The Rhythm Section

By Mark Burnell

Book Overview

The debut of an extraordinary new author - a novel of how a woman, pushed over the edge by the violent deaths of her family, survives only by taking other identities. Stephanie Patrick's world was... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060194650
• ISBN13: 9780060194659
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.2" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent thriller

I thought that this was one of the best thrillers in years. It is far more thoughtful and intelligent than the typical techno-thriller where there's a lot of killing. Yes, there is action and tension, but this book stayed in my mind a lot longer than almost all other thrillers and most "serious" novels because of the emotional appeal of the main character. The book is as well written and the characters as well developed as any critically acclaimed novel. Like fellow British thriller writer Charles Cumming and American spy novelist Charles McCarry, Burnell is showing why the espionage novel is advancing to the level of literature faster than mystery writers ever will.

Rhythm Section Is Awesome

I started to read this book taking a chance on it. Let me tell you that it had me grasped and wanting more. I got into the storyline and really felt feeelings for a character I knew wasn't real. As great as this book was the next one has me grasped even more in Chameleon. I am beginning to wonder if Mr Burnell is writing about a fictional character, or rather a real one that he knew once. That's how real and intense this book is. Not to mention the foray into terrorism in the US and attempts that have been thwarted 'somehow'.

A pretty good thriller

The beginning is a bit slow, especially the part where Stephanie trained to be an agent. However, once the story gets pass that point, the story gets more and more interesting, and I think the ending is great! What I found annoying is that the author put too much techinal information about the different organizations and such.

Quite the Page Turner

As the jaded consumer of hundreds of thrillers I'm something of a tough audience, but Mark Burnell's debut novel was a genuine page turner and I was very impressed with it. Yes, the plot bears more than a passing resemblance to "La Femme Nikita" and yes, the book is a little too long and drags a bit in the middle, but Stefanie Patrick is much too interesting a heroine and Burnell much too good a storyteller to let small quibbles get in the way of "a crackling good yarn." The book is about how a drug-taking prostitute a few steps from her final fix is transformed into the dreaded Petra Reuter, unstoppable international assassin. There is plenty of sex and violence and a plethora of repulsive terrorists - in short, enough to keep the average thriller fan happily engaged for hours. I'm looking forward to Mr. Burnell's next foray with bated breath.

A fabulous read!

One of the best books of the genre I have ever read. Read this book!