A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW | Reviewed by: Laurie-J
Written in a humorous, witty, conversational style; this book was an absolute pleasure to read. I love a character that is not afraid to take on the bullies of the world, who knows when to cajole a response and when to demand results. Sam Jenkins is loyal, tenacious and unimpressed with the trappings of wealth and power. His is an honest conscience backed by experience, made stronger by his own personal high ethical code. This mystery captured and held my attention effortlessly. The story is easy to read, entertaining and smooth-flowing. It is filled with characters that seem real - people with traits and flaws most of us have likely encountered or dealt with in our own lives. The descriptions of the beautiful Tennessee Smokey Mountains are delightful and brought back some wonderful old memories for me of past weekend-end getaways. I found the story to be exceptionally well-constructed. The clues are revealed methodically and followed logically as Sam consistently deploys and trusts his own unique style, enabling the puzzle pieces to mesh together - finally melded with precision into a complete picture of motive, means, and opportunity. Mostly though, I enjoyed getting to know Sam, and eagerly read page after page of this delightfully humorous who-dun-it, engrossed and engaged fully throughout it all. Highly recommended.
Oct 21, 2011 | 1935605720
5 - Rare Top Pick | 4.5 - Top Pick | 4 - I Liked It | 3.5 - Enjoyable | 3 - OK | 2.5 - It just didn't click
Book Blurb for A New Prospect
Sam Jenkins never thought about being a fish out of water during the twenty years he spent solving crimes in New York. But things change, and after retiring to Tennessee, he gets that feeling. Jenkins becomes a cop again and is thrown headlong into a murder investigation and a steaming kettle of fish, down-home style. The victim, Cecil Lovejoy, couldn't have deserved it more. His death was the inexorable result of years misspent and appears to be no great loss, except the prime suspect is Sam's personal friend. Jenkins' abilities are attacked when Lovejoy's influential widow urges politicians to reassign the case to state investigators. Feeling like "a pork chop at a bar mitzvah" in his new workplace, Sam suspects something isn't kosher when the family tries to force him out of the picture. In true Jenkins style, Sam turns common police practice on its ear to insure an innocent man doesn't fall prey to an imperfect system and the guilty party receives appropriate justice. A NEW PROSPECT takes the reader through a New South resolutely clinging to its past and traditional way of keeping family business strictly within the family.
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