This novel is one of those that takes its time in setting up the story and the characters. It does it so subtly that you think you've only read a few chapters and you suddenly realise that you are halfway through the book and can't put it down! It is incredibly readable and, this is not a put-down, very easy to read. A perfect holiday read where your brain does not want to work too hard. This is not to say that it's predictable or obvious - the opposite is definitely true! I really like the way that Linwood Barclay drops in seeming unimportant details and cleverly works them in to the story and the resolution. Another reason why Barclay's novels work so well is that they are all stand alone. Each tells the story of a new set of characters and situation, so the reader needs to get to know them all every time. This means there is no assumption of which characters are good or bad, or even which ones will or won't die! This keeps the reader on their toes, constantly assessing each character through their words and actions. This book is a great read, not thought provokingly brilliant but an interesting modern concept and well worth a go.