Helpful Score: 3
If you have never read a Tess Monaghan novel, please don't start with this one. Not because it can't stand alone (it can) or because it is a bad book (it definitely isn't) but because seeing Tess and Crow's relationship up to this point is important to enjoying all its elements. Tess and Crow inadvertently wind up in the middle of a high profile case that everyone wants to have just disappear - and discover "the other Baltimore" in the process of exposing the killer.
Helpful Score: 3
Crow brings home a street kid named Lloyd, trying to help him out. The kid tries to steal from them and gets into an accident with Crow's car. And that should have been the end of that.
But while Tess is talking to Lloyd, she realizes that he knows something about the current red ball, the murder of a Federal Assistant District Attorney!
Tess forces him to tell most of what he knows, but even telling reporters who swear they won't reveal his name turns out to be way too dangerous.
So Crow goes off on a spur of the moment romantic road trip with Lloyd and leaves Tess to take all the serious heat and pressure that comes down.
Given everything Tess goes through, I thought she should have been furious with Crow. But it was nice to see part of the plot through his eyes.
This book is excellent, just as most of Ms. Lippman's books are. You won't regret reading it.
But while Tess is talking to Lloyd, she realizes that he knows something about the current red ball, the murder of a Federal Assistant District Attorney!
Tess forces him to tell most of what he knows, but even telling reporters who swear they won't reveal his name turns out to be way too dangerous.
So Crow goes off on a spur of the moment romantic road trip with Lloyd and leaves Tess to take all the serious heat and pressure that comes down.
Given everything Tess goes through, I thought she should have been furious with Crow. But it was nice to see part of the plot through his eyes.
This book is excellent, just as most of Ms. Lippman's books are. You won't regret reading it.
Helpful Score: 2
Terrific suspense novel! You dont want to miss reading this one!
Helpful Score: 1
This 9th book in the Tess Monaghan series is well written and hard to put down. I always enjoy her books and this one was no exception.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fast paced action who dun it. Kept up the interest throughout the story line. Never read this author before. I never saw the punch line coming. It was well thought out and kept you guessing through out. I did sometimes feel a bit frustrated by some of the actions of the characters but understood eventually why they did the things they did. Usually I can tell who did what but this story line kept you from seeing what was going on till the very end. Had a good ending. A lot of thrillers or mystery stories give away who did the dirty deed. This came out of no where. I liked the idea it was a surprise. It was humerous at times and kept up a good banter between some of the supporting characters. If other stories are similar in style by this auther, I look forward to reading more.
Helpful Score: 1
quintessential Laura Lippman
Helpful Score: 1
More Crow than Tess. but ok
Helpful Score: 1
PI Tess Monaghan really steps into it this time. She unexpectedly finds a witness to a murder and proceeds to do all in her power to protect him. US Attorney's office, DEA, FBI and local cops are all somehow involved. Her live-in boyfriend, Crow, is also caught up in the adventure of protecting Lloyd. A very layered tale with lots of characters both good and bad. A really good read.
I've enjoyed some of the books in this series, but I just couldn't get into this one. I read three chapters and gave it up.
Laua Lippman gets better and better - this is really a good read! A lot of the book is from Crow's point of view, which I thought was a good twist.
A thoroughly enjoyable mystery .
This is the first of the Tess Monaghan books I have read and now I am hooked.
This is the first of the Tess Monaghan books I have read and now I am hooked.
I love the Tess Monaghan books. This was no exception. More of the focus was on Crow so it seemed to drag a little for me in the middle. Highly recommend.
While Tess Monaghan gives a workshop at the Baltimore Beacon-Light, her boyfriend Crow is busy making his regular deliveries to the area soup kitchens. He meets a young black teen who offers to change the slashed tire on the car Crows been driving.
During the course of changing the tire, Crow learns that Lloyd drifts because he no longer feels welcome at home. His mother has a new man in her life who doesnt accept most of Lloyds stories of innocence (no matter what the issue or problem).
Its a brutally cold day out and Crow takes Lloyd to eat the evening meal and then to Crow and Tess' home. Tess isnt nearly as accepting of the young man as Crow but agrees to let him spend the night. During casual conversation, Tess mentions the death of an assistant US Attorney, Gregory Youssef.
Lloyd has a strange reaction to the information. During the early hours of the morning, Lloyd decides to rob Tess and Crow. Instead of stealing a few items and making a getaway in Tess Lexus, Lloyd is involved in a wreck and runs away on foot.
Lloyds strange reaction to Youssefs name bothers Tess and she sets out to find him. Tess curiosity brings a number of unexpected legal and moral consequences. Crow takes Lloyd out of Baltimore while Tess faces a dangerous threesome from the government.
They threaten to take her life apart and do the same with her parents, Crow, his parents, their relatives, etc. By the time they started overturning the rocks in Tess and Crows lives, I was boiling mad. If the government can do even a portion of what is outlined in this book, John Q Public is in serious jeopardy.
This is a slick story with lots of red herrings. Crow takes a more central position in this book and the reader learns more about Crows character. I enjoy the fact that there are returning characters who grow and change, adding a new dimension. 4 Stars
During the course of changing the tire, Crow learns that Lloyd drifts because he no longer feels welcome at home. His mother has a new man in her life who doesnt accept most of Lloyds stories of innocence (no matter what the issue or problem).
Its a brutally cold day out and Crow takes Lloyd to eat the evening meal and then to Crow and Tess' home. Tess isnt nearly as accepting of the young man as Crow but agrees to let him spend the night. During casual conversation, Tess mentions the death of an assistant US Attorney, Gregory Youssef.
Lloyd has a strange reaction to the information. During the early hours of the morning, Lloyd decides to rob Tess and Crow. Instead of stealing a few items and making a getaway in Tess Lexus, Lloyd is involved in a wreck and runs away on foot.
Lloyds strange reaction to Youssefs name bothers Tess and she sets out to find him. Tess curiosity brings a number of unexpected legal and moral consequences. Crow takes Lloyd out of Baltimore while Tess faces a dangerous threesome from the government.
They threaten to take her life apart and do the same with her parents, Crow, his parents, their relatives, etc. By the time they started overturning the rocks in Tess and Crows lives, I was boiling mad. If the government can do even a portion of what is outlined in this book, John Q Public is in serious jeopardy.
This is a slick story with lots of red herrings. Crow takes a more central position in this book and the reader learns more about Crows character. I enjoy the fact that there are returning characters who grow and change, adding a new dimension. 4 Stars
Tess Monaghan/Baltimore novel of suspense
Working as a consultant for a Baltimore newspaper, p.i. Tess Monaghan seems far removed from the unsolved slaying of a young federal prosecutor - until her well-meaning boyfriend, Crow, brings a street kid into their lives, a juvenile con artist who doesn't even realize he holds an important key to the sensational homicide. But Tess's ethical decision to protect the boy's identity no matter what could have dire consequences - especially when one of his friends is murdered in what appears to be a case of mistaken identity.
With federal agents threatening her with felony charges - and a killer threatening far worse - Tess couldn't deliver the kid to investigators even if she wanted to once Crow goes into hiding with his young protege. So her only recourse is to get to the heart of the sordid and deadly affair while they're all still free...and still breathing.
With federal agents threatening her with felony charges - and a killer threatening far worse - Tess couldn't deliver the kid to investigators even if she wanted to once Crow goes into hiding with his young protege. So her only recourse is to get to the heart of the sordid and deadly affair while they're all still free...and still breathing.
Lippman's Monaghan series is better than her stand-alones, grittier, tougher and more intelligent.
This one will not disappoint.
This one will not disappoint.
A Tess Monaghan mystery involving a young street kid who is key to solving a murder.
I did not care for the writing style. I could not get into the book, so I put it down for a month. When I picked it up again today I still could not get into this book even though I have read about 1/3 of the book. I am posting this book even though I have not finished reading it. I hope someone else likes her writing style and get $6 (what I paid for the book new at Wal-mart) worth of enjoyment out of it.
