Thursday, July 16, 2009

Blood Law (Zac Hunter) by Steven Hague


He was the best new PI last year... And this year he's back already! Ex-cop Zac Hunter is just wondering what to do with his life and how to make a difference without a badge when he's drawn into a new adventure. His old informant, gangbanger and babe extraordinaire Angel asks him for help when her daughter has been kidnapped. When Hunter investigates he finds out he's been caught in a web of lies and a maelstrom of violence. Along the way he meets a Native American vigilante, Stone, who's such an impressive character you get the feeling he deserves a novel of his own. It looks like he might be back in the next novel as a sidekick of some sort. Can't help thinking of the Lone Ranger and Tonto.
Even more actionpacked then the first novel (Justice For All) that reminded me a lot of Michael Connellý this one takes you more into Lee Child territory.
Worth it if you're into hardboiled action!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Father's Day (Louis Klein) by Keith Gilman


Ex-cop Louis Klein is asked by his old partner's widow to track down her missing daughter. Not exactly a new story premise, right? So, why did it win the Minotaur Books/PWA Best First Private Eye Novel award? Easy, it's because of the good writing. There's a James Lee Burke-like poetry and literacy to the words in here. Combine this with the fact the writer is a real cop and gives the story a very authentic tasteand you've got a great example how you can write a great PI novel without trying frantically to do something different.