Matt McAvoy Book Review

This sci-fi mystery thriller from Kevin Moran has all the feel of a Young Adult book about it, though I suspect the main characters are slightly older than that, primarily because of the nature of their relationship, and the fact that one of them has a military background.  It is pretty interesting and entertaining book, and though not particularly outstanding in any way, I do like this author’s articulate and engaging writing style; he had me hooked, and I read the whole thing over the space of one generally well-spent evening.

Ultimately, though, it did leave me a little unsatisfied, I suppose; there were a couple of plot gaps which weren’t really addressed the way I assumed they could be – no less so than how events all came about right from the outset.  Additionally, in true YA style, there is the typically frustrating ending, intended more for the benefit of the sequel than the reader.  The story is a simple one, and in fact a pretty good one, bringing to mind Total Recall and even perhaps some of those beneath the earth Doug McClure movies of the 70s; there is also the slightest hint at Crichton’s influence, in that the single sci-fi aspect is subtly underplayed, yet simultaneously a vital part of the storyline.  It would be interesting to see what comes next for the characters, and I think will make for a good deal more excitement.  As far as Lying Beneath goes, it was a nice way to spend a few short hours, if in a formulaic fashion – don’t expect too much to be revealed though; it simply is what it is within these few pages.

The truly encouraging aspect of this book is Moran himself.  I like his writing – found it to be pretty faultless, in fact – and it would be very interesting to see what his future work holds in store.  I would hope, perhaps, that he can really open the floodgates to his own creativity, and resist the temptation toward formula.  Lying Beneath is a good book – not requiring immense concentration – perhaps worth a read on a long train journey or the like.  Kevin Moran is certainly one to watch.