A Billion Ways to Die

If you’ve read the earlier two Arthur Cathcart novels by Chris Knopf, you’re bound to want to read this one. But if you haven’t, anyplace is a good place to start this trilogy. The stories stand alone; each with its own twisted plot, great high-tech sleuthing, and a man with a billion histories and faces to ground them in mystery and suspense.

Arthur Cathcart is supposed to be dead. Since the bullet, he’s put his brain-damaged skills to good use, learning why he was almost killed, and sending his pursuers behind bars. On the way he’s made some interesting friends and enemies, and learned that the heart might matter more than law. Meanwhile his own heart is given to Natsumi. And a dog. And a dream of living the good life far show more from home.

When dream turns to nightmare, another escape from death sends Cathcart and Natsumi fleeing toward danger. Changing identities, hacking computers, hiding out in plain sight or far from sight; helped by bad guys, good guys, and unresolved in-betweens; and wending their way through technology and weaponry with equal aplomb, they try to find out not just who they can trust, but whether they can truly trust themselves.
There are a billion ways to die in this game, but Cathcart’s looking for a way, not just to live, but to live well. The past is gone and it’s time to close the door so rudely re-opened. But will friend or foe turn them in?

The technology’s super-cool. The violence is fierce but well-muted. The dialog’s savvy and the plot is multiply twisted, filled with surprises, and enormously satisfying. If this really is the last Cathcart novel (but please, I’d love more), it’s a triumphant conclusion that has me wanting to start from the beginning again (but please, I’d love more time).

Disclosure: I was given a free preview copy by the publisher and I offer my honest review. show less