Review: Move Over Dexter, Homeland, Justified, Et.al., Big Dog Michael Sykora's Coming Through!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 23, 2013
In June of this year I received a publisher's news release offering me a complimentary copy of Darcia Helle's novel Killing Instinct: A Michael Sykora Novel in exchange for an honest review on amazon.com. This like all my reviews are based on my opinion only with neither monetary nor benefits nor influence from others.  I review books and products as a hobby.Prior to this invitation, I had never heard of this author or book; but, if I had known how much I was going to enjoy Killing Instinct, I would have found time to read it earlier.  In fact, I enjoyed it so much that after reading the first 100 pages or so at one sitting, I downloaded and read Darcia Helle's free short story, "The First Kill" and then purchased her first two books in this series online at amazon.com too--"No Justice" and "Beyond Salvation."After ordering the earlier books, I dived back into this unique character driven thriller, plowing through it in record time.  I was intrigued from the onset when I learned that a couple of contract killers were the good guys in this mesmerizing tale.Michael Sykora is a computer geek who hires hit man Sean Riley to find the person responsible for his wife, Christina's murder and ends up going into business with Sean bringing vigilantly justice to perverted and murdering scums who have otherwise escaped their just due.Michael's lover, former prostitute, Nicki, his street smart assistant and trusted employee has her own crosses to bear.As a child, Sean Riley, after watching his abusive father murder his mother felt no remorse for his young adult roll as a mob enforcer turned murderer for hire while leading a double life as soon ex-husband to Jillian  and ex-father to their two year old toddler, Anthony.Hired by Jake the Snake to torture and murder bounty hunter Maria Milan, Sean and Michael have a completely different agenda featuring Jake and all the other perverts through the top of Jake's food chain who have used their lust for wealth, power, pain and murder for rancid intentions.A fast-pace and intriguing story, Darcia Helle has created a team of unique characters who I want to get to know.  I can envision the Michael Kykora series on the big screen with the likes of other riveting tales staring flawed and unlikely heroes--move over Dexter, Homeland, Justified, et alia, big dog Michael Sykora is coming through!This is a fast, fun and gripping tale.  The bad guys are so incredibly evil that the reader will be rooting for their demise!Enjoy!