Select one of the keywords
Hazardous Material: Nightlife    by Matthew Quinn Martin Amazon.com order for
Hazardous Material
by Matthew Quinn Martin
Order:  USA  Can
Pocket, 2015 (2015)
e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Jessica Maguire

I must say I enjoyed this second installment of the Nightlife series much more than the first. To begin with, there was not as much blood and gore, a plus in my books! And I found the plot to be much more engaging and entertaining.

The cast of characters has changed in this installment. This time we are introduced to the tormented Jarrod Foster and his slimy boss, Ludwig. A tragic past, a dead-end and much despised job, with a side of mental issues, makes Jarrod a most interesting protagonist.

The story gets especially interesting, and flat out weird, when Jarrod finds and gets to keep Polybius, an old school video game left over from the days of the arcade. However, Polybius isn't just any run of the mill video game. This one kills.

Polybius reminds me of the computer Hal from 2001: A Space Odyssey in the way that the game seems to have its own conscience and wreaks havoc on all those who come into contact with it. What is it about this game that seems to cause its owners to lose their minds?

This psychological thriller held my interest from start to finish. The flashbacks and inserts to the story, such as the (fictional) article investigating 'the pathology of mass shooters' not only enhances the story but also adds to the element of confusion and wonder, making this book hard to put down. 

Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons.

Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews