From /tmp/sf.4258 Tue Feb 1 03:58:04 1994 Path: liuida!sunic!EU.net!howland.reston.ans.net!news.intercon.com!udel!news.sprintlink.net!dg-rtp!sheol!dont-reply-to-paths From: pawlicki@kodak.com (Ted Pawlicki) Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.reviews Followup-To: rec.arts.sf.written Subject: Review: THE CHIMERA PROJECT by R. Gaborski Approved: sfr%sheol@concert.net (rec.arts.sf.reviews moderator) Message-ID: <9312151654.AA06337@acadia.Kodak.COM> Date: 16 Dec 93 01:02:53 GMT Lines: 70 The Chimera Project, by Roger S. Gaborski, is the first person account of a murder investigation as told by one John Pearlman, special investigator for the State Department. In this story, Pearlman has been assigned to look into the apparently accidental death of a brilliant Russian scientist who had defected to the U.S. years before the winds of Glasnost had swept through the Kremlin. Given the end of the Cold War, all the characters expect Pearlman's investigation to be a routine closing of an old file. It isn't long, however, before Pearlman and the reader are swept into the complex scene of biotechnology research applied to a new generation computers as well as the underworld of international, high technology, industrial espionage. A diverse group of characters suddenly become interested in the late scientist's work, key aspects of which seem to have disappeared. The tension of the puzzle is interspersed with an insider's view of office politics amid the big egos of the intelligence and research communities. Pearlman, the main character, has struggles not associated with the bad guys alone. He has to balance his desire to tell off his manipulative supervisor with realistic career considerations. The tension of Pearlman's inner struggles also project into his romantic liaisons. This struggle is developed through relationships with two female characters, one who represents the traditional, non-threatening passive woman, and one who represents the strong, independent modern woman. Pearlman needs both of these characters to crack the riddle of the scientist's death, but what begins as strictly professional contacts take on a life of their own as the plot develops. The style of prose is kept concise and action oriented as the mystery develops. The technology surrounding biological computing is discussed in enough detail to pique one's interest, but avoids the excessive detail associated with some works in the techno-thriller genre. The backdrop of high-tech industrial research poses an interesting setting for post Cold War espionage stories. This reviewer found the book to be enjoyable and easily approachable reading. The murder investigation aspect of this book will appeal to mystery fans. Readers of Science Fiction should find the how the characters deal with issues surrounding biotechnology applied to computer science of significant interest. The interpersonal tension of bureaucratic office politics and the romantic sub-plots add spice to the story, but are, in themselves, incidental to the book's overall impact. The Chimera Project Roger S. Gaborski ISBN #1-56901-120-6 Northwest Publishing 5949 S 350 West Salt Lake City, UT 84107 1-800-398-2102 1-801-266-5900 FAX: 1-801-266-5965 %A Gaborski, Roger S. %T The Chimera Project %I Northwest Publishing %C Salt Lake City, UT %D 1993 %G ISBN #1-56901-120-6 %O trade paperback, US$8.95 %O order from NorthWest Publishing 1-800-398-2102 Ted Pawlicki pawlicki@kodak.com possunt quia posse videntur