Book Review: The Fifth Profession

The Fifth Profession

by David Morrell
published 1990 by Warner Books

David Morrell is far and away my most favorite fiction author followed by Clive Cussler.  A few years ago Little Faron and I started reading books together so we could talk about them and share our love of reading.  Over the years we have read teen and adult books alike, you will see another review on here for The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1) by Rick Riordan which is one we read together this summer.  In this process I wanted to share my favorite author with Faron, so we started reading First Blood, which many of you probably know as the first Rambo movie with Sylvester Stallone, but before it was a movie it was a great book by David Morrell, actually his first novel written back in the early seventies.  He loved it and so we decided to read another.  My exposure to David Morrell began with The Fifth Profession and it is the novel that drew me into to reading everything he has ever written, so it seemed like a good follow up read.  Faron finished towards the end of last semester, I finished last week.

Summary: David Morrell is consider the founder of the modern thriller and he is known for not only well paced books with compelling characters, but equally for real accuracy in all that he writes about.  This accuracy comes from a lot of personal research.  He has taken flight lessons, survival lessons, executive protection lessons and the list goes on; all so that he can be sure to portray his characters in a life like manner without the distraction of reading something and thinking, "that could never happen."  The Fifth Profession
is a novel about two executive protectors, Savage and Akira, who saw each other killed but have somehow run into each other alive.  Along with the client they are committed to protect, Rachel, they set out to get to the bottom of the mysterious horror they are confronted with, "how can each other be alive when they both saw each other beheaded?"  They travel from France to the US to Japan as they seek to unravel this mystery and get their lives back.  Morrell has not only researched executive protection, but also the most updated studies on memory, Japanese culture, Samurai and The Comitatus. 

Review: This is the book that captured me as a Morrell fan, so that should be an indicator that I really like this book, along with the fact that I have read it twice which is something I don't generally do.  The research is impeccable and it contributes to the story in a very compelling way.  As you read the story you are drawn to want to know more about Japanese culture and Samurai warriors.  You find yourself curious about memory and epistemology (the study of knowledge).  The characters are not only interesting and likable, they have a code of honor that makes you not only respect them, but want to join their fight.  Rachel, while initially being a client to be rescued and protected has a will and a strength of her own that connects her with male and female readers alike.  Another feature of Morrell novels and this is no different is the masterful way he paces the story, compelling you to read on to the next chapter.  The Fifth Profession is an entertaining and educational read that will leave you feeling a little tired but inspired to learn more.

Recommendation: YES, YES, YES!