Seeker (An Alex Benedict Novel Book 3)

SeekerA decent novel by Jack McDevitt, won a Nebula and all that. But what about the story?This is an Alex Benedict novel, the second in a series, which I started first. Yeah, that's me. I completed the Hutch series of books and wanted to continue with McDevitt in a similar universe, but 9,000 years later, when space travel is easy and "warping" (my word) to distant places is as easy as taking a boat across the Atlantic.Plots and Contrivances:Benedict is a treasure hunter and with his aide Chase, find archeological artifacts and then put them up for auction and use that money for further exploration. They consider they are explorers and if they didn't put the stuff out for people to see, it would rot in an alien cave or be undisturbed or unknown for thousands of years. Can't have that!Some admire the team. Others hate them and call them "grave robbers" which is the main impetus of the tale.Someone knows of Benedict's expeditions. Someone looted an area that he had already discovered. Further, someone is trying to kill him and Chase!But I digress.The book starts with a man who is crushed under an avalanche and regrets it, since he made an amazing discovery, a major archeological find, and now he is going to die under tons of ice and snow, hoping against hope that someone finds what he found out.Through pure luck, someone walks into Benedict's offices and presents a cup that has no previous history. It's from her ex, who is a robber, whose ex's father (who has since been mindwiped and not a criminal anymore) had stolen the cup from a rich family, who happens to be related to the guy who was buried under the snow at the start of the story.And someone is trying to kill Benedict and Chase to prevent them from further discovery as they trace the cup through some pretty unusual and frankly crazy coincidences.Plot Points:The girl who brought in the cup, not really smart and not bright in the ways of romance. Chase helps but ends up getting hurt in the process. The girl is not much of a character.The adventure to the Mutes, the only other civilization they know of, that is a race of telepaths. Chase has a fun time with them - NOT.The whole AI (artificial intelligence) angle, enjoyable.The ending (no spoilers!) really wraps things up nicely and I was somewhat surprised who the true antagonist was.Bottom Line:Moral judgment and radical terrorism in the vein of archeology and grave-robbing, as well as civilizations old and new pepper this novel. Sometimes convoluted, but a fun read overall.Still, not as good as his Hutch novels - so far.On to "Polaris" (the second in the Alex Benedict series).Recommended.

I appreciate very cerebral, idea-driven story-telling in which actions are described primarily to create the conditions necessary for plot development and to set the stage for new ideas to be introduced. I also appreciate very visceral, action-driven story-telling in which new ideas and plot developments are described primarily to introduce the next exciting action sequence.I loved this book and believe it deserves a 5-star rating. However, I must say that "Seeker" is written *entirely* in the cerebral, idea-driven style. If you find that style to be intellectually stimulating, then there's a good chance that you will enjoy "Seeker". On the other hand, if you find that style to be dry, stale, flat, or boring -- if what you really want is fast-paced, action-packed story-telling -- you will probably dislike this book.I can't emphasize this point enough... This is an extremely cerebral piece of fiction. Action is implied or described in abstract terms; it is almost never the author's focus.Now, assuming that this style appeals to you, let me say that "Seeker" is one hell of a good story. I won't bother to summarize the plot for you, but I will say that it is imaginative, interesting, and very well executed. In addition, most of the main characters are solid and believable (again, in a very cerebral fashion) and some of the ideas are pretty impressive. Finally, the writing is very clear and descriptive... It was a joy to read.One final note... Most of the story is told from the first-person viewpoint of a female character. You are literally inside her head for most of the novel. I don't know how he does it, but McDevitt seems to have the ability to actually write as a female... Which means you must be prepared to see the world of this story from that crazy, mysterious perspective. (I mean no offense by that; I merely mean to point out that the female mind is much busier and more complex than that of the typical male, and may be confusing to some... It certainly is to me!)

The turn to "evil side" by Wendy is not supported by any of previous story lines. It reads as a writer's rush and hack job and tarnishes the otherwise outstanding story.

Awesome.

Beautiful, thanks

One of Jack McDevitt's best.

Condition as described - only cost 1p. Post & packing £2.80 - a bit over the top. Would make more sense to charge £1 for the book and less for p&p. But I buy based on total price - and it was a book my son wanted.