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Adept #1
Adept
It's a strange kind of robbery: nothing is missing and the only damage done is to the criminals. David Braun, star investigator for an exclusive insurance firm, discovers the truth that the crime was intended to conceal. Behind it all, a ruthless thief, who is intent on acquiring a priceless antique - an antique with a bloody history its owners would prefer to keep hidden. Susan Milton, an expert in exotic antiques, must unearth the object's past to make sense of the present. When she takes on the project she has no idea that her research will put her life in danger. As David and Susan learn to work together the pieces begin to fall into place, but the more they find out, the less they believe. Caught between powerful enemies and being hunted by a killer the police cannot catch, their only hope is to stay one step ahead. They know enough to put them in the worst danger of their lives. Will it also be enough to save them?
Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
6 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Robert Finn
35 books9 followersRobert Finn was born and raised in London and now lives in the Cotswolds.
See also:
Robert P. Finn, Translator
Robert Finn, author of Organ Transplants
Robert K. Finn, author of Biotechnology Focus
Robert Finn, author of Symphonic Journey, Con Amore
Robert Finn, Computer Scientist
See also:
Robert P. Finn, Translator
Robert Finn, author of Organ Transplants
Robert K. Finn, author of Biotechnology Focus
Robert Finn, author of Symphonic Journey, Con Amore
Robert Finn, Computer Scientist
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 5, 2025
A very interesting start, which transforms into a rather dull book.
I don't know the potential target, as Adept seems a mixture between a Serie Noir with an Edgar Wallace mystery, children comics and some esoteric. Quite a poor final, so those three stars are a sign of great benevolance...
I don't know the potential target, as Adept seems a mixture between a Serie Noir with an Edgar Wallace mystery, children comics and some esoteric. Quite a poor final, so those three stars are a sign of great benevolance...
October 30, 2017
Not bad for a first published novel but I felt it suffered from a less than page-turning pace as well as a noticeable number of adverbs used in dialogue tags, as in: "he said softly," or "she said agreeably". A few I wouldn't have minded, but when I, a writer aspiring to be published and constantly reading experts who say essentially "Don't use any adverbs unless absolutely necessary," I notice them and it detracts from my enjoyment of and immersion in the story.
I will say the protagonists were distinctive and not run of the mill. The slight bit of 'sci-fi' or 'fantasy' contained in the plot was believable as was the story arc. The ending was a bit predictable, but presented in a fresh way, although the climax was a bit too contrived to really sell me. It seemed like the cavalry rode to the rescue from out of nowhere, even though it was explained afterwards.
I highly recommend this book to unpublished authors so they can see that a less than technically perfect book can get published if the characters and plot are fresh enough.
I will say the protagonists were distinctive and not run of the mill. The slight bit of 'sci-fi' or 'fantasy' contained in the plot was believable as was the story arc. The ending was a bit predictable, but presented in a fresh way, although the climax was a bit too contrived to really sell me. It seemed like the cavalry rode to the rescue from out of nowhere, even though it was explained afterwards.
I highly recommend this book to unpublished authors so they can see that a less than technically perfect book can get published if the characters and plot are fresh enough.
November 29, 2010
Abordei a leitura deste livro com alguma expectativa que advinha de críticas e comentários que tinha lido e que me despertaram a curiosidade sobre o livro. Bem, afirmo desde já que o livro foi uma grande desilusão: a históriaé pura e simplesmente desinteressante, abundam diálogos maçudos e excessivamente extensos, o autor está semper a derivar da história principal para 5traçar a cadaq momento o perfil psicológico dos personagens, cuja personalidaqde nem sequer é deveras interessante ou digna de tanto relevo. Apenas no final se dá mais ênfase ao enredo e menos aos diálogos intermináveis. Por outro lado, o tema principal (uma colecção de documentos que contém um segredo para prolongar a vida e conferir poderes sobre-humanos a quem possuir um certo artefacto) é abordado apenas raramente e poucas explicações são aprofundadas sobre o artefacto em si. Aborrecido e pouco inspirado. Numa palavra: entediante!
August 17, 2009
David has carved a niche for himself in the world as a security consultant for an old established insurance firm, he recovers lost goods. However the latest investigation brings him into the world of strange abilities and superhuman powers. A building his firm insures has been broken into and 2 out of 3 of the villans are dead, the other one survived a fall that's impossible.
He recruits the help of american academic Susan Milton because one of the items stolen is a very old talisman. The stories about this talisman are far fetched, but what if they're true.
Billed as a British answer to the Da Vinci Code and the Rule of Four this is an interesting read, it kept me reading and curious to see whats going on. I also want to hunt up further books in this series, brain candy but fun.
He recruits the help of american academic Susan Milton because one of the items stolen is a very old talisman. The stories about this talisman are far fetched, but what if they're true.
Billed as a British answer to the Da Vinci Code and the Rule of Four this is an interesting read, it kept me reading and curious to see whats going on. I also want to hunt up further books in this series, brain candy but fun.
July 5, 2015
Not the greatest page turner but not bad. A little more thrills and less explanation would have made it better for me.
April 11, 2016
Haha
A very inapt title, for the book was far from being adept.
January 12, 2025
El libro es muy entretenido y tiene un lenguaje de escritura sencillo. Para mí esto no es malo, porque no todas las lecturas deben ser profundas y con un estilo espectacular. Todo avanza rápido y siempre están sucediendo cosas, lo leí rápido a pesar de tener más de 400 páginas.
Los protagonistas, el investigador y una científica, son personajes cliché. Quizá en esto fue que no me pareció tan buena la novela. Los comportamientos de la pareja eran predecibles y, aunque sí tienen cierto desarrollo, no cambiaron tanto a pesar de todo lo que viven en la historia.
La trama tiene mucha acción y mezcla elementos de fantasía aplicados al mundo actual. Los toques de ficción me parecieron creativos y entretenidos. El autor los utilizó de buena forma para envolver la historia y no fue tan predecible como creí que sería.
Recomiendo el libro para los que deseen una lectura sencilla y entretenida. No es una obra maestra, pero es suficientemente buena como para pasar un rato agradable.
Los protagonistas, el investigador y una científica, son personajes cliché. Quizá en esto fue que no me pareció tan buena la novela. Los comportamientos de la pareja eran predecibles y, aunque sí tienen cierto desarrollo, no cambiaron tanto a pesar de todo lo que viven en la historia.
La trama tiene mucha acción y mezcla elementos de fantasía aplicados al mundo actual. Los toques de ficción me parecieron creativos y entretenidos. El autor los utilizó de buena forma para envolver la historia y no fue tan predecible como creí que sería.
Recomiendo el libro para los que deseen una lectura sencilla y entretenida. No es una obra maestra, pero es suficientemente buena como para pasar un rato agradable.
August 8, 2019
Well read book but the plot itself left something to be desired; a little far fetched.
David is an insurance investigator. Something rare and slush has been stolen under suspicious circumstances. The person from whom it has been stolen is mysterious and chilling.
David calls upon Susan, a specialist in antiquities, to help him discover who might steal this, and where it might surface.
They notice some strange incidents happening around the break in and at the London School of Antiquities, where Susan works.
It is an okay novel, but instantly forgettable.
David is an insurance investigator. Something rare and slush has been stolen under suspicious circumstances. The person from whom it has been stolen is mysterious and chilling.
David calls upon Susan, a specialist in antiquities, to help him discover who might steal this, and where it might surface.
They notice some strange incidents happening around the break in and at the London School of Antiquities, where Susan works.
It is an okay novel, but instantly forgettable.
April 1, 2022
A good readable story about a historian, asked to help an insurance investigator locate a stolen artefact where the burglar seemingly had supernatural powers to get away. The historian had been working on deciphering a set of documents and bells starting ringing. The cover said this was a British variant on The Da Vinci Code, it certainly followed the fast-paced, full of coincidence hectic race to stay alive, but I found it could have been shortened by several pages which seemed surplus to the plot.
February 1, 2025
This book is a gripping blend of thriller and supernatural mystery. The story kept me hooked with its fast pace, intriguing characters, and the way it weaves corporate espionage with ancient secrets. The dialogue feels sharp, and the chemistry between the protagonists adds to the tension. Some parts felt a bit predictable, and the pacing goes a little slow but the engaging plot and action made up for it. If you enjoy a mix of conspiracy, adventure, and a touch of the unexplained, this is a solid read!
May 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this novel. I’m surprised at how many poor reviews there are because it was a very good read. Often I read books that have so many good reviews only to be disappointed and wondering how the book could be rated so highly but this is the opposite. Anyway, there was a good mystery, some action, a little romance, and some humor. The ending was a little weak and overall the beginning was better then the ending but I liked it a lot and look forward to the next book by this author.
July 1, 2019
I liked listening to the story. Narrator provided a bit of sparkle and fizz. Adept fits comfortably into the Harry Potter, Dan Brown, super powers genre. Makes a change.
August 11, 2023
I enjoyed this novel more than I thought I would.
I was a bit unsure of the supernatural angle but it worked really quite well. I thought of X Men more than once though I have to say!
The novel is part of a trilogy (being the first and also his debut) I will probably seek out the other 2 in the series but am surprised that Fenn didn't write anymore. Maybe he burnt out?
I was a bit unsure of the supernatural angle but it worked really quite well. I thought of X Men more than once though I have to say!
The novel is part of a trilogy (being the first and also his debut) I will probably seek out the other 2 in the series but am surprised that Fenn didn't write anymore. Maybe he burnt out?
October 11, 2019
I enjoyed this book. I found it very British, which is a change, as I ten to read North American Authors, but it was a pleasant change. Though I liked the characters I sometimes found the dialogue a bit forced, especially the bantering between the main characters.
January 20, 2018
Begins well and the characters are good. Gets a bit daft later with the magic stuff but still very readable.
April 18, 2023
One of the worst kinds of books is a boring thriller. If it wasn't for the superhuman assassin this would come off more as a lighthearted rom-com.
April 8, 2024
Clearly the publisher is not so adept at proofreading and copy editing. I am three quarters of the way through and find myself more engaged in looking for errors than concentrating on the plot. If you can get past that you get more of the interaction between characters who keep snapping at each other most of the time than the actual mystery, which I assumed was the point of the whole book. A "he said, she said" novel; maybe it will redeem itself in the last quarter of the book. Good for a beach read.
Edit: Got to the end of the book. No changes in what I wrote.
Edit: Got to the end of the book. No changes in what I wrote.
December 30, 2012
Considerado como uma variante do “Código Da Vinci” da “Regra dos Quatro”, este ��O Perito”, policial que marca a estreia literária de Robert Finn, deixava antever ser um thriller digno dos acima mencionados, até mesmo transformar-se num thriller de culto.
Exagero!
Antes de mais, o que sobressaiu na sinopse, que confesso me despertou a curiosidade, foi a colagem ao best seller de Dan Brown e, na minha opinião, tal colagem não funcionou a seu favor, porquê?
Simplesmente porque criei expectativas altas. Porque o “Código Da Vinci” tem Qualidade Histórica e este “Perito” não tem nada que se aproveite.
Independentemente da sinopse, e isso é algo que podem ler em dezenas de blogs, a história, que até tem elementos interessantes, é mal explorada, caindo amiúdas vezes numa pasmaceira cheia de lugares comuns e, numa ingénua condução de todo o trama onde abundam clichés misturados com piadas sem piada numa amálgama de factos misteriosos mergulhados, imagine-se, até em elementos mágicos.
E quando tudo fazia crer que essa amálgama estava a chegar ao fim, eis que chega o canto do cisne, este é apenas o 1º volume de 3. Argh!
Em relação ao estilo e Finn, enfim, simplório, a sua escrita mais parece saída de um livro infantil, assente em situações já antes criadas por outros autores, em tentativas humorísticas nas habituais cenas eventualmente perigosas e até situações muito forçadas para explicar determinadas situações.
É uma obra muito frágil que só com muito esforço consegui acabar de ler, pese embora admita que possa agradar aos amantes do género ou a leitores pouco exigentes, este é um mau livro.
Exagero!
Antes de mais, o que sobressaiu na sinopse, que confesso me despertou a curiosidade, foi a colagem ao best seller de Dan Brown e, na minha opinião, tal colagem não funcionou a seu favor, porquê?
Simplesmente porque criei expectativas altas. Porque o “Código Da Vinci” tem Qualidade Histórica e este “Perito” não tem nada que se aproveite.
Independentemente da sinopse, e isso é algo que podem ler em dezenas de blogs, a história, que até tem elementos interessantes, é mal explorada, caindo amiúdas vezes numa pasmaceira cheia de lugares comuns e, numa ingénua condução de todo o trama onde abundam clichés misturados com piadas sem piada numa amálgama de factos misteriosos mergulhados, imagine-se, até em elementos mágicos.
E quando tudo fazia crer que essa amálgama estava a chegar ao fim, eis que chega o canto do cisne, este é apenas o 1º volume de 3. Argh!
Em relação ao estilo e Finn, enfim, simplório, a sua escrita mais parece saída de um livro infantil, assente em situações já antes criadas por outros autores, em tentativas humorísticas nas habituais cenas eventualmente perigosas e até situações muito forçadas para explicar determinadas situações.
É uma obra muito frágil que só com muito esforço consegui acabar de ler, pese embora admita que possa agradar aos amantes do género ou a leitores pouco exigentes, este é um mau livro.
April 19, 2025
( Biblioteca )
January 2, 2017
The book kept you turning the pages, but there was a lack in deeper things than this. I agree with someone who wrote about the use of adverbs. I didn't feel like the characters reached an utter completion by the end of the story, apart from the romantic element. They needed to be something more than the typical superficial European and American characters in their thirties.
Sometimes I felt that there was no cohesion, for example, at some point it said that "this is in the begging of the desease" and in the next sentence it was written "it appears when you have reached the final stage".
Finally, I believe that the writter dedicated far more time(and actual pages) to describe romantic scenes, than to the main plot. Sometimes it was like I was reading a romantic novel with some action.
I'm giving 2/5, because, in spite of its drawbacks, it was a good debute for an author and I enjoyed reading it. I just needed something more profound.
Sometimes I felt that there was no cohesion, for example, at some point it said that "this is in the begging of the desease" and in the next sentence it was written "it appears when you have reached the final stage".
Finally, I believe that the writter dedicated far more time(and actual pages) to describe romantic scenes, than to the main plot. Sometimes it was like I was reading a romantic novel with some action.
I'm giving 2/5, because, in spite of its drawbacks, it was a good debute for an author and I enjoyed reading it. I just needed something more profound.
March 26, 2012
This is a combination of crime and occult/paranormal thriller that centers around an insurance investigator, David Braun and an academic, Susan Milton, working with the London School of Antiquities. They are brought together when a violent break-in and theft of an artifact leads them to uncover a secret that is centuries old. This discovery makes them a target for a ruthless killer who threatens the kind of things ruthless killers threaten.
I had originally read it a couple of years ago expecting it to be along the same lines as Katherine Kurtz's The Adept series. It wasn't but I found then and now that it was an engaging read. Finn has incorporated ideas about magic and adepthood that are somewhat different to historical and contemporary sources and seem more in line with paranormal studies.
I had originally read it a couple of years ago expecting it to be along the same lines as Katherine Kurtz's The Adept series. It wasn't but I found then and now that it was an engaging read. Finn has incorporated ideas about magic and adepthood that are somewhat different to historical and contemporary sources and seem more in line with paranormal studies.
August 27, 2013
If you can totally, absolutely and utterly suspend your disbelief and just accept the notion that some people (adepts) have supernatural powers then this book is not a bad read. If you can't, don't waste your money. After the slowest start imaginable the pace heats up and the plot becomes quite interesting while the main characters are sympathetic and engaging. The author does have a tendency to over-describe which can be annoying but it doesn't detract too much from the enjoyment. Not a book I wish I'd not bothered with but I'll not be reading it again.
February 28, 2012
The first part of this book was okay but then I felt that the second part went on too long and I couldn’t wait to finish it. This is the first book that I have read by this author, I believe that there is a follow up but I won’t be rushing to read it.
Some other reviews described this as similar to the Da Vinci Code but although I can see some similarities, DVC was so much better.
Some other reviews described this as similar to the Da Vinci Code but although I can see some similarities, DVC was so much better.
June 16, 2012
Well didnt get to the end before the library download lease ran out, the problem with library leases is that you cant renew them so i have had to return it and now have to wait for it to become available again!!
Overall so far its quite a good story, i really do want to get to the end so annoyed i didnt do it.
Overall so far its quite a good story, i really do want to get to the end so annoyed i didnt do it.
September 18, 2014
I had a very nice time reading this book.A combination between mistery,crime and ocult thriller with some romance inserctions.By far is not the gratest book from it's tipe but it give's you a nice feedback,at least for me.And let's don't forget that the action is laid in London and that gives a big + from my point of view.I recomand it to all of you.
November 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this book.By the second chapter I was hooked and was trying to work out who the culprit was. The book was well written and flowed beautifully with just enough humor to not imitate a joke book. Nearing the end of the book it was obvious what going to happen and it seemed to loose some its mystique and humor along with it my attention.
December 22, 2010
Fue una lectura entretenida para pasar el rato y en mi caso dar comienzo a las vacaciones, sin embargo, encontré un poco flojos ciertos argumentos y eso me hizo perder interés a ratos. En caso de recomendarlo advertiría de no tener expectaciones demasiado altas.
Read
July 28, 2011well.... I liked it .... so there... !
September 18, 2011
Great read
February 10, 2014
I don't like to criticise when people have doubtless worked long and hard on their craft, but this book was not for me. I found it lacking in most aspects.
*apologises*
*apologises*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews