Plum Island

I really didn't like Corey to start with, but then he started to grow on me. The problem was then the book drug on forever, and apparently I could only take him in small doses because by the end I really didn't care for his character. He kept talking about his brand of humor and other characters kept telling him to stop his wisecracking but he wasn't all that funny. The biohazard Island security was laughable. The side characters had no depth, so it was really hard to be invested in what happened to them.

well, this was better than what i've come to expect from demille of late, but that's not saying all that much. his story here was more interesting than the last couple that i've read, and kept me more involved. i was actually not entirely pissed off while reading this one.

i just really wish that he didn't find sexism and racism so entertaining. this wasn't as bad as up country but there was still a good amount of it. and before you feel the need to send me a scathing comment about how i'm too sensitive, i really want to say that just because the main character calls himself a sexist, that doesn't make it ok (or funny) that he's sexist. you don't get a free pass for being sexist just because you say you know you do/say sexist things show more sometimes. which in this book, again, is less than in up country so i found this an easier read. i could really, really do without all the masculine posturing that went on, though. there was a lot more of that than the overt sexism in this book, and it was just too much. there's just no need for it in these stories, it doesn't advance the plot or the character at all. and it's infuriating. show less

The blurb makes it sound like the story revolves around a biological research facility and a stolen germ, whilst the facility is involved to a degree it's not in the manner the blurb makes out, which is a bit disappointing as I was looking forward to a viral/biological hazard based novel.

It's a pretty decent detective story although I personally found the main characters tail chasing and general almost perverted manner distracting from the story however he does have quite a good sarcastic wit which helped balance it out, a little.

Whilst it does drag a little initially once it gets going it's pretty good and things certainly ramp up towards the end. I'm uncertain whether to continue with the series or not, we'll see.

I am not much of a novel reader but I do listen to audiobooks while at work at times. This was one of those. I knew nothing about author Nelson DeMille other than coming across a line item in an almanac that said he has passed away. Somewhere it also mentioned this book and that it was a best seller of his. And therefore I chose to pursue it.

I was not pleased by the to me annoying demeanor of John Corey the protagonist detective and star of the book. The narrator had the grinding New York in your face sacrastic drone throughout the entire book. One with those inflected New York questions clipped to every phrase.

That aside the storyline was not bad and I steadily got into the flow of the plot up to the somewhat predictable conclusion show more and overall it was not as bad an experience as I had anticipated. I am not about to run out and get another John Corey book. But I can see why some would be attracted to this type of novel and character. Particularly New Yorkers. show less

Great little book. Ok, maybe it's not so little. Love the John Corey character also, reminds me of myself a little, haha. Also love the Long Island setting, we go out there for our work fishing trips, so it's cool to kinda picture where everything is, and happens. Interesting story line, keeps you guessing but provides enough hints to help you get there on your own also. The other thing I love about this book is I found myself literally laughing out loud at numerous parts. Can't wait for the next Corey book... Think I'll start it now.

3 1/2 stars. I really wanted to like Plum Island, and at times I really did. I loved the Long Island setting, and while parts of the plot were a little bit over the top, I found the mystery itself very interesting and engrossing. And DeMille writes very well. So what was my problem? The main character was just such a jerk - OK, I get that he is a hard-boiled NY cop, but he's so annoying (and so central) that it really ruined the book for me. There are parts when his snarky, chauvinistic personality was more toned down - that's when I loved the book. In hopes that his personality would be toned down in later books - this is the first in the series, after all - I looked at some of the reviews for later books - nope, he seems to stay a show more snarky jerk throughout. Sigh. show less

I can't believe it - Spenser has moved to NYC and joined the police force. He tried to fool me by changing his name to John Corey, and even the author's name from Robert B. Parker, but I recognize his wisecracking ways anywhere.

OK, well false alarm, but John Corey certainly reminded me of Spenser in a lot of ways. Even as he's about to die, he can't help making jokes and insulting his assailants, but he's often pretty funny and perhaps a little more modern in his lack of PC. Overall, I enjoyed the humor, and some of it was not even too corny. But if I were to try to take the stories too seriously, I'd probably think it's a bit over the top, so my advice is not take this (or anything) too seriously.

But all kidding aside, it was an show more interesting story that held my attention and I learned a few things along the way. show less