Ernie Johnson, for getting us a front page spread.
~ S. Harper.
The Devil Can Wait (Sam Harper Mysteries)
Marta Stephens
BeWrite Books
ISBN 9781905202867
$15.99
Reviewed by Thomas Fortenberry for Midwest Book Review
The latest Sam Harper mystery may leave the devil waiting, but not the readers. This gritty mystery series lies at the crossroads of crime and thrillers, both 87th Precinct and Davinci Code. Bodies of teenagers are washing ashore in an apocalypse of murder and intrigue spanning the dark dangerous world, from Vatican to Colombia to Harper’s hometown of Chandler, Mass. Drugs to ancient religious secrets to serial killers, this book has it all.
But the book’s unrelenting drama isn’t what captures me. It is the character Sam Harper and author Stephens. She writes with a forensic authority that makes these pages bleed with real world angst. Detective Harper is a well-realized, no-nonsense cop, a streetwise guy who refuses to give up despite the odds. When the going gets rough, everyone else has given up, an easy option looms, and the race becomes overwhelming, Harper is just getting started. He is the original it ain’t over guy. He literally pushes himself beyond physical collapse to solve crimes. He refuses to let any criminal escape on his watch.
The Devil Can Wait is a good mystery. Sam Harper is a better cop. I can’t wait to follow his next career move.
Marta Stephens
BeWrite Books
ISBN 9781905202867
$15.99
Reviewed by Thomas Fortenberry for Midwest Book Review
The latest Sam Harper mystery may leave the devil waiting, but not the readers. This gritty mystery series lies at the crossroads of crime and thrillers, both 87th Precinct and Davinci Code. Bodies of teenagers are washing ashore in an apocalypse of murder and intrigue spanning the dark dangerous world, from Vatican to Colombia to Harper’s hometown of Chandler, Mass. Drugs to ancient religious secrets to serial killers, this book has it all.
But the book’s unrelenting drama isn’t what captures me. It is the character Sam Harper and author Stephens. She writes with a forensic authority that makes these pages bleed with real world angst. Detective Harper is a well-realized, no-nonsense cop, a streetwise guy who refuses to give up despite the odds. When the going gets rough, everyone else has given up, an easy option looms, and the race becomes overwhelming, Harper is just getting started. He is the original it ain’t over guy. He literally pushes himself beyond physical collapse to solve crimes. He refuses to let any criminal escape on his watch.
The Devil Can Wait is a good mystery. Sam Harper is a better cop. I can’t wait to follow his next career move.
Posts
Wow, love the review and love the newspaper ad, lol!
ReplyDeleteDorothy, where've you been keeping yourself? Missed you. Yeah, Johnson is one reporter who backs our efforts to clean up crime in the city. Made me smile.
ReplyDeleteSam
For the 1st time in my life I've been called a newspaper reporter. I must add that to my resume.
ReplyDeleteErnie, my man. It's a great headline, maybe I should have called you a journalist or writer, but you know how it is. I'm a cop--don't know all the ins and outs of the newspaper business. Just know that everyone at the Chandler police station appreciates your work.
ReplyDeleteIt's great knowing you.
Sam
Awesome reveiw and absolutely to die for headliner newspaper. Oops. Maybe I shouldn't have said to die for. Don't want to give Sam any ideas so he comes looking for me. Yet seeing his pic, hmmmmm
ReplyDeleteJo Ann Hernandez
http://bronzeword.wordpress.com
Are you innocent, Jo? I mean, you didn't do anything criminal that would force my hand, did you? Let's talk.
ReplyDeleteSam