Overall, a very whack book, although granted I knew it was going to be ridiculous. Tbh, I probably wouldn't have picked it up if it wasn't so short (190 pages) or it didn't have God in the title, and I am a little disappointed God (or a discussion of Him) didn't feature more prominently. But yeah, lots of sex, lots of drugs, and a good afternoon I-just-want-to-be-sucked-into-this-world-of-degeneracy read.

I am wondering if Uncle Andrew is still buried like a tree.I am wondering how long it will take the kids to get the seed.

I really enjoyed this. The action was well paced, and there were enough surprises to keep it interesting. The ending was nice and circular, and honestly something I didn't see coming, but that was in hindsight pretty obvious. So, now I can dive a little into a discussion of the concepts of the book. The whole mind reading thing is explained to be an evolutionary thing. Apparently, millions of years ago, many primates had the ability to read others' minds, but for evolutionary reasons, over time those genes got suppressed. Apparently the drugs that the doctors gave the test subjects inhibited this inhibition, and allowed the genes to express themselves again, which allowed them to read minds. The author claims that the reason mind reading was evolved away from is because humans, with complicated emotions and other stuff, probably ended up being in the position where it was best if people didn't know what everyone was thinking, that secrets could be a good thing. But, this explanation has two problems that are fundamentally problematic. One, is that those who evolved without the trait at first would be at a severe disadvantage to those who could read minds, so it seems like the initial evolutionary disposition would be towards keeping the mind reading. Two, in the book, it is impossible for those who can read to read each other's minds, so if a million years ago, everyone had the ability to read minds, then no one had the ability to read minds (hopefully that makes sense to future Xavier), so people wouldn't even know they had the power. Obviously this book isn't science fiction, so I don't knock it too hard for this hole, but I do think they are big holes. Tbh, the fact that I'm even bringing it up show how good I thought this book was, because there wasn't really a whole lot else to knock about it, other than maybe it's (hopefully) exaggerated content about military contractors, and how much killing people are willing to do to prevent a secret from coming out. But yeah, I think this is my first book by Patrick Lee, but it probably won't be my last. A good use of 4 hours.

This was a pretty good book. While not my favorite from Connelly, it was certainly interesting, and there were enough twists to keep me hooked. If you like Connelly you'll like reading Echo Park.

I like it

Deaver never disappoints! I know when I pick up his book that I will be captured from the first page. It's a great summer read.

Take the level of success up through looking at the lenses of those who play and become involved heavily with video games. The success of those behind being on time can easily translate into the blast of becoming what you want to be in life with strategies discussed in this business book.

Some parts are sad, some are scary. You never know what will come next. This is a great story!

Great title but boy is this a snooze fest. Avoid.

Very much enjoyed this 1st of a 9 book series. QUALMS: > a young lady opens a door for her gentleman caller, "wearing only thin panties and a man's gray undershirt." Not sure what would describe female leisure-wear in the late 1800's, but doubt such attire was prevalent. > The hero is 44 yrs old, "retired" from marshalling due to a career ending injury. AND is captured, beaten, kicked, has his back whipped raw, gets shot badly enough the desperadoes believe him dead, yet still performs as if none of those conditions occurred. > After a 3 year retirement where admittedly "he'd grown soft from whiskey, women, cards, and too many hours glued to his rocker reading newspapers and dime novels and smoking one cigarette after another," he also couldn't shoot well enough to hit targets, but by end of book, was hitting moving targets. PRAISE: > the above applies to heroes in most genres, so ignored this usual use of "literary license." > The "good guys n gals"were easy to like and did what they should in (western) novels. Villains were evil, dirty &, except for main character villains, were quickly dispatched. > Spelling, grammar & punctuation were never a distraction. As an every-word reader, that's appreciated. > Vulgarity/sex: (SPOILER ALERT) To my recolection, was one word - "ruttin'." > LOTS of action/activity, which I found kept me reading for longer than anticipated. Even when I put the book down to go to sleep, mow the lawn or make a meal, I found myself wondering what was going to happen next. To have lassoed & hog-tied my attention so completely, I guess I've been "Brandvolded."