Authors - The Irresponsible Reader

DETAILS:
Series: Chet and Bernie
Publisher: Forge Books
Publication Date: June 28, 2022
Format: Kindle Edition
Length: 90 pgs.
Read Date: July 7, 2022

I grabbed him by the pant leg, which was how we closed our cases, me and Bernie.

“Aieee! Aieee!”

Oh, come on, Chuckie! Suck it up. My teeth were barely engaged at all. But the funny thing is that when that Aieee sound is in the air, they—meaning my teeth—get this sort of…urge.

“AIEEE! AIEEE!”

What’s Short Tails About?

This is a collection of short stories from the Chet & Bernie series. I don’t normally do this for short story collections, but the collection is brief enough that I can get away with it, let’s take a quick look at each.

Upper Story

I want to say that this takes place during Scents and Sensibility, but I can’t swear to it (if it didn’t, I might as well have). Bernie’s in the hospital, so Chet’s staying–and working with–their friend, Rick Torres. This story is heavy on Chet’s actions and his contrasting appraisal of working with Bernie vs. Rick. As you’d expect, the comparison does not go in Rick’s favor (no matter that he’s freer with the Slim Jims).

It’s a very short story with a great emotional punch and some good chuckle-inducing lines. I’d have honestly expected this to be last in the collection because of that–but what do I know?

The Iggy Papers

This is probably the most satisfying story in the bunch. Like with The Iggy Chronicles, this focuses on something to do with Mrs. Parson’s medical care. Bernie gets to flex his investigative muscles here a bit more than in the other stories from the book, and Chet’s major contributions come from his commentary and interaction with Iggy.

This is everything that a Chet and Bernie short story should be.

The Numbers After Two

It’s been a bit since we got to see Bernie’s head for finances on display (more accurately, total lack of one), this story gives us a tale about an interrupted vacation for the detectives and a chance to see Bernie’s gullibility on display.

I know that it’s good to see Bernie’s fallibility–Chet tends toward hagiography when he describes Bernie. We need to see him stumble outside of his romantic relationships–but I have such trouble buying that he can be as gullible as he so often is when it comes to financial schemes and yet be such a good detective. Still, this is who he’s been since Day 1 of the series, so we need to see it every now and then.

The story isn’t all about watching the train wreck of Bernie making a bad investment*, but it’s the heart of it–the rest of the story makes up for that part of it, and it ends on a good note (as it started).

* That feels like a spoiler, but if you don’t know what’s going to happen the instant that Bernie gets a wad of cash, you haven’t been paying attention.

So, what did I think about Short Tails?

These were cute stories, but there were too few of them. If this collection was 2 or 3-times as long? I’d have been as happy as a dog with a new Kong. I had fun with this, but it was just enough to satisfy me. But not much more than that.

Still, I’ll take any excuse to read a Chet & Bernie story, and I figure most of Quinn’s readers will, too. So yeah, I recommend it.

3 Stars

The Law (Audiobook) by Jim Butcher: Harry Gets Back to His Roots in this Novella

By HCNewton

On July 6, 2022

In Audiobook, Harry Dresden, Jim Butcher, Urban Fantasy

The Law

by Jim Butcher

DETAILS:
Series: The Dresden Files
Publisher: Podium Audio
Publication Date: July 5, 2022
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length:  3 hrs., 22 min.
Read Date: July 5, 2022

What’s The Law About?

Harry is still recovering from the events of Battle Ground, as is the city of Chicago. This is going to be a theme for a while, It seems (and should be). But he’s doing better than he was in “Little Things” (from Heroic Hearts. I’m not sure that I am, but that’s something for me to take up with my therapist.

He and Billy are tending to some administrative duties when they’re interrupted by someone looking for help. “Everyone knows” that if you need help, there are groups you can seek out, but if you need a miracle…Harry Dresden is who you look for.

Her problem isn’t supernatural in origin—it’s dealing with a vicious landlord who is on the verge of destroying a tutoring service that she and several others have built up over the last few years, serving underprivileged kids and barely scraping by. Something about her problem strikes at something in Harry—this isn’t the kind of problem he’s dealt with in a long time (but it brings the reader back to the time before his office building burned down, probably earlier, too). He figures the landlord is a bully and he can go out-bully him and help the tutor out.

Of course, it’s not that easy.

And sure, I said something earlier about it not being a problem of supernatural origin. But maybe it’s supernatural-adjacent, and everyone’s favorite wizard gets to do his thing.

Battle of the Bean Aftermath

We don’t spend much time with characters inside Harry’s immediate circle, and everyone (or so close to everyone that it doesn’t matter) that he comes across outside that circle responds in some way to what he calls the Battle of the Bean—although they may not understand what actually happened there (officials have done a really good job with a cover story, better than anything Tommy Lee Jones’s Agent kay ever gave). But more people have at least a general awareness of what happened there than I think Harry realized.

I can’t dive too deeply into this without spoiling, so I’m just going to offer two thoughts:
bullet I loved seeing Harry’s reactions to these responses.
bullet This, more than anything that happened to any character(s) in Battle Ground makes that whole thing more real to me. It gives it all a different weight than many of the events in the books—it didn’t happen in Chichen Itza or some other place that will make it out-of-sight-out-of-mind; it’s not something that was limited to the signatories of the Accords (or their like), or something that had limited impact on us muggles. This was a major event and the ripples from it are going to change everything.

How was Butcher as a Narrator?

He was…fine? Yeah, he’s clearly not James Marsters (who will, Butcher assures listeners be returning for the next novel), and doesn’t try to be.

Still, listening to the author bringing his own words to life—hitting things the way he absolutely intended, rather than someone’s best guess—is always fun. While Dresden is generally narrated by a better performer, I’d gladly listen to more Dresden audio narrated by Butcher (and would only complain a little).

His characterization of Bob was, shall we say, interesting. If I hadn’t heard 16 novels by Marsters, I might have appreciated it more. While I didn’t dislike Butcher’s Bob, it wasn’t what we’ve grown used to.

Oh, be sure to stick around at the end for some outtakes. They’re amusing and something that others should add to their audiobooks.

So, what did I think about The Law?

This was a great way to bridge the gap between Battle Ground and the next novel (we might get more bridges, too….who knows?). Harry, his allies and friends, and the city are recovering. Things are shifting around and the new status is becoming more quo. That kind of thing wouldn’t work in a full novel, we need something more, but it’s great in a novella (he says knowing that Butcher could easily prove him wrong). Now we’re ready for the next Big (or fairly-Big) Thing in Harry’s life.

My favorite part of this novella is that Harry can’t blast his way to a solution to this case. He can’t yell “Forzare!” or “Fuego!” and make everything okay (except for cleaning up the debris left behind). He has to think about it. He has to work the system—multiple systems, actually. He has to find a new ally to help him through one of them, too. We all know Harry is capable of this, but too often lately (especially post-Winter mantle) his solution is to punch at something, punch some more, and then, if there’s no other recourse, to think about the problem. This was a nice return to Harry having to think.

This is not one of the best entries in this series—long or short form—but it’s a really good one. I love spending time in this world and with these characters, so I’ll gladly embrace any excuse to do so. Even if you’re only a casual Dresden fan (I assume those exist?), you’ll have a good time with this one.

4 Stars

PUB DAY REPOST: Holy Chow by David Rosenfelt: Keeping the “Semi” in Andy’s Semi-Retired Status

By HCNewton

On July 5, 2022

In Andy Carpenter, David Rosenfelt, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Holy Chow

by David Rosenfelt

DETAILS:
Series: Andy Carpenter, #25
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: July 5, 2022
Format: eARC
Length: 304 pg.
Read Date: June 20, 2022

What’s Holy Chow About?

About a year ago, Rachel—a new widow in need of a companion—came into the Tara Foundation’s dog rescue facility and fell in love with a Chow Chow named Lion (who reciprocated)—Andy remembered her fondly. Then she calls out of the blue with a favor—will Andy take the dog if she dies and her stepson, Tony, can’t/won’t take the Lion?

Andy says of course he will. Within a week, Rachel’s been murdered and Andy learns more about this woman. She was rich, in an eye-popping kind of way, and Andy is told to come to the will reading. He’s confused by this, but assumes it has to do with taking possession of Lion (just in an unusual way). The reading is interrupted by the police coming to arrest that stepson for her murder.

Andy visits Tony and decides to take his case—for solid, evidence-based reasons, and not at all because he seems like a nice guy, his Great Dane mix had recently died and he’s excited to take Lion. Okay, that’s not true—Andy smells something off about the case, but it’s (naturally) because Tony’s a nice, dog-loving guy.

The police and prosecution are presenting this as a case of an heir being angry at the size of their inheritance. But Tony doesn’t have a history of being that interested in money. Andy wonders if the murder might have something to do with the fact that Rachel had been taking an interest in her late husband’s company’s day-to-day activities lately. Or is there maybe something else afoot?

It’ll take the combined efforts of Andy’s firm, The K-9 Team, and the Bubeleh Brigade (the retirees-turned-hackers that Andy uses from time to time) to get to the bottom of this.

When Will They Ever Learn?

I’m not wondering why prosecutors don’t immediately drop the case when they hear that Andy has taken on a client. He does have a few guilty verdicts on his record. Although, you would think they’d require the police to tighten up their cases and make sure there aren’t any threads hanging once Andy requests discovery.

But what I wonder is that given his track record, why they don’t take him seriously when he calls the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, or any other three-lettered agency. (note: I wonder similar things when Joe Pickett starts meddling in non-wildlife issues). I’m not saying they need to roll out the red carpet or anything for him—don’t let Andy Carpenter, of all people, call any shots. But he shouldn’t have to rely on favors from a friend of a friend or threats to get someone to take him seriously anymore.

How does no one have this conversation:

Agent 1: Hey remember that guy who tipped us off to that terrorist organization and saved all those lives a couple of years ago?
Agent 2: That lawyer with the hot wife and the scary bodyguard, sure. Didn’t he also tip us off to the smuggling ring last Winter?
Agent 1: Come to think of it he did.
Agent 2: Why are you bringing him up?
Agent 1: Well, he’s got this theory about _________ now.
Agent 2: Might be worth sitting down with him, looking at his theory.

Although, some of that threatening and calling in favors can make for entertaining scenes. So, y’know…

So, what did I think about Holy Chow?

Andy Carpenter #25? That’s a mind-boggling number. I know it wasn’t that long ago that I read #24, but I don’t think it registered. So, does the Andy Carpenter series have anything new up its sleeve? (I’m tempted to make an old dog/new tricks joke here) I won’t rule it out, but we don’t see much new here.

But that doesn’t make this stale, either. There’s a comfort and a reassurance in knowing Andy’s behavior while the jury deliberates, the fact that Pete and Vince are going to bust his chops and put their food on his tab, that taking a walk with his dogs will help Andy come up with an idea, and so on.

I’m not trying to take a shot at anyone here, but where this feels comfortable and not tired and repetitive is that Andy has settled into these patterns—this is his life. He’s not, say, constantly second-guessing his choice of career (as much as he complains about it), he’s not trying to decide between a sexy Homicide Detective love interest and a lethal and hot Security Specialist love interest after 30+ books. Just to come up with some completely random example that no way could be describing any particular series.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that the twenty-fifth novel in this series might not have a lot that’s new, there’s still a lot of fun to have. And, we might get a glimpse of a different side of a long-running character (a continuation of something from Citizen K-9)

The humor is still present and sharp, the courtroom antics are fun (maybe a little subdued this time compared to others because of the case), and you can’t beat the time hanging with these characters. Both the solution to this case, the reveals involved, and the resolution are as well-delivered as always.

Readers new to the series or those who’ve been around since 2003* will find plenty to enjoy in the pages of Holy Cow. A good time should be had by all.

* Or at least since Open and Shut, no matter when they read it.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

The Border by Don Winslow: Confronting the Ghost and the Monster

By HCNewton

On July 5, 2022

In Don Winslow, Fiction, The Power of the Dog

The Border

by Don Winslow

DETAILS:
Series: The Power of the Dog, #3
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: February 26, 2019
Format: Paperback
Length: 716 pgs.
Read Date: June 23-29, 2022

I can barely scratch the surface of this book—I spent months trying to write something about the previous book in the trilogy, The Cartel, before giving up because I tried to do my typical post with it. This time, I’m going to go pretty surface-level, just to get something written.

What’s The Border About?

Adán Barrera is dead. DEA Agent Art Keller’s personal White Whale is gone, and two things are up in the air: what is Keller going to do with his life/career now? and What will happen to the Drug Trade in Mexico? Barrera may have been an evil man with a trail of bodies in his wake, corrupting government officials on every level, and is responsible for getting countless people on both sides of the border addicted to poisons. But he was a stabilizing influence on the various competing gangs, and without him, chaos ensues.

Meanwhile, a ranking Senator gets Keller appointed as the new head of the DEA. Once there, Keller attempts to change the way the War on Drugs has been fought. As one on the forefront of the “old way,” he knows how poorly it has succeeded. If he’s going to make any kind of impact, he’s going to have to change the way things are done.

But it turns out there’s something uglier and dirtier than the heinous crimes Barrera and his colleagues and rivals are steeped in—U.S. politics. Keller has to battle factions in the DEA and other law enforcement agencies to put his plans into action. He commits to a risky plan that could make a real difference in the war—if he can pull it off.

If he can’t, his career, his freedom, and maybe his life are at stake.

A Financial Education

A key part of Keller’s new strategy is to watch the money—there’s a lot going back and forth across the border, both to buy drugs and then to launder it. But then…it turns out, the cartels wanted more. They couldn’t just sit on the money, no matter how clean it was—there was just too much to leave hanging around. So they invested it, and they wanted something out of those investments.

If Keller can stop the money from going back South, that would be a significant move in the War on Drugs. They’re not going to provide the product if they’re not getting paid for it.

I didn’t go into this book expecting to get a lesson in finance or anything, but I don’t know if I’ve learned as much about that kind of thing since The Bonfire of the Vanities or Liar’s Poker. But the numbers Winslow uses make what those guys were up to seem small.

Supporting Characters that Steal the Show

One thing that Winslow does time and time again throughout this trilogy is to take a character and treat them as a case study for someone in this war on drugs. He’s used hitmen, minor drug dealers, aspiring gangsters, and others. What’s amazing is that he will consistently take someone like this and turn them into a character you really care about while using them to illustrate a reality, and at some point to advance the plot, too. The latter is probably the most impressive part—they’ll spend so much of the book seeming like a digression—a compelling, often moving digression, but a digression—and then he’ll shock you by making them integral to a plot point.

There were two that really stood out to me in this book—most prominently was a ten-year-old Guatemalan boy, forced by his mother to travel to New York (alone) to live with his Aunt and Uncle. The alternative was staying in Guatemala City and being forced to work for the gangs. His journey north is heartbreaking—and what happens to him (and how he reacts) once he crosses the border just guts me.

The other one that will stick with me for a while is a young woman addicted to heroin. Her story is tragic and frequently predictable. That predictability ends up making it even more tragic the further into her story you get.

If nothing else, characters like these two remind you that the Drug War really isn’t about the DEA, the Cartels, the gangs, or anyone else—it’s about the people who get caught up in the middle. The victims. The addicts. The people most of us never see or think about.

So, what did I think about The Border?

This is a daunting read—before you open it up, and it stays that way until the last 150 pages or so.

But it’s a powerful read. A gripping read. A haunting read.

I’ll frequently talk about how a novel feels real, like the kind of thing you’d read in the news. Usually, when I say that, it’s a compliment—like I can’t believe how well the author was at portraying something realistic. But with Winslow, I don’t know that it’s a compliment. He’s done his research—so much of this book is true. So many of these characters are amalgams of several actual people and their crimes. In many cases, I’d wager that he’s toned down the violence, the money, the debauchery, the corruption—just to make it credible. That old line from Mark Twain, “It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense,” comes to mind.

It doesn’t bother me to think that characters like Hannibal Lecter or Ernst Blofeld are running around this world, because they’re so clearly fictional. But Keller’s targets—those south of the border, in the world of finance, and the halls of power in Washington, D.C.? Those are real. Those are frightening.

This is a disquieting book. It’s disturbing. It’s distressing. And it’s supposed to be. Winslow’s trilogy is a monumental achievement. It will entertain you as well as make you reconsider your position on the Drug War.

I can’t say enough about this accomplishment. This trilogy is one of the best things I’ve ever read.

5 Stars

Movieland by Lee Goldberg: It’s No Walk in the Park for Eve Ronin

By HCNewton

On June 30, 2022

In Fiction, Lee Goldberg, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Movieland

by Lee Goldberg

DETAILS:
Series: Eve Ronin, #4
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publication Date: June 20, 2022
Format: Kindle Edition
Length: 329 pgs. 
Read Date: June 21-22, 2022

“It’s hard enough solving a case without the victim working against you.”

“Now you know how I feel.”

Eve walked alongside her sister across the parking lot. “What do you mean?”

“Patients almost never do what we tell them is best for their health and then complain when they just get sicker or their injuries don’t heal. It’s incredibly frustrating.”

“So you’re saying what we do is futile.”

“All it takes is one win, one life saved, and all the other bullshit doesn’t matter.”

What’s Movieland About?

The way that Lee Goldberg describes Malibu Creek State Park in this book makes ti seem like something he created just to have a setting for this book. Exhaustive research (Duck Duck Go +45 seconds) shows me that he didn’t make it up and that he barely scratched the surface of what a great place that must be. Sadly, if Goldberg has Eve Ronin and her partner, Duncan Pavone, at the Park, it can only mean one thing: someone’s been murdered there.

Before Eve got promoted and assigned to Lost Hills station, causing upheaval in Duncan’s life, he’d been trying to tie together a series of cases of shootings (at buildings, cars, that kind of thing) around the Park. He was convinced it they were related, but once he started mentoring Eve through high-profile murder cases, that got put on the back burner. But now, his gut tells him that those shootings and this shooting are related.

The LASD brass doesn’t want to hear it–they want the two focused on the murder and preventing the media storm that’s brewing around it–also, they want this all to come to a quick resolution so the Park can be reopened and people will be willing to use it again.

This is, of course, when things get complicated.

The Victim as a Hurdle

The victim’s girlfriend is an activist blogger well-known in the area for taking on developers, local politicians, celebrities–and the LASD. She was also injured in the attack. She might be the only person who is more skeptical of the Department than Eve. Zena’s convinced that her girlfriend either was killed to silence her or that Zena herself was the intended target and the wrong person was killed.

Zena doesn’t trust the Sherriff’s Department to find the murderer, she assumes they’re not that interested, either. She has her own list of suspects and lashes out at them on the blog she works for, muddying the waters and serving as a distraction to the avenues of investigation that Eve and Duncan want to pursue.

This is a great dynamic to see play out in the book–I don’t remember seeing this a lot in fiction, but seeing the way media attention (however well-intended) makes it hard for the police to do their job properly is a great way to ratchet up the tension.

Is Eve Learning?

“When I start investigating a homicide, I go all-in.”

“You become obsessed.”

“I become focused,” she said.

He shook his head. “You can’t sustain that, physically or emotionally. I keep telling you that. The way you’re going, I’ll outlive you.”

I’ve talked before about Eve’s reckless, pursue-the-case-at-all-costs mentality, and how that’s not sustainable–Duncan’s been on her for quite a while, too. From the way she reacts after this conversation, he might be getting through to her. Then again, action is her default position, so who knows how well it’ll stick.

She also might be paying attention to what he (and others) have been saying about the way she interacts with people, how she plays politics–and tries to apply it.

Basically, Eve’s learning. Goldberg said from the beginning that this was about a rookie detective learning, making mistakes (and we see the blowback from past mistakes here–as well as new ones), and growing into a seasoned detective. Bosch was fully formed when we met him. Ditto for John Rebus, Renee Ballard, Walt Longmire, Jesse Stone, and so on. We really don’t see that many detectives learning their trade. I love this aspect of it.

Frank Belson Redux?

“Is there a way to broach it that won’t offend all of them?”

“Nope, so I’ll handle it,” he said.

“Why you?”

Duncan got out of the car with a groan, clutching his right knee. “Because I’m lovable and retiring and you’re abrasive and sticking around.

I finally put my finger on it while reading this book–Duncan Pavone is Goldberg’s version of Sgt. Frank Belson, from Parker’s Spenser series without the cigar. He’s closer to Ron McLarty’s portrayal in Spenser: For Hire, actually. He’s a slob, getting food on every item of clothing, he doesn’t seem to be incredibly interested in the job, etc. But he doesn’t miss a thing, he’s doggedly stubborn, and will do what it takes to close a case. (he’s also quick to make a caustic and/or cynical comment, and will dole out unsolicited advice like it’s his life purpose).

Knowing that when this book opens that he was 2 weeks away from retirement (which makes him impervious to political pressures, incidentally) cast a shadow over everything in the novel. Eve’s a great character, but I’m really starting to think that Duncan’s the guy to watch in this series.

So, what did I think about Movieland?

“How old so I to be before people stop offering me life lessons?”

“It’s not age, it’s experience.”

“There’s another one,” Eve said, but with a smile, to show there was no bitterness or anger behind the remark.

“It won’t be long, Eve. You’ve crammed more experience into the last few months than most detectives I know have in decades.”

It shouldn’t be this way, but I always end up liking an Eve Ronin book more than I expect to going in–and I’m always champing at the bit for the next one. This is no exception. The Eve Ronin books are one of my favorites in the last couple of years. Movieland is the twistiest, most complex case she’s dealt with, there’s a harder edge to this novel, and fewer reasons to grin or chuckle.

That is not a complaint, it’s a description. Nor does it mean that this is harder to read–Goldberg doesn’t do that–the action moves quickly, his style is deceptively breezy, and the characters pop off the page.

At this point, I’m really invested in these characters and can’t wait to see what’s next for them.

The book also features someone who might be Michael Connelly’s most misguided fan. That was a nice little treat.

Readers of this series probably don’t need the encouragement to read this, but here it is. People who are looking for solid police procedurals with engaging characters and great plots would do well to hop on the Eve Ronin train now (or jump back to book one, Lost Hills).

4 1/2 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

A Wash of Black by Chris McDonald: This is How a Series Should Start

By HCNewton

On June 27, 2022

In Chris McDonald/Frost, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

A Wash of Black

by Chris McDonald

DETAILS:
Series: DI Erika Piper, #1
Publisher: Red Dog Press
Publication Date: January 27, 2020
Format: Kindle Edition
Length: 218 pg.
Read Date: June 17-18, 2022

What’s A Wash of Black About?

A year ago, DI Erika Piper was assaulted in the course of her duties, she survived, but it was close. It’s her first day back to work, and it’s a doozy.

A famous actress has been murdered and her body was essentially left on display. It’s a recreation of a very famous scene from a movie she starred in—the same way her character was killed. Well, almost. The film version departed from the novel it was adapted from on a couple of points—this crime scene is loyal to the book. The publicity around this case is going to be huge—as will be the pressure to solve this quickly.

Is this a personal grudge against the actress disguised to throw off the police? Is this a crazed fan paying a gruesome tribute to the actress/movie/novel? Is this someone working off some other twisted purpose hiding it beneath the spectacle?

This killer isn’t satisfied with one murder—and soon it appears the killer has Piper herself in their sights.

DI Erika Piper

Piper arrives in this book nearly fully-formed, sure, there’s room for development and growth in the books to come—but as a character, she’s fully fleshed out. She has a past (that we get a glimpse of), well-established relationships with fellow detectives, her superiors, crime scene investigators, coroner, and so on—as well as a full personal life.

Frequently we get these layers a little at a time with a series like this, and only after a few books, do we get to see the character’s entire world (or at least a good deal of it). McDonald doesn’t go that route, we could be reading the 4th or 8th book in the series, not the first. I don’t mind taking the former route with a character—and I understand why authors might make that choice—but I love it when an author successfully pulls off what McDonald did here.

She might be physically ready to come back to work, but she’s not fully ready on the psychological front (it’d be easy to argue she never will be). I don’t think she came back too soon, but she has some work to do on that front, and it was great to see a character actually do that work rather than the typical “detective does just enough to get the shrink to sign off on their return to duty.”

I particularly enjoyed the relationship Piper has with DS Liam Sutton. They work so well together, and their interactions and rituals bring this part of her world to life. I’m hoping to see more of that in the books to come.

A Mistake or a Red-Herring?

I don’t know about you, but I frequently find myself talking back to books when characters are making mistakes. Boy howdy, did I mutter at Piper a lot about one thing. There’s a witness that I (based on my extensive training and experience as a reader of procedurals) figure should’ve been talked to right away. And Piper and the other detectives ignore them.

Now, was this an oversight on McDonald’s part? Should Piper have tracked this person down? Is this a red herring designed to trip up readers like me?

I’m going to assume it’s the latter—although it could also be a sign that Piper’s a little rusty. Either way, it drove me nuts.

So, what did I think about A Wash of Black?

I had such a great time with A Wash of Black. It hit the spot just right—well-executed and satisfying. It’s not reinventing the wheel, there’s nothing revolutionary about it. It’s a solid, confident police procedural that delivers all the twists and complexity that the genre demands—with a good cast of characters, an engaging protagonist, and a compelling killer. You don’t need to be flashy or to subvert conventions or anything when you get everything as right as this one does.

I said it above, but it bears repeating—there’s no indication that this is the first in the series—or a debut for the novelist. McDonald approaches this with the assurance of an established writer. It shouldn’t need to be said, but just to be safe, I will—this is not the same kind of book as his Stonebridge Mysteries, and it takes no time at all to see that. Don’t go looking for anything cozy here.

I’m eager to come back for the second, Whispers in the Dark, in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I heartily recommend this to you.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Holy Chow by David Rosenfelt: Keeping the “Semi” in Andy’s Semi-Retired Status

By HCNewton

On June 24, 2022

In Andy Carpenter, David Rosenfelt, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Holy Chow

by David Rosenfelt

DETAILS:
Series: Andy Carpenter, #25
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: July 5, 2022
Format: eARC
Length: 304 pg.
Read Date: June 20, 2022