The book achieves what are, in the end, its modest aims. The characters are lifelike, the plot moves along nicely, the tension keeps building, and the resolution is, if predictable, satisfying enough.

In other words, not a bad first novel, and a potentially perfect launching pad for a new writer to build on. But I just checked and in the decade since this book came out the author has apparently decided to switch to Hollywood instead, which is too bad.