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Gideon is a high-concept political thriller by Russell Andrews (the pen name of a partnership between book editor Peter Gethers and mystery novelist David Handler).
When a promising New York writer named Carl Granville is paid a quarter of a million dollars to produce a novel called Gideon, he thinks it's his lucky break. The book is to be based on the material of an old diary--which Carl is allowed to look at, although certain dates and names have been blacked out. The diary and novel involve a 10-year-old Southern boy who killed his brain-damaged baby brother. Carl, baffled but glad of the huge payoff, gets on with translating the diary into a bestseller. But when the editor who commissioned the book is murdered, and nobody at the publishing house knows anything about the Gideon project, the writer realizes that sinister forces are at large. Just to add to his troubles, Granville is accused of the editor's murder and is forced to go on the run to escape the FBI and an assassin. His only chance for clearing his name is to reveal who wrote the decades-old journal.
Gideon is an invigorating read with a remarkably fresh plot and a highly likable and believable protagonist.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1999
About the author
Russell Andrews
15 books44 followersA pseudonym used by David Handler with Peter Gethers
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
May 9, 2015
Imagine that you're an aspirant author, and a well known editor accepts to publish your book, only there's a condition. You have to write another book based on old mysterious diaries with dates, names and places erased. Those diaries hold a dark secret. And then couple of weeks later, you wake up to find that your editor is dead and you're accused of her murder with two more murders. As you realize it's all about those diaries and the secret they hold, a chase across the country starts: you have to run for your life and at the same time discover the truth and clear your name!!
Interesting, isn't it??
Well, this was a fast paced thriller, a nicely plotted story with interesting twists. I loved the mystery about the diaries and how i discovered gradually the links between the different characters and events, how the past was reconstructed, it was a good book, and i enjoyed it greatly.
In a way, this book shows the gravity of the Media's control over the public opinion and how easily people can be manipulated.
i enjoyed also the "clin d'oeil" to the politician's world, the way people struggle to get power and control, and what they're willing to do to preserve it!!
I found this book in a second hand bookstore, i never heard of the author before and no one recommended it to me. It was a very lucky choice as it turned out to be a very entertaining book, which i greatly enjoyed and i recommend it to my friends :)
Interesting, isn't it??
Well, this was a fast paced thriller, a nicely plotted story with interesting twists. I loved the mystery about the diaries and how i discovered gradually the links between the different characters and events, how the past was reconstructed, it was a good book, and i enjoyed it greatly.
In a way, this book shows the gravity of the Media's control over the public opinion and how easily people can be manipulated.
i enjoyed also the "clin d'oeil" to the politician's world, the way people struggle to get power and control, and what they're willing to do to preserve it!!
I found this book in a second hand bookstore, i never heard of the author before and no one recommended it to me. It was a very lucky choice as it turned out to be a very entertaining book, which i greatly enjoyed and i recommend it to my friends :)
September 10, 2022
Eu nem sei oq dizer, estou abesbilica sinceramente!
Recomendo muito, tipo vão já ler pls, não há cena melhor que este livro, um final fantástico, reviravoltas do nada que não esperava, apanhou-me de surpresa mesmo, não estava nada à espera que fosse assim tão bom e tipo cheio de mistério, personagens msm bem construídas, a pessoa fica com grande ligação a elas, especialmente ao Carl e à relação que ele vai desenvolvendo com a Amanda (shippo bué, partners in crime omg).
Leiam só juro, não se vão arrepender, uma história de fundo do crlh msm, super deep, e aborda todos os tópicos possíveis (homicídios, política dos EUA, corrupção, suicídio, etc).
Recomendo muito, tipo vão já ler pls, não há cena melhor que este livro, um final fantástico, reviravoltas do nada que não esperava, apanhou-me de surpresa mesmo, não estava nada à espera que fosse assim tão bom e tipo cheio de mistério, personagens msm bem construídas, a pessoa fica com grande ligação a elas, especialmente ao Carl e à relação que ele vai desenvolvendo com a Amanda (shippo bué, partners in crime omg).
Leiam só juro, não se vão arrepender, uma história de fundo do crlh msm, super deep, e aborda todos os tópicos possíveis (homicídios, política dos EUA, corrupção, suicídio, etc).
October 14, 2015
This book was a gripping page turner which was hard to put down. It is full of suspense that keeps you guessing until the very last page. It is a political intrigue that comes together in the end in a way that is unimaginable. This was an excellent debut and I look forward to reading the next one from Russell Andrews. I recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers as it is a very good entertaining read.
August 27, 2007
...kinda fun bubblegum for the brain, but there are a few disbelief-threatening plot complications to keep the story going. Too much of that and you go directly from edge-of-the-seat tension to irritation & throwing the book across the room.
UPDATE/SPOILER ALERT: I slogged through to the end & this book blows. Pacing is off-- what is supposed to foreshadow and draw the reader further into the story seems more like random & pointless plot complication. Characters who manage to f**k up dramatically at JUST the right time and an assassin who ends up being someone who we think is dead...but this misapprehension plays no important role whatsoever. HER death, which I'm sure was supposed to be oh-so-creepy and mysterious, one more missing link in the vast conspiracy chain...is just another poorly executed plot point. Not only should you NOT buy or read this book, you SHOULD write nasty letters to the authors who are quoted gushing ecstatically about how much this isn't a steaming pile. They lied.
UPDATE/SPOILER ALERT: I slogged through to the end & this book blows. Pacing is off-- what is supposed to foreshadow and draw the reader further into the story seems more like random & pointless plot complication. Characters who manage to f**k up dramatically at JUST the right time and an assassin who ends up being someone who we think is dead...but this misapprehension plays no important role whatsoever. HER death, which I'm sure was supposed to be oh-so-creepy and mysterious, one more missing link in the vast conspiracy chain...is just another poorly executed plot point. Not only should you NOT buy or read this book, you SHOULD write nasty letters to the authors who are quoted gushing ecstatically about how much this isn't a steaming pile. They lied.
September 8, 2013
What a great ride! So I stop at a tag sale near my house and didnt like the book selection. Talked to the owner for a while and bought this because I felt guilty.$1 and sat on my shelf for a week. Then I picked it up thinking Id read a few pages. Couple of days later and was really engaged. I LOVE when that happens. This was a great action, mystery, thriller. Some fun and at times REALLY surprising twists. NY...to the White House...to the sleepy South where secrets are buried...this book read like a Dan Brown novel. You could see the movie while reading it. Would recommend to anyone that likes a good action, mystery.
February 25, 2016
oh where do I begin! the surprises? the shocks? the pain? Gideon took me to a whole new level on how Thrillers truly are , kept me awake and with each chapter i finish my curiosity grows. I have to say it's my number one thriller story after Dead simple by peter james
June 16, 2021
Good suspense. Weak ending
January 23, 2026
So good! Couldn’t put it down. Was so suspenseful till the very end, and that was a shocker.
November 10, 2016
I read the first half of this book purely because I'm currently in bed with a cold and wanted something non-challenging to distract me. I dropped it halfway through, after the mandatory awkward 1999 hacking scene was immediately followed by a still more uncomfortable scene in a gay bar -- in which the men who hit on an established character are described without pronouns and in clunky gender-neutral terms, to allow the shocking revelation that said character is interested in men. This was a move rather characteristic of the generally bad writing in this book, in which objects or events are frequently described for half a page or so, in vague but emotive terms, before the reader finally finds out just what they are. That's a minor annoyance, but after a few repetitions I found it was really starting to annoy me.
What else? The main character is a 28-year-old man who tells all the women he wants to seduce to call him 'Granny'. I assumed this was an unfortunate coincidence and that Americans don't use that word for their grandmothers, but it turned out I was being too generous. Midway through the book, a character is reluctant to take his phone call because both her grandmothers are dead, until she realises it's him.
This character is a tousle-haired, boyish man with a love of basketball, an inclination away from getting tied down into adult life, and a struggling career as a writer -- and, believe it or not, he is the most believable, fleshed-out, multidimensional character in the whole book. Highlights include his upstairs neighbour, a blonde aspiring actress who is of course just as attracted to him as vice versa; a powerful female editor with a wardrobe full of black leather; a clothes-conscious gay man and, oh, a whole mess of black and Southern stereotypes. I felt deeply embarrassed reading this book.
Apparently I'm quite good at selecting things to read, because I had forgotten that books could be this bad.
What else? The main character is a 28-year-old man who tells all the women he wants to seduce to call him 'Granny'. I assumed this was an unfortunate coincidence and that Americans don't use that word for their grandmothers, but it turned out I was being too generous. Midway through the book, a character is reluctant to take his phone call because both her grandmothers are dead, until she realises it's him.
This character is a tousle-haired, boyish man with a love of basketball, an inclination away from getting tied down into adult life, and a struggling career as a writer -- and, believe it or not, he is the most believable, fleshed-out, multidimensional character in the whole book. Highlights include his upstairs neighbour, a blonde aspiring actress who is of course just as attracted to him as vice versa; a powerful female editor with a wardrobe full of black leather; a clothes-conscious gay man and, oh, a whole mess of black and Southern stereotypes. I felt deeply embarrassed reading this book.
Apparently I'm quite good at selecting things to read, because I had forgotten that books could be this bad.
May 25, 2010
Gideon
Russell Andrews
Warner Books
ISBN: 0751528900
©2000 Review of second edition
A struggling writer, Carl Granville, gets the opportunity of a lifetime. An editor offers to publish his books if he writes one special book for her. He has ghost written before and so (naturally) he accepts the project. There are stipulations and at first he finds them weird but gets used to them. He has a very limited time to get the book done. It’s time sensitive.
On the day he accepts, a new girl moved into the apartment above him and he helps her get a large seat into her apartment. They form a relationship.
Harry –one of the stipulations—watches him writing. He never speaks. He is there to ensure Carl works and that Carl copies none of the information handed to him in the form of a diary. He is allowed to make notes only.
He is part way through the book when the editor is killed.
Harry doesn’t show up at his apartment.
Carl’s laptop is stolen.
His new girlfriend is killed.
He is the suspect for both murders.
There is no proof of his assignment, no records.
He flees, determined to find out who is behind this and clear his name. The only person who can help him is his ex, a reporter for a major newspaper.
The book is a good and fast read. The many plots interweave into one hell of a story, though I feel it is a little over-written. Sometimes, there is too much detail and some clues he gets seem to be just plan lucky when they pan out.
I found I didn’t like Carl very much, nor his ex. Harry, I liked.
Overall, the story is good and entertaining. It is a thriller that ranks up there with thrillers of today and well worth the investment.
71%
Russell Andrews
Warner Books
ISBN: 0751528900
©2000 Review of second edition
A struggling writer, Carl Granville, gets the opportunity of a lifetime. An editor offers to publish his books if he writes one special book for her. He has ghost written before and so (naturally) he accepts the project. There are stipulations and at first he finds them weird but gets used to them. He has a very limited time to get the book done. It’s time sensitive.
On the day he accepts, a new girl moved into the apartment above him and he helps her get a large seat into her apartment. They form a relationship.
Harry –one of the stipulations—watches him writing. He never speaks. He is there to ensure Carl works and that Carl copies none of the information handed to him in the form of a diary. He is allowed to make notes only.
He is part way through the book when the editor is killed.
Harry doesn’t show up at his apartment.
Carl’s laptop is stolen.
His new girlfriend is killed.
He is the suspect for both murders.
There is no proof of his assignment, no records.
He flees, determined to find out who is behind this and clear his name. The only person who can help him is his ex, a reporter for a major newspaper.
The book is a good and fast read. The many plots interweave into one hell of a story, though I feel it is a little over-written. Sometimes, there is too much detail and some clues he gets seem to be just plan lucky when they pan out.
I found I didn’t like Carl very much, nor his ex. Harry, I liked.
Overall, the story is good and entertaining. It is a thriller that ranks up there with thrillers of today and well worth the investment.
71%
July 4, 2011
Carl Granville, an aspiring novelist, is introduced to the hottest agent in New York and she offers him the opportunity of a lifetime; to become an extremely well paid ghost writer for a new novel which, she claims, could change the course of history. There is, however a caveat; no one can know the true identity of the book’s author including Granville. His research material is delivered to him each day with all names and locations redacted and the courier waits until he’s finished with the originals. So begins an exciting adventure of intrigue, murder and mayhem. When his new agent is found murdered and anyone associated with the project begins to disappear or turn up dead, Carl realizes that something has gone terribly wrong and he too must run for his life. This is an exciting mystery novel with lots of twists and turns throughout and then even manages to deliver a surprise ending. I’d call it a real “page turner” if I hadn’t listened to it as and audio book.
October 29, 2020
This has possibly been one of the worst books I've ever read. After an exciting beginning, the story just gets bogged down with some of the laziest writing I've seen. With pages that have weird illustrations, (A fake FBI website chocked full with a Top 10 most wanted and everything.) ridiculous twists that don't track with who the characters were. *Spoilers* For instance, a Secret Service agent (who happens to be gay) that couldn't identify a WOMAN in men's clothing. The authors also used any excuse to use the "n-word" for no real foreseeable reason other than to just do it. All the Black Southern characters spoke like slaves, while, An uneducated Southern White Woman spoke with perfect grammar. This "book" was a complete waste of time and I wish I could get that time back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was very different from your typical CIA, FBI and who dun'it mystery. I particularly enjoyed reading the ending. Simply wrapped up by the very people who were innocent in the whole book, by broadcasting it to the world, unknown to the villains - was brilliant. I've read too many endings where the villains were taken to jail, prison or trial to be judge by only a few of their peers. I was wow'ed by the way the story unfolded about the president. It was a simple read, not too much complicated detail that usually bores me to tears.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2019
I have mixed feelings about this book. This was my first book ever in this genre, mystery fiction. In one hand, it was fun to read. However, on the other hand, some parts were very predictable and cliche. Another thing that really irritated me in few places was that the "professional assassins" failed in every critical moment so the main character somehow managed to survive. I think it was also predictable. There were some parts that had good twists.
December 21, 2021
Carl Granville is a young guy trying to make it as a writer and has had some success. Then he's hired to ghost write a novel based on a diary. And the money is fabulous. But the project soon gets way beyond weird. Professional killers are involved as well as high level politicians. The story is fast and furious and fascinating. If you've ever read and enjoyed Stephen Hunter, try this one out. If you haven't, try it anyway. Trust me.
April 22, 2016
Sometimes all you want is a good old gripping story that you can escape to when you want to slip away from real life. No overly fancy plot twists or crazy literary feats, just a good story, well written. Two thumbs up.
December 28, 2018
Actually 2.5 and I did like it MOST of the time. Interesting characters, unique plot, certainly mysterious for the first 300-400 pages! On the flip side, the ending disappointed both in length (OK, end this already!) and in resolution. That said, I'd read another Andrews!
September 4, 2021
Read in 1999. A high concept political thriller.
October 18, 2020
Gideon (Mass Market Paperback) by Russell Andrews
The first thing about this book is that Russell Andrews is a pseudonym for Peter Gethers and David Handler. The second thing is that it's not that good.
Carl Amos Granville (Granny) is an aspiring writer in NYC. His agent has died and at her funeral, he's approached by Maggie Peterson - APEX, NY publisher's best agent - with a proposal to "ghost" write a novel about Gideon. He's promised $250,000 dollars for his efforts, $50,000 upfront - but it must be done quickly.
As Carl writes, he realizes that the book is not fiction and it pertains to an important person that is going going to be brought down.
Soon after that, people start dying - starting with Maggie - and Carl is the main suspect. He reaches out to APEX publisher, Nathan Bartholomew - but there's no record of Carl being employed by APEX. nor of his contract with Maggie. Carl does the only thing he can do - flee.
Helped by his ex-girlfriend - Amanda Mays, editor for the Washington Journal - they go on a search to figure out who Gideon is. They are followed by multiple murderers and many other people die. Will they be able to figure out who Gideon is, and will they save themselves?
The 435 pages go quickly and the book is an easy read. However, there are too many second tear characters that dilute the main ones. It's hard to identify with any of them because they're usually dead by the end of the chapter. The plot is not believable and I found myself skipping because it was a bit crazy.
This would make for a great beach read, but I would not read anything else written by these two writers.
The first thing about this book is that Russell Andrews is a pseudonym for Peter Gethers and David Handler. The second thing is that it's not that good.
Carl Amos Granville (Granny) is an aspiring writer in NYC. His agent has died and at her funeral, he's approached by Maggie Peterson - APEX, NY publisher's best agent - with a proposal to "ghost" write a novel about Gideon. He's promised $250,000 dollars for his efforts, $50,000 upfront - but it must be done quickly.
As Carl writes, he realizes that the book is not fiction and it pertains to an important person that is going going to be brought down.
Soon after that, people start dying - starting with Maggie - and Carl is the main suspect. He reaches out to APEX publisher, Nathan Bartholomew - but there's no record of Carl being employed by APEX. nor of his contract with Maggie. Carl does the only thing he can do - flee.
Helped by his ex-girlfriend - Amanda Mays, editor for the Washington Journal - they go on a search to figure out who Gideon is. They are followed by multiple murderers and many other people die. Will they be able to figure out who Gideon is, and will they save themselves?
The 435 pages go quickly and the book is an easy read. However, there are too many second tear characters that dilute the main ones. It's hard to identify with any of them because they're usually dead by the end of the chapter. The plot is not believable and I found myself skipping because it was a bit crazy.
This would make for a great beach read, but I would not read anything else written by these two writers.
November 13, 2023
This book was truly amazing.
I have no other words. I mean, I absolutely loved it. It was soo good, seriously, so really good. Oh man, nothing was what I thought at first. It had many plot twists, many of which I had to close the book and just stare at nothing at all, just thinking, processing...
Incredible.
The characters and the many points of view were great, I thought I wouldn't really like it, but it was really interesting and fun when it all clicked for me. When I saw everything as one, and not as many things just at random (not really random, but it didn't make sense for me yet). I actually had to start tabbing the book in some parts to try to figure it out and understand, and it worked for me, I mean, I didn't exactly figured all the things out, but there were moments where I needed to go back and find something and I had it tabbed so it was way easier for me to find it and to make the connections.
This book deserves more recognition, needs more recognition. This book was interesting, entertaining, captivating, it was soo worth it!
I bought this book because of the cover (published in 2000), the cover was so not what I was used to seeing that it made me want to know what it was about, it made me curious, so I read the back and instantly bought it.
I mean, how could a book cover be all black and have the name with a few color effects when pointing at the light and NOT make me interested enough to want to read it?
This book might just have become one of my favorites, honestly. Definitely top 10, maybe even number one, I don't know. I've never read anything like this before. I am absolutely enchanted by it. I am fascinated.
I have no other words. I mean, I absolutely loved it. It was soo good, seriously, so really good. Oh man, nothing was what I thought at first. It had many plot twists, many of which I had to close the book and just stare at nothing at all, just thinking, processing...
Incredible.
The characters and the many points of view were great, I thought I wouldn't really like it, but it was really interesting and fun when it all clicked for me. When I saw everything as one, and not as many things just at random (not really random, but it didn't make sense for me yet). I actually had to start tabbing the book in some parts to try to figure it out and understand, and it worked for me, I mean, I didn't exactly figured all the things out, but there were moments where I needed to go back and find something and I had it tabbed so it was way easier for me to find it and to make the connections.
This book deserves more recognition, needs more recognition. This book was interesting, entertaining, captivating, it was soo worth it!
I bought this book because of the cover (published in 2000), the cover was so not what I was used to seeing that it made me want to know what it was about, it made me curious, so I read the back and instantly bought it.
I mean, how could a book cover be all black and have the name with a few color effects when pointing at the light and NOT make me interested enough to want to read it?
This book might just have become one of my favorites, honestly. Definitely top 10, maybe even number one, I don't know. I've never read anything like this before. I am absolutely enchanted by it. I am fascinated.
November 10, 2025
A struggling writer, Carl Granville, gets the opportunity of a lifetime. An editor offers to publish his books if he writes one special book for her. He has ghost written before and so (naturally) he accepts the project. There are stipulations and at first he finds them weird but gets used to them. He has a very limited time to get the book done. It’s time sensitive.
On the day he accepts, a new girl moved into the apartment above him and he helps her get a large seat into her apartment. They form a relationship.
Harry –one of the stipulations—watches him writing. He never speaks. He is there to ensure Carl works and that Carl copies none of the information handed to him in the form of a diary. He is allowed to make notes only.
He is part way through the book when the editor is killed.
Harry doesn’t show up at his apartment.
Carl’s laptop is stolen.
His new girlfriend is killed.
He is the suspect for both murders.
There is no proof of his assignment, no records.
He flees, determined to find out who is behind this and clear his name. The only person who can help him is his ex, a reporter for a major newspaper.
The book is a good and fast read. The many plots interweave into one hell of a story, though I feel it is a little over-written. Sometimes, there is too much detail and some clues he gets seem to be just plan lucky when they pan out.
I found I didn’t like Carl very much, nor his ex. Harry, I liked.
Overall, the story is good and entertaining. It is a thriller that ranks up there with thrillers of today and well worth the investment.
On the day he accepts, a new girl moved into the apartment above him and he helps her get a large seat into her apartment. They form a relationship.
Harry –one of the stipulations—watches him writing. He never speaks. He is there to ensure Carl works and that Carl copies none of the information handed to him in the form of a diary. He is allowed to make notes only.
He is part way through the book when the editor is killed.
Harry doesn’t show up at his apartment.
Carl’s laptop is stolen.
His new girlfriend is killed.
He is the suspect for both murders.
There is no proof of his assignment, no records.
He flees, determined to find out who is behind this and clear his name. The only person who can help him is his ex, a reporter for a major newspaper.
The book is a good and fast read. The many plots interweave into one hell of a story, though I feel it is a little over-written. Sometimes, there is too much detail and some clues he gets seem to be just plan lucky when they pan out.
I found I didn’t like Carl very much, nor his ex. Harry, I liked.
Overall, the story is good and entertaining. It is a thriller that ranks up there with thrillers of today and well worth the investment.
August 23, 2020
I read this novel twelve years ago, about two years after intense brain surgery was performed on me which utterly destroyed my entire nervous system, degraded my memory and rendered basically every muscle in my body weak. Obviously this book left me with a great impression, seeing as I reread it a decade later. I just remember the book having such a great story line and to reread it; I was not surprised to learn that the story was better than what I remembered.
Its a unique and complex story that runs down an rabbit hole of insanity. Its highly captivating and would make a great movie.
Not many novels make me rethink the past events in the story and try to figure out what happened and why it happened.
Not many novels fool me, make me laugh or leave me wandering.
This novel did do just that.
There was literally little to no literature flaws, the writing was witty, elegant and descriptive.
Some of it was humorously clever, like the line about the old Elvis fans that dressed like decaying teenagers....
This book is brilliant.
Its a unique and complex story that runs down an rabbit hole of insanity. Its highly captivating and would make a great movie.
Not many novels make me rethink the past events in the story and try to figure out what happened and why it happened.
Not many novels fool me, make me laugh or leave me wandering.
This novel did do just that.
There was literally little to no literature flaws, the writing was witty, elegant and descriptive.
Some of it was humorously clever, like the line about the old Elvis fans that dressed like decaying teenagers....
This book is brilliant.
May 9, 2025
Confession: if you’d told me I’d end up devouring a thriller about conspiracies, secret identities, and murders, I would’ve smiled politely and gone back to my dramas where people argue over kitchen renovations and existential crisis.
But Gideon landed in my lap — quite literally, wrapped in shiny paper, gifted by a friend who swore I needed a change, for a bit.
This novel starts slow, but then, like a fuse finally catching, the thing takes off. There are layers. And more layers. And just when you think you've reached the bottom — oh look, another file, another betrayal, another name that means more than you thought.
The prose won’t win awards for lyricism. But it’s clean, sharp, and functional. Surprisingly, I liked it all : guilt, legacy, identity, all tangled in a story that moves like a well-oiled machine.
But Gideon landed in my lap — quite literally, wrapped in shiny paper, gifted by a friend who swore I needed a change, for a bit.
This novel starts slow, but then, like a fuse finally catching, the thing takes off. There are layers. And more layers. And just when you think you've reached the bottom — oh look, another file, another betrayal, another name that means more than you thought.
The prose won’t win awards for lyricism. But it’s clean, sharp, and functional. Surprisingly, I liked it all : guilt, legacy, identity, all tangled in a story that moves like a well-oiled machine.
January 10, 2026
Talk about conspiracies
Gideon by Russell Andrews is a book that lingers. I’ve read it several times, and each return leaves me just as stunned as the first. The characters are layered and believable, the plot is relentless, and the twists never let up. Every revelation feels earned, every turn unsettling.
What truly makes Gideon unforgettable, though, is how uncomfortably plausible it feels. It challenges the narratives we’re fed—the media machinery, the master puppeteers tugging at political strings—and confronts our naïveté in assuming this is “just a story.” The line between fiction and reality blurs in ways that are both thrilling and sobering.
An absolute must-read for anyone who enjoys intelligent suspense—and isn’t afraid to question what they think they know.
Gideon by Russell Andrews is a book that lingers. I’ve read it several times, and each return leaves me just as stunned as the first. The characters are layered and believable, the plot is relentless, and the twists never let up. Every revelation feels earned, every turn unsettling.
What truly makes Gideon unforgettable, though, is how uncomfortably plausible it feels. It challenges the narratives we’re fed—the media machinery, the master puppeteers tugging at political strings—and confronts our naïveté in assuming this is “just a story.” The line between fiction and reality blurs in ways that are both thrilling and sobering.
An absolute must-read for anyone who enjoys intelligent suspense—and isn’t afraid to question what they think they know.
June 22, 2023
Decent plot but littered with continuity issues and typos. For example:
cars screeching to a halt on the rain slick pavement
Our hero 'lying in between two of the 'joints' presumably the mean 'joists'
And then a remarkable Smith and Wesson with silencer that attached to the revolver that muffled the two quick pops...only later to learn that Agent Shanahoff was shot once in the head.
A Mossberg pump action shotgun which incredible later we are told 'now he waved again with his rifle! A rifled shotgun is an intriguing prospect.
Disappointing from the publisher's perspective due presumably to the use of spellcheck rather than proof readers'.
cars screeching to a halt on the rain slick pavement
Our hero 'lying in between two of the 'joints' presumably the mean 'joists'
And then a remarkable Smith and Wesson with silencer that attached to the revolver that muffled the two quick pops...only later to learn that Agent Shanahoff was shot once in the head.
A Mossberg pump action shotgun which incredible later we are told 'now he waved again with his rifle! A rifled shotgun is an intriguing prospect.
Disappointing from the publisher's perspective due presumably to the use of spellcheck rather than proof readers'.
May 25, 2018
I have no expressions left in admiration of this book. An unexpected thriller that gave me goosebumps most of the time. I was left speechless, jaw-dropped, sighed in relief when things went well and threw the book when I read murders who were living proofs. I had to skim-read pages too. It was a roller-coaster ride! Now, I have to suffer from a reading slump. I even had dreams where I was chasing the assassins. A fully addicted book.
March 14, 2025
Puerile, predictable drivel. The first part when he's writing the book is tight. But then it starts to meander and waffles on, drawing out the ending by about 30 extra pages. I was ready for it to end about 100 pages before it did but persevered in case there was an unexpected twist. There was not. It felt like the author was hoping it will be made into a movie. As we've seen with the state of the world lately, anything is possible.
January 16, 2026
Just read - Gideon : a thriller by Russell Andrews
Premise - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Execution - 3⭐⭐⭐
Over all impact - 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
OVERALL4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed this book! The twists and turns. It was also explosive at times. The story structure is great and the character play is amusing. I just thought the end and the revelation. Was just a little bit too stretched out And long and a bit cheesy. But overall I love this novel!
Premise - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Execution - 3⭐⭐⭐
Over all impact - 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
OVERALL4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed this book! The twists and turns. It was also explosive at times. The story structure is great and the character play is amusing. I just thought the end and the revelation. Was just a little bit too stretched out And long and a bit cheesy. But overall I love this novel!
September 7, 2026
This was my second read of this book and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Even though this book is more than 20 years old, the fact that information is now power and how people can be manipulated by it, certainly still holds true, in fact more so. This is a fast paced thriller with likeable main characters and a few twists. I like a book with an ending that actually wraps up the story too.
January 27, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It was on my shelf for a long time, and I finally decided to take a chance on it and read. It was a fast moving plot with twists and turns and a strong story. I really enjoyed it and felt that the characters fit in with the story and the plot. I strongly recommend.
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