Point of View

The book is written in first person with a view limited only to what Dr. John Berry knows and sees. This is greatly limiting to the reader but is the only method available that would preserve the surprise ending that John sets in motion. For example, the knowledge Peter Randall has cannot be revealed until the proper time. The same is true of Angela Harding's role in the situation as well as the relationship between Peter and Ev Randall and between Leland Weston and Angela Harding. Using first person means that those secrets and surprises are revealed in an appropriate manner - as John discovers them.

The limited view does prove difficult in some situations and may be confusing for some readers. For example, John spends time with Peter Randall in his lab where Peter tells John about his research with mice and his method of...