I have read most of Mr. Demille's works and totally enjoyed GOLD COAST and THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER. PLUM ISLAND is a disaster! It seems as if the author is trying to create a "gum shoe" of the 40's and 50's but fails dismally. John Corey, the NYPD detective, is all smart mouth. For pages on pages on pages, NOTHING HAPPENS. Then, maybe, a clue. All of a sudden, this smart mouth becomes the greatest detective on earth. Too much talk and smart remarks and too little action and plot. If Demille is tyring to make John Corey the "gum shoe" of the 90's, I'm not buying