Type of bind: Hardcover
Format: Bargain Price
Label: Amazon Remainders Account
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 352
Printing Date: January 31, 2004
Publishing house: Amazon Remainders Account
Sale Popularity Level: 1455520
Studio: Amazon Remainders Account
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
- Tim Green's previous novel, 'The Fifth Angel, was published in Warner hardcover in 2/03 and hit the 'New York Times extended bestseller list. It has more than 86,000 copies in print.- 'The Fourth Perimeter was published in hardcover in 2/02 and hit #26 on the 'New York Times extended bestseller list. It hit #22 in mass market.- 'The Letter of the Law (Warner, 9/00) hit the 'New York Times extended bestseller list and has more than 550,000 combined copies in print.- Tim Green is a featured commentator on NPR and FOX Sports, and he's a regular contributor to 'Salon and 'USA TODAY. Green completed his law degree with high honors at Syracuse University.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
There's not much of a story here in this book, however, what kept me reading this novel was the interesting main characters, and the absolute thrilling final 100 pages that I could not, and did not put down.
I began reading this novel because I am a fan of Tim Green's other works, and through the very first 250 pages, I was unimpressed. Then the final 100 pages or so caught me by surprise, and are among Green's best work.
All in all, a good book to read on the weekend, but not one of Tim Green's best.
Rated by buyers 
-
The story is improbable and full of holes and inconsistencies. I'm usually good at suspending disbelief but this novel went too far for me. The worst part was the ending. Tim Green wrote himself into a corner. I was interested in seeing how he was going to write himself out of it. Instead, he ignored the difficult parts and gave no explanation. The other ridiculous part was the arbitrary 48 hour deadline. I understand the statistical importance of the very first 48 hours but this character acted as though his daughter would be vaporized as soon as 48 hours were up even though he approximated the start of the countdown.
There are so many good writers out there (Nelson Demille, Greg Iles, Brian Haig, Harlan Coben, etc.). I can't imagine the ones I've read having an aberration this disappointing, so I doubt that I'll be giving Tim Green a second chance.
Rated by buyers -
Jane Redmon, reporter for the Washington Post, is working on a potentially explosive story about Senator Michael Gleason. Gleason wants Jane stopped at all costs and has her kidnapped. Her father, alcoholic attorney, Tom Redmon, was once a cop who knows that if most crime victims are not rescued within 48 hours they are usually found dead. Tom will do anything to save Jane (including kidnapping Gleason) and enlists the help of his friend, ex-biker, Mike Tubbs. Together the two set off to save Jane before it's too late.
The plot of "The First 48" sounds intriguing, but Tim Green never quite makes it work. The 48 hour scenario gets tired fast, as Tom endlessly counts down the minutes (and astute readers will be able to guess what happens at the exact minute the 48 hours are up). Outside of Tom and Mike, the characters are not fully developed, especially Jane, which hurts the book, since readers really don't care what happens to her. She is resourceful at times, yet does some incredibly stupid things like leaving her clothes on a porch after escaping from the bad guys who are still chasing after her. Luckily for her, the bad guys are pretty incompetent and never fully inject the fear that readers are looking for. The plot devise of Tom's alcoholism and talking to his dead wife are never fully developed and his and Mike's constant quotations for war admirals grows tedious. The book also needs some editing as Jane blows up a cabin by starting a gas fire in the kitchen yet later cooks pancakes on the stove in said cabin. Green does his best to tie up loose ends but it's hard to believe that Tom and Mike received no punishment for kidnapping a U.S. Senator.
This was a quick, if implausible read.
Rated by buyers -
I'll start by saying I have read every last one of Green's books and have enjoyed them for the msot part. Never to be confused with great literature his books dwell ont he worst scenario possible side of life. This book like the others coudl use more character development and a bit more attention to detail. A carful reader will spot holes in the plot and other mistakes. Having highlighted the authors weakness, I confess that his style is highly entertaining, fast paced, and he comes up with great metaphors and descriptions.
This novel starts well, but the plot and tesnison relies to heavily on the suppsoed 48 hour rule. To me the timeclcok did not feel real enough to justify the urgency. Other than that The First 48 would get three stars for the fun easy read it is.
Rated by buyers -
I had heard a few good things about Tim Greens books, from a few of my friends, and my girlfriend. So I got a copy of this book.
The story was well written, but unrealistic. I realised this by the time in the book, you have Jane Redmon driving in Manhattan in her convertible, while on an assignment. I haven't heard of to many reporters that do that in Manhattan. Not that they can't, just that it would be very inconvienant. That is just one example.
Otherwise, like I said it was very well written. If you aren't looking for realism, just a fun book to read, then this might be for you. Its just not a book for me.
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