Finding Lubchenko

At the beginning of Finding Lubchenko we find out that the main character, Evan, is a wise-cracking teenager who is generally in trouble for doing something he shouldn't have. His father, who is usually his biggest critic, has been arrested for murder and accused of bioterrorism. Evan seeks to clear his father because his illegal business venture of stealing equipment from his father's business and selling it online has led him to taking a laptop that contains evidence that would probably clear his father's name. Evan can't just turn over the laptop because it would expose him to his father's anger and possibly get him arrested for theft. Evan talks his friends Ruben and Erika to taking a trip with him to Paris to find Lubchenko, who is show more the only clue that Evan has.

Evan is an interesting character who seems to have a some sense of right and wrong, but rarely follows the most logical course of action to achieve his goal. The mystery was pretty easy to figure out, but the obvious attraction to the story is the character of Evan with his quirks, flaws, and sarcastic nature. show less

Evan's multimillionaire father is accused of murder and implicated in an international bioterrorist plot, and Evan realizes that he holds the key piece of evidence: a laptop he stole from his father's company. Rather than turn in the laptop to clear his father, which would mean facing the consequences of his thievery, Evan and his two best friends take off to Paris to follow the one lead they have: a person named Lubchenko. While the premise is strong, and Evan's relationship with his father is potentially interesting, the first-person narration by Evan, who isn't too smart, too nice, too interesting, or too good, detracts from the excitement of the plot and the emotional content. Since he is shallow, the characters we see through his show more eyes are never fully developed--a few insightful passages aside. I love antiheroes, but rich kids feeling sorry for themselves ... not so much. show less

I found that I enjoyed parts of it and reading the book as a whole. From a writer's point of view, I would have not written some chapters, e.g. Chapter 26, their first night in Paris when absolutely nothing happens. My guess is that it's to indicate passage of time. But unlike in other books, their adventure outside of the espionage was entertaining, not annoying. I would also have ended each chapter with much more suspense, but whatever criticism I throw at this book, the truth is that I couldn't put it down.

Interesting side note: I got this used book for 10 pesos (roughly 20 cents in the US, I think) in a hurry. I was going to spend the weekend at my sister's place and realized when I had left home that I had not brought any book with show more me. I had no expectations but I find that I will recommend this to anyone who's looking for something fun to read. No expectations, no snobbery. show less

Not too shabby. It definitely was a welcome diversion from all of the supernatural/romance/football books that currently glut the young adult genre. Evan Maccalister is rich, but not spoiled--at least from his point of view--and this is his main complaint. As a way of retaliating against his father's strict discipline and aversion to giving Evan everything he wants, Evan begins to swipe high tech gadgetry from his dad's office and sells it online to earn an income worthy of a respectable rich kid. However, when his dad is framed for murder and the laptop Evan recently stole contains evidence that may free him, the choice to Evan seems clear--crack the security codes, retrieve the information, and go after the murderer himself. After show more all, he doesn't want to risk getting caught, then there's the fact that his dad once made him spend the night in jail for a relatively minor offense.

Evan is a character much like Ferris Bueller: entitled, yet entertaining so we're willing to forgive him his faults. The book is amusing and despite the fact that Evan and his friends don't really exert much influence over the events in the story as they unfold, it's an entertaining enough way to kill an afternoon. show less

Evan stole a laptop from his father's company, thinking it would never be noticed, but later, it turns out to be the one piece of evidence which could clear his father when the father is accused of murder. Since Evan is afraid to turn in the laptop because he'd have to confess his dishonesty, he and two friends follow a lead to Paris where they try to find Lubchenko. Funny in a few places.. good book for boys.

Didn't finish this - was just TOO boring.