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Publisher:
Warner Books |
Release
Date: March 17, 2003 |
ISBN:
0-446-52796-6 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Hardcover |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Mystery/Thriller |
Reviewed:
2003 |
Reviewer:
Jo Rogers |
Reviewer
Notes: Language, Violence, Sexual situations |
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The
Discrete Charm of Charlie Monk
By David
Ambrose
Charlie
Monk is a happy man, satisfied with his life as a covert agent for
the United States Government. Dr. Susan Flemyng is also happy with
her research in amnesia, trying to find a way to cure it. There
is no reason their paths should cross.
Charlie is
single and likes it that way. He has all the women he wants. He
remembers a childhood in an orphanage, going to a coed school where
he met and fell in love with Kathy. Only one thing bothers him.
He can’t remember what Kathy looks like.
Dr.
Flemyng is happily married to Dr. John Flemyng and they have a seven-year-old
son, Christopher. She has been working with Brian Key, a victim
of a viral induced amnesia. He can remember everything up to the
time he got sick, twenty years ago. He cannot remember anything
of his illness or anything else. He cannot remember seeing his wife
the day before. He is shocked every time she comes in to see him,
because he doesn’t remember that she has aged. For him, the
illness was just yesterday.
Now,
Susan has been able to plant a memory in Key’s mind. He is
no longer shocked at his wife’s appearance. For this reason,
she has been forced to aid in an experiment involving Charlie. She
doesn’t want to participate. But when her husband is murdered
and her son is kidnapped, she has no choice.
The
Discrete Charm of Charlie Monk is a tale of danger, fear and
confusion as Charlie and Susan both learn how far unscrupulous governments
will go to achieve what they want, whether it is actually necessary
or not. It is a frightening look at power and science with no conscience.
It’s also a look at just how much courage can do to right
a wrong. It’s a great read.
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