Review--TIGER CLAW

 

TIGER CLAW

by Michael Allan Mallory

 ISBN: 978-1-959620-56-3

Publisher: BOOKLOCKER.

Trenton, Georgia

Copyright 2024

 

When one opens a mystery by author Michael Allan Mallory, a novel featuring Heny Lau, experienced urban detective, readers can anticipate certain verities. Lau is a careful, experienced detective who understands and applies logic and careful analysis of circumstances and circumstances to help solve serious crimes. In this case, murders.

There are other attractive elements. Lau is an older detective with wide ranging experience on which he can draw. He has a niece, Detective Janet Lau, who trails and assists him, on constant alert for what she can learn through observation and careful completion of assignments. But she is an assertive and well-trained woman, not afraid to put forth her own evaluations and opinions as the case progresses. The professional and personal relationship between the two detectives informs and warmly populates the pages of this excellent story.

Yet another and somewhat unusual element of the Mallory stories, and “Tiger Claw,” in particular, is the Asian element. Both detectives have strong physical and philosophical backgrounds, a body of knowledge well and interestingly applied by the author to solving crimes.

Henry Lau has an enviable record for solving the cases he’s assigned by his department. The author carefully and craftily mixes progress toward a solution to the murders with relevant forensics and the life-approach of Asian philosophies. “Tiger Claw” is an engaging, thoughtful and enjoyable story, worth any reader’s attention.

REVIEW--WHERE NO ONE WILL SEE

 

Where No One Will See

By Felicia Watson    
ISBN 9781955065788 
2023 paperback release

Lucia Scapetti is a struggling private investigator in Philadelphia. But she’s a lot more than that. For one thing, she’s an imposing, dark-haired figure, about six feet tall in flats and presents a tanned and robust 200+ pounds. She probably makes an even more impressive presence when leashed to her dog, Rocco, one of the smaller breeds.

Lucia has other less obvious attributes, besides a sharp inquiring mind and a strong penchant for doing the right thing. Lucia Scapetti has connections, connections to one of the large Italo-American families that populate parts of the Eastern American continent. She’s close to some of them, but not all. Her dad is due to be released after ten years in prison and some of her other relatives have rather sketchy bios.

This interesting tale begins as Lucia is cleaning up some evidence for clients of cheating spouses, a part of the business that upsets her. She notices people on the street who appear to be following her. Is it just because her dad will be released soon? We are treated to nice and useful descriptions of ordinary and questionable street scenes in the city, along with the weather, all handled in such a way that enhances and influences the narrative.

Character introduction is nicely handled as are early motivating crimes. We learn there are long-missing funds and jewels, internal family strife, murder and near misses. Meanwhile, because this is a real family, Lucia is stressed in ways an outside PI might avoid or never encounter.

Fast-paced, the novel concludes with major surprises, rising tension and action, fueled in part by corruption, personal emotion, and several truly interesting characters. The city itself is a major character.

Here is a fine enjoyable story, well-plotted and well told.

 

REVIEW-- UNDER THE DOG STAR

 

 by Sandra Parshall

ISBN: 978-1-59058-878-9

a 2011 Poisoned Pen release,

303 pages 

The story is already in full-bore action when you open the book. “In the silver moonlight, the dogs appear as a dark mass moving down the hill and across the pasture.” Contrast of light and dark. Questions immediately arise. Are these dangerous dogs? Feral dogs? Where are we and who is observing this? Why should we care?

In the hands of this careful, experienced writer, you know you are in for a wild ride. Veterinarian Rachel Goddard runs an animal clinic in the mountains of Virginia, a place where people are used to taking care of their problems in direct fashion. Wild dogs threatening livestock? Never mind they are or were somebody’s pet, shoot ‘em. This is anathema to Rachel and she mounts a county-wide attempt to trap and rescue the dogs before they are shot. The county is thrown into an uproar and her competence is questioned when a prominent physician is discovered with his throat torn out and plenty of evidence that a dog was the culprit. 

Rachel’s lover, Tom Bridger, a deputy sheriff in the county, is worried about Rachel’s safety as he struggles to understand the crime. Both Rachel and Bridger come up against one of the most dysfunctional families I have ever read about. There are more complications and false trails that have to be dealt with. The author handles dog fighting and other crimes in a forthright yet sympathetic manner. Readers will get the vivid pictures the author draws, but won’t have to wallow in the degradation. Parshall makes her points cleanly and evocatively, just as she illuminate the settings, both by contrast and depiction. 

There were times when I wanted to grab Rachel and inject a little backbone into her and Bridger is sometimes entirely too controlling. Nevertheless, this is a strong, well-written chiller with crackling dialogue, great characters and a powerful resolution.