In The Obvious Answer, David S. Rosenberg brings us a compelling story of competing forces. On the one hand, we have ruthless criminals in the pocket of immoral politicians, intent on augmenting their already overflowing coffers at any cost. No measure is too brutal for them when it comes to achieving their goals. On the other hand, we meet  a corporate head with a noble vision. By utilizing nanochemistry, he believes there is a viable way to harness the earth's heat to create environmentally friendly fuels. If only his  goal can be realized,  his company would be in a position to rid the world of its dependency on the oil industry. As his vision inches closer to reality, his goals pose a decided threat to these evil politicians and their henchmen.   If something isn't done, they will lose their ability to maintain their status quo. Mr. Rosenberg piles action upon action as scenes rapidly shift along with the factions of good and evil. There is never a secret as to who are the "good guys" or the "bad" in this story. It's strength lies in the well developed characters, shifting settings and the horrors we witness, perpetrated merely to satisfy  unconscionable greed.

As we reach its final pages, we are left with several  thoughts to ponder relevant to today: How do some people become so  morally corroded that the means - any means - justifies the end? In the real world, who are some of the people whose lofty goals have been beaten down by the power brokers? Does this book speak to us on another level, suggesting that the true reasons we became embroiled in our current Mid East war have little to do with saving democracy? One wonders if The Obvious Answer contains more layers of truth than fiction.

David Rosenberg is a brilliant author. I have been keeping my eye on him and suggest you do the same.

Review by: Lois Stern, aurhtor of 'Sex, Lies, and Cosmetic Surgery'.