This was a book that stands out as one of the best thrillers that I have ever read. I could not put it down. I read it a few years ago, then read it again last year, and enjoyed it as much on the second run. Great characters, fast paced plot.....a great book. I have recommended to many of my friends too.

3.99999!

Oof. Now I know why I've stayed away from Saul in the past.

So I began this novel full of hope... but it rapidly became a teenage summer horror movie - young lovers separated by a horrible injustice, demented criminals and drug-addled "houseless" peoples, and so on. The characters are so cliched (evil, power-mad lawyer guy without empathy, brilliant and kind-eyed young hero protagonist, faithful beautiful affluent young girlfriend, streetwise and snarky street girl who helps to save them, tough, gritty, and never-gives-up father, etc. etc.) that I developed a sort of nervous tic to my eye - wince, grimace, groan, tic. It's just unfortunate, how very bad it is.

Because I wanted the premise to deliver! It's a great idea, and I love how it works in urban fantasy like Mieville's King Rat! This might as well be fantasy - the way injured people are devoured by swarms of rats and bugs in the tunnels of Manhattan.

The conclusion might just as well be fantasy - somehow, this dead felon guy manages to return to society without any issues... in fact, he immediately gets married and bangs out a kiddo. Oh, and none of the folks that he killed on his way out of the tunnels - none of their bodies are ever recovered, of course. They just "disappeared" or died of natural causes somewhere else, or committed suicide, or whatever. Because it's that easy to cover up a bullet-riddled corpse, obviously.

It's sadly obvious that Saul thought his few "twists" were shocking mind-benders, but in context, they're laughably unlikely and ridiculous. His "bad" characters are all amazingly sympathetic at first - and then suddenly grow horns and dispose of people with automatic weapons for fun. I feel like Saul is one of those guys who probably believes in the Illuminati and the Masons and the Knights Templar - there's obviously this secret society of incredibly powerful people who engage in whatever sort of debauchery they choose to. You know, because everyone takes that for granted. They also murder criminals, because the justice system doesn't work. Because they totally don't have better things to do with all of their time and money and power.

This is probably the worst book I've read in years. All of the stereotypes and cliches could so easily have been worked out by a good editor! It could have made a great story without all of the saccharine nonsense and inevitable terrible endings for the baddies - it's just so utterly predictable that the tension can't be sustained - or even built at all, for that matter.

Garbage. You see shit like this in made-for-TV movies constantly. Skip it.

This is a great read!!

I really enjoyed this book. After a couple hundred pages I couldn't put it down. Very well written. I felt like I was in the tunnel with everyone experiencing every turn that took place. It had a few good twits in it that kept my interest to want to read more. The characters were brilliantly thought of with such great descriptions I felt like I knew them well.

I don't like giving away to much about a book so I will just say four stars is not easy to get from me and leave it at that. Enjoy!

Summary
Jeff Converse is a wrongly convicted man of attempted rape and murder in the underground train systems of Manhattan. When he is convicted for only a short time and sent to Riker, some people believe that justice was not served. Jeff finds himself in a van on the way to Rikers when a huge “accident” takes place, leaving Jeff’s family to believe he died in the car accident’s terrible fire. His father and fiance, who have never seen eye-to-eye, refuse to believe that Jeff is gone. Separately, the two stumble across more and clues, leading them both to believe Jeff is still among the living. Finally meeting up, Keith Converse and Heather Randall, an unlikely team, work together to find Jeff in the underground tunnels of Manhattan where bloody, unspoken incidents happen every day.

PROS
This book has a good story line, and I like the idea behind a group of wealthy upper class people coming together to “bring justice” upon those who they think deserve death. I love how there are major twists and turns (literally and plot-wise). The plot was fascinating to where I was left wanting to know what happened. The ending was a huge climax of events and a satisfying ending of justice.

CONS
This wasn’t one of those books where “I can’t put this thing down!” until the last 30 or 40 pages or so. I wish I could have known more about all the characters. For some reason, I just felt a disconnect with the characters in this book with both the main characters, Jeff and Heather, as well as the colorful underground characters we stumble across throughout the book. I do like the background information we are given, stories bringing to light why the “bad guys” carry out such a dastardly plan to kill Manhattan’s criminals who are released from Rikers too early. I still found myself several chapters in longing for more background information. There was something missing from this book that would have made it five stars, but it just wasn’t quite there.

The setting alone for this book is enough to rate 5 stars. All those underground levels under New York create quite a terrifying setting. The story is just icing on the cake. And of course John Saul's excellent writing skills make it an easy fast read. You won't be able to put it down. One of my favorite books of all time by any author.

3*

Falsely accused of assault and attempted murder, Jeff Converse is sentenced to prison for 7 months. Upon "transfer" to prison, he finds himself a pawn in a game where convicts are hunted in the tunnels of New York City.

I found the setting unique and entirely different from the usual mystery/thrillers I have read previously. However, it didn't really grip me from the get go. It took awhile to get my interest going. The first part of the book just dragged on and on and I was slightly confused as to where the story was heading. But the second half held my attention and I couldn't put it down.

Overall, I found Saul's writing a bit annoying because of the pacing. One can easily quit reading it should they find it tiresome with the dry narrative in the beginning. I prefer thrillers to be fast paced and exhilarating from the first page. Anyways, I kept reading and about 10 chapters in, my thoughts changed because the story turned into a gruesome chase filled with plot twists worthy of a good crime novel.

A little bit predictable towards the end once you get the hang of Saul's style. The idea is unique and quite intriguing, the story itself was not at all what I thought it would be. It was way more sentimental with every single family member instinctively and just by their nature being on top of things and knowing where to go and what to do. It moves so fast it loses it's connection with reality. But it was kind of thrilling and exciting at times so it was a solid three.

Not as disturbing as most of John Saul's work - or am I just getting used to it?? Still a very quick read due to the fact you cannot put it down!!

Amazing book and great effects. Not sure if it is my app or the book on audible, but there was a few places where it repeated. Loved the book and story regardless.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book by John Saul. Lots of suspense which will keep you on the edge of your seat. Convicts are being hunted in the tunnels under New York City by the elite of society. Need to say no more!

Did not like it. I could have made a woolen blanket with all the loopholes.