Given how highly I respect some of Steven James's craft techniques (status, causality), I feel the need to explain the low rating of this book. I wanted it to be good! I did. It's an interesting plot with an unexpected speculative edge I liked. However ...

Repetition and exposition run wild. The inconsistent verb tense in Jevin's POV makes me think his sections were originally written in past and changed to present at the last possible second (without time for a good final edit). Characters remain shallow, dialogue is forced, implausibility is off the charts, and everything is spelled out for the reader--from Jevin telling his emotions to whole scenes of plot-explaining/reminding dialogue (literally, "Let's summarize the information we have so far." Cue exposition).

I really wanted to like Steven James fiction, but it doesn't seem to be for me. ( )

A new series for this author of the Patrick Bowers files. Jevin Banks, the main character has as much personality as Patrick Bowers but the plot seemed to be a little more involved. Overall I enjoyed the book and look forward to his next one in the fall. ( )

Placebo was on the shortlist of novels nominated for the mystery/thriller category of the Inspy Awards. I was honored to serve as a judge of this category — so many great books! It certainly was a tough decision. Here are some of my thoughts regarding Placebo.

Jevin Banks is an illusionist turned film maker focused on exposing charlatans — televangelists, psychics and now a Nobel prize winning researcher. He along with his colleagues become entangled in a conspiracy reaching from the boardroom of a pharmaceutical company to the Pentagon and beyond. There is a lot at stake in the research — money, power, and national security. There are also a lot of shadowy characters influencing the action.

I found Placebo difficult to get into. There is quite a bit of discourse on the theory of entanglement at the sub-atomic level. I got lost amid the quantum physics and metaphysical discussions. Finally, I had to skim rather than try to understand the theories discussed and just focus on the action. Thankfully the action took off, and I got into a better reading rhythm. The characters in Placebo are quite interesting. Jevin’s wife and twin sons were killed in a drowning incident that was no accident. It is his failure to prevent his wife’s murder/suicide that fills his nightmares and his waking life. Riah Colette, a researcher with RixoTray Pharmaceuticals is a psychopath who has learned to restrain her nature. Her quest to understand love has led her to her current position as researcher and her involvement with Jevin near the end of the book. This novel is a thriller and there are a lot of psychopaths — complex characters and motives. At the end of the book the immediate threat is averted, but some of the characters with the least exposure and most influence have gotten away — and I think may make appearances in the next novel.

Placebo is not a book for everyone. There are some disturbing images that ramp up the creep-factor of the book. It is also not a quick read — you have to be willing to invest some time to understand the background of the research and the motivations of the characters. The faith message is subtle, and the spiritual journey of Jevin Banks has just begun. But if you like a gasp-inducing thriller, interesting characters and mental workout, you will enjoy Placebo.

Recommended.

(I received Placebo from the publisher for judging purposes. The opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

The very emotional and heart-wrenching beginning of Placebo introduces the character of Jevin Banks. It draws the reader moment by moment into the worst day of this man’s life.

This is the most unusual idea for a character that I have seen in a while. Jevin is an illusionist and escape artist who now debunks those who use those talents to defraud people. He and his small crew seek out charlatans claiming psychic type gifts and expose them – on tape for his TV show. The character of Jevin was so strong that he rather overshadowed his assistant, Charlene. I think one of the more interesting characters was Xavior with his quirky ideas, conspiracy theories, and knowledge of Jesus. I wanted to know more about him. Also in the circle is Fionna, a home schooling mom of four children who works as a computer tech expert.

After the emotional beginning, Placebo became a rather technical with the neuro medical topics, but once you get through the details the pace picks up again quickly. The team finds themselves wrapped up in situations that go far beyond their original purpose.

The story is gripping and the characters are interesting. The story wraps up nicely, and I look forward to the next in this series. Be prepared for the change in tense when Jevin takes over narration. I find it annoying, but that is just a personal preference.

Placebo is available November 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. ( )