Our Chairman, Dennis Crowley, writes book reviews for the quarterly magazine of the Association of Former OSI Special Agents (AFOSISA). He is frequent reader of mysteries and thrillers. Some of his recent reads will appear here on a regular basis.
“Prior Bad Acts” by Tami Hoag
This was a wonderful read. I had trouble putting it down. It has a well written plot and you won’t easily figure out how it is going to turn out event though the clues are all there for you. What I liked best was the “cop dialogue” and the lead detective’s interview style. The repartee is humorous in many places but just about what you would expect from a group of seasoned homicide investigators working a high profile case. The lead detective, Sam Kovac and his partner, Nikki Liska (Tinker Bell to Sam, but no one else better call her that) are assigned to protect a high profile female judge who has just ruled in favor of a vicious killer, after the judge is attacked and beaten by an unknown assailant. Thrillers don’t get any better than this. If you like police procedurals with action and fast moving plots, buy this one. * * * * ½
“Two Little Girls in Blue” by Mary Higgins Clark
Mary Higgins Clark is back with another best seller and this one deserves to be on the list. I wasn’t too impressed by her last effort, but she turned it around and gave us an interesting, easily read book that will appeal to men and women alike. Twins girls are kidnapped. The kidnapping is being orchestrated by a person calling himself The Pied Piper. FBI Special Agent Walter Carlson is called in to oversee the investigation which goes bad when only one of the twins is returned and one of the kidnappers is found dead. This novel moves along quickly with just enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. It is also a testament to the commitment and diligence of the FBI, a purpose stated by Clark in her acknowledgements. * * * *
“Nightlife” by Thomas Perry
Perry is best known for his Jane Whitefield series, but he has recently been writing thrillers without a continuing series character. Private detective Joe Perry, a former hot shot homicide detective, now retired, is hired by a local hoodlum to investigate the murder of a relative in another city. Joe finds that his reputation precedes him to Portland, Oregon, the scene of the homicide and he is not welcomed by Portland Detective Catherine Hobbes. Perry knows the suspense business and proves it with this thriller. It was another good one that kept me turning the pages this quarter. * * * *
“Dirty Blonde” by Lisa Scottoline
Scottolini is a former trial lawyer and she writes primarily legal thrillers. This one is no exception to her record for writing interesting and action filled mysteries. Cate Fante, a newly appointed judge, is considered bright, beautiful, and vary capable, but she has a secret life that threatens her reputation, her job, and her life. I won’t ruin it for by telling you any more. If you like legal mysteries without too much of the legalese and ones that move along smartly, you will enjoy this one. It is a comfortable read. * * * ½
“Turning Angel” by Greg Isles
Penn Cage, who was the primary character in a previous novel by Isles returns in this one. Novels from Isles tend to be very long in both length and descriptions. This one is no exception, but still a very interesting read if you aren’t impatient, pay attention, and want to feel the, smell and taste rural Mississippi. I don’t want to discourage you from reading it by what I have just said because I did enjoy it and found it to be very strong and inventive with wonderful local color and a riveting plot. * * * ½
“Death Dance” by Linda Fairstein
If you have ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of New York City’s Metropolitan Opera House, this well written mystery will give you your answers. Assistant D.A. Alex Cooper teams up with her friends, NYPD detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace, to investigate the disappearance. The investigation takes them backstage and into the bowels of the Opera House. The history of the theater in NYC also plays an important role. As always, Fairstein delivers. * * * ½
“False Impression” by Jeffrey Archer
Jeffrey Archer is best known for his financial mysteries and this falls right into that category. Once again, he captures the nuances of international finance and intrigue. The characters are interesting and the plot moves smoothly. . * * * ½
“Fury” by Robert Tanenbaum
Butch and Marlene are the story in Tanenbaum’s latest. Butch is now the District Attorney of Manhattan County, having been appointed to fill the unexpired term of the elected DA who had become a judge. Even as DA, Butch finds himself down and dirty chasing bad guys with Marlene. A reviewer described this latest effort of Tanenbaum as “a fascinating and delightful story”. I have to agree with him. * * * ½
“Dark Harbor” by Stuart Woods
Attorney Stone Barrington and NYPD Detective Lt. Dino Bacchetti team up in Maine to investigate the murder of Stone’s cousin, a top CIA official, and his family. As always, it is an uncomplicated plot and an easy read. It is the perfect book for a round trip cross country airplane ride or two nights in a hotel room. * * * ½
“Predator” by Patricia Cornwell
Please don’t waste your money on this weak effort by a former best selling author. It is disjointed, confusing, unexciting, and seemingly thrown together. I never could follow the thread of the plot. It just ends about the time you think there will be some action and everything will tie together. It is as if the author reached the number of pages required by her contract so she wrote a few pages to end it without finishing with the kind of a narrative that a reader of good mystery novels would expect. *
***** Great Read! **** Well Worth the Read Time *** Not Bad, Not Great
** Ok If Nothing Else Available * Don’t Waste Your Time