THE ACID TEST
 by Ross LaManna – by Recorded Books.

Reviewed by Judy Lindley

 

            The book jacket warned that “Acid Test takes off like a rocket in the first chapter and never slows down,” but I was not prepared for the pace and deftness of phrase from a ‘first novel’.   Little did I know that this author was also the screenwriter for the popular Cliffhanger, Rush Hour and Rush Hour 2 movies.   Since I missed the movies at the theater, I have now placed a hold on the two “Rush Hour” videos at the library.

            This Recorded Book is a desirable combination of excellent writing accompanied by versatile narration by George Guidall.  LaManna, the author, combines enough technical detail with the action so that one does not become bogged down or bored.

 A special treat at the end of the book was an interview with the author in which he discusses his screenwriting career and how the “Rush Hours” earned enough money for him to take time out to write this novel.  

            The author and narrator immediately made me relate to and warm up to the main character, Matt Wilder.   A member of the OSI, the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations, Matt is not allowed to fly due to injuries from his crash and capture in Desert Storm.  Though disappointed not to be flying, he enjoys his work at OSI.  He has also adopted his sister’s orphaned six-year-old daughter, taking her to and from school daily when possible.  His routine life becomes unsettled when one of his best friends, a nurse, unexpectedly murders the air base Doctor under unusual circumstances.  When Matt notices similar unusual killings in California, he is off to investigate.  

            Meanwhile, Batu Khan, the great-grandson of Genghis Khan, invades Georgia (Russia) with a combination of supersonic planes, high tech weapons and warriors on horseback, taking over the country in 24 hours.  Khan threatens to continue his barbaric expansion until he rules all of Europe.   Matt is called back to Washington to help deal with this crisis.

 While at a White House meeting, he meets Laura Bishop, historian, at the White House.  She was one of the only people who had spent any time with the Mongolian leader, Batu Khan .  She had interviewed him a few years ago for a book. 

            After a White House dinner, he and Laura Bishop spend more time with the President and his wife, Amy, allowing us to become familiar with them.  Matt has found similarities in the California killings and Batu Kahn’s use of mood altering drugs with his warriors. Not only does someone try to block his murder investigation there, but he discovers that the President has secret security operatives.   Putting their information together, Matt and Laura find that the U.S. is not only defending against invasion but struggling with an unseen internal power as well.

            I listened to the book in the car to and from work, but it was so exciting that I had to finish it in the house on the weekend.  (I often carry my recorder with me while cooking, dusting or walking to listen to books-on-tape or CD.)

            The library is increasing its collection of books-on-CD because of demand from commuters who have CD drives in their newer cars and walkers with earphones.  We will continue to order both tapes and CDs of excellent books for those who ‘just can’t be without a book’ or have vision problems.

            Judy Lindley, Director

 Highland County District Library.