As in his other novels, in Sphere Crichton relies heavily on visual images, myriads of specific details, and scientific facts to provide a backdrop for constant action. To generate suspense he places a personable, intelligent, and competent main character in a deadly situation. Technical details (for example, the elaborate description and explanation of the habitat design) are juxtaposed with the excitement of personal, physical danger and the unknown. However, at times the reader is overburdened with unnatural sounding dialogue that provides too much information, such as naming all of the islands in sight or supplying both the common and the scientific names of shrimp and squid. As in his other works, although, Crichton is generally successful in his application of the formula developed in The Andromeda Strain (1969). One major technical innovation in Sphere is Crichton's plot twist, whereby appearance becomes reality and his characters' worst nightmares are realized...