I always liked Crichton and I almost picked up "Next" yesterday but I was so disappointed with "Timeline" and feeling that perhaps he'd "jumped the shark" I was hesitant.
A friend gave me “State of Fear” but I haven’t read it yet.
Let me know how you like “Next”.
I did buy “Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold because the story line seemed so compelling and different and another friend recommended it. I’m going to start reading it tonight.
I'll try to remember to send you a review. I am enjoying it so far - it is similar to "State of Fear" (which I would highly recommend and deals with environmental science/global warming) in that it takes an issue, in this case rapid advances in genetics, and looks at the science, politics, and economics involved.
I recently finished 2 other books that I would recommend - both by an author named Harlan Coben: "Just One Look" and "Tell No One". He is not the best wordsmith I have ever read, but the books are fun and the plots he comes up with just grab you.