Scarecrow Review (4.5/5)

Shane Schofield's most recent full-length novel is definitely the best in the series: Scarecrow is gripping at times, absolutely moving at others. Featuring the titular renegade hero of the United States, his girlfriend Gant and team-mates Book II and Mother, Scarecrow takes the team to Afghanistan, America, England and France as they race to find out why a price has been placed on the literal heads of twelve men, and the chase becomes even more enthralling in that the reader knows Schofield is one of those twelve. A great way to summarise the novel is that Matthew Reilly seems to be having as much fun writing it as you are reading it, and while the already basic language suffers on occasions because of this that doesn't make you want to put the book down at any point. The addition of assassin Knight to the ensemble makes for an interesting dynamic as it seems he could be on either side, and a mysterious benefactor lurks in the shadows to reward him for his final mission's accomplishment (whatever that might be- although in fact that particular twist is nothing revolutionary). The only main gripe I had here were that the book could have perhaps been cut down somewhat, as Reilly seems to take too long to explain a twist that the reader already fully understands and needs no further details on. Also, one particular character doesn't make it to the end, and though an interview at Scarecrow's back end reveals that the author wanted a thriller to show that every character was mortal and had the potential to die, that doesn't make the deceased's send-off any less dissatisfying. Never mind, though- Scarecrow is an excellent read, refusing to let up or surrender to the conventions of its genre in favour of proving a no-bars-held adventure that will engross you to the last.