Stephen Mack Jones

This time Snow is facing a bunch of human traffickers--with help from perhaps unexpected places--who kidnap non-White girls, treat them as slaves, and eventually kill them. This is certainly the most horrific of the crimes in the first three books of the series, but we know August will get to the bottom of it and make those evil folks pay. Of course he does, and the book is quite satisfying, if completely implausible (for the reasons explained in my review of the first book in the series.) The cast of characters is great and the author keeps adding new ones, all of whom end up having some unexpected talent or secret (usually both). The author's belief in the power of a computer hacker is a little overdone, however.… (lisätietoja)

I read the first three books in this series in less than a week, and I enjoyed them all. They are quite consistent, which is both good and bad. On the bad side, the same situations come up again and again. Snow walks into what he knows is a trap with a talkative villain who doesn't just kill him at a distance (which, believe me, he should.) Second, the plethora of details about what clothes Snow is wearing, everything he eats, everything he drinks, what music he listens to, and so on gets a little wearing, although it does build up the Detroit atmosphere and let us know the character better.

On the plus side, the action never stops. There are no boring bits. Also, the cast of characters is great, including both friends and adversaries. It reminds me in that respect of David Gordon's Joe the Bouncer series--but the August Snow series is even more implausible. But because of the characters and the satisfaction of seeing the bad guys get their due, I was hooked and read the first three in a row. I don't believe the fourth is available from Hoopla or Libby yet, so I'm pausing, but I'll pick it up when it's available.

The plot here--a rich Detroit heiress and benefactress apparently commits suicide, is sort of Chandlerish, but without the fog and with a lot more violence. The other thing I like about Snow is his attitude. And the author is always putting James Bond-like quips into his mouth when confronted by bad guys pointing guns (or worse) at him. So, just read the first one here. If you like it, keep going.… (lisätietoja)

Review of eBook

Ex-Detective August Snow, “committed” to his heart’s true love, Tatia Stadtmueller, is in Norway to spend time with Tatia and her family. He finds himself assisting the Oslo police in apprehending a serial killer.

But when August’s neighbor, Sylvia Zychek, suffers a heart attack, he rushes home to Detroit. August considers Sylvia and her friend, Carmela, part of his extended family.

But his return to Detroit puts August against modern-day Knights Templar who are on a mission of vengeance involving the Catholic church. Together with Lucy Three Rivers, Jimmy Radmon, and his godfather Tomás, August is determined to protect Father Michael Grabowski, the Franciscan priest who’d baptized him, and, at the same time, keep the folks of Mexicantown safe.

But who has targeted Father Grabowski . . . and why?

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Fourth in the author’s August Snow series, this book contains sufficient backstory for readers new to the series or to be read as a standalone. All of the expected characters are in place, well-defined and believable. Former Marine, ex-detective August Snow is tough, but he’s gentle and caring with his elderly neighbors . . . tough when he needs to be but a man who cares about others who loves to cook, and who is dedicated to keeping those around him in his hometown safe.

Action-packed, the story grabs readers from the outset. But it’s in the relationships between the characters that the narrative shines. The storyline with the Vatican and the Knights Templar is both intriguing and informative; the history is fascinating.

Readers should know that, although the dialogue feels authentic and real, there’s considerable use of an offensive expletive [and this lowers the rating for the book]. Those who enjoy action-packed thrillers with a heartwarming protagonist and a touch of history will find much to appreciate here.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Soho Press, Soho Crime and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#DeusX #NetGalley… (lisätietoja)