Skin (X-Files)

The last X-Files novel that was published was Ben Mezrich's Skin.  It took me a while to find a decently priced softcover a few years ago, so I think the printing number was fairly sparse compared to the earlier novels. Anyhow, I recently attended a security symposium at which Mezrich was supposed to be one of the daily keynote speakers so I thought it was high time for me to read the novel.

Now the first X-files novels were pretty lame, but the one  preceeding this last one, Antibodies, was pretty good so I had some hope for Skin.

The novel, needless to say, revolves around the titular "Skin" and the setup is a case where a guy receives a skin transplant and then almost immediately goes on a murderous rampage while displaying tremendous strenght. Our two favorite agents begin the trail by tracing the skin donor a feat which brings up a few twists and surprises. But the novel gets really interesting when the trail leads to an asian jungle with military MASH hospital roots and a legendary skin eating creature.

The climax is pretty good but as for all X-Files novels, I'd only recommend reading to diehard fans of the series wishing to get another dose of Mulder and Scully.

I wondered what I was going to say to Ben if he asked me what I thought of the novel. But he was dropped from the show, so I was spared the question altogether.

~Lazarus~