The Mafia, the Russians, heart-pounding car chases, and intense shootouts - all these elements were jumbled together in a chaotic mess.

And to make matters worse, there was an overwhelming amount of technical information thrown in about accidents, weapon calibers, and lines of fire. It was as if the author was trying too hard to show off their knowledge in these areas, but it only served to bog down the story.

Then, there were the lovers - a total cliché. They were both supposed to be Shakespeare-quoting scholars of the Stoics. It felt so contrived and unoriginal that I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

I found myself skimming through large portions of the text, just trying to get to the end and see if there was anything redeeming about the story. Sadly, it seemed like a lost cause.

Numerous minute stories, each with its own unique charm, are intertwined to form an overall mystery.

These stories are not only captivating but also include several "Darwin Award Examples" that add an element of humor and irony.

The "Darwin Award Examples" are incidents where individuals, through their own actions, manage to remove themselves from the gene pool in rather extraordinary ways.

As the reader delves deeper into the collection of stories, they are led on a journey filled with twists and turns, never quite sure what to expect next.

The integration of these diverse elements creates a rich and engaging narrative that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Whether it's the mystery that lies at the heart of each story or the comical nature of the "Darwin Award Examples," there is something for everyone to enjoy in this collection.

It truly is a literary masterpiece that combines the best of both worlds, leaving a lasting impression on the reader's mind.

This book is truly very interesting, although it is highly technical and scientific in nature.

I largely skimmed through the higher math parts as they were a bit too challenging for me.

However, despite that, it remained a very captivating read.

The content presented in the book was engaging and offered valuable insights into the subject matter.

Even without fully understanding the complex mathematical concepts, I was able to appreciate the overall ideas and theories being discussed.

It made me realize the importance of mathematics in various scientific fields and how it can be used to solve complex problems.

Overall, this book is a great resource for those interested in technical and scientific topics, even if they may not have a strong background in higher math.

Among all the Dan Simmons books I’ve been perusing in the past few weeks, I firmly believe this one is the weakest.

Yet, it also hints at the potential for a much tighter and better book within its pages. Maybe that's the reason he followed this up with three shorter noir books in the Joe Kurtz series.

He crafts an interesting character, a former Marine sniper who, through a doctorate and work on the Challenger explosion (this being the second thing I've read by Dan Simmons regarding the Challenger exploding), became a transportation crash expert.

We commence with the character Darwin (hmm) being summoned to the site of a mysterious crash where a car has been completely demolished in the middle of nowhere. It's a puzzle he manages to solve while also crossing paths with a federal government crash investigator (a lady - ooo).

On his way home, he's attacked on the road by gunmen in another vehicle and employs his driving skills to send them careening over a cliff. Initially, he's arrested for vehicular homicide, which ultimately becomes leverage to compel him to assist in investigating what turns out to be a large conspiratorial ring of insurance fraud.

So it progresses from there as he delves into the crime, explores the lady, and examines his past. Now, what's amiss with it? Well, something persuades writers that when penning a noir novel, perhaps slightly out of character (and Simmons was in the midst of a phase), they have a penchant for peppering it with noirish language that is often糟糕 and cumbersome. Just be a good writer! Another significant issue is that it's evident Dan Simmons conducted a great deal of research for this novel, and heavens forbid if you don't hear every single thing he learned during the writing process. It's simply excessive.

Here is an entertaining mystery/adventure story. It revolves around a Vietnam veteran who has taken up the occupation of investigating crash scenes. This veteran, with his keen观察力 and understanding, has unfortunately caught the attention of a crime syndicate. The reason? He has seen and understood far too much. The story is not overly deep, but it is filled with fast-paced action that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Despite its lack of profound depth, it is highly enjoyable. As the veteran races against time to stay one step ahead of the crime syndicate, the reader is taken on a thrilling ride through various crash scenes and dangerous encounters. It's a story that combines mystery, adventure, and a touch of danger, making it a great read for those who enjoy a fast-paced and exciting narrative.

This is truly an enjoyable read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

The story is filled with interesting characters and a captivating plot that makes it hard to put down.

One of the highlights is the character of Dar, who adds a unique charm to the narrative.

I sincerely wish that Mr Simmons would bring Dar back for another book.

It would be great to see how the character develops further and what new adventures await.

The writing style of Mr Simmons is also值得称赞, as it is clear and engaging, making the story accessible to a wide range of readers.

Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an entertaining and enjoyable read.

I can't wait to see what Mr Simmons has in store for us next.

Dan Simmons is a god.

His works are like a magical realm that attracts countless readers. Simmons has an extraordinary talent for storytelling, which allows him to create vivid and immersive worlds in his novels.

His writing style is rich and detailed, painting a clear picture in the reader's mind. Whether it's a science fiction adventure or a horror thriller, Simmons knows how to grip the reader's attention and keep them on the edge of their seats.

His characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with their own unique personalities and motives. You can't help but empathize with them and follow their journey throughout the story.

Dan Simmons is truly a master of his craft, and his works will continue to be beloved by readers for generations to come.

I would rate this book 3 and a half stars!

It's an action-packed book, which is outside my usual comfort zone.

I decided to pick it up because Dan Simmons is known for his superb horror writing, and I was eager to explore his other works.

The book definitely contains those classic action movie moments that can make you cringe. However, despite that, it still has a rather decent story.

The plot is engaging and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The characters are well-developed, and you can't help but root for them.

Overall, it's a good read for those who enjoy action-packed stories.

Even though it's not my favorite genre, I still found myself enjoying it.

If you're a fan of Dan Simmons or just looking for a new action book to read, I would recommend giving this one a try.

Read in 2000.

It was a fine suspense thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story was filled with twists and turns that I never saw coming. The author did an excellent job of building tension and creating a sense of mystery.

The characters were well-developed and complex, which made it easy to become invested in their fates. I found myself constantly guessing what would happen next and was never disappointed.

The pacing of the story was perfect, with just the right amount of action and downtime to keep the reader engaged. Overall, it was a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good suspense thriller.

I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

The story took an incredibly long time to get started. In fact, it felt as if half of the entire book was just unnecessary filler, stretching on and on without really going anywhere.

It was a real struggle to stay engaged during those initial pages, waiting for something significant to happen.

The pacing was so slow that it almost made me want to give up on the book entirely.

I found myself constantly checking how many pages were left, hoping that the story would finally pick up and become more interesting.

It's a shame because the concept had potential, but the execution left a lot to be desired.

Maybe if the author had trimmed down those first few chapters and gotten to the heart of the story more quickly, it would have been a much more enjoyable read.

As it stands, however, it's a book that I would be hesitant to recommend to others due to its sluggish start and overly long first half.

Dan Simmons is an incredibly talented author who has effortlessly transitioned between various genres, from horror to science fiction to thrillers. His latest work, a gripping suspense thriller set in Southern California, delves into the world of automobile insurance fraud rackets. The story follows Dr. Darwin Minor, a former NTSB investigator and the country's leading "accident reconstruction specialist." Darwin is not only brilliant at his job, having saved the insurance industry millions and solved the most confounding cases of vehicular stupidity, but he also has a dry sense of humor. However, his life takes a dangerous turn when he suddenly finds himself the target of assassins, setting off a wild car chase that is just the beginning of many thrilling set pieces.

The novel is filled with delightfully bizarre inside jokes, such as references to the "Darwin Awards," which celebrate those who improve the human gene pool by removing themselves from it. In the course of the story, Darwin investigates several accident scenes that duplicate either Darwin Award-winning demises or urban legends. Simmons' breezy writing style, rollicking humor, and ingenious descriptions of weird accidents make this action-packed thriller a real winner.

I have come to the conclusion that Dan Simmons doesn't know how to write a bad book. His novels are consistently good, regardless of the genre. This particular novel is firmly planted in the thriller category and is obviously set up for sequels. The characters he establishes here are likeable, quirky, and interesting, with just enough of their back story revealed to give them depth and substance without being overdone. I can't wait to read any subsequent novels featuring Dr. Darwin Minor and his adventures in accident reconstruction. Oh, and did I mention that the story is also really good? It's filled with mucho mayhem and excitement, some laugh-out-loud funny dialogue, a little romance, and a lot of intrigue. Nearly perfect. Read it!

Accident reconstructor Darwin Minor gets into an accident himself. It turns out people are gunning for him. But why? With the help of beautiful FBI agent, Sydney Olson, he's going to find out...

Dan Simmons is one of the more versatile writers active today. He can write in any genre, from science fiction with Hyperion, to horror with Carrion Comfort, to crime with Hardcase, to this, a thriller.

The Good: Darwin Minor reconstructs car accidents, trying to prevent insurance fraud. It's a great occupation for the main character in a thriller. He's smart yet not annoyingly so, and his Vietnam past as a sniper adds depth. Cracking a far-reaching insurance fraud ring is a unique plot. The bizarre accidents Dar reconstructs are fascinating. The action in Darwin's Blade is intense when it occurs. The car chase near the beginning and the shootout at the end are both quite exciting.

The Bad: The hookup between the male and female characters feels forced. It seems like Simmons added an attractive female just for the sake of it. Also, the book is really wordy. It could be about 100 pages shorter. The detailed descriptions of Darwin's sailplane and the equations are unnecessary. The philosophical bits, while interesting, don't contribute much to the story.

Elmore Leonard has his eleven rules of writing. Darwin's Blade breaks about half of them. Overall, I liked Darwin's Blade enough to give it a three. It's good and Simmons fans will enjoy it, but if you're only going to read one Dan Simmons book, it shouldn't be this one.