SCARECROW

The latest Shane Schofield thriller delivers action at a breakneck pace. While the violence will keep the squeamish away, SCARECROW demonstrates the prowess of author Matthew Reilly and reader Sean Mangan. To start, Schofield, a Marine, discovers that he's on an international hit list of 15 men whose heads (only) a group of wealthy people will pay $18.6 million apiece for. While the story borders on the absurd, and the violence rarely relents, the book's nonstop action is sheer fun and educational (if you want to learn about guns and other devices of violence). Mangan paces the action beautifully and truly excels in his ability to define the array of characters. His depiction of the ruthless Black Knight is especially effective. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]