Alvin Ziegler

Medical thrillers aren’t exactly my wheelhouse. An overload of scientific principles in a recipe for boredom, which is why “Gridlock” was the perfect medical thriller for this reader. Ziegler, who has a strong background in medicine and computer science, gives the reader all of the facts to be convincing but not so inscrutably as to weigh the story down.

“Gridlock” is Ziegler’s first novel and shows the signs of an author with talent looking to tackle what is perhaps a timely subject. At the start of the novel the ill-fated Dr. Hideo Onagi presents the idea to people who might donate to its success he tells them that customized health care will be more expensive but also more effective. Social commentary, poplar or not, sets the stage for this impressively knowledgeable work.

Ziegler’s work features a number of somewhat generic characters. Even the assumed main character, Jude Wagner, seems to lack a unique voice. He’s a somewhat generic lead. What we lack in development, Ziegler makes up for in pacing. Ziegler’s writing style leaves the reader barreling from big idea to bigger idea crashing into the knowledge nuggets laced through the narrative.

If you like medical thrillers and have a strong interest in current affairs, give this novel a shot. Keep your eyes open for Ziegler’s next novel as this author has the talent and is sure to develop the focus.… (més)