Deadly Secrets by Gordon Bickerstaff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“Deadly Secrets” (Gavin Shawlens Thriller #1) by Gordon Bickerstaff
FOUR STARS * * * *
The locale of the story (after a short and graphic opening) starts the reader off in the United Kingdom nations of Scotland and England and then carries them to other areas of Europe as the tale unwinds.
Gavin Shawlens is a biochemist who is working with creator Emma Patersun on her new food process that will revolutionize the industry. In the right hands Emma’s work could help ease the food demand burden and feed the hungry; in the wrong hands, it would mean ultimate control for whoever possessed it and could possibly threaten the stability of the world wide food supply.
James Barscadden and his company BARSCO are determined to steal the process in order to gain that control and to profiteer from it.
The story is written expressively and author Gordon Bickerstaff offers much detail into the setting, the backstory, and some of the business dealings and practices of the Barscadden Corporation (which offers additional insight as to why the company works and functions as ruthlessly and efficiently as it does). These are just a few examples of the detail and style found within the story.
I also felt the descriptive dialog and detailed explanations of some of the scientific and chemical processes added to the story. While I appreciated the details, there were times I thought it was “holding up” the story. (That’s more my issue than the work – I basically have an attention span of a gnat). I wanted to get to the next turn in the story and while the details keep my attention, I did catch myself wanting to “move on” ahead of the “telling”.
Overall, a very enticing read and a solid “recommend” for anyone that enjoys the crime / thriller / suspense genres.
I recommend “Deadly Secrets” (Gavin Shawlens Thriller #1) by Gordon Bickerstaff
* * * * Four Stars (out of five)
Review on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/review/R3K6LK4F87Z9D/
Review on Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1388179338
The GUNDERSTONE review 