Color Of Greed ~ Jack Thompson

Disclosure: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Raja Williams is a private investigator hired by woman convinced that her husband's death was in actuality a murder flies to California to recce the claim amongst the élite some of whom are powerful enough to end the investigation, no matter the cost.

While I enjoyed this detective story, I did find that it included more than its share of clichés. The protagonist, Raja Williams is an highly-educated, independently wealthy loaner who appreciates the feminine form, fast cars and is apparently impervious to all harm. His side-kick is a gorgeous woman who accepts all his faults without question, is über;-tech-savvy, and despite her boss' admiration of breasts, booty and gams, is in a completely plutonic relationship with her boss. I would like to be clear that while it something that annoys me at a personal level, it doesn't detract from the story generally.

The story does offer some intelligent twists. I am rarely in doubt about 'whodunit' midway through a mystery. However, in this case I vacillated between a couple of characters until about three quarters of the way through and for that alone I give Mr. Thompson a great deal of credit.

The one suggestion that I would offer the author is his main character's language. For the first half of the novel, the language is sophisticated, eloquent and a bit high-brow, but I found that this lapsed a bit when the action got a bit excited. I wasn't sure if this should be interpreted as part of the character's make-up or if this was a slip by the author while typing these scenes and missed by the editor.

I would certainly read future instalments as I was drawn to Raja and am interested in learning more about his past and why he does what he does

Publisher: Crackerjack Publishing
Publication Date: 24 July 2012
Format: e-book

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

The Steel Deal ~ James Blakley

Disclosure: I received a copy directly from the author.

Sunny Busco is a 55 year old private detective in L.A., prone to self-deprecation who prefers the conveniences of the 70’s over the technological progress of the .com age. Thus there is an innate irony when he is hired to deliver the most advanced self-forming steel to New Mexico.

I was very pleased to read an new hard-boiled detective story, and while the set-up suggests it will not be a series, it harkens back to the no-nonsense P.I.s who prefer to withhold their suspicions until there is enough weighty evidence before making a declaration and who have the good sense to refrain from revealing details to everyone involved in the case. Busco is embroiled in a case that pits him against higher authorities whose sole purposes is to complicate everyone’s lives and to prevent anyone from discovering the truth. Undaunted, the protagonist, an unwilling dupe, collects the puzzle pieces and is handsomely rewarded for his discretion and ability to dissect the elaborate scheme. The author, James Blakley, uses this opportunity to remind us all that life is more than just a little satisfactory when we appreciate the things we have, even if it’s only a beat up car, good mates and a modest roof over our heads.

I don’t want to come off as sounding like all this story has to offer is a slightly cranky P.I., there are brilliant moments of hilarity, coincidence and some terrific banter between all these strong characters. Plus, he does encounter resistance, complications and some characters that would drive a Dali Lama to lose patience. So, if you desire a quirky detective, colourful characters and a plot that might just explain why the world still needs spies, this could just be the book for you.

Publisher: Inkwater Press
Publication Date: 3 September 2010
Format: Paperback

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

Stray Bullets ~ Robert Rotenberg

Disclosure: I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this from the Goodreads First Reads program.

Synopsis:A child is shot in a Toronto Tim Horton's car park during the first snow fall of the year. Most witness accounts and CCTV each reveal only parts of the events, and the one who may have seen it all is on the run.

Rotenberg's novel takes the reader on a journey that uncovers how the police, the Crown and defense attorneys map out and piece together events, broker deals and cope with the media to solve the murder of a four year old boy experiencing snow for the first time.

In short but very detailed chapters, the author is able to provide key player POVs while keeping the story moving at a quick pace without exposing too much too soon or decrease the level of suspense. Like the senior detective, I was confused by the chronology of part of the events and must admit that the twist was unexpected. It is minor is aspect, but significant in how the evidence is interpreted.

I quite like having books that have short chapters. They are perfect for those days those hectic days with the occasional brief pauses. When done right, as it is in Stray Bullets, means that unnecessary information is excluded and it keeps the reader focused on the mystery.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and relish reading the author's two prior works that I believe include many of the characters found in this one.

Publisher: Touchtone Books
Publication Date: 1 May 2012
Format: ARC of Hardcover

Review previously appeared on the now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog

Falling Immortality ~ Robert Downs

Disclosure: I received a copy of this directly from the author.

This detective & mystery selection is about a retired police officer's continued devotion to solving crimes as a private investigator. Casey Holden is a narcissistic P.I. who weaves sex into just about every part of his life. Which is unfortunate, because he'd probably get the case solved a lot faster and with fewer mishaps and missed clues if chasing tail wasn't such a high priority.

I found the constant inclusion of innuendos, the protagonist's extreme sense of entitlement and the treatment of his friends to get old fast. It distracted from what I had initially thought would be a really great mystery. While the banter is quite witty and at times funny, the need to include some form of sex into every scene was a bit of a turn off. I also began to wonder how this sort of thing could be sustained in future installments. The ending was a bit of a letdown, I had hoped for a really interesting twist, but it turned out to be a bit more predictable than I'd hoped.

Having said all of this, I would give the next book a try in the hopes of more character development, actual investigative work and fewer rolls in the hay.

Publisher:Rainbow Books
Publication Date: August 2011
Format: e-book version of the Paperback

Review previously appeared on now defunct Bookworm's Buffet Blog