God created man and man created a comfortable world around him. But, is it possible that man is the only creature, God has ever created or is he just one of the many aliens, living on innumerable planets. Well, I am not talking about Star Trek or some sci-fi fantasies of Stephen King. I am not a big fan of either. Still, the moment I saw this book dabbling with aliens and UFO, I picked it up.

My chief motivation was a name on the cover page that I can never ignore (DAN BROWN). Ever since I had read his Da Vinci Code, he is one of my favorite mystery writer and I am game to gobble all his books to satisfy my insatiable hunger for thrillers.

However, first thing first, Deception Point is as different from Da Vinci Code and The lost Symbol, as is Sharat Chandra from Amitav Ghosh. It is the early child of the honeymooning days of Dan Brown, much before Robert Langdon was conceived and delivered to solve the mind boggling murder mysteries, hinged on religion and symbolism. So, do not expect any of those strange yet logical soliloquies of our dear professor. Deception Point is a plain mystery, dealing with murders, extra terrestrial life and political big-wigs of America and believe me, you will not be disappointed, as Dan Brown’s witty humor and mind numbing twists are as rampant in this novel, as in any of his later, better known best sellers.

The story revolves around Rachel Sexton, a smart, single woman in her thirties, working for NRO. Her father is a Presidential candidate and could be the next American President, as the term of the present one, Zakhary is about to end. The novel begins in the true Brownian style with the murder of a man, shot dead by armed men in the icy lands of Arctic Circle.

The twist comes in the story, when Rachel realizes that she is a part of a highly specialized team, working on finding out the truth behind the presence of extra terrestrial life in Arctic Ocean. Is it true that the aliens exist and a living proof of this hitherto unproven mystery has been found or is it just a hog wash to divert the public attention from some of the more volatile topics.

The suspense intensifies as characters from diverse backgrounds, with ulterior motives enter the stage, with suspicion needle pointing towards each one of them at regular intervals. The mystery is interspersed with the controversial exposes of dark underbelly of American politics and the romantic relief is provided by Michael Tolland, a celebrity Television-Scientist.

The novel comes across as a well knit thriller, with no loop holes to spoil the fun, and the reader is confused almost till the end, whether he has solved the mystery or not.

I liked the book, though I terribly missed Langdon’s symbolism and dark humor, Deception Point is a good suspense thriller and showcases the budding talent of best seller Dan Brown.