Title: End Game: Irrational Acts, Tragic Consequences
Author: Theodore Jerome Cohen
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 9781456710026
Pages: 192, Paperback & Hardcover
Genre: Mystery/Fiction
Reviewed by: Gary Sorkin, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
End Game: Irrational Acts, Tragic Consequences, by Theodore Jerome Cohen is analogous to walking into a movie during its last 30 minutes; meaning because it is the third of three books in a trilogy, in order to grasp the full impact of the people, events and storyline, you need to have read the two prequels. This book is definitely worth waiting for. Once the reader finishes the first book, “Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World;” then goes on to “Unfinished Business: Pursuit of an Antarctic Killer,” he or she is poised at the edge of a frozen crevasse (that’s a “cliff hanger” in Antarctic terms). Theodore Cohen has mastered his writing style, taking total control of the knowledge base of the reader, and manipulates the suspense to an enjoyment factor emanating a “Best Choice” recommendation. He manipulates an intelligent volley of investigators and thieves, bystanders and stooges, opportunists and victims into an unforgettable tale of fiction; uniquely a “Theodore Jerome Cohen Fiction,” one based upon fact.Theodore Cohen uses his own character named Ted Stone within his trilogy, to immerse himself into the factual articulation of details described as real events albeit with fictional ramifications. His use of occasional footnotes, a collection of photographs, simple maps and diagrams within his novel further attest to the authenticity of much of the material. As mentioned in other reviews, it is the juxtaposition of factual and imaginary detail, real and fictitious characters, each underscored by footnotes or website research which gives Theodore Cohen’s work a “signature style” quite unique, enjoyable and thoroughly ingenious.
It is difficult to encapsulate or recapitulate the events with regard to the characters in the “End Game: Irrational Acts, Tragic Consequences” without revealing the significance relevant to the two prior books. The reader’s intellectual curiosity is satisfied regarding the whereabouts of the stolen wealth, and the fate of Captain Roberto Muñoz of the Chilean Navy, commander of the Lientur; a vessel personified with a life of its own due to the cargo hold and documentation of freight waybills effecting the possession of the stolen property. Consequently, to preserve the integrity of the suspense, I will simply say I was very impressed with the plot twists, especially the one which involved the Roman Catholic Church. I should have guessed somehow these characters would be seeking a higher power to engage into their illegalities!
As “Birds of a feather flock together,” these three books by Theodore Jerome Cohen should be packaged in a jacket and sold as a set because I certainly believe anyone hooked by the first chapter in the first novel will not be able to put this series down until all three books are finished.
