Page Count:  470

Author:  Steve Alten

Author's Website:  www.stevealten.com

Publisher:  Tsunami

ISBN:  0-9761659-0-2

Category:  Fiction

Genre:  Suspense/Drama/Science Fiction

Dove's (Personal) Review:  You know that old saying, "Never judge a book by the cover?" Well, this time I did, and I'm very glad! I'll tell you what I mean...
     Barnes & Noble is one of my favorite stores on the face of the earth! And I happen to live five blocks from the one in Orange (Connecticut). I was there one night, just browsing around, looking for nothing in particular. Since I read mostly "fiction," that's where I started. I began in the As, and gradually worked my way to the Zs. Very early on in my browsing, I happened upon "The Loch," by Steve Alten. The cover caught my eye, and I picked it up to read the dust-jacket. It sounded interesting, but since I was only in the As, with a long way to go before hitting the Zs, I put it back on the shelf and continued on.
     Two hours later, I found myself still empty-handed, so I made my way back to the As to find that book with the cool cover. "Steve Alten, huh?" I thought to myself, "...never heard of him." I flipped it open, and began reading. Twenty minutes later, I realized I was still standing there, right in the aisle, reading. I bought it, then headed over to the cafe for some coffee.
     Coffee and book in hand, I found a tiny table, and opened the book once more. All of a sudden, Barnes & Noble made the announcement that they were closing in 15 minutes. I was so absorbed in the book, almost two hours had passed. I was shocked!
     As soon as I got home, I got right back into the book. Four hours later, I finished it. I couldn't put it down! I was so impressed with it, the very next night, I went back to that same B&N store, and bought the other three Steve Alten books they had on the shelf. I think it's fair to say that Alten has become one of my favorite authors.
     The Loch is an incredible tale! Imagination, folklore, Science, drama... all combined into one brilliantly crafted novel! The title speaks for itself. Yes, as you've most likely guessed by now, it's a story about what's living in Loch Ness. All the myths you've heard about, all the documentaries you've seen, all the photographs that have been published are all included in this work of fiction, giving it a very "real" flavor. Perhaps "surreal" is a better choice of words, LOL.
     So.... never judge a book by the cover??? LOL, I think not!!! RUN, don't walk, to a book store near you and judge all the covers you want! From my own Alten experience, believe me... you won't be disappointed with the vast amount of goodies you'll find.
     GOLD STAR, TWO-THUMBS-UP!!!