The Escape Artist

"The Escape Artist" is a well-paced, really well-researched and provocative story filled with understandable if not relatable characters. I'm sure it was subconscious, or perhaps a homage, but when reading I couldn't help thinking that somehow Lisbeth Salander had assumed the identity of Nola Brown and Mikael Blomkvist had been reincarnated as Jim "Zig" Zigarowski. This is meant as a total compliment to Brad Meltzer, not that he needs any accolades from the likes of me. The relationship between Nola and Zig adds rocket fuel to the storyline. If you're a fan of great writing don't miss this one.

The relationship between the main protagonists was complex and unusual. It made the story more interesting than the typical mystery. If I had to criticize one thing it would be that the final outcome felt forced, and less satisfying than the story itself. However, I always appreciate it when a story teaches me new things. I learned a few facts about a rarely talked about and rather sad topic - mortuary practices.

started out a great read but started slowing down and became predictable. ending was not the best

From p 1, filled with action and mystery. Good character development of all the players. No cardboard cut outs. Great detailed info on how the military processes tens of thousands of its dead soldiers at its Dover facility in Delaware. Truly educational. Only weakness is that as with other Meltzer books, the plot is implausible ... But a good read nonetheless.

The first half of the book was a little slow paced. Then it started picking up a bit. The last quarter or so was great!! Lots of action!! The identities of who each code word represented comes out. The mysteries are answered, but I didn’t expect the answers!

This is a book of secrets, both personal and Governmental. Mortuary art is not my favorite topic but since I purchased this I had to read it.The story was interesting but not the kind you can't put down. I read it in three days. Picking it up between other chores.Death although inevitable is just not a fun background for my sort of action book to have. Believe I will pass on others.

No matter what you think about this book, if you get to the end you will conclude that it’s different. I’ve read hundreds or even thousands of books and none really like this one. That’s a significant thing to acknowledge, and not easy to do.

Well then there is a lot of death and some sad and some deserved. Secret agents, a lot of deception and some vengeance well delivered. I liked it. You will also.

Excellent read. True to Meltzers other books. Fantastic dialogue and keeps you waiting until the very end for the answer.

Mix in the magic of morticians, a few Houdini history references, Dover Air Force Base and a high-level government cover-up, a US Army “artist in residence” who is also a lethal assassin and you have the perfect recipe for a Brad Meltzer mystery. Fans will enjoy the way Meltzer moves the story quickly from one tense incident to the next while he unveils government bad guys getting busted by the good guys. Lots of twists and turns and though it’s occasionally a bit of a stretch, it’s fun and fast reading.

Not one of Brad Meltzer's best - interesting but not great. The plot was good, the true facts were well-researched & interesting, but somehow it just didn't "hang together" well. The main characters weren't developed as well as they could have been, and therefore didn't engender any attachment to them by the reader. I ended up feeling at the end like, "That's all there is?"

Àn interesting fiction- could-be fact story that really keeps you engaged. Meltzer does it once again! Looking forward to more in this series

Overall it's a good read, wasn't sure about how I felt throughout most of the book (I.e. do I like this or not) I may pick-up the next from the series but not the best piece of literature he's put out.