appeal to the male and female crowd. If you're into a great thriller involving CIA, mysterious plots, and possible treason then Adrenaline is a definite winner for you!

Sites of Interest: Author's Site | Read an Excerpt

Publisher: Hatchette Books | Published July 1, 2011

Paperback | 400 pages | ISBN: 978-0-446-57517-1

Genre: Thriller/Fiction/Mystery

Many thank yous to the publisher for the complimentary review copy.