While Michael Crichton was in med school he wrote a series of novels under the pseudonym John Lange, and that seemed like a good place to start if I was going to explore Crichton’s writing, revisit some I knew (like Sphere the other week) and discover some new favorites.

Odds On is a crime thriller that is absolutely drenched in sex. Set in a remote hotel, isolated on an island, three men descend on the exclusive hotel, planning to rob the hotel clientele and escape with thousands of dollars. Steven, Bryan and Miguel all have their abilities, and the plan has been put together and refined with a computer program.

The diversions are in place, the plan seems infallible and their plan involves socializing with all the guests to learn who has what in terms of valuables. Along the way, each man finds a woman who not only falls into their plans but also provides each of them a lot of physical excitement.

As the plot unfurls we are introduced to other visitors in the hotel, and the story weaves an exotic and captivating tale as the men attempt to put their plan into action. A plan that includes blowing up a bridge, setting a fire, and robbing the hotel safe, all under the cover of darkness and then making their exit with the rest of the hotel residents.

It’s a fast-paced, sexy tale that feels very much of its time. In fact, should someone ever make a film, they should definitely set it in the 60s.

I took a little delight in the way Steven talked about how the computer was put to use, how it had details entered into and gave a recommended course of action, adjusting for variables that he would think of.

The three women are all captivating in their way, there’s Cynthia, Annette and Jenny. Each is given their own story and arc, though not quite as strong as the trio of male characters, they get treated better than the smaller characters. Their independent, and have their own plans and ideas, and a few of them will come into conflict with the thieves, but in the end, it all plays out in interesting ways.

It ended up being a really fun romp, exciting, and fun. I like how the story played out, Crichton’s style of writing, and his lightning-fast storytelling tinted with science (in this case, the blossoming of computer sciences) is already on display.

I’m already looking forward to checking out Crichton’s, sorry Lange’s, next tale, Scratch One.