The front cover on first appearance did not appeal to me. But looking closer I can see that it may make sense to the story. It looks like there are 'clues' in the front however. However based on the cover alone I don't think I'd pick this book up off the shelf, it would not grab my attention over other books on the shelf. There is an interesting start and the writing flowed very easily, which I like. So I would be inclined to give this book a chance beyond the extract.