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Sep 15, 2017maucarden rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Enigma: “a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.” Well, I can see that definition as a fitting title for this book. Maybe not for the reason envisioned my Ms Coulter. But I will get to that. Two story-lines: FBI Special Agents and married couple Savitch and Sherlock investigating the tie between a comatose man and a pregnant woman and Special Agents Cam Whittier and Jack Cabot going after a dangerous escaped prisoner who has ties to the Russian mob and the Russians have ties with the White House. (No, not political ties.) Both are interesting story lines, one produces some thought provoking ideas about aging and the ethical considerations of the on-going research into the "Fountain of Youth". The other is just a good old fashioned crime story in the trappings of bank robberies, blackmail, murder and several daring escapes. Coulter writes very well and develops some fascinating criminals. I have two small puzzles with Enigma. Coulter has decent access to the FBI, yet she still manages to get procedure really wrong in some instances. I understand this is in support of her story, but maybe some sections should have been re-written so they are more realistic. Another reviewer, with no access to FBI procedure was spot on with her remarks about how unrealistic some scenes seemed to be. My other puzzlement, one major part of the escaped prisoner story line just flat out seemed to be dropped. There was a small, but unsatisfying ending given in an epilogue. The epilogue hinted at a good story, but the story just wasn't there for us. I have read and been a fan of Coulter from her first book written 21 years ago. Recently she has been leaving the hot romance (who can forget Sherlock's seduction of Savich) scenes aside and concentrating more on the thriller aspects. Darn it, I miss a little heat in the books. Always, always Coulter writes books brimming with excitement, originality and heart. Enigma is no exception. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.