I'm intrigued by this review of "The Chain," which apparently blends thoughtful consideration of contemporary issues with thrills (much like Denise Mina's superb, recently published "Conviction"). However, if the opening sentence is a forecast of what's to come, I may pass. Why are so many writers using the present tense these days - not just Don Winslow in his "Cartel" series, but a more intellectual storyteller like Richard Powers in "The Overstory? I suppose putting everything in the present tense is meant to lend an air of immediacy, but employed over hundreds of pages, it becomes mannered and tiresome, giving equal importance to every action no matter how trivial, like letting the air go out of a tire.
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