Whiteout

From what I understand from other reviewers, this is a departure from Follett's usual fare. Since this is the only novel of his that I've read, I can't compare it to previous books of his. Follett takes quite a bit of time developing his characters and setting the scene for this story, so it really doesn't get going until about the halfway point. From then on, it's a fast paced and entertaining read. The setting is Scotland at Christmas. A deadly virus is stolen from a research lab. The premise is not very original, but Follett puts a few interesting twists into play. A little romance, a frightening crime caper and a satisfying conclusion make for a few hours of quiet entertainment.

I've enjoyed a lot of Follett's previous works but had heard some bad things about this book. However, since I like Follett I wanted to find out for myself if this book was really as bad as I had heard. Basically the story takes place in a biomedical research facility in Scotland where thieves have stolen a deadly virus. A freak Christmas snowstorm strands the thieves and they make their way to the home of the research center's founder and chief scientist as his family gathers for the holidays. Typical drama ensues.

It wasn't Follett's best but it wasn't as bad as I had heard either. I fyou have never read Follett before this is probably not the book to start with. However, if you are already a fan then this average book is not a total waste of time.

As a long-time fan of Follett, I find this novel to be his best work set in a modern timeframe. Drawing on the recent style of describing high paced, suspense events in a short timeframe (ie. tv show 24), Follett scores by giving us vivid scenes and deep characters.

Our heroine is not the cookie-cutter brand of bedeviled woman finding her strength. She is drawn as a character who is strong and shows her depth. She is not without self-doubt and reflection. The cast of characters that surround the story at varied and intense. The interdependicies and relationships are intriguing and beguiling.

This was an easy read and thoroughly enjoyable.

It's rare I don't finish a book when I've read more than half of it, but I made an exception in this case. I'm ashamed I wasted my time reading that far, but Ken Follett is a well-known author and I kept hoping it would get better. It didn't. The characters are so poorly drawn, the plot so predictable and tedious that I finally gave up. Life is too short to spend time reading books like this. I only wish I'd read the reviews here before I began.

"Whiteout" by Ken Follett, a contemporary thriller set in Scotland, conveys a refreshing and horrifying spin to the stolen deadly virus scenario.

As the caper is completed, a monster snowstorm shuts everything down...frustrating the security chief (Toni Gallo) of Scotland's largest pharmaceuticals company in her struggle to track down the villains.

In addition to the brutal weather, an obstinate local cop refuses to cooperate until Scotland Yard applies pressure...granting the thieves a lengthy head start.

Mr. Follett deftly weaves the multiple plot lines together. Many a shocking plot twists keeps the pages turning, as the terrifying terrorist plot is unraveled.

Plenty of action, tension, colorful and well-developed characters in this most suspenseful ticking clock novel.

Perfect for airline reading.

This book has a typical Ken Follett structure: suspense, interesting plot idea, and drama. But this time, the excitement was not warranted. For starters, the entire plot is in or around one house so the author has to try harder to pull it off; unfortunately, Follett does not. "Whiteout" reads like a rushed book, in the style of i-had-to-do-it-fast-because-my-publisher-wanted-something-out-by-the-deadline. In sum, do not read this book if you never read Follett before. Start out with either "Pillars" or "Eye of the Needle" and then move to this one if you are compelled. Hopefully the upcoming Pillars sequel "World Without End" will be Follett at his best.

I quit reading this halfway through, and it's a Ken Follett novel!! I love Ken Follett--or, I guess I have to say I USED to love Ken Follett. I quit this book about one third of the way through. I didn't really care about the characters, and the plot seemed to take forever to get anywhere. I liked the heroine, but her having the hots for the old geezer grossed me out (I'm 46, a romance writer, and it STILL grossed me out). When they hugged and she was instantly wet, I was starting to check out. I visited here first, to make sure I wasn't going to miss anything, and I wasn't. So I decided my time was better spent on another book.

I figured I could not go wrong with a book by Follett: I was mistaken. It took me four days to read this book when I normally devour gripping stories. I could easily put this book down and not be driven by the need to find out what happens next. I did not find any of the characters to be really sympathetic or interesting. The heroine was the stereotypical heroine of a Danielle Steele story; she has to be smart and beautiful because one who is not beautiful is not worthy of the leading role. She was boring, spending half of her time mooning over her twenty plus years older boss. And whatever was Follett thinking with the character of Daisy? Where did that come from? Just plain silly or possibly an excuse to have some gore thrown in from time to time. The interactions between the children were the scenes that made me put down the book at periods because I found them so dull. I am not so sure why we feel it necessary to portray all adolescents as being focused on sex. The condom scene was absurd and contrived at the end and totally unnecessary.

Don't waste your time with this book if you really enjoy well written, exciting thrillers. This is not one of them.

5 stars for this book are not the same 5 stars for his book "Pillars of the Earth."

Ken Follett has proven once again that he can write a novel about any topic, not just WW II stories.

Whiteout has all the elements of Follett's novels: fast pace, likable characters, and a well plotted story. His characters are so realistically described that they usually resemble people we already know.

Whiteout reminded me of Ben Bova's "Brothers." There is just enough laboratory information to inmerse the reader in the story without being too technical about terminology or too scientific about instrumentation.

The story was clear without being transparent, fairly complex although not compicated, easy to follow and not at all perdictable.

I enjoyed this novel. 5 stars

Am I the only reader who found this book plodding, especially the character development? The sex references were totally unnecessary--kids feeling each other up. The family was totally dysfunctional: why would they continue to support spineless Kit? Where was the editor when the characters kept getting lost in the eternal snowstorm, the police proved inept and cantankerous, the boss and his security advisor "beat around the bush" in their immature romance? The "chase" throughout the house and the outer buildings were tedious and the characters' reactions to the threats and constant violence were unrealistic.

While nothing measures up to PILLARS OF THE EARTH, WHITEOUT is certainly in the league of EYE OF THE NEEDLE.

The action takes over a brief time period. The story goes as follows: Brilliant scientist developes an anti-viral drug. Bad people want to steal it. To do so they must defeat well guarded lab and overcome a state-of-the-art computer system.

That's the bare bones of the plot, and without giving anything away there are enough twist turns and backflips to make this book a winner.

Only bad spot is the epilogue. You already know everything by then.

A great read.

As I read this book, I kept asking myself, "Did I read this before?" So much of the plot, setting, and characters were a repeat of other books that I thought I was getting a regifted present. The virus theme, the family betrayal, the terrorist robbery, and the eventual resolution felt like a collage of other authors. The book was entertaining but not stellar. Having enjoyed his other styles with sweeping drama and history, this book seemed a little trite. I am not sure I would recommend it to others to read. Sorry, Ken.

The dustjacket proclaims ". . . Whiteout rockets Follett to a class by himself." Unfortunately, the class Follett may be rocketing himself to is not a lonely one. Many great writers tried for one more big hit and failed.

As a Follett fan who has thrilled to his many fine novels, I have to admit my disappointment at this boring, predictable and dull attempt at a thriller.

Former female cop, who left the force under a cloud because of her personal relationship with another cop, is working at a biochemical firm owned by wealthy eccentric scientist. A technicisan who has succumbed to the animals are human cult steals an animal, which is infected with a deadly disease. Cop detects theft, finds lab worker dead. Of course, who does she have to work with on the local constabulary to control the incident? Why her former lover of course.

Then the selfish, incompetent loser son of the owner gets involved with shifty people because of his gambling debts, which daddy wealthy scientist wouldn't pay . . .

You get the picture.

While "Whiteout" won't put you to sleep, it is far, far from Follet's best and, if you really like Follett, you may want to spare your feelings and avoid this bomb.

Jerry

I'm a fan of Ken Follett but it seems, like Miles Davis in his later years, he's just dialing it in now. The entire premise for the theft of the Madoba-2 virus is just naive at best. Follett may have visited some bio-tech firms for his research for White Out but he sure didn't do any research on basic security. What kind of high-tech company that handles a killer virus would not change access pass codes when an employee is fired. That's just stupid. There is also a ridiculous amount of filler and fluff in this book that had little to do with the actual story. I was disappointed.

It was not action-packed but the characters and their interactions kept me reading.

The basic premise: During a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, a deadly virus is stolen from the laboratory and the security director, Toni Gallo, with pangs of guilt for having not prevented the theft and in love with the scientist who owns the medical research firm that developed it, goes on a deperate search for the thieves before they can get away and transfer it to whomever it is that seeks it. The blizzard makes it all the more harder to catch the theives before the trail runs cold and they are gone.

It's a good read. The characters and their development in the story will, I think, want you to keep on reading it. I especially was intrigued by Stanley Oxenford's, the owner of the research laboratory, character with whom Toni falls in love, a man about 20 years older than her.

This one was written in modern day, not WWII era. It grabs the reader from the opening chapter, and I didn't want to put it down. Good for a lazy weekend. There were a lot of characters in this one, but they all had their uses. Some were even likeable.

One thing bothered me: the story is set in Scotland, yet distances were measured in miles. Don't they use the metric system in Europe?

I was really looking forward to reading this book. I heard some very good reviews as well as good word of mouth from a fellow follet fan.

I have to say that I just couldn't get into this book. Normally there's a hook that just gets deep in you when reading one of his books and you can't put it down. I just didn't get hooked. I liked the idea of the book, especially the wintery setting, but I just found myself casually reading through it...never 'having' to turn the next page or brimming with anticipation for the next time I'd get to pick it up and read more.

Not a bad book, overall. just not one of Follett's better ones, in my opinion.

WHITEOUT is a suspense thriller about biological terrorism. The story begins with the discovery that samples of a deadly virus are missing from a small pharmaceuticals company and a lab technician is dead, an apparent victim of the virus. Most of the novel's action takes place in a remote cottage. Follett is usually a good storyteller whose skills reflect his early training as a newspaper reporter. This book, however, is only mediocre and falls far short of the standard set by some of his ealier works such as EYE OF THE NEEDLE and THE KEY TO REBECCA.

Very typical sound book from a solid author there just aren't any surprises. The book like Jackdaws and Flight of the Hornet is totally predictable but unlike those two previous books he teaches us nothing new. Hot Zone is more informative on bio-safety issues.

Pillars of the Earth was his last great effort. These new books seem to have a formula spelled out early in the book, characters developed while the plot lingers, then the formula executed to a prictable end.

A once great mystery writer and someone who wrote a great historical piece just mails in another tome and we buy it hoping for the old Ken

This is not Ken Follett's best work. This is the story of a young woman who works as a security chief for a biochemical corporation who has a very dangerous virus stolen. I got through less than the first third before giving up on this dog. The plot seemed like it was going to be predictable without the familiar spunk that gives Ken Follett his signature style. Read Jackdaws or The Man From St. Petersburg if you want that edge of your seat excitement he's known for.

Having read twelve of his novels I find this one enjoyable but not up to the usual. It is very steady, well written and easy to follow but something I cannot state is missing whatever ingredient that may be. Don't think this novel is mediocre,it is far from it, I just could not get the usual feeling when reading one of Mr. Follett's novels. Having said all that I would also say read it it was enjoyable.

This is my first Ken Follett novel. And my primary problem with this book is that I feel entirely to much time and pages were wasted on the "family". Halfway through the book and I'm still waiting for the crime to be committed. I have 2 more of his books that I purchased, and if they're anything like this one, I won't buy any more, even at $.01.

I agree with L. Cary, except in my case I was just looking for a subway time-passer. Dreadful protagonist, she was useless and should be fired immediately. It really was all her fault. Dreadful villians. Just looking for a little escapism in a snowed-in Scottish country house, but found myself rewriting the thing in my head. I had a twistier ending too. Sorry Mr. F., I was bored silly.

WOW!

If all of Mr. Follett's books are this good, I'll buy the bookstore out! A friend of mine reads his novels and I have given her several. Last night when I began this book, I fell asleep reading it. I finished it today and can't wait to get another book by him to read.

You will enjoy this story that is fast paced and easy to follow.

This was one of the best books I have read in a long time that was a mystery/suspense novel.

I read it it last night and today because I just couldn't put it down.

One of my friends reads a lot of Ken Follett's books and I have given her many. I called and told her to save them for me to read.

You will enjoy Whiteout.

I have never written a review before but this novel was SO bad, it prompted me to warn others against it. I agree with the writer who questioned whether Follett had gone senile. I am questioning my own sanity for trying to finish it.

I was brought up to finish what you start, especially books--so I persevere but will not admit to my 2 children who are English teachers that I'm going to finish such a gabork. Who knows, it may redeem itself in the last 100 pages--(but I doubt it).

I thought Pillars of the Earth was a great book. Eye of the Needle--a remarkable thriller. I've always looked forward to his latest but this is such a waste of time, I read it to fall asleep.

Grandmanan

I have just about finished this book... it is actually not bad. Probably something close to what could happen or actually might have happened... but the style just doesn't seem like Ken Follett. I have read just about everything he has written over a 20+ year period AND this just doesn't read like a Ken Follett book. In the past, he wrote with an economy of words and never got so bogged down in long scenes with various degrees of low level human bickering. Some of the insight is truly very good and possibly profound. But the book could be just as effective and 100 pages shorter perhaps.

Also, too many coincidences... the thiefs winding back at the home of the owner of the lab from which the virus was stolen... the once in 50 years snowstorm, etc. Yet a lot of the book is very good; the beginning is well written, uncovering the dead man who stole a little of the virus and the forensic work involved in figuring out how he did it and the taking of preventative measures to minimize similar risk in the future. All good and written with an economy-of-words touch.

If you want a good Ken Follett read, try "Pillars of the Earth", probably one of the best and most profound books I have ever read in my life.

See book summary above.

I did enjoy this novel though I was thinking I'd get more of a

scientific thriller than a crime thriller.

The virus plot sort of takes a back seat to the rest of the story which evolves around Stanley Oxenfords family problems and Toni Gallo's love interests. There is still enough action and suspense to please most fans.

I thought it was well written, just not your typical Ken Follett novel.

It started out good. But the ending drags exceptionally too long, and even worse, in a predictable way.

At the ending, Follett milked the suspense too much that the only thing coming out was a bland liquid. I listened to the Books on tape, and had to fast forward since disk 9 (of 11). From disk 9 on, it was like riding a roller-coaster that keeps rolling around the same loop 100 times too many: the villain arose from
death, gun was out of ammo; no mobile phone to find, but when one was found, it had no battery ...

The story pace became stalled , despite all the actions.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the complex characters and the story line - theft of a dangerous virus from a laboratory in Scotland - was very engaging.

My one critique is that in the last chapter the author had Kit (Stanley's son) teaching the black guy to read. Come on!! This is 2008!

Ken, you should be well pass such racial stereotyping behavior. Besides, I found it unbelievable that a guy who is a major player in a vast gangster organization is unable to read.

Move with the times. Next time pick on someone else!

My only regrets about reading this book are that I can never get back those 6 hours I wasted, and I'm probably too late to warn many of you not to waste your time either. I would expect 2-dimensional characters in a genre thriller, but Follett has managed to populate this book with 1-dimensional characters or worse. To top it off, there is no "thrill" in this thriller - most of the book is unneccesary detail and it truly never gets to the frightening prospect of bio-terrorism. This is simply a heist novel, and not a very good one at that. The plot is miniscule and he fills page upon page with boring, irrelevant description. There are no unexpected events to provide a thrill - I could have told you the ending after reading the first 20 pages. In short, as a thriller this book is a dud.

It's just ok. It's no "Key to Rebecca", that's for sure.

The main character, Toni, came off to me as the most insecure Security Director of all time, frequently second-guessing herself and struggling with her competence and inner feelings. That came off as a bit pathetic to me. An interesting character in Daisy though.

The romance aspect felt sappy and quite "token". I felt this to be completely predictable and probably unnecessary. I even found myself literally rolling my eyes at these laughable portions of the story.

The tempo strikes a remarkable change about halfway through, once the heist kicks in. Page-turning, thankfully, gets much easier at that point.

All in all, an average (at best) bedtime book, but I was let down, and feel that it didn't come close Follett's true potential.

I love to read a "Christmas mystery" in December. I'd just about run out of new ones when I stumbled on this. Loved it- truly suspenseful, very atmospheric with a blizzard in Scotland. It's not great literature, we know that, but it's really a great read if you want a non-stop thriller and love that Decembery snowy kind of book.

I am on my 22nd thriller suspense novel since summer. Despite the many negative reviews for this book, It would be a sin to argue that this book isn't stunningly engrossing, entertaining--and suspensful. The plot is alive and colorful, and the multiple situations in the story are intriguing.

This is the first book by Mr. Follett I have ever read. I am eager to read other books by him.

This is my second review. I guess perhaps my first one was not acceptable to the store. I can't remember the total text of my initial comments so I will have to paraphrase. Overall the book is badly in need of an edit. Far too verbose and filled with irrelevant and bland digressions. Main character Toni Gallo, totally unbeleivable. She is supposed to be an ex-cop and head of security, yet she voices her inner thoughts with the naivity of a teenage schoolgirl. Josephine Bailey's reading? Insipid, monotonous. Totally unconvincing in all the roles she is called upon to play. I remember Ken Follett as being far better than this.

I agree with L. Cary, except in my case I was just looking for a subway time-passer. Dreadful protagonist, she was useless and should be fired immediately. It really was all her fault. Dreadful villians. Just looking for a little escapism in a snowed-in Scottish country house, but found myself rewriting the thing in my head. I had a twistier ending too. Sorry Mr. F., I was bored silly.

WOW!

If all of Mr. Follett's books are this good, I'll buy the bookstore out! A friend of mine reads his novels and I have given her several. Last night when I began this book, I fell asleep reading it. I finished it today and can't wait to get another book by him to read.

You will enjoy this story that is fast paced and easy to follow.

This was one of the best books I have read in a long time that was a mystery/suspense novel.

I read it it last night and today because I just couldn't put it down.

One of my friends reads a lot of Ken Follett's books and I have given her many. I called and told her to save them for me to read.

You will enjoy Whiteout.

I have never written a review before but this novel was SO bad, it prompted me to warn others against it. I agree with the writer who questioned whether Follett had gone senile. I am questioning my own sanity for trying to finish it.

I was brought up to finish what you start, especially books--so I persevere but will not admit to my 2 children who are English teachers that I'm going to finish such a gabork. Who knows, it may redeem itself in the last 100 pages--(but I doubt it).

I thought Pillars of the Earth was a great book. Eye of the Needle--a remarkable thriller. I've always looked forward to his latest but this is such a waste of time, I read it to fall asleep.

Grandmanan

I have just about finished this book... it is actually not bad. Probably something close to what could happen or actually might have happened... but the style just doesn't seem like Ken Follett. I have read just about everything he has written over a 20+ year period AND this just doesn't read like a Ken Follett book. In the past, he wrote with an economy of words and never got so bogged down in long scenes with various degrees of low level human bickering. Some of the insight is truly very good and possibly profound. But the book could be just as effective and 100 pages shorter perhaps.

Also, too many coincidences... the thiefs winding back at the home of the owner of the lab from which the virus was stolen... the once in 50 years snowstorm, etc. Yet a lot of the book is very good; the beginning is well written, uncovering the dead man who stole a little of the virus and the forensic work involved in figuring out how he did it and the taking of preventative measures to minimize similar risk in the future. All good and written with an economy-of-words touch.

If you want a good Ken Follett read, try "Pillars of the Earth", probably one of the best and most profound books I have ever read in my life.

See book summary above.

I did enjoy this novel though I was thinking I'd get more of a

scientific thriller than a crime thriller.

The virus plot sort of takes a back seat to the rest of the story which evolves around Stanley Oxenfords family problems and Toni Gallo's love interests. There is still enough action and suspense to please most fans.

I thought it was well written, just not your typical Ken Follett novel.

It started out good. But the ending drags exceptionally too long, and even worse, in a predictable way.

At the ending, Follett milked the suspense too much that the only thing coming out was a bland liquid. I listened to the Books on tape, and had to fast forward since disk 9 (of 11). From disk 9 on, it was like riding a roller-coaster that keeps rolling around the same loop 100 times too many: the villain arose from
death, gun was out of ammo; no mobile phone to find, but when one was found, it had no battery ...

The story pace became stalled , despite all the actions.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the complex characters and the story line - theft of a dangerous virus from a laboratory in Scotland - was very engaging.

My one critique is that in the last chapter the author had Kit (Stanley's son) teaching the black guy to read. Come on!! This is 2008!

Ken, you should be well pass such racial stereotyping behavior. Besides, I found it unbelievable that a guy who is a major player in a vast gangster organization is unable to read.

Move with the times. Next time pick on someone else!

My only regrets about reading this book are that I can never get back those 6 hours I wasted, and I'm probably too late to warn many of you not to waste your time either. I would expect 2-dimensional characters in a genre thriller, but Follett has managed to populate this book with 1-dimensional characters or worse. To top it off, there is no "thrill" in this thriller - most of the book is unneccesary detail and it truly never gets to the frightening prospect of bio-terrorism. This is simply a heist novel, and not a very good one at that. The plot is miniscule and he fills page upon page with boring, irrelevant description. There are no unexpected events to provide a thrill - I could have told you the ending after reading the first 20 pages. In short, as a thriller this book is a dud.

It's just ok. It's no "Key to Rebecca", that's for sure.

The main character, Toni, came off to me as the most insecure Security Director of all time, frequently second-guessing herself and struggling with her competence and inner feelings. That came off as a bit pathetic to me. An interesting character in Daisy though.

The romance aspect felt sappy and quite "token". I felt this to be completely predictable and probably unnecessary. I even found myself literally rolling my eyes at these laughable portions of the story.

The tempo strikes a remarkable change about halfway through, once the heist kicks in. Page-turning, thankfully, gets much easier at that point.

All in all, an average (at best) bedtime book, but I was let down, and feel that it didn't come close Follett's true potential.

I love to read a "Christmas mystery" in December. I'd just about run out of new ones when I stumbled on this. Loved it- truly suspenseful, very atmospheric with a blizzard in Scotland. It's not great literature, we know that, but it's really a great read if you want a non-stop thriller and love that Decembery snowy kind of book.

I am on my 22nd thriller suspense novel since summer. Despite the many negative reviews for this book, It would be a sin to argue that this book isn't stunningly engrossing, entertaining--and suspensful. The plot is alive and colorful, and the multiple situations in the story are intriguing.

This is the first book by Mr. Follett I have ever read. I am eager to read other books by him.

This is my second review. I guess perhaps my first one was not acceptable to the store. I can't remember the total text of my initial comments so I will have to paraphrase. Overall the book is badly in need of an edit. Far too verbose and filled with irrelevant and bland digressions. Main character Toni Gallo, totally unbeleivable. She is supposed to be an ex-cop and head of security, yet she voices her inner thoughts with the naivity of a teenage schoolgirl. Josephine Bailey's reading? Insipid, monotonous. Totally unconvincing in all the roles she is called upon to play. I remember Ken Follett as being far better than this.

I started reading Ken Follett's latest book expecting it to be the caliber of his other books (e.g., Eye of the Needle, one of his first, and Jackdaws, one of his more recent). I was immediately disappointed but kept reading, hoping that the book would get better.

The book lacks the depth and substance of Follett's previous books. It is one step above a trashy romance novel. Rather than summarize the plot (which left a lot to be desired and was highly predictable), I will end this review by saying that I do not plan to purchase another book written by Ken Follett.

Positive Points:

1) The book never slows down

2) The story is entertaining and timely

3) No deep thinking is needed to understand the plot or cartoonish characters

Negatives:

1) The writing is horrible and cheesy (especially a very laughable scene involving a swimming pool)

2) Poorly drawn characters who lack any depth

3) Predictable beyond belief

Overall:

I enjoyed it, but felt like I'd just read the literary equivalent of a Taco Bell Grande Burrito!

A wildly positive description led me to buy this, hoping to be captivated. Two hundred pages later, it started to take off. The unique aspects of the story, the biohazard and deadly aspects of the virus, have been seen elsewhere--from THE HOT ZONE, on. The plot is clunky as the author corrals innocents and villains into a house in a blizzard. We are told that one can spy on the action in the kitchen, from above--CLUNK! We are told individually about each cell phone in the house and why the innocents can't use them--CLUNK! CLUNK! The family members have such little characterization, it's difficult to keep track of them. A description of sex play is tacked on at the end and out of place with the book's tone. The writing is quite pedestrian, as if Follett were just lending his name to the thing. I'll look for recommendations of the better Folletts--like Eye of the Needle, and Key to Rebecca.

Well, I base my take on this novel on movie-style fun, the kind that keeps you urging the good guys to overcome the bad guys in freak weather conditions. The characters are all overdrawn to heighten the effect of the events. As in a movie the inexorable delays of rescue make you turn the pages. That's fine. Entertainment accomplished.

I am a huge fan of Follett and absolutely enjoyed his earlier novels (Pillars of the Earth, Night over Water, Dangerous Fortune, etc.). However, sadly, his recent novels have lost its edge. Code to Zero, Jack Daws, and now Whiteout is boring. Slow and boring.

Great book, couldn't put it down! A thriller involving a stolen dangerous virus. Good and evil battle it out. There's also a subplot involving romance, tinctured by the sweet aroma of thugs, cell phones and biohazardry. Fun!

I have to agree with most of the bad reviews for this book. It didn't have the flow one would expect from Follett, and the climax was okay, at best. If this book was from most any other author, I probably would have given it 3 stars, but after reading Jackdaws, Hornet Flight, Code to Zero, and a few others, this just didn't compare.
Truth be told, it was probably a good book, just not by Ken Follett standards.

my two favorite authors, demille and follett came out with books, only weeks apart. they are both fabulous writers, but both novels were a touch below their standards. i still enjoyed this one a lot. Follett is a great writer and i couldn't put this one down easily....

There's a lot going on in this book. Nothing surprising, but it keeps you going. I enjoyed reading it, but I won't read it again. I'll probably sell it to a half price book store. Not sure if I would give it to a friend to read.

I can't claim to be a K.Follett expert - but I read 'The Pillars of the Earth' as well as 'A Place Called Freedom' and enjoyed both (especially the Pillars of the Earth). However, 'Whiteout' confirmed my suspicion that once you have read one K.Follett you have read them all: too many coincidences, characters that are 'good' or 'bad' as of page one and a story where you can assume how it will end as soon as you completed the first few chapters. 'Whiteout' bears very few suprises and that I was able to predict in what situations K.Follett brings in his famous erotic twists is not really a good sign...

I wouldn't recommend it.

I love Ken Follett and this book was no exception--another page turner. However, I suspect that Mr. Follett had a tongue firmly planted in cheek in writing this book. I kept thinking it would make a great comedy.

I like very much Ken Follet. I have read "The Pllars of the Earth" and "The third Twin" and I had a great time reading both.

This book is fine, because Ken it's a great BestSeller writer, but it lacks something. I don't know what, but I think the story is simple, and in a lot of moments very predictable.

On the other hand there are several secuences in which you can't leave reading the book because they are thrilling.

Ken has better books

Most of Ken Follet's books are worth reading, and this is one of them. You might feel as bogged down in the snow as the characters are, as you trudge through who's chasing whom in the middle of a blizzard. Overall, you remain interested enough in the characters to keep going. Some surprising twists and suspense at the end make it worth it. Recommended.

This is the first time I've been tempted to write a review past just thinking about it. But I felt I had to warn readers about this poor excuse for a book.
Mr. Follett was obviously under some kind of deadline, or short of cash, to put out this totally lame effort. I had saved it for a fun, fast read after slogging through some Henry James this summer, and was totally disappointed in both the writing and the plot. I can't believe it was actually written by the same author as Eye of the Needle!

I enjoyed every minute of this book! I couldn't put it down! This is the first book that I decided to read from Ken Follet after Pillars and World End. This was totally different from Pillars.I can't wait to read another one by him!

This was an OK read, which is unfortunate for a writer such as Ken Follet whom we hold to such a high standard simply because of his evident talent which cannot be questioned. A little more heavy on the description compared to his past works which rely more on plot twists. The setting was nice, very ominous for sure, but the latter plot fell a little short of expectations created in the first half of the book. Maybe not as heart pounding as say Chetan Dave's Datoga Island or Michael Crichton's State of Fear but it's still worth reading once.

Pedestrian and uninspiring. A pot boiler that misses the mark. I have read all of Follett's books and they vary greatly. I have enjoyed the last three books that he wrote but this one should never have been accepted by his editor. Try Trevanian, he is the true master of the genre.

I liked it as far as a mystery goes-- but his GREAT ones were "Pillars of the Earth" "Key to Rebecca" and most of his earlier novels. I can find a book like this by 100 authors, but his first books were one of a kind by a "one of a kind author." Please come back (or go back) I want to pick up a classic my next read by Ken.

I so enjoyed Pillars of the Earth, and was expecting a thriller of the same caliber and complexity. Forget it. The plot of this book ran about a millimeter deep, was predictable and improbable, and really not worth the time. I'm not sure why such a talented writer as Follett would put out such junk food...

this is the worst of Follett's writing hands down. the book is essentially action with minimal supporting background and research. the characters are shallow, monodimensional, and insipid. if not for the continuous action there would be no book in between the covers. don't buy it.

Do not read any of Follett's books after Night Over Water. Third Twin was terrible and Whiteout is worse. I have been a loyal fan since Eye of Needle but I won't be reading any new Follett. Trust me. If you are going to buy this book based upon your enjoyment of Follett's previous work you will be disappointed. Unless of course you enjoyed Third Twin in which case knock yourself out.

A real thriller...cannot understand all the negative reviews. The plot is great, the characters are well-delineated and the suspense just keeps you reading! Nothing can surpass Pillers of the Earth, but this is WELL worth a read, Enjoy.

I'll start by saying I'm a big Follett fan - and have read all of his books. But this is the worst I've ever read.

Instead of historical intrigue - which provides a history lesson as well as an engaging plot, this one is filled with sex, is totally predictable and doesnt provide any new information that Michael Crighton hasnt covered extensively in the past.

And less than 350 pages? Where is the Pillars of the Earth tome? If I had been given the book without knowing the author, I'd have guessed Danielle Steele. Oh well, at least my wife can read it.

A friend gave me this book and said it was soooo good. I started it several times and just couldnt get past the first 4 chapters. The friend asked me about it and I told her and she encouraged me to continue. OH MAN am I glad I did. It was well worth getting into. Very fast paced, I found myself reading faster as the book picked up. A really good read.

After reading this book, I may say that the author suffered from a 'whiteout' while writing it. It is quite boring: suffers from the lack of action and poor psychological portraits of the characters. Let's hope that it was only the low temperature from the book that froze the hand and pen (or is it the PC) of Ken Follett. I wish he could write more excellent books like "The Pillars of the Earth" or "Eye of the Needle".

I Love Follett's Books, But not this one...

Wow, this was bad. No wait this was BAD. The plot was thin, the dialogue Worse. It started so well, good premise, decent storyline. Then about half way through it started to fade, and then even worse it turned into an unbelievable compilation of nonsense and fluff.

I will still buy any book by Follet I can find, but I think this one is best left as a pass.

Here's a twisted little Yule tale for you! Follett writes a nail-biting edge-of-your-seater bio-thriller about what happens when the scion of a pharmaceutical company is in hoc to the Mob. Another excellent tale of fathers and sons striving to be men, this one is solved by a woman, a really great character who gratuitously falls in love with the paterfamilias of the pharma firm. This would have been a great book without the love interest. There's no need to gild the Christmas lily.

Jim

I usually love Ken Follett's books. This book could not hold my interest. Even though it's a relatively short book, It seemed to drag on forever. Don't let this sour you on Ken Follett though, most of his books are top-notch (Pillars of the Earth, Dangerous Fortune, Eye of the Needle, Hornet Flight among others).

Ken Follett is a wonderful writer. You can't beat his - Pillars of the Earth, so too such novels as Night Over Water,The Key to Rebecca and many, many more - so I was disappointed with this book. It was not Ken Follett at his best - I put this book up along side his other less then stellar novel - The Third Twin.

It's a long time since I read such a bad book, surely the author was drunk when he wrote it?
And his publisher, how did this get through the net?
Were it a book in the 'young adults' category, it would still be insulting.

This was the worst dribble I've ever attempted to read. I can't believe this is the same author that wrote the classic "Eye of the Needle". Boring, predictable, and not worth waisting any time skimming through. Seemed like a pretty good plot for a story but the writing was nothing but filler. HIDEOUS novel that gives Follet a bad name.

I love most of Follet's work. It didn't bother me that this book didn't read like some of his previous novels. How refreshing, how fun. "Whiteout" is a fast paced read that was thoroughly entertaining.

A book by Ken Follet is normally a guarantee of a well written intrigue that keeps the reader spellbound however in Whiteout he falls short. The characters are not well developed nor is the plot which had a lot of potential. Not up to the authors usual standards and a disappointment to a long-time fan.

Is this really Ken Follett? The plot is drawn out, the language stilted, and the dialogue amateurish. Makes me wonder if he has farmed out his work to a student. Stick to his other books - any of them!

I usually love Ken Follett's books. This book could not hold my interest. Even though it's a relatively short book, It seemed to drag on forever. Don't let this sour you on Ken Follett though, most of his books are top-notch (Pillars of the Earth, Dangerous Fortune, Eye of the Needle, Hornet Flight among others).

Ken Follett is a wonderful writer. You can't beat his - Pillars of the Earth, so too such novels as Night Over Water,The Key to Rebecca and many, many more - so I was disappointed with this book. It was not Ken Follett at his best - I put this book up along side his other less then stellar novel - The Third Twin.

It's a long time since I read such a bad book, surely the author was drunk when he wrote it?
And his publisher, how did this get through the net?
Were it a book in the 'young adults' category, it would still be insulting.

This was the worst dribble I've ever attempted to read. I can't believe this is the same author that wrote the classic "Eye of the Needle". Boring, predictable, and not worth waisting any time skimming through. Seemed like a pretty good plot for a story but the writing was nothing but filler. HIDEOUS novel that gives Follet a bad name.

I love most of Follet's work. It didn't bother me that this book didn't read like some of his previous novels. How refreshing, how fun. "Whiteout" is a fast paced read that was thoroughly entertaining.

A book by Ken Follet is normally a guarantee of a well written intrigue that keeps the reader spellbound however in Whiteout he falls short. The characters are not well developed nor is the plot which had a lot of potential. Not up to the authors usual standards and a disappointment to a long-time fan.

Is this really Ken Follett? The plot is drawn out, the language stilted, and the dialogue amateurish. Makes me wonder if he has farmed out his work to a student. Stick to his other books - any of them!