Out of Order

A talented author makes a story interesting. Personal knowledge by the author makes the story believable. Benoit makes the story real. The only time that I put the book, "Out of Order," down was to get up and take some Dramamine during the train scene.

I loved "Relative Danger," and I enjoyed "Out of Order" just as much. The characters, especially the protagonist, are nicely drawn. The Indian setting is perfect. And the fast-paced plot and wonderful humor add up to a fantastic adventure romp. If you are looking for a well-written book with a sense of fun and place, this book is for you. I'm already looking forward to Charles Benoit's third book.

I think this book's terrific! As with "Relative Danger," Benoit gives us plausible characters, mind-enhancing descriptors and a plot that keeps us guessing 'til the last page. His attention to detail creates such an authentic setting that we're planted right in the center of the action. It's refreshing to find an author who depicts past and present India without romanticism or condescension. Can't wait to see where Benoit takes us next!

after reading l.j. roberts' review of charles benoit's new book "out of order", i was wondering if l.j. and i had read the same book. i thought that "out of order" was of the same high caliber of writing as was "relative danger". i doubt very seriously that many readers, if any at all, would guess that an item that is not a usual part of a something so traditional to the culture of india could contain the "magic" of the real deal. one of the obvious pitfalls charles benoit will have to avoid if he keeps to his great theme of putting innocents abroad into intriguing scenarios will be becoming too formulaic in his storylines. hopefully, his creativity to weave a tale and the wealth of overseas' locales will prevent that from ever happening. critics should keep in mind the immortal words of napoleon; "glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever". charles benoit shouldn't worry about that because thanks to the likes of characters such as douglas pearce and jason talley, his true talent is anything but obscure.

Though they see life differently and only know each other less than a year, loan processor Jason Talley and married couple Sriram and Vidya Sundaram have become friends. Sriram asks Jason to hide a red sari he is bringing as a present to his mother when he visits her in India; he has not told his beloved wife yet that he plans to return home without her for a few days. The next day Jason returns to their apartment complex in Corning, New York to find his two friends dead in what the cops believe was a suicide murder. On the spur of the moment, Jason decides to deliver the sari to Sriram's mother; he sends an email to all those on Sriram's list telling them he comes to pay homage. Jason flies to India where he finds everyone else on the tour a geriatric except for Canadian Rachel Moore who won the trip with a lottery ticket. She bullies the reluctant Jason into leaving the formal tour to ride the trains to see the real India though she insists they skip the Taj Mahal. As they journey together, Sriram's former India computer associates and his American based employer want the sari that they believe contains a "magical" program stitched on it. OUT OF ORDER is a fabulous thriller starring an individual whose entire life has been planned to the nanosecond until he goes to India. Suddenly, the sane, safe, and secure lifestyle that Jason has lived for twenty-seven years vanishes especially when he meets the spontaneous Rachel. Fans will appreciate the beleaguered Jason struggling to determine friend from foe and the RELATIVE DANGER of each as everyone except Rachel seems to have an agenda involving the sari. Harriet Klausner