Scarecrow

January 26, 2004
Area 7
; Temple
; Contest
; Ice Station
—fans of Reilly's novels know that no one writes faster-moving adventure fiction, so it's a shock to read, in an interview with Reilly included at the back of this novel, that he aimed to "create a new level of speed and pace" here. He has succeeded—the text is all fury, akin to taking a James Bond film, cutting out everything but the action and running that at double speed. The plot is preposterous and secondary, a frame on which to hang one extraordinary fighting/escape scene after another. The world's greatest bounty hunters are offered, by a cabal of the world's richest humans, $18.6 million per head to bring to the cabal's headquarters in France the heads of 15 men. One of the heads belongs to U.S. Marine captain Shane Schofield, aka Scarecrow, hero of Ice Station
and Area 7
. It turns out that he and the other targets have the world's fastest reflexes, allowing them to disarm nuclear missiles about to strike—an ability that can defuse the cabal's plan to launch nuclear attacks on major world cities, instilling chaos and creating a new international arms race for profit. Character, too, is secondary here, though Reilly does take the unusual step of killing off one major series hero. And even the traditional novel form is secondary in this entertainment entity; this is as much video game as novel, complete with meticulous diagrams of most of the many locales (a penal installation in Siberia; an office tower in London, etc.) and literary sound effects ("An ominous deep-seated thromming
emanated...."). What's foremost, along with the action, is quick-cut entertainment: up to 20 paragraphs per pages, with some paragraphs running only one word, sweep readers from beginning to end. Reilly's admirers will love this one, and anyone interested in the outer limit of action writing should check it out; that the villains are headquartered in France should add to its populist appeal.

February 15, 2004
Reilly's latest slam-bang actioner delivers more thrills than most other adventure novels. Shane Schofield, a.k.a. Scarecrow and the hero of Ice Station and Area 7, finds himself on a hit list of 12 men, all members of elite military units from around the globe. A bounty of $18.6 million a head spurs the hopes of professional assassins. There's only one catch-the men on the list must be dead by noon on October 26th, Eastern Standard Time. The novel starts three hours before the deadline and is essentially one long action scene-a bold experiment. Plot points and exposition occur even as Scarecrow fights for his life, creating a tale that never lets the hero, or the reader, take a breath. Overall, this is an over-the-top roller-coaster ride that would make a pulse-pounding movie if you had a budget of $6 billion. For all fiction collections.-Jeff Ayers, Seattle P.L.

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2004
James Bond and Dirk Pitt can step aside--a new action hero has arrived to take their place in Reilly's latest roller-coaster ride. In the third outing for Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield (after "Ice Station,"1999, and "Area 7, "2002), the U.S. Marine Corps captain is pitted against a colorful collection of bad guys (and gals) as he finds himself one of 15 men who have been put on an international hit list. A shadowy group of billionaires calling themselves the Council have put a price of $18.6 million on the head of each person on the list--literally, as the head must be exchanged for the bounty--and the assassinations all have to be completed within a 24-hour period. Schofield, aided by his resourceful sidekick Gunnery Sergeant Gena "Mother" Newman, must dodge the bounty hunters after his head as well as discover what common denominator binds the 15 men together. This thrill fest is highly recommended for all fiction collections--even the most jaded readers will need to fasten their seatbelts and hang on for dear life. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)

April 5, 2004
Audio reviews reflect PW
's assessment of the audio adaptation of a book and should be quoted only in reference to the audio version.
Fiction
SCARECROW
Matthew Reilly
, read by Scott Sowers. Audio Renaissance
, abridged, four CDs, 5 hrs., $24.95 ISBN 1-55927-988-5

The seemingly indestructible Marine captain Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield returns in this high-octane adventure from Reilly (Area 7
, etc.). This time out, Schofield finds himself, along with 14 other members of the world's most elite military units, being hunted by a seemingly endless army of bounty hunters. The prize for the hunters is $18.6 million per head, and all 15 heads must be taken within six days. The search for the person behind this bounty hunt takes Schofield and his loyal band of marines around the world and in and out of one life-threatening situation after another. Reilly knows exactly what kind of book he's writing. His heroes are brave and self-sacrificing, his villains are bloodthirsty and ruthless, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Narrator Sowers is in perfect synch with Reilly's storytelling. Obviously enjoying himself, he knows just what words to punch in order to get the most out of each action-packed sentence, and he supports his Clint Eastwood-like delivery of Schofield's dialogue by giving each of the numerous secondary characters their own distinct voices and accents. Those who like their adventures fast and furious will not be disappointed by this energetic production. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin's/Dunne hardcover (Forecasts, Jan. 26).