Review: okay...
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 05 18, 2012
This story starts to grab and pull one in, but it goes through its paces in fairly predictable manner.  Some was well written, some did not quite hit the mark.  It just seemed to bog down and had extraneous stuff not pulled together ultimately.  The MAIN plot finished -  but the random side bits just ended - with death as a means to cheat full story arc development on that plot point or character.The main character is worthy of a series type.  But, this initial "case" really did not bring out the full.  Due mainly to the rushed ending that came. The story was plugging along (while slowly - it was cogent and flowed toward a goal - seeming) then, bang! - rush to finish for....????  As soon as the rushing of the plot began, the story became predictable.  Retired cop helps friend of family member.  Talks to a couple of people, follows a few,  and kills some - then solves the crime.  With a lot of afterstory (details related via TELLING not SHOWING) on how he got where he got.  In case it was not understood by reader while the writer wrote the story.  This is a pet peeved of mine.  Telling the facts afterward - rather than writing the story out while the plot went through its paces.  The pity is that the characters were fairly well developed.  Ray was a gem of a character - but used too little. Truly, it seemed as if the original plot evolved into an afterthought (the Cole story line) bit that REALLY was the plot. So, there were (almost) two different stories.  Or, the writer started in one vein, then thought up better (in his mind) and tailed it over to that.  Was the tale about getting an innocent guy off...or busting cop for bad acts within his family history?  Both can be involved - but then BOTH need to go through their paces within the story and be shown to reader.  NOT a rushing together that does not blend.  Then being TOLD to reader.  AFTER the case over.Issues with punctuation were quite common.  Editing was mediocre.  Missing words; wrong words used.It is NOT believable (under any circumstances) that a weapon involved in killings (even justified self -defense) is left with the person.  He kept his weapon after the shooting in his home?  Naw, just does not happen.  It is taken as evidence - even if recovered in short order.  That is part of the rush to the finish though.  The important details are overlooked.  That inconsistency should have been caught in editing.OR, something semi -believable told to reader as to why the weapon not confiscated...The "stammer" or stutter was not consistent, nor believable.  It was to weaken character that was not integeral to plot other than to provide data to our main character.  If something is not germane to scene, plot or overall story /character it should not be in the book.  All things should drive or develop something or not be there at all.Anyway, the writer seems to have stories that he can tell - he just needs to develops story arc in order to plan a story a bit better so that he runs it through its paces.Not recommended if you like mystery in your thriller genre.  If you enjoy a read that requires little but time, you might enjoy this work.Christine