Review: A Detective Mystery to Keep you Guessing
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 24, 2013
Louis Birner's "A Bullet for Brazio" is an intriguing and appealing mystery that will keep you guessing along with its hero while keeping you entertained even when he's not focusing on the case.It all starts when NYPD detectives Barney Grasso and David Hamilton are sent to serve an arrest warrant on small timer/creep Marco Brazio. Hamilton is shot and the suspect killed. However, the perp isn't Brazio, but a hit man from LA involved in the drug trade. Thus Grasso is starts an adventure to find Brazio and find out what's really going on, which will send him all the way to Las Vegas & the woman he loves while avoiding attempts on his life. As he investigates, the case becomes more complex and complicated, but he can't find out the most important part: he is a target, but has no idea who would want him dead or why.The story benefits from a cast of (mostly) interesting and deep characters and some nice twists to keep you on your toes. Grasso is a likable hero with a lot of personality and attitude and Hamilton, while lacking in "screentime", has a strong presence and we're told enough to truly care for him. Grasso's has great chemistry with love interest Bonnie Bree, who could carry her own spin-off. And there's a strong supporting cast in both cities, especially some colorful characters encountered in Vegas (again, a spin-off comes to mind).It also helps that this is somewhat lighter than Birner's previous stories. Grasso's trip to Vegas is like a vacation part of the time, with detailed information about what goes on there and some great imagery (the Las Vegas board of Tourism should consider thanking him). And Grasso's scenes with Bonnie and other are nice contrast to what he has to put up with in New York, even with the murders and attempts on his life.My one complaint is that Birner is still a little preachy, though thankfully it's more subtle and less intrusive this time. There is also the issue some ultimately pointless events & red herrings, but luckily they're brief and can be skimmed over.This a mystery you have to try. It has both a gripping mystery, likable characters, and great use of imagery. Even if mysteries aren't your thing, it's a still a really good story.