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Christopher Reich
 Reader Comments about RULES OF DECEPTION
Doubleday
ISBN: 9780385524063
(July 15, 2008)
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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Christopher Reich's RULES OF DECEPTION.
Cheryl from Madison, CT
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
I have never read any of Christopher Reich's other books, but I will now!
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I do not usually read too much of this genre, but I have read Stephen King. My husband usually reads these types of books.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
I loved RULES OF DECEPTION! Since I don't usually read this type of book, I wasn't really sure if I would like it. I was pleasantly surprised. It grabbed me right from the start and had me at the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. I loved the writing style also. I will be passing this book onto my husband to read.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
Definitely! (And past ones too!)
Jayne from Newtown Square, PA
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
I read NUMBERED ACCOUNT, Christopher Reich's first thriller.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read, among others, Harlan Coben, Joseph Finder, Richard North Patterson, Phillip Margolin and Brad Meltzer.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
I really enjoyed RULES OF DECEPTION. Unlike some of the recent thrillers, it requires thinking on the reader's part.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
Not only will I read any future books by Christopher Reich, I will go back and read the ones I missed since NUMBERED ACCOUNT.
Mary from Claremont, CA
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
I have not previously read anything else by Mr. Reich, but you can be assured that I intend to read all of his previous works and put him on my "Watch for books by these Authors" list.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Other authors in this genre that I read regularly are Andrew Britton, Alex Berenson, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and I am currently starting a new book by Brad Thor. What I particularly enjoy about these authors, including Mr. Reich, is their astounding amount of research, knowledge of history and knowledge of current events throughout the world.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading RULES OF DECEPTION. It kept me "glued" to my seat and I found it difficult to put the book down and continue on with my necessary day-to-day obligations. It was fast paced, never "dull or boring," full of intrigue and suspense. Again, the amount of information and current events included in the pages of this book really helped to make it a terrific read. It will be a highly satisfying read for many people on many levels: those interested in thrillers/suspense novels and those who like their suspense mixed in with a healthy dose of today's world. His writing style is excellent and even when he is dealing with technology, it's always well written and understandable by the technologically-inept.
I must also admit that it did give me many moments of reflection, thoughts on the terrible state of the world, how we really don't, sometimes, know the good guys from the bad guys, and just what we really are fighting for, fighting against, and/or what we should really be concerned about.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
Yes.
Pam from Marysville, WA
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
No, this is my first one, but not my last.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson and Dean Koontz.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
I thought it had drama and unexpected terms. I learned about new security measures and how different spy organizatins can compete.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
You bet.
Patricia from Gansevoort, NY
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I really enjoy Richard North Patterson (top favorite), Brad Meltzer, Steve Berry, Daniel Silva, Vince Flynn, John Sanford, James Lee Burke, James Rollins, Stella Rimington (another top favorite), Stephen Frey, Douglas Preston, David Baldacci, Ted Bell, Stuart Woods and Greg Iles.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
Excellent story that was well paced and engaging throughout, with a contemporary story line that is timely. I liked the breadth of characters who were well developed and that even the "bad guys" had interesting and redeeming qualities.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
Definitely.
Randy from Pace, FL
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
Yes, all of his previous books.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read Kyle Mills, Joseph Finder, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Steven Frey, Jeffery Deaver, John Grisham and Steve Martini.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
It was an excellent book. I had a hard time putting it down.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
Yes.
Geri from Scotts Hill, TN
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
My personal favorite is Nelson DeMille, but I like some of his books better than others, too. (THE LION’S GAME is one of my all-time favorites.)
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
In any mystery or intrigue story, there are two ways of telling it. The reader is either an insider or an outsider. In the old "Columbo" TV series, for instance, we knew from the get-go who did it and then watched Columbo bumble his way to a solution. We’re insiders. In most of the international intrigue stories, we’re given tidbits at a time and never quite sure what the bad guys are up to until the good guys put it all together in the nick of time to save the world from disaster. In RULES OF DECEPTION, I would have liked just a little more insider information. We’re often left dangling just as we’re about to find out something meaningful. Of course, this is a standard ploy to keep us in suspense, but it would be nice to have an “a-ha!” now and then.
This is all a bit picayunish, however, as Christopher Reich is a fine writer. He obviously does his research and does a superb job of putting it all in order as well. I had read only one of his previous books, NUMBERED ACCOUNT, and that was many years ago. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the book, though as I recall, the protagonist was rather bland. It’s just that there are so many writers and not enough time to read all of them so we read our favorites first.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
I think it might be time to add Christopher Reich to my list of favorites and catch up on his previous books. If you check out his website, you’ll find that he’s a very interesting person who has accumulated enough knowledge and experience to assure him the credibility necessary to write such intricate and intriguing stories.
Laura from Pelham, AL
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
I have not read any other Christopher Reich books, but will certainly do so now that I have been introduced to this awesome writer.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read John Grisham's and Sue Grafton's series and I know there are others, but those are the ones on my mind at present.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
It is one of the only books that I think I have ever read from cover to cover in one sitting. It could have something to do with the fact that I was recovering in bed, but nonetheless, I really enjoyed this suspense/thriller.
I did have just a little bit of trouble following all the back and forth of the characters. There were several times that I almost started reading the chapters that pertained to each individual, but I resisted and by the end, I was satisfied with how they all intertwined with the exception of one: Zvi Hirsh.
I guess all in all, I would definitely give Reich an A for this one.
Carol from Sparta, IL
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
I have never before read a book by Christopher Reich.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read Jonathan Kellerman, Chris Bohjalian, and David Baldacci. I don't know if these really fall into the "suspense/thriller" category, but some of their works are mysteries.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
I thought RULES OF DECEPTION was a good read, but for my taste, it was a little "techno-literate." In places, I became confused as to what was really going on. Perhaps someone more technologically inclined would not have this problem.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
I would read another book by Christopher Reichs because the overall story was faced paced and kept the reader's interest.
Jennifer from Benson, AZ
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read David Baldacci, Brad Meltzer, Lisa Scottoline and Linda Fairstein.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
I found it to be well-written, but a little too technically detailed for me. I loved the plot, but found myself getting lost in the technical stuff.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
I would certainly consider it!
Jean from Hallsboro, NC
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
I have not previously read a book by Christopher Reich.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I have read J. A. Jance, Clive Cussler, John Sanford, Sara Paretsky, Sue Grafton, Nicholas Sparks, Mary Higgins Clark, Marcia Muller, Michael Crichton and John Case.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
It’s an interesting story. It holds you interest until about halfway through then it sort of drags until the last part. The main character seems to be a little "slow".
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
Possibly, if I didn't have another book handy.
Gary from Endicott, NY
Have you previously read a book by Christopher Reich?
Yes, I read THE RUNNER.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
In the past several of years, I have become disenchanted with most of my former favorite suspense authors, especially Andrew Klavan, Jeffery Deaver and Ken Follett. I will, however, read anything written by Scott B. Smith, Thomas Harris or Chuck Hogan.
What did you think of RULES OF DECEPTION?
I found the plot confusing and the surprises unsurprising. The majority of popular thriller writers, such as Harlan Coben and Jeffery Deaver, seem to think that a continuous stream of clever plot twists is enough to sustain a novel, and based on their popularity, far too many readers seem to agree. I would not put Reich in that category just yet, but I found the major twists to be far too obvious, starting with one which is set up in the very first chapter. I was probably one or two cheap twists away from putting the book down before finishing.
Most of the main characters in RULES OF DECEPTION were underdeveloped, especially the hero with the unimaginative name of Jonathon Ransom. I did not buy into his thrilling near-escapes, because I did not believe a medical doctor could be as resourceful in a life-or-death struggle, able to outsmart or out-maneuver trained killers, international spies and various law enforcement professionals. I am always happy to suspend disbelief, especially when reading a thriller, but I also feel the author owes me some reasonable justification for a character's actions and capabilities. His wife, Emma (who had a better name, minus the pedestrian surname), might have provided an interesting alternate point of view. I would like to have seen this author spend more time on the couple's relationship, exploring the reasons why a husband could be unaware of his wife's secret and extremely uncharacteristic existence outside of the marriage.
On the positive side, the novel did begin to engage me more in the final third. This writer is exceptional at pacing. The narrative tempo was brisk without becoming hectic, and the final resolution was satisfying without being maudlin.
Would you ever read a future book by Christopher Reich?
I would consider reading another Christopher Reich novel.
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