Crichton's first published novel - written under the pseudonym John Lange - has a strong central situation and a lot of good ideas but isn't that great. His skill level wasn't up to his imagination at this point in his career, though that would change soon.
It's about a group of crooks who decide to rob a hotel. One of them uses a computer to examine probabilities and you think "oh that sounds cool" but nothing much happens with this other than the crook reporting on percentages.
Other good ideas - dissension amongst the group, another group of crooks are operating. Less good - all the sex. All the crims hook up with women while on the job and there's extended sex scenes, more than Crichton would ever do again. Sometimes the book is positively pervy. I kept going "alright already Crichton, we get it."
The women are nubile and horny the men are muscular and horny. The lead criminal - hard body, great in bed, boxer's face - seems inspired by Jean Paul Belmondo.
The chapters go for too long and the pacing isn't great. It's the sort of book you wish maybe Crichton had taken another pass at.
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