Ganymede Project by John Morrison

This techno-thriller breaks the genre mold. It is "Tom Clancy meets Robert A. Heinlein." In the early part of the book, we get to understand the psychological make up of the two principal characters--Katrina Fontanova, who won her "spy spurs" taking risks during the Russian "putsch"; and Yuri Sverdlov, the failed U.S. Seal, cum FBI agent, whose passion for justice overrides political propriety. When the two strong-willed personalities collide in a scramble to locate and control the ultimate disruptive technology--a technology of alien origin--the book accelerates into hyperdrive, and I couldn't put it down. The author's web site indicates that "The Ganymede Project" is the first book in a trilogy. I can't wait for the next installment!

Although the book is slightly confusing in the beginning with the format of quickly jumping from year to year and place to place, As you get into the second half of the book, the format becomes easier to follow, probably because you now know the characters well enough to jump around. But, there is no doubt that this is a good story and I became more interested in the outcome as the book moved along. The final third of the book was hard to put down, so I didn't. I finished the book on a long overseas flight. The final chapters were well worth the wait.

I read the e-book version of this story, and it wowed me. The book is a weave of X-Files, espionage and historical action. The threads of humor, horror and fast-paced action make this something truly different. The "blurb" that goes with the book says the film rights to the story have been optioned. I hope they make the film, and I hope the book hits the street in paperback or hard cover. A great story!