Level 26: Dark Origins

This is a Reading Good Books review.If I want to take a break from wild, heavy, and colorful books, I go back to my “comfort zone” genre, mystery/thriller. It’s dark but to me, they’re very straightforward and simple. Most mystery novels follow a certain pattern, a formula, that doesn’t take that much to understand and enjoy. But once in a while, a book comes along and veers away from that convention.Dark Origins is the first book in the trilogy, Level 26, penned by CSI’s Anthony Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski. It follows operative Steve Dark as he follows the trail left to him by his nemesis, a serial killer nicknamed “Sqweegel”. Law Enforcement has come up with different levels of evil. Originally, there were 25 levels. But this Sqweegel is the first and only one to occupy a spot higher than that, Level 26.The one thing that separates this book from other mystery novels is that it is an interactive “digi-novel”. It is an interesting concept. As explained, every twenty pages or so, the reader can log on to Level26.com and enter a code to watch a short video continuing where the chapter left off. You can choose not to watch these as you read, just catch up later, but I found that the videos added to the experience. Sqweegel is definitely a character that you have to see to believe. The visuals made it creepier and exciting. Sure, it wasn’t very good either but at least it provided something to look forward to.But apart from the “cyber-bridges”, the novel was pretty typical. It has a lot of cliches – a crazy serial killer going after the one agent that got closest to apprehending him, ruining his life and still wants to play. I can see this as a full TV show episode. The cast of characters was okay. The novel itself is fast-paced, so much so that it breezed through the ending. It came and went by so fast that I was left thinking, “That’s it?” It has pretty much the same faults as CSI has. Some things were rather vague, some bordering on ridiculous and impossible.To me, it was more Criminal Minds than CSI. (Coincidentally, both shows are aired by the same network, CBS.) It talks of Steve Dark going inside the mind of the killer which reminds me of the stuff they do on Criminal Minds. CSI is more on following the physical evidence. Sqweegel was even featured in season 11, episode 4 of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Zuiker explained that that episode goes in between the first and second books of the trilogy. I have since rewatched that episode and I found it disconnected to the book-verse. Surely, Sqweegel is in all criminal databases so why didn’t the LVPD call in Dark and friends? But I digress.I’m all for mixed media, as gimmicky as it can be. I quite enjoyed the cyber-bridges. These short films serve as Zuiker’s directorial debut. As an avid CSI/TV viewer, I even noticed some familiar faces and places such as the crime lab in CSI: New York, one of those werewolf guys in True Blood (Daniel Buran) and Alias‘ Marshall Flinkman (Kevin Weisman). I have to work on distancing this from Zuiker’s other works but those one just had so many CSI parallels. Nevertheless, it captured my interest. It wasn’t much but it was enough for me to decide to read the rest of the trilogy.Rating: 3/5.Recommendation: It’s something different in the mystery/thriller genre. Not so much a different story or framework, but at least this has the videos to go along with it.

In the opening book of a series, authors Anthony E. Zuiker (creator of "CSI") and Duane Swierczynski create a "Criminal Minds"-type world led by investigator Steve Dark, one of the few men in law enforcement with success against the world's deadliest serial killers. In this case, Dark searches for a Level 26 madman (Level 26 representing the highest level of serial killers) known as Sqweegel. And, while the Sqweegel character is a little too omnipresent to be completely believable, there's no disputing the level of action, violence, and suspense that is created in this novel. Dark nearly caught Sqweegel years before in Rome, but the murderer evaded capture and went dormant for a few years. In this book, Sqweegel returns with a vengeance to threaten Dark, his wife, and their unborn child. Fans of the aforementioned television series who aren't unnerved by some hard-core violent and uncomfortable passages will certainly enjoy Dark Origins - Level 26.

OMG,...this book was soo twisted it was great. I even went to watch some of the clips zuiker had posted. It was a great thriller. Honestly I didn't think it was going to be that great but I couldn't put it down.

I like the concept of this book, but the execution left me cold. There is a web site connected to this book, where you can go and watch video; however you first need to sign up with your email and relevant information. Hated that idea, but did it anything to see what the hoopla was about. The first video was really suggestive and horrible in content. The rest were less so.

The writing was okay, but nothing special. It seems Mr. Zuiker and his co-author are interested in being really gory and explicit. Not my cup of tea.

Level 25 refers to the FBI’s classification of the most heinous of criminals. In this book we encounter a serial killer who needs a new classification:

His targets – anyone
His methods – unlimited
His alias – Sqweegel
His classification – Level 26

From the creator of the CSI television series comes this book advertised as a “digi-novel”. At certain points throughout the book, usually at interesting or suspenseful plot points, the reader is directed to a website. This makes the book somewhat interactive. It is an interesting concept. I listened to this book on audio while I was on the go and not always at a computer (not owning a blackberry or an i-phone I did not always check on the website at the appropriate parts) but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. It was a good thriller about the hunt for a serial killer who has been active and illusive for 30 years. When it becomes personal for ex-FBI agent Steve Dark the gloves come off. Not being an excessively long book the character development and action come at the reader fast and fierce. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the crime thriller genre.

Level 26: Dark Origins. Anthony E. Zuiker. 2009. This run-of-the mill serial murder mystery is called the first “digi-novel” by the author. Every 20 pages or so, the reader is referred to a web page where there are 3 minute motion picture scenes that enhance the story or make a bridge to the next chapter. I didn’t use the web site; the novel was sick enough for me. Murderers are categorized by levels one to twenty-five depending on the severity of the crimes they commit. This murderer is so heinous he is in category alone, Level 26. Zuiker is the writer who developed CSI so he knows his stuff. I’d prefer more character and plot development. I found this at Good Will for 2 dollars and if I find the other two novels in this series, I will get them, but I won’t pay full price for them.

Interesting. I have read a series written for teens called Skeleton Creek that uses the multi-media format. I like it. Some of the videos in this book were unnecessary. Some were down right freaky. I already purchased the next in the series.

I can describe the book in a word, creepy. The book is very interesting and is very fast paced and is very creepy. I have read the book and I have also listen to the audio book, read by John Glover, both are very creepy. However if you want a creepy book to read while traveling on Halloween night, then the audio book is about the best you can get.There is a lot of small problems with the book and the characters are not well devolved, it seems as if the book is written in such a way that the events happening out pace the need for character back stories. I hope that this will be corrected in the squeals. I would suggest this to any one who loves murder/serial killer books.

If you are looking for a fast-paced, graphic thriller, then you might love this book. If you are looking for character depth and believability, I would not recommend this one.I had several problems with this story. The main character, Steve Dark, is fairly young with a pregnant wife. They live in a million dollar home with no financial worries, yet neither of them appear to work. Sqweegel, the serial killer, also has total financial independence. We are never given explanations for how any of them live so well without ever working.I felt Sqweegel's character was far too superhuman. He is omniscient, able to know everything and sneak everywhere without ever once slipping up even a tiny bit. He has access to all sorts of technology and, apparently, is able to easily infiltrate the lives of high ranking government officials. None of this is ever explained.There are other aspects I thought were too convenient for the story or too over-the-top. I won't name them all because that would give away too much of the story.This book offers little in the way of hope and pretty much no happiness. It is nonstop action, graphic violence, and emotional turmoil. The end leaves us hanging, nudging us on to book two in the series.

I was excited when I found this book in the library. I'm a huge CSI fan, so I just knew this book would be something original and unique. Not exactly.Level 26 is supposed to be a new level of evil that only the most high ranking, highly skilled law enforcement agents know about. Most of the infamous serial killers are somewhere in the middle of the scale of 1-25. Only the best of the best of the best (you get the idea) would even dream of trying to catch Sqweegel. The problem is that Sqweegel comes across like any other smart, sadistic killer who toys with the cops. I didn't get where he was so unique. And his name is a joke.Level 26 is a digi-novel. Every few chapters ends with "to see what happens, go to level26.com and type in *password*." That's cool if you're reading at the computer, but I was listening to the audio version as I drove across the state. No way was I pulling over to pull up the cyber-bridge (that's what they call it on the website) on my phone. So I listened to the book, wondering if I was missing something by not logging on, only to find out when I pulled up a few scenes after the fact, that I hadn't really missed anything. The acting was kind of cheesy, and poor Steve Dark was really miscast. The skinny-jean wearing guy with the almost-a-ponytail looked more like a character from the 1990s MTV cartoon Daria, than a brooding, emotionally scarred super agent.If I had not had high hopes because the writer was the creator of CSI, I probably would have liked the book better. I'll probably listen to the second one. I'll just have more realistic expectations.

Honestly, if this is the future of books I really want none of it. I kept wondering how much detail I was missing as I lay in bed and the text instructed me every 20 pages or so to go to LEVEL26.com and enter a code word. Maybe if I was reading it on a web enabled device I may have found it less irritating but I doubt it, it jarred me out of the suspension of disbelief that I find makes a book good. Maybe that was a good thing as being immersed in a book with a serial killer that's worse than before would have possibly made me a lot squicked.And how was he worse? Yeah he killed a lot of people and was determined to kill but I just didn't get a feeling that he was in any way worse than many of the killers you see on CSI and Criminal Minds. I should have been an ideal audience for this story (I'm addicted to crimd drama) but it fell flat for me, I've read grittier and scarier with a better feeling of suspension of disbelief.It gets 3* for being readable but it was nearly 2.5*, and while the sequel also sounds right up my alley (it involved Tarot!) I won't be pursuring this series any further.

There is a master serial killer on the loose code-named Sqweegel(!). He has never left any speck of evidence because he wears a full body, latex ‘murder suit’. Steve Dark, a retired federal agent (retired due to his previous run-in with Sqweegel) is forced out of retirement to investigate. Level 26: Dark Origins is the first novel in a proposed trilogy. Conceived by CSI creator Anthony Zuiker and written by comics author Duane Swierczynski, it is calling itself the world's first digi-novel(tm). What that means to you is that every twenty-pages or so there will be a web-link. Going to that link will result in a short film clip. I didn't feel like providing my email address to sign up to the site, so I have not watched the clips myself. They are not necessary to follow the novel anyway.The writing is smooth as silk. I read fifty-six pages on my first go. Any time I would sit down with the book, twenty pages minimum would zip by. The style used was so easy-going, I felt like I was speed reading. This might sound like a knock, but considering what the book was designed for, I feel like that was a real accomplishment. In fact, I had a large number of problems with the book (see below) but the flow of the writing is what kept me from just abandoning it.As fast paced entertainment, the book works. But if you give things even a moment's thought, it collapses. Dark is a retired federal agent, his wife is never shown to be employed at all. Yet they live in a million dollar Malibu beach home filled with designer items. How? Dark's old boss is forced to recruit Dark under a literal threat of death. Why? This just seemed ridiculous and didn't add anything to the story. It seemed like lazy storytelling to me. Like a ticking bomb was easier to use than characterization.The characters are too flat to empathize with much, the seemingly psychotic Secretary of Defense feels pointless and over the top and the killer doesn't have enough background provided to make him interesting and seems to comic-booky supervillain. All of this together makes it awfully difficult to suspend my disbelief enough to really get into the story. There's nothing here that hasn't been done a million times before, and done better.And that I guess is my real problem with the book. It is so obviously a product. I didn't so much get the feeling that Anthony Zuiker had a really good story idea that he just wanted to get out there. Instead I got the feeling that he had an 'entertainment concept' and started putting that package together. The novel is only one part of it and I'd be willing to bet that Mr. Zuiker had no part in the writing of it. Duane Swierczynski (who, if this was a traditional novel should have his name displayed at the same size as his 'co-author') does a good enough job at keeping the story interesting and moving along at a whip-crack pace. But there's no passion to it. No quirk or idiosyncrasy that makes the book memorable. And the nick-name Sqweegel is just dumb, no matter how they try to explain it.

I picked up this book because I was interested in the whole digi-novel experience. Basically, while reading along in the book you are given codes to unlock short videos on the web that are supposed to supplement the story. While the novel itself was okay, I thought the videos were distracting and took away from the pace of the story. There were even a few times when the small details of the videos did not match what I had just read in the book. Annoying. So...while the digi-novel is an intriguing idea it was NOT executed well here.

Very weird. Definitely dark and creepy. But all in a good way. The story is a good murder mystery, had some great twists.I didn't really care for the "media experience." It disrupted the story, and the ones I did see were totally cheap and corny. The book would have been fine without it. But I'm willing to overlook that and maybe even find the 2nd book!

Level 26 is more than a book, it is a multimedia experience. Anthony Zuiker the visionary creator of the TV series CSI wanted to add something unique to the reading experience. So what he and his team did was to create short films that bridged between chapters of the book. Every 20 or so pages you were provided a web address (this never changed) with an unlock code to the next video bridge. Each video bridge was from 30 seconds to eight minutes long, the average of which were about 3 minutes. You don't need to view the bridges to follow the story, but it enhanced the story a bit and added a new element to the reading experience. For instance I didn’t put the book down and rush to the computer each time I reached a video bridge. Most times I watched 2 or 3 at a time. The story itself is very sadistic, as it follows the exploits of a serial killer. Up to this point the government highest ranking for serial murderers was level 25. John Wayne Gacy was a level 25, Ted Bundy was a 24, now “Sqweegel” the killer with no boundaries had warranted a level all his own. Retired FBI specialist Steve Dark is forced out of retirement in order in order to apprehend this vicious killer whose murders spanned over two decades. If you like serial killer mysteries than this is worth the read. Even with the video bridges, this book doesn’t round out the top of my favorite suspense thrillers, but I wasn’t disappointed with it either. The action keeps moving throughout the book and it is well paced. Not on the video bridges: These were tastefully done and don’t include any blood and gore. Bottom line: the material in the bridges would pass broadcast TV standards.

I really liked the book. I thought that the introduction of little movie sequence was awesome. It help tie in the storyline, because what happen in those section is not mentionned in the book. Squeegel is creepy, very creepy. The story line is good. I can't wait for another one of this type!!

Call me squeamish, but there were literally parts of this book that made me want to throw up due to the graphic nature of the violence portrayed. That being said, I was intrigued to read it through to the end and found it hard to put the book down from chapter to chapter. The digi-novel concept was unique, but I did not make it through many of the later video bridge episodes but don't feel like I missed much from the storyline. The book took a few leaps in knowledge gained as it pertained to Stephen Dark, but overall was a good read.

The concept of a combo videoclip/paper book is very cool. And for the first couple chapters, I was quite interested in the blend, and the videos, and the story.Then... the videos turned into some adolescent nightmare/fantasy - starting with a "sex" scene in video form (which was completely out-of-place with the storyline but might make great titillation for 14 year old boys). I watched a couple more clips after that but it was just some body-actor slinking around - which was cool, but made the story more "comic-like" and less adult. (i.e. a serial killer who is supposed to be the best of the best isn't going to waste energy walking on all fours like a spider... there would be no point, other than making the video clip creep out someone (a 14 year old).So, back to the plot... err... was there a plot? This super duper bad guy couldn't be caught by anyone other than Dark so the govt threatens to kill his friend if he didn't help. So he helps and the govt all of a sudden decides to kill him because he wasn't finding the bad guy fast enough. Oh, I see, only one guy can find him, so you try to kill him because he hasn't found him yet. Logical.That's the problem with this book - it's not logical. The super duper bad guy is supposed to be impossible to catch and yet they catch him without much trouble (several different mistakes lead them to him). He gets to kill and maim and have dead bodies/parts and fecal matter everywhere in his home(s) and nobody noticed for years? Yeah, sorry, the serial killers who are good enough to get away with stuff for years are ones who are mainly "normal". Living in fecal matter or body parts... that's not normal.And the ending/epilogue is just plain stupid.It's worth a 3 only for it's originality of blending mediums.

Just adding on to Bridget's review. At first I did not like stopping my reading to go to the computer and watch the video clip, because I am used to getting comfortable when I read, and do not like to be disturbed. I even waited for two or three extra chapters to watch the clips, before I started watching them each time. They really did help to visualize what was happening. This book really plays with the mind. Watching the movements of Squeegel made me think of a snake.For several days after I read the book I would see a small space, maybe the opening to the attic, or under the kitchen sink, or even smaller spaces,and think, "I bet Sqeegle could hide in there". I wasn't really scared, but when going from the bathroom back to the bedroom at night, I did walk a little faster than usual! If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say, "HOLY COW". I guess that is two words though. Chills. Enjoy!