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Lure
In a top-secret research facility, a team of scientists receive an unexpected message from the depths of space.At first, the blizzard of sub-nuclear particles seemed random. But soon a pattern emerges that could only have come from an alien intelligence far more advanced than our own. Now it's up to Irish mathematician Tom Petrie to decode these messages and unlock their secret--one that is believed to contain an unimaginable technological breakthrough, and has the power to change the course of human history…unless the world's superpowers succeed in suppressing the truth. Can Petrie and his team unmask the message's true intent while evading those who aim to crush its extraordinary revelations? A desperate race against time--and through space--is about to begin….
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 18, 2015
This book reads like a poor man's Contact, except that it (literally) never gets off the ground. The science behind "the signal" is interesting and may even be credible, but the pro and con arguments that take up far too much of the story are debated way too many times, and ultimately comes down to a caricature of what could have been a serious "science vs. religion" argument. There's either no alien life because it's not mentioned in the Bible, or else the universe is teeming with intelligence because it evolved so quickly here on Earth. (And that latter argument is always annoying in such stories; what we regard as "intelligent" - i.e., human - life evolved only recently as a result of the far more successful dinosaurs going extinct; so while there may well be complex life all across the galaxy, that's no indication that it will necessarily lead to technologically advanced intelligence.)
As a result, with the exception of a few scenes in the final third, the book is mainly all talk and little action. The characters are also cliches - the math nerd hero (a virgin with limited social skills and little interest in women, yet by his own admission he "seemed to attract the opposite sex"); the fat Russian scientist, the plain but good-hearted female assistant, and the hot Norwegian planetologist - guess which one he ends up in bed with?
Writing is so-so, and while the plotting isn't horrible Napier does leave some questions unanswered - who left our hero the enigmatic envelope at the airport addressed to 158 Rock Walk, (which he immediately understands as a reference to 1 Peter 5:8 in the Bible)? We'll never know. Pacing is also strange - some 90% of the book takes place over 4-5 days, but then nearly a month is crammed into the last few pages. That said, I did like the very last chapter, which consists of press snippets demonstrating the spin control and ass-covering that is probably the most accurate part of the book. And I also liked the fact that the story takes place in Slovakia with a number of scenes set in Bratislava, which is really a very pleasant and under-appreciated city, (although Napier doesn't reference any of the city's unique charm to really bring his setting to life, and so his locations remain as flat as his characters).
All told, this really just made me want to go back and read Sagan's masterpiece, which still remains the book to beat in "alien contact" lit. It also made me determined not to take advantage of any more of the embassy's "help yourself - they're free!" books in our little library here; (I must remember that whenever you get something for nothing, that's probably what it's worth).
As a result, with the exception of a few scenes in the final third, the book is mainly all talk and little action. The characters are also cliches - the math nerd hero (a virgin with limited social skills and little interest in women, yet by his own admission he "seemed to attract the opposite sex"); the fat Russian scientist, the plain but good-hearted female assistant, and the hot Norwegian planetologist - guess which one he ends up in bed with?
Writing is so-so, and while the plotting isn't horrible Napier does leave some questions unanswered - who left our hero the enigmatic envelope at the airport addressed to 158 Rock Walk, (which he immediately understands as a reference to 1 Peter 5:8 in the Bible)? We'll never know. Pacing is also strange - some 90% of the book takes place over 4-5 days, but then nearly a month is crammed into the last few pages. That said, I did like the very last chapter, which consists of press snippets demonstrating the spin control and ass-covering that is probably the most accurate part of the book. And I also liked the fact that the story takes place in Slovakia with a number of scenes set in Bratislava, which is really a very pleasant and under-appreciated city, (although Napier doesn't reference any of the city's unique charm to really bring his setting to life, and so his locations remain as flat as his characters).
All told, this really just made me want to go back and read Sagan's masterpiece, which still remains the book to beat in "alien contact" lit. It also made me determined not to take advantage of any more of the embassy's "help yourself - they're free!" books in our little library here; (I must remember that whenever you get something for nothing, that's probably what it's worth).
September 19, 2016
Some scientists have discovered signals from space that have a pattern, in other words an intelligent design behind them. The book was really good but then it ended before we ever got to see the contact with those who were sending the signal. So it's not really a cliff hanger, but was a wee bit disappointing even so.
July 21, 2017
This was an interesting read that was more aggravating for me than maybe the author intended. I get that he wanted to show both sides of the debate about why an alien intelligence might want to contact us, but since this is fiction, I wanted more of an answer.
The way the book ended was also a bit of a let down for me. The big question was what will the President of the US do? What will he do? What will he decide? We get to see all the good and bad advice given and then he says, "We're going to do this." and that's where the chapter ends. Then we get played with on whether Petrie and Freya will be killed off or not - are the guys he's with going to kill him or keep him safe? Is she about to be killed by a sniper when she exits a truck? Then suddenly they are in the US and the announcement has been made and the world is rejoicing. It just felt like tension to make tension, it didn't need to be written that way to further the story along.
Also, the way Petrie gives up the info he has was not understandable - each time it's, Petrie: I don't trust you... The guys interviewing him: vague threat, no real effort to be trustworthy... Petrie: I don't trust you... another vague threat... Petrie: okay, here's all the info. Seriously, why the dancing if you going to spill everything no matter what.
AND Petrie and Freya are told that the other three scientist are alive and safe - instead of asking for proof because at this point they supposedly don't trust the US to share the info with the rest of the world, they immediately rejoice and believe what they are told. It just didn't make sense in relation to how they had conducted themselves up till then.
And this is a minor thing, but Petrie is referred to by his last name through the book, but Freya is referred to by her first name. Why? The same thing is done with the three scientist that actually make the discovery - the two men are referred to by their last names while the female is known by her first. It just has this slightly sexist feel to it that made me unhappy.
The way the book ended was also a bit of a let down for me. The big question was what will the President of the US do? What will he do? What will he decide? We get to see all the good and bad advice given and then he says, "We're going to do this." and that's where the chapter ends. Then we get played with on whether Petrie and Freya will be killed off or not - are the guys he's with going to kill him or keep him safe? Is she about to be killed by a sniper when she exits a truck? Then suddenly they are in the US and the announcement has been made and the world is rejoicing. It just felt like tension to make tension, it didn't need to be written that way to further the story along.
Also, the way Petrie gives up the info he has was not understandable - each time it's, Petrie: I don't trust you... The guys interviewing him: vague threat, no real effort to be trustworthy... Petrie: I don't trust you... another vague threat... Petrie: okay, here's all the info. Seriously, why the dancing if you going to spill everything no matter what.
AND Petrie and Freya are told that the other three scientist are alive and safe - instead of asking for proof because at this point they supposedly don't trust the US to share the info with the rest of the world, they immediately rejoice and believe what they are told. It just didn't make sense in relation to how they had conducted themselves up till then.
And this is a minor thing, but Petrie is referred to by his last name through the book, but Freya is referred to by her first name. Why? The same thing is done with the three scientist that actually make the discovery - the two men are referred to by their last names while the female is known by her first. It just has this slightly sexist feel to it that made me unhappy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2025
A subterranean lake picks up fast-moving particles travelling through Earth. The science base here determines that the signal is full of a pattern that does not seem random. A pattern finding math professor and an astrophysics professor are called to assist. I like that the pattern matcher is from Trinity College, Dublin, but we see it for about five minutes (it would be less on screen) as he gets a message and leaves. Now we're off to Slovakia and a castle on a mountain, rented out for conferences. A few male and female scientists explain and they get on with the work. After some time, it looks as though an alien intelligence might be behind the signal. They all want to share in a prize. But governments want more than that - not necessarily good.
I like the Slovak location and Bratislava, the caving and chasing (when it finally happens). Most of the tale is in the castle, debating, or else in various political conferences. I like the SF aspect.
I don't like that the author thinks humanity is composed of men, and men are always the ones giving orders. Women are shown providing information. Men make the decisions. A letter uses the word mankind three times, and mankind and man are used generally throughout the book. I can well understand Russians, older American men, religious leaders, maybe even male UK leaders, saying mankind all the time. But the arts and science and university community would use the terms humanity, humankind, humans, people, the human race. Doing otherwise leaves out over 50% of the world's population and reflects attitudes from the 1950s. Lose a star.
I like the Slovak location and Bratislava, the caving and chasing (when it finally happens). Most of the tale is in the castle, debating, or else in various political conferences. I like the SF aspect.
I don't like that the author thinks humanity is composed of men, and men are always the ones giving orders. Women are shown providing information. Men make the decisions. A letter uses the word mankind three times, and mankind and man are used generally throughout the book. I can well understand Russians, older American men, religious leaders, maybe even male UK leaders, saying mankind all the time. But the arts and science and university community would use the terms humanity, humankind, humans, people, the human race. Doing otherwise leaves out over 50% of the world's population and reflects attitudes from the 1950s. Lose a star.
April 3, 2018
If you read Bill Napier's earlier book, NEMESIS, then you'll recognize the building blocks for THE LURE, a similar but not identical story. I liked this one better, as it was not quite so over the top. This book contained science, intrigue, lots of chase-type action, conspiracy threads, philosophical discussions, and a little romance thrown in. If you enjoy fast-moving thrillers and can suspend some disbelief, you could do much worse than THE LURE.
I have some key issues common to both books. A group of very quirky and very different scientists from various countries are quickly brought together in secret to analyze a huge space-based problem that's not their "specialty". In just a few days, some of these strangers and scientists become close friends or even lovers. Vast conspiracies abound in the highest reaches of multiple governments, pushing drastic actions including murder. Top leaders and scientists discuss some enormous issues involving our world and beyond, as if no one has ever considered these issues before! Worst of all, male & female scientists, newly coupled, evolve from bookwormy, lab-based eggheads into action heroes or escape artists in just days. These things make my eyes roll a bit, but they're not way out of bounds for techno-thrillers. I just think these books would benefit from being a little more simple and ordinary.
I have some key issues common to both books. A group of very quirky and very different scientists from various countries are quickly brought together in secret to analyze a huge space-based problem that's not their "specialty". In just a few days, some of these strangers and scientists become close friends or even lovers. Vast conspiracies abound in the highest reaches of multiple governments, pushing drastic actions including murder. Top leaders and scientists discuss some enormous issues involving our world and beyond, as if no one has ever considered these issues before! Worst of all, male & female scientists, newly coupled, evolve from bookwormy, lab-based eggheads into action heroes or escape artists in just days. These things make my eyes roll a bit, but they're not way out of bounds for techno-thrillers. I just think these books would benefit from being a little more simple and ordinary.
February 5, 2019
I liked THE LURE. That is, I loved the first half of the book. It brought to mind another book on the same subject : Jack McDevitt's THE HERCULES TEXT, which I recommend to THE LURE readers who are unsatisfied by Napier's treatment of the subject. Even though I preferred McDevitt's treatment of a message from space, I very much liked Napier's writing style. There were passages in THE LURE where I was reminded of John Le Carré. His use of the indicative during tense passages, the sudden switch to a character's inner monologue rather than an outward description of his actions, etc. In THE LURE, the characters are fairly well defined. I did not, as a consequence, like the mid-book suspenseful, long, breathless chase through the cave. Oh, it works, the suspence works, but Petrie and Freya, to my mind at least, are not the sort of people who could (or even would accept to) go on that sort of initiatic, nigh-impossible run for their lives. As of that point, the book turns into a pulp novel. And the magical ending was, I'm sure, dictated by a publisher who wants to make life easy for his readers. Despite those huge caveats, I still recommend the book for people who like their science-fiction intelligent and adventurous, with a good measure of suspenseful action. P.S. Sometimes, I thought the action was taking place during the Soviet regime, and sometimes not. I must have missed the passage where the action is given a date.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2020
My real rating is 2.75/5.
Splintered Icon was so amazing that I decided after reading it that I'll grab every Bill Napier book that I can find. The Lure is not bad overall, but nowhere near as good as the author's masterpiece (which I mentioned in the previous sentence).
If you are from the Philippines, you can snag a copy of The Lure here (it costs less than a dollar): https://shopee.ph/The-Lure-by-Bill-Na...
Splintered Icon was so amazing that I decided after reading it that I'll grab every Bill Napier book that I can find. The Lure is not bad overall, but nowhere near as good as the author's masterpiece (which I mentioned in the previous sentence).
If you are from the Philippines, you can snag a copy of The Lure here (it costs less than a dollar): https://shopee.ph/The-Lure-by-Bill-Na...
December 6, 2017
Outstanding. It's been a long time since I've read a thought provoking fiction book of such depth and thrills. The best part - hard to identify one only, but I'd say the debate between creationism and evolution is brilliant.
The author has used his years of experience and research superbly to craft an outstanding book.
The author has used his years of experience and research superbly to craft an outstanding book.
June 6, 2017
Best
I may have enjoyed this Napier better than any other than Splintered Icon. Thanks for the fun story Bill but all evangelicals are not narrow minded hillbillies
I may have enjoyed this Napier better than any other than Splintered Icon. Thanks for the fun story Bill but all evangelicals are not narrow minded hillbillies
August 21, 2022
I am reading this for the third rime since it first came out.
Once more I am gripped by its science and pace.
A damned good page-turner!
Once more I am gripped by its science and pace.
A damned good page-turner!
July 28, 2025
Interesting story about a first contact with extraterrestrial life
February 21, 2017
Had a good astronomy theme and some good science, but fell in the trap of having descriptive conversations that just seemed contrived. The dialogue was laughable at times. The resolution was pathetic.
January 23, 2011
This has been lying on my tbr mountain for ages and now I know why, after reading Nemesis and Shattered Icon I was really looking forward to this. I found it really disappointing, it wasn't the science that let the book down it was the rest of the story. When the George Bush clone is the most reasonable of the world leaders involved in the story then you know that you've got problems. Having said that I did read this in one sitting so it can't be that bad, I just think it suffers in comparison with his other books.
January 19, 2016
Published in 2002. Don't expect big special effects or loud booms - this story is really an exploration about what a first contact could really mean. The best part of the book, for me, are the theoretical discussions surrounding the event in relation to what the message senders could be all about.
The characters are somewhat transparent and typical and I think the religious aspect is not as deep as it could be. Yet, once I started it there was no stopping.
The characters are somewhat transparent and typical and I think the religious aspect is not as deep as it could be. Yet, once I started it there was no stopping.
December 7, 2007
Turns out this guy isn't full of shit, but actually well-known in the astrobiology world. Hopefully that reflects well on the book and not just badly on astrobio? Anyway, this book, while CLEARLY non-fiction, does bring up a lot of the questions that astrobiology deals with, and was totally engaging.
April 6, 2015
Great idea - remember SETI, well this book is essentially about mankind receiving advanced signals from aliens and the dilemma that governments face in hiding or releasing information about them. Could of been a more sinister deeper story possibly a trilogy spanning more time and how we as mankind use the info from the aliens and what THEY do when they know we Know... perhaps.
January 15, 2016
This novel was published in 2002 and it feels somewhat dated. But my main problem with it is that it starts with aliens and ends with CIA. So it reads like a bastard child of Stanislaw Lem's "His Master's Voice" and a Bond movie.
January 7, 2008
I just finished this book and thought the topic was interesting. There are a few holes in the plot that bother me but it was a light read that I enjoyed.
February 14, 2008
A better-than-average drugstore paperback, with more meat to it than most adventure stories of this type. Would probably make a good movie.
October 22, 2008
Fast paced, good story with reasonable character development. The story is sometimes a little unbelievable, but the book is enjoyable all the same.
May 19, 2008
A different take on what contact from an alien species would be like. An interesting and fun read. Very engaging- I had a hard time putting it down.
December 6, 2008
It's a beach (or snowbound) read. Interesting take on the whole alien contact thing. I'd have to call it 'Sci-fi Lite' for those taking a break from Greg Bear.
August 25, 2011
So far so good. A tad mainstream but the story is holding up quite well.
A solid story written very well. Although not my preferred genre of reading I really enjoyed the story.
A solid story written very well. Although not my preferred genre of reading I really enjoyed the story.
October 19, 2011
Napier's writing is not very good in this book. The character development and dialogue are poor, but the science is interesting.
August 2, 2013
OK, this was not a Nobel prize piece of literature but it was a good Sci Fi read. I enjoyed it and it had a neat message.
October 20, 2014
Great story, lots of twists. Did not see the end coming. Became emotionally involved with characters. Worth the time if you like the idea of space exploration.
August 29, 2015
Napier is a great writer. If you want a fun read that makes you think, this is it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews