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Little Deadly Things
What happens when abusive parents raise brilliant children? You might get a saint. You might get a killer. Or you might get one of each.
Nanotechnology made Eva Rozen the world’s wealthiest woman. Rage made her the deadliest.
Marta Cruz alone can stand between Eva and the death of millions. But will a crippling illness stop Marta first?
Little Deadly Things is the place where science meets the psyche, where the world's fate rests in the hands of a madwoman and in the lives of the family that must stop her.
"… a work of descriptive art, with a sense of futuristic realism. I was riveted, page after wonderful page.” -Thomas M. Cirignano, 67 Cents: Creation of a Killer
“…A union of art and science in this thriller… marvelous characters amidst an age of nanotechnological advancement. Harry Steinman rips today’s discoveries from the laboratory and into an emotion-laden thriller with the promise—and peril—of this emerging science. –L. R. Drennan-Harris, Ph.D. Analytical Chemist
“…Little Deadly Things introduces the brilliant but psychotic Eva Rozen, a Boston scientist tormented by both her past and her present. Her mystery and madness propel the reader, revealing surprises at every turn."-- Deborah Swiss, The Tin Ticket
Nanotechnology made Eva Rozen the world’s wealthiest woman. Rage made her the deadliest.
Marta Cruz alone can stand between Eva and the death of millions. But will a crippling illness stop Marta first?
Little Deadly Things is the place where science meets the psyche, where the world's fate rests in the hands of a madwoman and in the lives of the family that must stop her.
"… a work of descriptive art, with a sense of futuristic realism. I was riveted, page after wonderful page.” -Thomas M. Cirignano, 67 Cents: Creation of a Killer
“…A union of art and science in this thriller… marvelous characters amidst an age of nanotechnological advancement. Harry Steinman rips today’s discoveries from the laboratory and into an emotion-laden thriller with the promise—and peril—of this emerging science. –L. R. Drennan-Harris, Ph.D. Analytical Chemist
“…Little Deadly Things introduces the brilliant but psychotic Eva Rozen, a Boston scientist tormented by both her past and her present. Her mystery and madness propel the reader, revealing surprises at every turn."-- Deborah Swiss, The Tin Ticket
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 22, 2012
Show or Tell...You Choose
If you enjoy character development, you'll probably like Little Deadly Things. If that’s not your cup of meat, then take heed: the story begins in the reading present and then moves back in time to examine the childhood of the main characters.
The outer tale is a technothriller, high-tech sci-fi. The inner story is an exploration of how adults cope with the angry residue of a childhood served under abusive or feckless parents.
I use a lot of ink on the back stories of the characters. Otherwise the villain is a two-dimensional cliché. And, to the dismay of some readers, the heroine has character flaws.
Nobody’s perfect.
If you want your story to move from Point A to Point Z in strict alphabetical order, then Little Deadly Things may frustrate you.
If you want to watch the characters grow, then read the book.
I prefer to entertain than to irritate and hope I provide more of the former than the latter.
If you enjoy character development, you'll probably like Little Deadly Things. If that’s not your cup of meat, then take heed: the story begins in the reading present and then moves back in time to examine the childhood of the main characters.
The outer tale is a technothriller, high-tech sci-fi. The inner story is an exploration of how adults cope with the angry residue of a childhood served under abusive or feckless parents.
I use a lot of ink on the back stories of the characters. Otherwise the villain is a two-dimensional cliché. And, to the dismay of some readers, the heroine has character flaws.
Nobody’s perfect.
If you want your story to move from Point A to Point Z in strict alphabetical order, then Little Deadly Things may frustrate you.
If you want to watch the characters grow, then read the book.
I prefer to entertain than to irritate and hope I provide more of the former than the latter.
March 8, 2013
I do not give negative reviews lightly. A writer myself, I know what it takes to write a book. The process is long, tedious, and often lonely. But this books was, honestly, that bad.
My favorite part of my "Amazon Prime" is the Kindle Owners Lending Library. Reading new authors who I would never have head of has been eye-opening. There is a lot of talent out there, and I have read quite a few serviceable first novels using the service.
This book got a lot of rave reviews, which led me to select it. The reviewers lauded the plotting, the use of nano tech, and character development as the book's strengths.
So, imagine my shock when I began reading this book, cringing. And it never got better. As a veteran of hundreds of writer's group critique sessions, I get the feeling that this book was released many edits too soon.
To me, "Little Deadly Thing"'s biggest flaw is editing. Steinman has several tendencies that really get in the way of his story telling.
The most obvious flaw to me was overly-colorful language throwing up incredibly mixed metaphors. For instance, the first three paragraphs essentially describe the antagonist, the "shrunken wraith--girlish, ghoulish" Eva Rozen. The description grows into a cascade of metaphors. Rozen is a "tidal wave in human form," who trailed disturbance behind her "like a gunboats wake." And, immediately afterwards, another incongruous image: heels raising sparks where she walked, the air boiling around her.
So, in about 200 words, we have wraith, ghoul, tidal wave, gunboat, lightening (I think: spark-producer that causes air to boil?).
His attempts at character building also feel shallow to me. Good characters are given gratuitous flaws. And evil characters saving graces. But this is done sloppily.
For instance, Jim Ecco as a good-hearted, timid, abused suburban Californian adolescent. When liberated from his tyrannical father, he somehow is still timid good-hearted, but heroically protects the two main female characters, Eva and Marta, from being attacked by some local thugs. Yet somehow, over eight years, this tender-hearted timid youth supposedly becomes scarily angry. We never see the anger grow in him. Instead, we are told he is has an anger problem. The source of the revelation is a judge, who desperately wishes to imprison Jim in a preposterous courtroom scene.
There is an even bigger weakness, however, in Steinman;s character building -- his language failed to stir my passions.
For instance, Eva Rozen's childhood ahould seem horrific. Rape, molestation, and murder all take place under the nose of malicious and passive parents. And yet, I honestly had a hard time "buying" Steinman's portrayal of that childhood. And I thought that ten-year-old Eva behaved like a caricature of an abused ten-year-old -- instead of the real deal, she seemed a character in a bad television drama.
And, despite Steinman's attempts at literary character building, the dialog between these poorly wrought characters seems flat. I kept saying to myself, "People just do not talk this." In fact, the lst place I read dialog this bad was in Tim LeHaye's "Left Behind" series.
Which leads me to the final failing of the book: It is frequently preposterous, and seems based more on TV than the real world.
Take, for example, the courtroom scene. The set up is that Jim is walking with Eva and a pregnant Marta, and they are attacked by several aremed young thugs. Jim defends the women as the cops are called. But Jim kicks one of the attackers when he is down. He is charged for Assault with a Deadly Weapon -- his shod foot. If this isn't plain ridiculous, the fact that a hot-shot DA is pursuing the case to increase his popularity is silly. All the press would need to hear is "Man defending a pregnant woman," and the DA would look ridiculous. The entire scene, dialog, and motivation seems lifted from TV.
But there are other preposterous scenes scattered throughout the book -- like Jim using a behaviorist dog-trainer instead of a cognitive-behavioral therapist for court appointed anger management sessions.
That said, the pulp science fiction parts of this story have real potential. And Seinman does seem to have an imagination for plotting. I think that the book would have been better if Steinman stuck with an old-school pulp-fiction format. Firmly defined good-guy. Evil antagonist. And let the fireworks fly.
If it would have been that sort of book, I would have rated the book much higher. It would never have gotten five-stars, any more than an Edgar Rice Burroughs would rate five stars when he is up against Shakespeare and Le Guin and Heinlein and James Joyce. But it would have been a much better ride.
As an aside, I spied quite a few reviews of "Little, Deadly Things" on Amazon that, in retrospect, were possibly paid five-star reviews, or placed by friends of the author. These reviews were placed within a few days of each other, under profiles that had only one or two reviews to them. This is a form of Internet marketing that I find truly deceitful, undercutting the utility of the peer-reviews system that makes Amazon such a great place to shop. Timothy Ferris allegedly did this to move his "The Five Hour Workweek" to the top of the self-help category when it was initially launched. And Ferris' book, also, ended up with a one-satr review from me. Because of the reviews, people go in with high hopes. I hope that Steinman has not done this. But the coincidental resemblances to Ferris, and the fact that he thanks his brother, a marketing and branding guru in the acknowledgements make me wonder..
More at Leo's Blog: leo-walsh.com.
My favorite part of my "Amazon Prime" is the Kindle Owners Lending Library. Reading new authors who I would never have head of has been eye-opening. There is a lot of talent out there, and I have read quite a few serviceable first novels using the service.
This book got a lot of rave reviews, which led me to select it. The reviewers lauded the plotting, the use of nano tech, and character development as the book's strengths.
So, imagine my shock when I began reading this book, cringing. And it never got better. As a veteran of hundreds of writer's group critique sessions, I get the feeling that this book was released many edits too soon.
To me, "Little Deadly Thing"'s biggest flaw is editing. Steinman has several tendencies that really get in the way of his story telling.
The most obvious flaw to me was overly-colorful language throwing up incredibly mixed metaphors. For instance, the first three paragraphs essentially describe the antagonist, the "shrunken wraith--girlish, ghoulish" Eva Rozen. The description grows into a cascade of metaphors. Rozen is a "tidal wave in human form," who trailed disturbance behind her "like a gunboats wake." And, immediately afterwards, another incongruous image: heels raising sparks where she walked, the air boiling around her.
So, in about 200 words, we have wraith, ghoul, tidal wave, gunboat, lightening (I think: spark-producer that causes air to boil?).
His attempts at character building also feel shallow to me. Good characters are given gratuitous flaws. And evil characters saving graces. But this is done sloppily.
For instance, Jim Ecco as a good-hearted, timid, abused suburban Californian adolescent. When liberated from his tyrannical father, he somehow is still timid good-hearted, but heroically protects the two main female characters, Eva and Marta, from being attacked by some local thugs. Yet somehow, over eight years, this tender-hearted timid youth supposedly becomes scarily angry. We never see the anger grow in him. Instead, we are told he is has an anger problem. The source of the revelation is a judge, who desperately wishes to imprison Jim in a preposterous courtroom scene.
There is an even bigger weakness, however, in Steinman;s character building -- his language failed to stir my passions.
For instance, Eva Rozen's childhood ahould seem horrific. Rape, molestation, and murder all take place under the nose of malicious and passive parents. And yet, I honestly had a hard time "buying" Steinman's portrayal of that childhood. And I thought that ten-year-old Eva behaved like a caricature of an abused ten-year-old -- instead of the real deal, she seemed a character in a bad television drama.
And, despite Steinman's attempts at literary character building, the dialog between these poorly wrought characters seems flat. I kept saying to myself, "People just do not talk this." In fact, the lst place I read dialog this bad was in Tim LeHaye's "Left Behind" series.
Which leads me to the final failing of the book: It is frequently preposterous, and seems based more on TV than the real world.
Take, for example, the courtroom scene. The set up is that Jim is walking with Eva and a pregnant Marta, and they are attacked by several aremed young thugs. Jim defends the women as the cops are called. But Jim kicks one of the attackers when he is down. He is charged for Assault with a Deadly Weapon -- his shod foot. If this isn't plain ridiculous, the fact that a hot-shot DA is pursuing the case to increase his popularity is silly. All the press would need to hear is "Man defending a pregnant woman," and the DA would look ridiculous. The entire scene, dialog, and motivation seems lifted from TV.
But there are other preposterous scenes scattered throughout the book -- like Jim using a behaviorist dog-trainer instead of a cognitive-behavioral therapist for court appointed anger management sessions.
That said, the pulp science fiction parts of this story have real potential. And Seinman does seem to have an imagination for plotting. I think that the book would have been better if Steinman stuck with an old-school pulp-fiction format. Firmly defined good-guy. Evil antagonist. And let the fireworks fly.
If it would have been that sort of book, I would have rated the book much higher. It would never have gotten five-stars, any more than an Edgar Rice Burroughs would rate five stars when he is up against Shakespeare and Le Guin and Heinlein and James Joyce. But it would have been a much better ride.
As an aside, I spied quite a few reviews of "Little, Deadly Things" on Amazon that, in retrospect, were possibly paid five-star reviews, or placed by friends of the author. These reviews were placed within a few days of each other, under profiles that had only one or two reviews to them. This is a form of Internet marketing that I find truly deceitful, undercutting the utility of the peer-reviews system that makes Amazon such a great place to shop. Timothy Ferris allegedly did this to move his "The Five Hour Workweek" to the top of the self-help category when it was initially launched. And Ferris' book, also, ended up with a one-satr review from me. Because of the reviews, people go in with high hopes. I hope that Steinman has not done this. But the coincidental resemblances to Ferris, and the fact that he thanks his brother, a marketing and branding guru in the acknowledgements make me wonder..
More at Leo's Blog: leo-walsh.com.
September 15, 2012
I think this is an excellent first novel. The plot flows smoothly and the characters are well-developed. I look forward to the author's further efforts.
December 15, 2012
Little Deadly Things is a techno sci-fi thriller, including futuristic elements.
The story begins in 2038 in Boston, MA, where a tense meeting takes place between a disturbed world class scientist and an animal trainer/handler. One wants something from the other and has no right to ask. This is a terrific hook and questions are immediately raised.
Protagonist, Eva Rozen is the product of a brutal childhood and possesses a brilliant mind. Her goal is to control the future of medicine using nanotechnology, but she can't do it alone and needs the help of another brilliant mind. Problems arise when Eva's dark side causes conflict among her colleagues, and her project partner, Marta Cruz, suspects not only her true motives, but her intentions towards Jim Ecco, Marta's own husband.
The plot is complex and imaginative. A technical mind capable of bending itself around futuristic inventions and concepts might find it easier to understand and follow. The history of Eva Rozen and the cause of her sociopathic tendencies is relayed as back story, which complicates the story at the beginning; however, once the reader is familiar with the author's style, the flow is smoother. The romantic tension between Eva and Jim adds another complex layer.
The characters in LDT are all flawed, yet the antagonist remains clear and even elicits sympathy, to a degree. Marta and Jim are portrayed as gentle, while Eva is presented as a tormented individual and insane, so the friendships that develop between them and the pairing of the two scientists in a project that could alter the course of medicine - with the potential for global destruction - is interesting, and quite chilling. The idea of future technology in the wrong hands creates a terrifying mental image.
The author creates a fascinating futuristic world of nanotechnology, in which two brilliant scientists - the force of good and evil - share ideas and dreams, before the discord between them erupts and culminates in each battling for control. LDT is a character driven thriller, with fantastic sci-fi components and tests the boundaries of friendship, loyalty, and belief. It is a fascinating trip into the scientific future and the study of the human psyche.
The story begins in 2038 in Boston, MA, where a tense meeting takes place between a disturbed world class scientist and an animal trainer/handler. One wants something from the other and has no right to ask. This is a terrific hook and questions are immediately raised.
Protagonist, Eva Rozen is the product of a brutal childhood and possesses a brilliant mind. Her goal is to control the future of medicine using nanotechnology, but she can't do it alone and needs the help of another brilliant mind. Problems arise when Eva's dark side causes conflict among her colleagues, and her project partner, Marta Cruz, suspects not only her true motives, but her intentions towards Jim Ecco, Marta's own husband.
The plot is complex and imaginative. A technical mind capable of bending itself around futuristic inventions and concepts might find it easier to understand and follow. The history of Eva Rozen and the cause of her sociopathic tendencies is relayed as back story, which complicates the story at the beginning; however, once the reader is familiar with the author's style, the flow is smoother. The romantic tension between Eva and Jim adds another complex layer.
The characters in LDT are all flawed, yet the antagonist remains clear and even elicits sympathy, to a degree. Marta and Jim are portrayed as gentle, while Eva is presented as a tormented individual and insane, so the friendships that develop between them and the pairing of the two scientists in a project that could alter the course of medicine - with the potential for global destruction - is interesting, and quite chilling. The idea of future technology in the wrong hands creates a terrifying mental image.
The author creates a fascinating futuristic world of nanotechnology, in which two brilliant scientists - the force of good and evil - share ideas and dreams, before the discord between them erupts and culminates in each battling for control. LDT is a character driven thriller, with fantastic sci-fi components and tests the boundaries of friendship, loyalty, and belief. It is a fascinating trip into the scientific future and the study of the human psyche.
October 2, 2012
Little Deadly Things was one terrific book. From the first chapter to the last, the story pulled me in. Three emotionally fractured and brilliant people...Two finds healing and wholeness through love and one does not.
I loved how Harry showed the stark contrast of their emotional strengths and weaknesses. I loved that he gave Eva Rozen some redeeming qualities because in the end, despite all her anger and psychotic tendencies, she does the right thing.
I also loved Harry's references to Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, Bach, Brownian Theory, and Literature. His succinct explanation about JP brought tears to my eyes - Pollock's paintings always makes me cry because of their sheer beauty. There's also some remarkable cool science in it and I will never think about Nanotechnology (I want those drapes!) the same way again.
A most enjoyable book.
I loved how Harry showed the stark contrast of their emotional strengths and weaknesses. I loved that he gave Eva Rozen some redeeming qualities because in the end, despite all her anger and psychotic tendencies, she does the right thing.
I also loved Harry's references to Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, Bach, Brownian Theory, and Literature. His succinct explanation about JP brought tears to my eyes - Pollock's paintings always makes me cry because of their sheer beauty. There's also some remarkable cool science in it and I will never think about Nanotechnology (I want those drapes!) the same way again.
A most enjoyable book.
September 13, 2012
Little Deadly Things is a beautifully written work of fiction about what happens to brilliant children who grow up in difficult and abusive situations. It's a story that reminds us about the importance of our actions as parents, and how those actions affect the lives of our children both now and in the future. It's a thriller. There's a bit of science fiction thrown in. It's a very entertaining read.
October 13, 2012
This book was a total pleasure to read. The plot moved along, full of action and suspense. Detailed and imaginative, but believable, futuristic touches blended with the timeless beliefs of the Mexican abuela. And, to top it all off, the writing was lovely - complex but not self-consciously so. A magnificent first novel. I agree with another reviewer who said the end left you hanging, and can't wait for book 2!
November 28, 2012
I was trying to find a cheap book to read so I found this on the "$3.99 or less" Kindle list. It wasn't the worst book that I read, but it did take awhile to get into it. It is also set in the future so it took awhile to figure out what minor things were happening because they are using technology that we don't currently have. Overall, if you are looking for a cheap book, it isn't bad.
December 3, 2012
I am not a science-fiction reader but this is a must-read. The character development was outstanding and the action/story kept me from putting the book down. I enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read another book from this author!!!
January 10, 2013
Not the book I expected. The seeds of good and evil growing from a group of young brilliant scientists, and the conflicts that arise, from the internal ethical struggle with each character, to the changing group dynamic, to global catastrophe.
September 28, 2012
A very intriguing book .. Love the imagination .. But i felt the ending left me hanging ..
September 7, 2014
Great book
A futuristic story but one that looks a the things that make a person who they are sometimes to the extreme
A futuristic story but one that looks a the things that make a person who they are sometimes to the extreme
December 28, 2017
Fantastic!
One of the most interesting books I've read in ages. I could not put it down! Can't wait for the sequel. Bravo sir for a rousing action adventure with compelling characters and SCIENCE!
One of the most interesting books I've read in ages. I could not put it down! Can't wait for the sequel. Bravo sir for a rousing action adventure with compelling characters and SCIENCE!
October 25, 2012
Once they were friends. Now two scientists race-one to save mankind, one to destroy it.
Nanotechnology made Eva Rozen the world's wealthiest woman. Rage made her the deadliest. Marta Cruz alone can stand between Eva and the death of millions. But will a crippling illness stop Marta first?
That's a great blurb. Unfortunately Steinman takes far too long to get to it. Except for the intriguing first chapter, he spends the first half of the book on back story. The plot is ignored in favor of character development, which might not have been bad had anything interesting happened. It isn't until two-thirds of the way through the book that we get a hint that the plot blurb is happening.
The three main characters (and their specialties) are Eva (chemistry and computers), Marta (biology), and Jim (good with dogs). After the first chapter, Steinman takes us back to their youth where we see how they handled childhood adversity. Steinman does a great job developing the characters, but I didn't really like them. I found Marta to be self-righteous, and her messiah complex made her insufferable. Jim started out as a likable character until anger management turns him into a goofy dolt. After a period of sullen petulance, he redeems himself by returning to a character the reader can root for. Eva's childhood is so horrific it borders on unbelievable. However, extraordinary characters are permitted to develop from extraordinary circumstances. While Eva is a well-crafted antagonist, her actions clearly show that she's a villain.
How these three remain friends strains credibility. Eva delights in antagonizing Marta, who is so stiff and idealistic that she can't see how the system works. If Eva really was Marta's friend, she'd explain her plans to Marta before the biologist's head exploded. Instead, she revels in making Marta's blood boil. But later, she acts surprised when Marta doesn't trust her and uses it to justify her terrible behavior. Steinman could explain how their friendship developed after their initial contact, but instead rushes through the crucial developing years. The transition from the introductory period to when Marta and Jim become a couple (a span of two years) all happens on one page! We don't get to see how this romance came about, nor do we get any indication that Eva's interest in Jim is anything more than a brief curiosity.
There is one time when Eva helps Jim stay out of jail and Marta to the hospital to deliver her baby. It could've been a pivotal moment in the trio's relationship, but instead it becomes the one shining moment that the characters cling to as proof of friendship. Honestly, that isn't enough in light of the negative interactions that Steinman shares with the reader.
Oh and that leads to the fourth character, Dana, who is the son of Marta and Jim. He factors into the second half of the book when Jim is no longer useful to the plot. Dana becomes another point of contention between Eva and Marta. "Aunt Eva" takes Dana under her wing and teaches him "ghosting" (hacking). An incident, which Steinman withholds from us, sends a crying teenaged Dana into the arms of his already jealous mother. Marta reacts by keeping Dana from Eva, and it's the final straw as far as she is concerned. The details of this pivotal incident that pushes Eva over the edge is deliberately left vague. We don't know what was said and none of these supposedly great friends tries to get this worked out, so all three of them look bad.
The good news is that Steinman did his homework. The nanotech applications are all solid science, though he is a little guilty of explaining how it all works and slowing down the story's pace. What worked really well was when he led us through the biochemical reactions that went on in a character when a dramatic moment, like death, struck. I would've preferred more story time spent on showing us the effects of nanotech on society instead of the melodrama.
From the acknowledgements, I learned that Steinman utilized an editor and proofreaders. However, I found about 40 typos. And I have to wonder why no one called his attention to some troubling storyline tangents. I don't want to spoil it so details are going to be left out. There's a scene at the climax where Jim is involved in a fight for his life. His mind wanders and he's having a flashback about the relationship he had with his parents after he got married. Sure, there's time for a thought or two but it goes on for several paragraphs; two pages of Kindle text! This isn't the time for lengthy reflection, not just from the character's standpoint but this is the climax of the story! It's a distraction to the reader!
In conclusion, Little Deadly Things is a well researched novel with well developed characters. Unfortunately I didn't like the characters all that much (you might) and their long friendship seemed unlikely. I spent too much of this review pointing out the flaws. There's a solid kernel of story here, I just feel it needs work. As this is Steinman's first novel, I believe he'll learn what works and what doesn't and come up with a stronger work the next time around.
Nanotechnology made Eva Rozen the world's wealthiest woman. Rage made her the deadliest. Marta Cruz alone can stand between Eva and the death of millions. But will a crippling illness stop Marta first?
That's a great blurb. Unfortunately Steinman takes far too long to get to it. Except for the intriguing first chapter, he spends the first half of the book on back story. The plot is ignored in favor of character development, which might not have been bad had anything interesting happened. It isn't until two-thirds of the way through the book that we get a hint that the plot blurb is happening.
The three main characters (and their specialties) are Eva (chemistry and computers), Marta (biology), and Jim (good with dogs). After the first chapter, Steinman takes us back to their youth where we see how they handled childhood adversity. Steinman does a great job developing the characters, but I didn't really like them. I found Marta to be self-righteous, and her messiah complex made her insufferable. Jim started out as a likable character until anger management turns him into a goofy dolt. After a period of sullen petulance, he redeems himself by returning to a character the reader can root for. Eva's childhood is so horrific it borders on unbelievable. However, extraordinary characters are permitted to develop from extraordinary circumstances. While Eva is a well-crafted antagonist, her actions clearly show that she's a villain.
How these three remain friends strains credibility. Eva delights in antagonizing Marta, who is so stiff and idealistic that she can't see how the system works. If Eva really was Marta's friend, she'd explain her plans to Marta before the biologist's head exploded. Instead, she revels in making Marta's blood boil. But later, she acts surprised when Marta doesn't trust her and uses it to justify her terrible behavior. Steinman could explain how their friendship developed after their initial contact, but instead rushes through the crucial developing years. The transition from the introductory period to when Marta and Jim become a couple (a span of two years) all happens on one page! We don't get to see how this romance came about, nor do we get any indication that Eva's interest in Jim is anything more than a brief curiosity.
There is one time when Eva helps Jim stay out of jail and Marta to the hospital to deliver her baby. It could've been a pivotal moment in the trio's relationship, but instead it becomes the one shining moment that the characters cling to as proof of friendship. Honestly, that isn't enough in light of the negative interactions that Steinman shares with the reader.
Oh and that leads to the fourth character, Dana, who is the son of Marta and Jim. He factors into the second half of the book when Jim is no longer useful to the plot. Dana becomes another point of contention between Eva and Marta. "Aunt Eva" takes Dana under her wing and teaches him "ghosting" (hacking). An incident, which Steinman withholds from us, sends a crying teenaged Dana into the arms of his already jealous mother. Marta reacts by keeping Dana from Eva, and it's the final straw as far as she is concerned. The details of this pivotal incident that pushes Eva over the edge is deliberately left vague. We don't know what was said and none of these supposedly great friends tries to get this worked out, so all three of them look bad.
The good news is that Steinman did his homework. The nanotech applications are all solid science, though he is a little guilty of explaining how it all works and slowing down the story's pace. What worked really well was when he led us through the biochemical reactions that went on in a character when a dramatic moment, like death, struck. I would've preferred more story time spent on showing us the effects of nanotech on society instead of the melodrama.
From the acknowledgements, I learned that Steinman utilized an editor and proofreaders. However, I found about 40 typos. And I have to wonder why no one called his attention to some troubling storyline tangents. I don't want to spoil it so details are going to be left out. There's a scene at the climax where Jim is involved in a fight for his life. His mind wanders and he's having a flashback about the relationship he had with his parents after he got married. Sure, there's time for a thought or two but it goes on for several paragraphs; two pages of Kindle text! This isn't the time for lengthy reflection, not just from the character's standpoint but this is the climax of the story! It's a distraction to the reader!
In conclusion, Little Deadly Things is a well researched novel with well developed characters. Unfortunately I didn't like the characters all that much (you might) and their long friendship seemed unlikely. I spent too much of this review pointing out the flaws. There's a solid kernel of story here, I just feel it needs work. As this is Steinman's first novel, I believe he'll learn what works and what doesn't and come up with a stronger work the next time around.
November 28, 2012
I am having a hard time reviewing this book. I backed the Kickstarter, and I'm a customer of the author's wife's business. But it just didn't work for me.
The plot was very interesting, and while I never really doubted how it would resolve, I enjoyed the ride. The characterization struck me as problematic - it was clear who you were supposed to sympathize with, but it seemed that all the characters had opposing traits grafted onto them. Jim the timid and sweet had an anger problem that isn't clearly documented until it becomes a plot point. Eva was painted as pathologically insane, a sociopath, and the prose used to describe her comings and goings is purple to the extreme, but abuse and trauma are given as the reasons for it. It felt like someone trying to give the Joker a sympathetic back story.
I think what really bothered me about the book was the style. I feel it would have been much better after a few more edits. This is most clearly seen in the bizarre courtroom scene, where the DA is discussed as being "propelled by" his fancy suit. It was like the author was extremely enamored of that metaphor, and used it so much and to such an extreme that I cringed through the entire section.
In all, if a friend asked for a recommendation for a good sci-fi thriller, this would not be on my list.
The plot was very interesting, and while I never really doubted how it would resolve, I enjoyed the ride. The characterization struck me as problematic - it was clear who you were supposed to sympathize with, but it seemed that all the characters had opposing traits grafted onto them. Jim the timid and sweet had an anger problem that isn't clearly documented until it becomes a plot point. Eva was painted as pathologically insane, a sociopath, and the prose used to describe her comings and goings is purple to the extreme, but abuse and trauma are given as the reasons for it. It felt like someone trying to give the Joker a sympathetic back story.
I think what really bothered me about the book was the style. I feel it would have been much better after a few more edits. This is most clearly seen in the bizarre courtroom scene, where the DA is discussed as being "propelled by" his fancy suit. It was like the author was extremely enamored of that metaphor, and used it so much and to such an extreme that I cringed through the entire section.
In all, if a friend asked for a recommendation for a good sci-fi thriller, this would not be on my list.
April 8, 2013
Young Eva Rozen witnessed her sister's brutal murder, and barely escaped with her life. She found refuge in the orderly world of science. Twenty-five years later, this master of nanotechnology is the world's richest woman...and the most dangerous.
Marta Cruz also endured a troubled childhood. Her mother's death and her father's incarceration left her an orphan, and a crippling disease left her in pain. Marta's refuge? A tropical rain forest where she discovers plants with miraculous healing properties under the tutelage of her shamanistic grandmother.
The two girls meet in high school and form an uneasy friendship that lasts through college. Eva wants power, profit--and Marta's husband. She offers to fund Marta's public health dreams in exchange for the ailing physician's knowledge of plant-based medicines. Together, they build the world's largest nanotech manufacturer.
When the unstable Eva has a psychotic break, and attacks the people who rely on her for survival, only Marta can stand between Eva and the death of millions.
April 3, 2013
Interesting book
it is set in the future but the science fiction is just the reality of the lives of the characters rather than the focus of the book
which i liked
the book starts in the present and then tells the back story of the three main characters while also moving the story forward
the three main characters are interesting the baddie is also a goodie and the goodies are not prefect either. kinda like real life really
the 'story' is about techno developments and how the characters have different ideas about what scientific brilliance and development should be used for.
the real thing going on in the book is actually about how adults deal with their childhoods and try (or not) to create different childhoods for the children in their lives
and if this is even possible
both are interesting to read and are interwoven so that even while enjoying the ride of the story, some part of me was also thinking about the cause and effect of what was happening
and the science is interesting too
i want to know what happens next - a sign for me of a worth while book
it is set in the future but the science fiction is just the reality of the lives of the characters rather than the focus of the book
which i liked
the book starts in the present and then tells the back story of the three main characters while also moving the story forward
the three main characters are interesting the baddie is also a goodie and the goodies are not prefect either. kinda like real life really
the 'story' is about techno developments and how the characters have different ideas about what scientific brilliance and development should be used for.
the real thing going on in the book is actually about how adults deal with their childhoods and try (or not) to create different childhoods for the children in their lives
and if this is even possible
both are interesting to read and are interwoven so that even while enjoying the ride of the story, some part of me was also thinking about the cause and effect of what was happening
and the science is interesting too
i want to know what happens next - a sign for me of a worth while book
August 8, 2013
Three different individuals from varying back grounds meet as youngsters at a special school in California. A young boy and two girls, one from Eastern Europe with an abusive childhood and some serious mental problems, but also a brilliant student of chemistry. The story follows their growing up, their disputes and friendships. As adults the chemistry student gets into nano investigation (we are some years in the future) with the sole purpose of making money. The other girl is the granddaughter of a Puerto Rican medicine woman and expert in natural plants and their uses and is intent on using her knowledge for the good of all. She eventually marries the boy and the three of them end up with an extremely profitable and important company mostly run by the first girl. When girl one starts to obsess with gaining wealth and become more aggressive to perceived slights things start to unravel and catastrophic events are precipitated before control is regained. An interesting read if not in the great category.
February 15, 2013
While the premise for this story is unusual and interesting, I'm afraid I found the execution lacking. Overall I thought the story was disjointed, and without the smooth flow that makes a good book hard to put down. By the time I got to the end of the main plot, it felt like the disaster was an afterthought.
A big chunk of the book is back story for the main characters, some of it very interesting stuff, and some of it flat and unbelievable. In particular, Eva came across as a cartoon type villain rather than a real person. I just couldn't take her seriously. Marta was much more authentic, very well drawn, and easy to relate to. I really thought Marta's grandmother was the best character.
My opinion is that this would have been a better book with fewer words used. I kept tripping over convoluted descriptions and odd metaphors. I had to read sentences more than once in some cases. Unfortunately, I lost interest in what I was reading before I got to the end.
A big chunk of the book is back story for the main characters, some of it very interesting stuff, and some of it flat and unbelievable. In particular, Eva came across as a cartoon type villain rather than a real person. I just couldn't take her seriously. Marta was much more authentic, very well drawn, and easy to relate to. I really thought Marta's grandmother was the best character.
My opinion is that this would have been a better book with fewer words used. I kept tripping over convoluted descriptions and odd metaphors. I had to read sentences more than once in some cases. Unfortunately, I lost interest in what I was reading before I got to the end.
August 22, 2013
Little Deadly Things
Title was intriguing so yup went and got the e-book.
So it began, slowly I learned about the characters. The development of each of them was steady, slow and strong. With some books you may want to skip over the details surrounding the characters and what caused them to become who they are within the story. Due to the fact that at times it becomes long and drawn out. Not with this book. With this one you want to devour everything about them and hold it within your mind.
Just when you think that you understand Marta and begin to see that she is not all that stable within her mind, Dana captures her and you see a side that you would not, did not expect possible. Even in the end Dana finds a way to protect her friends Jim and Eva and to keep Dana secure.
You should read this you will not regret it.
Title was intriguing so yup went and got the e-book.
So it began, slowly I learned about the characters. The development of each of them was steady, slow and strong. With some books you may want to skip over the details surrounding the characters and what caused them to become who they are within the story. Due to the fact that at times it becomes long and drawn out. Not with this book. With this one you want to devour everything about them and hold it within your mind.
Just when you think that you understand Marta and begin to see that she is not all that stable within her mind, Dana captures her and you see a side that you would not, did not expect possible. Even in the end Dana finds a way to protect her friends Jim and Eva and to keep Dana secure.
You should read this you will not regret it.
December 2, 2013
I will admit - I gave up on this book for a few weeks. I was enjoying it well enough, but something about it seemed to drag. I finally picked it up again and finished the rest of it in just a couple of days. Ultimately, I'm glad I picked it back up. The book has a pretty strong sci-fi edge and, while I'm not immensely familiar with the fields he presents, the sci-fi certainly seems plausible enough. I was (and still am) a bit on the fence about the characterizations. On the one hand, I felt like the characters were multi-faceted and interesting, but on the other hand, sometimes the characters felt a bit "off" in a way that I can't quite put my finger on. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the lessons it has to teach. I'll definitely consider picking up more by this author.
July 7, 2013
I am a bit torn on how to rate this book. It was disturbing and I was confused at times – futuristic technology stories don’t typically interest me but I read the book straight-through. Parts of the story stayed with me for a couple of weeks after finishing, even though I didn’t feel there was anything particularly good about the writing and I couldn’t like any of the characters. So there was certainly something there that I can’t put my finger on – I am glad I read the book but if there was a sequel (and the ending suggested to me there might be), I probably wouldn’t read it.
November 14, 2012
This book has some real flaws, like overly long descriptions of technical processes that have no bearing on the story. I won't gloss over the issues; really, this is not great, or even good writing. However, the story is truly new. I haven't read a novel like this, ever. I wish I could give this more than five stars for actually creating a story we've not read before and maybe one star for the writing style.
November 26, 2016
I read this book based on the recommendation of a friend of the author, and I'm so glad that I did. I enjoy reading both thrillers and science fiction, and Little Deadly Things could fit in either category. At times I was not quite sure where the story was going, but then that is the nature of a good thriller. I also enjoyed the reference to dog training and the behavioral sciences. I hope to see the marvels of nanotechnology the book describes in my lifetime.
November 13, 2012
Eva Rozen is the world's wealthiest woman. Nanotechnology made her rich, but her desire to eliminate her competitors has sent her into a rage that could be deadly.
Marta Cruz is Eva's childhood friend. Crippled by illness, she is the only chance of stopping a power-crazed Eva. But will the illness get her first?
Marta Cruz is Eva's childhood friend. Crippled by illness, she is the only chance of stopping a power-crazed Eva. But will the illness get her first?
March 19, 2013
Complex story that was very well edited. It grabs your attention and keeps it firmly focused on the plot twists. I know some will dislike the sketchy and somewhat vague description of holistic healing of the rainforest natives, but it moved the plot along at just the right pace without being overbearing. I enjoyed this odd, almost freakish glimpse at a possible future world immensely.
October 1, 2014
I absolutely loved this book! It has all the ingredients i love.. mystery, science and psychology. If you like this in combination then you will love this book. It shows how great minds might work when brought up in adversity. A great read.
November 7, 2012
A very slow read and I had trouble going back to it to finish it off. And I only finished it because I didn't want it to be the second book I've never finished.
January 9, 2013
A little confusing at times, but over all a great book!
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