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The Devil's Workshop |
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 The Devil's Workshop byStephen J. Cannell William Morrow 421 pages, 1999 ISBN 0688166180 Reviewed by Devorah Stone Stephen J. Cannell spins a tale of corruption, scientific ethnic cleansing, Gulf War Syndrome, white supremacists and courage. He brings together scientists, soldiers, hobos and a movie mogul to create this fast paced story. Stacy Richardson, a microbiology grad student is finishing up her Doctorate, when her Professor-husband shoots himself while working on a top-secret armed forces project. She uncovers a plot to disseminate a biological weapon that can selectively kill millions. The concoction is a modern alchemist's nightmare. Cris Cunningham is an ex-marine, riding the rails as drunken hobo. The movie mogul is Buddy Brazil, the estranged father of a hobo. They are up against the corrupt Admiral James Zoll who believes cheap `environmentally safe' biological warfare is the weapon of the future. Dr. Dexter, enticed by promises of unlimited funding, creates a biological means of ethnic cleansing. The scientist makes a covenant with a fanatic ex-Vietnam veteran turned self-proclaimed Reverend of a white supremacy group. The plot is both fantastic and believable. The writer has done his homework and explains the science in entertaining layman's terms. He takes many of today's trends like advances in genetic engineering, the rising violence of racist groups and corruption in the armed forces for the groundwork of his novel. This is a character driven book. Stephen J. Cannell's story is believable because his characters are so well rounded and sympathetic. I cared about the fate of these men and women. Page after page I was cheering for Richardson and Cunningham to right the wrong, to find revenge and to set the world right again. The story follows railway lines from Hollywood, California to the ivy towers of the East Coast to the nation's capital. The book also travels through many of the divisions and controversies of our times. At the heart of the book is the growing relationship of two people who have lost too much. Stacy Richardson, young microbiology student who has lost her husband, faces the outright lies of Admiral Zoll. Cris Cunningham, after watching his daughter’s painful death, finds consolation in alcohol and riding the rails until he loses his traveling buddy. Michael Hollywood falls prey to the deadly designer bug. Stacy Richardson tells Cris he lost both his daughter and his friend through callousness of the army he once proudly served. With her help, he fights his way out of an alcoholic haze to regain his dignity. Their relationship is both touching and restrained, never getting in the way of the action. Stephen Cannell's own humanity and decency shines through in this entertaining and provocative book. |
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