Book info

• Title The Hammer of Eden
• Author Ken Follett
• Year 1993
• Genre Thriller

A Deadly Threat. The FBI receive an anonymous threat from a terrorist group that claims it can trigger earthquakes. A Lone Agent. Judy Maddox, an FBI agent with a point to prove, is tasked with investigating the threat by her obstructive superiors. She must discover if it is credible and, if so, where it comes from. A State on the Verge of Destruction. When a suspected, machine-generated tremor is detected her investigation reaches a critical point – can she find those responsible, and their next target, before they trigger a catastrophe that will devastate the entire West Coast of America and the millions of people who live there...

Thoughts

One of Ken Follett’s standalone thrillers, I really enjoyed this book. It had an unusual premise, and the crime itself was inventive and really quite terrifying as a concept! I liked the internal politics that was wrapping the FBI up in knots and it was good to have the hero come out on top, both in terms of solving the crime and also getting the upper hand in the office.

Although the terrorist group clearly deserved everything they had coming to them for taking part in such crimes, the book still had an air of sadness about it. These people were initially just trying to defend their right to live off-grid, and protect the land they had cultivated over several decades. The way the book ends is particularly poignant.

But not too much sympathy, because it’s a page-turning ride to stop horrible things happening, and I highly recommend this as a great thriller tale told well.

Rating: 4 / 5