3 out of 4 stars
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Murdered by James Schannep is a ‘click your poison’ novel. This means that throughout the story, you are required to make a choice between a number of options and then follow the branch of the story that unfolds as a result. I tried one of these books (not by this author) when I was still in school and dismissed it as a fad. However, under Schannep’s pen, the genre (for want of a better word) has grown-up and this is definitely for adults and young adults who enjoy plot driven books. The story is told using second person narrative and the action takes place in Brazil during the ‘Carnaval’. You become separated from your friends and stumble upon a brutal murder. There is a gun nearby with a note that reads ‘pick me up’. This is the first decision point and the story expands from here.
There are three main stories, each of which have lots of little sub stories and dead ends. The main threads are very different from each other, so the book doesn’t feel like it is just repeating itself with small variations.
It’s a rollicking read with planes, boats, helicopters, motorbikes, cog trains, SUVS, sex, weapons, corruption, murder and mayhem. Everybody in this book is dangerous and that includes you. In its (somewhat) lighter moments, the story covers biofuels, the wildlife of the area, the jungle, the plantations, tourist attractions and the local food. There are also some humorous events and choices.
Schannep has obviously done a great deal of research into all of the topics covered by the book. He must have also done a great deal of planning. I particularly enjoyed the way the threads sometimes converge. In one example, a chapter is used twice. Coming at it from one storyline, Victor apologises for being a bit nerdy and boring. Coming from another storyline, Victor is apologising for something remarkably and humorously different. Sometimes the stories will run in parallel so in one story you’ll be on one side of the battle and in the next, you’ll be the opposition.
The only parts of the story that I struggled with both involved helicopters. The first was the Apache pilot’s eyes. Using them independently is one thing. I used to do that when I looked down a microscope using one eye, and drew what I saw using the other. Independent movement of eyes is a different matter. Eyes need to move together to give binocular vision and full depth perception. While it might be an advantage in an Apache helicopter, it would never be an advantage in ordinary life and certainly not when running or firing a gun (though I shall looking closely at Prince Harry’s eyes next time I see him on TV).
The other was when the helicopter (not an Apache) was shot and the charts were sucked towards the holes. Helicopter cockpits aren’t pressurised, so that wouldn’t happen.
I enjoyed the book very much and would love to be able to give it 4 stars. However, I found quite a few grammatical errors and one of the first hyperlinks to the next part of the story didn’t work. I can therefore only give it 3 out of 4 stars.
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Murdered
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