Book 16, in the Kirk McGarvey series
I picked this book up with blinders on from my local library, not knowing anything about this author and even less about the series. I was curious about the title and the synopsis sounded interesting, so I gave it a go. Rarely do I let myself be lured in such a way, I usually read a bit about authors new to me….not this time…I should have dug a bit deeper.
To my disappointment, this book was pure fiction. The story is of Maria Léon, a Cuban Intelligence colonel and Castro’s illegitimate daughter and her quest to fulfill her dying father’s wish and seek the help of Kirk Mc Garvey in her search for Cibola, the fabled Seven Cities of Gold.
The lead character is Kirk McGarvey, the legendary former director of CIA now resting on some Greek island after the death of his family (apparently in one previous installment). To pull Kirk in, Maria needed to get through to Otto, a CIA computer geek and Kirk’s friend, and to get to Otto, she needed a ruse and Louise, Otto’s wife was the star candidate….and the ball started rolling…and rolling….and rolling and the story got heavier as it moved along in a series of contrived events.
The first part was terrific with lots of conniving action but soon the plot grounded to a crawl almost stopped and completely fell apart towards the end. Apparently to make matters worse we can expect the subject to be rehashed in the future. The main character is boring or maybe tired after a long series or simply was caught in a very bad executed plot. The personalities of the secondary characters, almost too many to keep them all straight, were weak in their manipulation and deception. On a positive note, although I found this story unreal and over the top I was curious enough to never have let my mind meandered too far….:) and I stayed with it to the very last words. I may not think this story to be the best but apparently this author is very well liked for his wonderful style and captivating storylines…..Too bad I choose the know him with a so late installment I may have otherwise loved this one. My lost……
Book 4, in the “Jack” Daniels Mystery series
I am fast becoming a huge fan of this series. As in the previous novels, the story unfolds at a good clip, kept me on the edge of my seat with nail biting action, subtle suspense and a page turning thrill ride till the very last page. If you haven’t read the previous installments no need to worry, you will not get lost in the back story the little there is is well balanced to put everyone at easy and be comfortable with the characters and their interaction.
As far as I can see each story focuses on the moment rather than continuing in an episodic storytelling style. The pacing is fast, steady and never slows down. No breathing space between the hectic episodes. This is one heck of a story expertly plotted and wonderfully told. Jack’s story is told in the first person and glimpses into the villain through a third-person present tense narrative. Mr. Konrath writes the perfect bad guys, who are fun to hate and Jack is a perfect blend of tough and soft. Her partner Herb and her nemesis Harry McGlade join her in this fourth and greatest case….so far.
This is one freaky and shocking story and here is the synopsis:
Chicago homicide detective “Jack” Daniels faces her toughest adversary yet: someone who calls himself the Chemist is poisoning the city’s food supply. But that’s just the start of what he has planned, something big-really big aiming to kill fifty thousand people in the single biggest act of terrorism the US has ever seen. Can Jack stop him — and decide whether to accept boyfriend Latham’s surprise proposal — without destroying her reputation, her sanity and everything she holds dear?”
Book 2, in the Inspector Luc Vanier crime novel series
What it is not to like when an author chooses your home town as backdrop for his mystery. Of course this novel is purely a work of fiction….or is it? After all, wouldn't it be inevitable for Mr. Kirby, a lawyer by profession, to explore the seedy side of a city he knows so well and provide his readers with an atmospheric book on the gritty streets of Montreal. Isn't it natural to be influenced and to explore social issues, relationships, politics and everything that may hit the headlines and work around this to provide us with an exciting read? Of course and with “Vigilante Season” we find once more a window into human nature in times of conflict.
This second installment deals with drug dealers and prostitutes in a neighbourhood going through gentrification. The authorities are barely present and there is so much budgets cutbacks, a local militia has stepped in to help clean up the neighbourhood in an effort to impose their will. Inspector Luc Vanier is back to investigate the brutal murder of a drug dealer and in Mr. Kirby’s Montreal, thugs and lowlifes rub shoulders with the elite.
This is a riveting story of corruption and street crime, fast-paced and an enjoyable escapism. The plot covers a lot of ground, this isn't simply a mystery it also solves it. The main theme centres on a fictional struggle for authority and justice and what happens to a neighbourhood when it has been abandoned by the police and politicians. While the side plots have Vanier helping his son to overcome his PTSD and to lighten the subject the most appropriated tad of romance crosses the pages. The story is well-written with a Montreal state of mind and goes beyond a straightforward narrative. We have first-rate characterization where good people do bad things and bad people do good things (or think they do). Another great novel and an author on my watch list.
