Mirage

by F. Paul Wilson, Matthew J. Costello, Matthew Costello, et al.

Book Overview

Julie Gordon, a leading research scientist at the age of 27, has created the most exciting virtual reality program ever--a computer-enhanced, 3D voyage into the mind. When she receives the news that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446519766
• ISBN13: 9780446519762
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 374 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A solid piece of work from Messrs. Wilson and Costello

Mirage tells the story of Julie Gordon, a research scientist who, by means of virtual reality, has made great inroads into mapping human memory. Julie is forced by circumstances to delve into the memory of her twin sister Samantha, who is in a coma as a result of a mysterious bomb blast. Julie's trek into her sister's mind brings her closer to understanding both her estranged sister and the truth about a tragic event from their childhood. Messrs. Wilson and Costello deliver a solid piece of work, which will please fans of both authors.

Great Story

This is more of a sci-fi book than a medical thriller, as advertised, for which I am very grateful. If it had been labeled a sci-fi thriller, I probably wouldn't have picked it up and would have missed out on a very good story. The idea of exploring a person's memory with virtual reality is fascinating. Wilson and Costello have combined to make this a believable premise. The characterizations were wonderful and the suspense unrelenting.

A must for any sci-fi, mystery, or horror fan.

F. Paul Wilson and Matthew Costello take you on an unbelievable journey through the human psyche. When nuerophysiologist Julie Gordon learns that her estranged twin sister has fallen into a coma Julie travels albeit unwillingly to her side. Once Julie is there she realizes her chance to try an experimental virtual reality scanner she devoloped. Against the wishes of her partner in the development of the machine Julie travels on a risky journey through her sister's subconscious mind. What truths come to Julie through these episodes bring a frightening revelation to Julie and a truth about the lives of her entire family. Mystery, horror, and mix of sci-fi will keep you reading through the twists and turns of this well written, emotionally draining tale of family secrets. An excellent read.

Science Fiction Thread Fabulously Enrichens Classic Mystery

It's rare to find science fiction laced mysteries where the sci fi content doesn't overpower or mask the value of the underlying mystery like jalapeños on hollandaise. "Mirage" is one of those rare exceptions. Too often, sci fi novels deliver zero character development, employ metaphors only a geek would understand and appeal only to cultists. Not so here! "Mirage" is a great read, a very good mystery with character, imagination and excellent suspense that would retain its value if all the fictional technology were to be replaced by more conventional discovery mechanisms. Suspending disbelief as one enters this engrossing novel, the cleverly and progressively disclosed mystery captures the imagination. Popularly pausable -- but palpably fictional -- technology is used as the primary illumination technique to draw the reader ever deeper into a hidden world of growing suspense. In the reader's mind, the authors' sci fi metaphors for human memory can construct a fantastically rich tapestry of images. Bravo! Early on, the characters in the story feel flat and uni-dimensional, crafted with copious conceptual cliches. But as the entire novel slowly discloses the character of the three main players, it is the character of the players -- and the ways in which the authors illuminate their character -- that form the heart of the story