I won a copy of this book through Goodreads giveaway.
This is my first book by this author, and I have to say that I truly did enjoy it. There was enough background information on the characters that I didn't feel lost not having read the other 4 in the series prior to this one. I liked the (often) humorous tone of the novel which helped balance out the serious nature of the story-line, I mean, people are getting sick and dying here! That initial part of the story took a backseat for while after the mob showed up, but it was interesting how everything all tied together in the end. Not giving away any spoilers here!
I typically read young adult fantasy novels, so this was something a bit different for me. Having said that, I definitely want to read the previous books in the series and will be keeping an eye out for more books from this author.
This is my first book by this author, and I have to say that I truly did enjoy it. There was enough background information on the characters that I didn't feel lost not having read the other 4 in the series prior to this one. I liked the (often) humorous tone of the novel which helped balance out the serious nature of the story-line, I mean, people are getting sick and dying here! That initial part of the story took a backseat for while after the mob showed up, but it was interesting how everything all tied together in the end. Not giving away any spoilers here!
I typically read young adult fantasy novels, so this was something a bit different for me. Having said that, I definitely want to read the previous books in the series and will be keeping an eye out for more books from this author.
I have enjoyed all of Brad Parks' books. His humor is very entertaining and I found myself laughing out loud while listening to the audio of this book. The plot was very good with a surprising twist, and I always enjoy the recurring characters. Can't wait for the next installment.
With author Brad Parks now making his name writing domestic thrillers, I've been forcing myself to read his Carter Ross mysteries as slowly as possible because I love them so much. Now that I've read The Player, I've only got one left, and once that's gone, I may go into mourning. This fifth book in the Carter Ross series is fun reading, full of the twists, turns, heart, and humor that I've come to expect from this talented writer.
At the heart of this book is a very real concern: "questioning the wisdom of allowing government to outsource its responsibility to protect the health of its citizens." We live in a world where not only people avoid responsibility for their actions but government, too. And this is all wrapped up in a bit of the history of Newark and its environs and a fast-paced, tightly woven mystery that has a lovely twist at the end. I love being completely bamboozled, especially by Brad Parks.
Since the heart of the mystery is so deadly serious, Parks expertly lightens the mood with his fantastic sense of humor. Neesha (AKA "Pigeon"), the new intern Carter is training, has a tendency to be the comic relief because she's still trying to follow all the rules she learned about journalism in college. Carter tries to tell her that "human beings are too messy for spreadsheets," but it takes Neesha a while to learn the wisdom of that statement.
The one thing that makes this series so entertaining is the fact that Carter Ross is just a normal, red-blooded American smart aleck, a guy who doesn't "know Chanel from chenille." He gets himself into some incredible scrapes, he truly cares about the people he writes about, and when rescuing a litter of kittens from a burning building, all he'd say would be "Aw, shucks." Carter Ross is my kind of guy, and Brad Parks' series is some of my favorite reading. If you haven't, give him a try. The first book in the series is Faces of the Gone.
At the heart of this book is a very real concern: "questioning the wisdom of allowing government to outsource its responsibility to protect the health of its citizens." We live in a world where not only people avoid responsibility for their actions but government, too. And this is all wrapped up in a bit of the history of Newark and its environs and a fast-paced, tightly woven mystery that has a lovely twist at the end. I love being completely bamboozled, especially by Brad Parks.
Since the heart of the mystery is so deadly serious, Parks expertly lightens the mood with his fantastic sense of humor. Neesha (AKA "Pigeon"), the new intern Carter is training, has a tendency to be the comic relief because she's still trying to follow all the rules she learned about journalism in college. Carter tries to tell her that "human beings are too messy for spreadsheets," but it takes Neesha a while to learn the wisdom of that statement.
The one thing that makes this series so entertaining is the fact that Carter Ross is just a normal, red-blooded American smart aleck, a guy who doesn't "know Chanel from chenille." He gets himself into some incredible scrapes, he truly cares about the people he writes about, and when rescuing a litter of kittens from a burning building, all he'd say would be "Aw, shucks." Carter Ross is my kind of guy, and Brad Parks' series is some of my favorite reading. If you haven't, give him a try. The first book in the series is Faces of the Gone.
