My second Micahel Crichton book and, as I say quite a bit these days, probably not my last!

Given that the Airbus A380 has taken to the skies this week, it's appropriate that I should be reviewing a book concerned with the apparent failure of an aeroplane and the investigation into what happened.

The story centres around the mid air incident involving a Boeing or Airbus type air liner that suddenly almost turns turtle. Passengers are literally thrown around the cabin as the plane goes into a steep dive and then an equally steep climb.

Three passengers die, the pilot is badly hurt ... but why is he at the back of the plane and not in the pilot's seat?

Enter the dragon! Casey the ace investigator: career women with a child, an errant former husband and one week to get this case resolved.

Crichton is either a former engineer/scientist or he's a frustrated engineer of some sort. Jurassic Park, State of Fear and now Airframe are all technology/science based and in this book, there are at least pseudo scientific extracts for us to consider. See pages 124 and 138 for example to see what I mean.

Casey starts to unravel the facts of the case when a video recording of the incident turns up and reveals some astonishing things for her and us to think about. After a while, she lets out a gasp as she learns the truth of what happened and why the pilot and his crew returned to China immediately following the landing of the ill fated aeroplane!

The story has a sub plot and that involves a young man who becomes Casey's intern: all is not what it seems and out of the blue his true character and purpose is revealed and Casey is fighting an enemy she never dreamed would exist.

You can imagine whether good conquers evil and whether Casey saves the day. It's a story well worth the telling, though; and I have come to like Crichton's style. The book was originally published in 1996 and I started reading it ... on board an aeroplane! Why do they sell books like this in airports these days? Why do people like me want to buy them in airports and read them on aeroplanes you might ask?

Sorry, can't answer that but I can advise you to look out for the book and give it a whirl. I'll certainly be reading more Crichton before too long!

Duncan Williamson
30 April 2005