REVIEWS FROM STEVEN SILL
POSTED FEBRUARY 26, 2012
PINEAPPLE GRENADE
TIM DORSEY
William Morrow & Company February, 2012
What happens when Florida's most infamous and funniest serial killer decides to become a spy and practices being a super hero to rid the state of crime? Answers in madcap adventures and death lie in PINEAPPLE GRENADE.
Serge Storms and his friend/sidekick Coleman are ridding Florida of criminals by killing them by devious methods, but now Serge and Coleman are acting like superheroes at night, stopping car jackings, thefts and various other crimes. When one of the victims ends up in a shark on a Miami freeway, the M.E. notices that the victim has no insides, dubbing this corpse the Hollow Man. More strange deaths occur, and the police are confused.
Meanwhile, by day Serge has decided he wants to be a spy. So, with Coleman, he decides to drive both the CIA and Homeland Security into confusion. Both start by switching briefcases at an art museum, then going separate ways. In doing this, the two CIA factions located in Florida have decided to hire Serge, but then both sides realize that maybe Serge is working for the other side. Homeland Security gets involved when old World War II pineapple grenades are used to fuel a rebel war in a third world country.
This is a confusing fun read as the book varies from one scenic madcap adventure to another while trying to piece together how Florida will survive another Serge Storms antic laden body count.
POISON FLOWER
THOMAS PERRY
Mysterious Press March, 2012
A prison escapee, a murdered wife, hit men after someone and revenge all play a part in Thomas Perry's newest Jane Whitefield book, POISON FLOWER.
When Jane helps James Shelby escape from a California prison, little does she know what is going to happen. Seconds after Shelby's escape, Jane is captured by the people who want him dead. Jane tries to get away, but is shot in the leg, and thus begins a journey of running and fighting, trying to help Shelby live long enough to enjoy another day.
After Jane is caught, she is tortured to tell where Shelby is hiding, but after days of this treatment, she is able to escape, make her way to Nevada, where she ends up in a shelter for battered women. There she meets Iris, who is running from an abusive ex-husband, who wants to bring her home to teach her lessons about what it's like to divorce someone who wants you. Jane and Iris meet up with Shelby in Utah, where they begin a long journey to help hide their previous lives.
During this trek, the trio stop in Ithaca, New York, to meet Sarah, Shelby's sister, but, once again, Jane is captured, and this time is put up for auction to the highest bidder amongst her previous enemies who are there for the bidding. Jane and Sarah escape, make their way out of Ithaca and towards Pittsburgh, where Jane helps all three of her charges begin to make new lives with new identities.
Now Jane is going after the leader of those who framed Shelby, Daniel Martel, a pharmaceutical entrepreneur who uses this cover to deal drugs to all people. It seems Martel is a sadist who murders his mistresses when he tires of them. Jane is out to get him and see justice is done.
POISON FLOWER is a story in three parts: Shelby's break out and Jane's initial capture; the escapes and recapture of Jane; and finally, the showdown between Jane and Martel. This book moves at a breakneck pace and the resolutions are satisfactory in ways that only this author could conceive. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this latest Jane Whitefield adventure.
THE EXPATS
CHRIS PAVONE
Crown Publishers March, 2012
Secrets. Kate Moore has secrets; her husband, Dexter, has secrets. The people surrounding them in Luxembourg have secrets. But when Bill and Julia Mclean arrive in Luxembourg, all bets are off, because the secrets are about to be revealed. This is the premise of THE EXPATS.
Kate Moore is working in Washington, D.C., as an analyst, while her husband, Dexter, is helping banks as a security consultant to prevent computer hackers from getting information and stealing electronic funds. However, one day Dexter is offered a lucrative position in Luxembourg. After quitting her job, Kate and Dexter, plus their kids, pack up and move there. Kate, however, becomes bored with being just an average expat housewife.
When Bill and Julia Mclean arrive, something does not seem right, and Kate begins to look into the pasts of these two people using her old skills. As her investigation into these people continues, the story of Kate's past life becomes clear. It seems Kate worked for the CIA doing missions in third world countries trying to see what actions would be needed to help or hinder upcoming politicians. The back story of Kate's life is intertwined with her present predicament.
This intrusion into the Mclean's life leads Kate to start looking into her husband's past, too, as it seems the two investigations are mixed together. By the time Kate has put everything together, secrets will be revealed and someone will have to pay a price.
THE EXPATS is a story full of cons and deceptions. Kate Moore proves to be the ultimate in both deception and honesty. Kate's story from her past to her marriage, to the realization that everyone around her is keeping secrets, will keep the reader wondering who is who, and will the price be worth all the secrecy. This is a dense spy thriller full of surprises worth reading.