-- Order the book!! PAPERBACK
By David Morrell
Warner Books (1990)
Reviewed by Robert Thompson April 6, 1990
THE FIFTH PROFESSION was kind of a disappointment. Morrell's Brotherhood of the Rose, Fraternity of the Stone and The League of Night and Fog are among my all time favorite books. They were well written, with characters that I really felt a kinship, and Morrell seems to know his (espionage) tradecraft.
But this book is kind of a departure from the above mentioned books. It reminds me more of some Dean Koontz's (excellent) psychological thrillers, especially STRANGERS.
Ostensibly, THE FIFTH PROFESSION is about an executive protector. (not a bodyguard, but a personal security specialist, utilizing brains more than brawn). The book really is not so much about executive protection, as it follows the story of a protector who is trying to solve a problem of his own. The hero, Savage, and Akira, his Japanese counterpart are trying to figure out why they both remember seeing the other beheaded during a joint project in the past, yet later meet and realize that they are both very much alive.
They are suffering from what Savage calls Jamais Vu, the opposite of Deja Vu; Remembering something that never happened. It seems that they were brainwashed, or something. Why? by Whom? Everyone that can answer any of their questions ends up dead before they can pass on the information.
The story takes place in Greece, New York, Pennsylvania and Japan. It moves fairly fast, and is a gripping tale, best read at one sitting.
So why was it a disappointment? I was hoping for a story of executive protection, a field of endeavor with which I am personally not unfamiliar. Instead, I get people who just happen to be protectors, but they are more involved with what has happened to their memories, than they are with following their professions. Also, the characterizations are kind of weak, I had little sympathy for them.
Still, I can recommend the book as an adventure with some psychological overtones. But if you expect something as well crafted as Fraternity of the Stone, you will be as disappointed as I was.