Review by Tam_R0se -- The Expansion by Christoph Martin

[Tam_R0se]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Expansion" by Christoph Martin.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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<i>The Expansion</i> by Christoph Martin begins with a murder/suicide by helicopter that changes young Max Burns' life in an instant. One school friend stands by him in this time of grief, a friend who will open a path to the greatest opportunity Max can imagine.

Engineer Max Burns is leaving his university teaching job to work for his fiancee's father when Professor Moyle and colleagues, Alexandria Wong and Gian Tanocco propose he joins them in a bid for the construction of the Panama Canal expansion. It takes conferring with his Uncle Alan and much urging from his old school buddy Godfredo Roco to talk him into leaving his work commitment and his disapproving fiancee, Sarah.

Max and his team must create and submit an exceptional blueprint plan and propose a winning bid to be chosen for the job over the Japanese, German, Chinese, and American construction teams. Working on an island paradise should be the grandest and most secure job site one can imagine, but not everything is as it seems. Between omitted information, leaked plans, shady deals, political intrigue and murder, Max's success and personal safety are endangered. A one night stand with Karis Deen, paleontologist for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and his friendship with Steven Zhang, Chinese ambassador, complicates things further as both harbor secrets. What begins as a massive construction job becomes a hotbed of political manipulations and betrayal that may change the balance of world power.

I rate <i>The Expansion</i> by Christoph Martin <b>4 out of 4</b> stars. The book is fairly well edited and plotted. There are a few miss typed words. The main characters are distinctive and likeable, including the shadier people such as Paco Roco, Godfredo's father. The setting is vibrant and lively. The history of Panama and the Canal is given in bite sized chunks so it doesn't intrude and adds to the authenticity of the story. The book does contain some strong language but not strong enough to distract.

I would give 3.75 stars if possible because it took two thirds of the book to introduce the characters, weave in the hints of corruption and put Max in a position of danger. Alexadria Wong became a token character and Gian Tanocco was barely mentioned after they reached the island. Once Max realised he was in danger the story went from what to do now to bandages and goodbyes with barely time to process who, what, where, and why. I believe the last third could have been expanded and slowed down a little to let the reader savor the moment.

I recommend <i>The Expansion</i> by Christoph Martin to most readers. Those who enjoy history, political intrigue, and espionage should find it worth the read.

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The Expansion
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