The Deadliest Game by Hal Ross
Imagine having to choose between your own child and 25000 other people, with many kids among them. Who should live and who should die? This is the premise of The Deadliest Game by Hal Ross, a book which I have received with a request to read and review on my blog after having mentioned it as a new entrance in the new mystery books for November this year. At 344 pages it seemed liked a fast read, and let’s face it with a premise like this, how could I pass up the chance to discover a new author while reading a good book.
Blair Mulligan is the owner of a relatively successful toy company who has a bright future ahead due to a new game that he is about to launch, which should keep the money coming in quite well for the next few years. He is divorced, but has a 6 year old daughter, Sandra, whom he loves more than anything else in the world. As he so aptly puts it, she is his main reason to live.
One day he is visited by a government agent, John Dalton, who asks his co-operation in taking down a terrorist – whom happens to be Blair’s closest friend. Of course, Blair doesn’t believe him, however Dalton has something about him – something almost menacing – that does the trick. Blair – against his best judgement – decides to do it. Afteral what is requested of him seems easy enough.
When talking to his friend, however, he simply can’t believe that he is a terrorist and decides to finally say ‘no’ to Dalton. Sadly this decision starts an avalanche of big troubles both for him and his daughter.
This is a thrilling story with lots of twists and turns every step of the way. There were even a few cringing moments (at some point I had to stop reading, it was so overwhelming). However there were many times when I wanted to throttle Blair. He seemed just so weak – the true antihero. It wouldn’t take him a lot to cave in to the slightest pressure, and the few moments when he really rebelled against the Dalton were far in between.
But then once I finished reading the book, it got me thinking. I am easy to judge, but how would “I” behave if my life, and worst of all, my kid’s life were threatened? Would I cave in or would I be a hero and sacrifice my daughter for the greater good of the country?
The book presented a strong moral dilemma, which is very easy to overlook and be righteous about when you’re on the outside not directly involved.
In addition, as Blair also mused about at some point in the book, we are brought up to fully trust authority and not question it even when red flags come up. It is very difficult to say not to someone who is clearly in power, and not only because of the gun he has, but because he seems to represent something that we all rather fear – the Big Brother watching.
Of course, finally Blair did the right thing, and it was his strong moral battle, among his frustration and ever growing rage, that made him human and – despite his weakness – really a likable character.
Blair is well fleshed out, his struggles all too human, his relationship with his daughter is heart warming and his changing from a weak corporate guy to someone who learns to stand his own ground is very well laid out. We can literally see his transformation as we turn the pages of the book.
Check out the trailer above. Scary much?
Now I did feel the ending to be a bit rushed. The epilogue was slightly disjointed from the rest, however even so, the ending was satisfying, the way we’d want a good book to end. Oh and I loved the poetic justice in the last few pages, it actually left me with a smile on my face thinking “karma is always just around the corner”.
Overall The Deadliest Game is a great thriller that keeps you glued to the pages to see what comes next. Because something always comes next. It is by no means a dull book, far from it. Things are not always what they seem and there are enough surprises to keep you guessing all the time.
To learn more or order a copy, visit Amazon
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