Review: Playing With Matches
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 18, 2011
It seems to me that the main character in a series has to be likeable, so readers will come back for future books. In a thriller or mystery series, the lead character is usually competent at their job - really beyond competent, sometimes almost too good. What makes them relatable are their flaws; how they react in those real life situations where they aren't perfect or show a little nervousness.Riley Drake can take care of herself - that's made clear by the end of the first chapter - but she does have a few chinks in her armor that make her human. When dealing with her ex-husband and his new girlfriend, we find she's not as cold as  she'd like us to believe. She has an empathetic side, which shows in her dealings with a character who has a drug problem and another with offbeat sexual tastes. She's prone to slipping up just enough to require a quick trip to the hospital, but is likely to check herself out before her doctor thinks she's ready. It all adds up to a quirky, likeable character.You can't have a mystery without a plot, either, and "Playing With Matches" has a good one. If you've read many mysteries, you'll know most are built around a selection from some basic building blocks, with each story's uniqueness coming from setting and characters. Hyzy has built a solid foundation for her series with Riley Drake and her unique profession, and an interesting cast of secondary characters. "Playing With Matches" was a great introduction to Riley. I'm eager to read the next in the series.**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **