Customer Reviews

Black and White: A Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'd never heard of Dan Mahoney, but the title caught my attention and the back cover caught my interest. Being a retired police officer, I view with some skepticism any so-called authority on police procedures and policies. I was surprised when I found my attention riveted on the story. I truly couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to learn the outcome and the fate that awaited the bad guys. The only thing that struck me as being less than authentic was the fact that every investigator from every police agency was not only intelligent, dedicated and persevering, but a really nice guy to boot. That just doesn't happen. I will definitely buy another Dan Mahoney novel

NYC Detective First Class Brian McKenna is paired with another McKenna to investigate the torture murder of the daughter of a prominent city councilman. Clues found from the first murder lead to other similar murders across the globe, and the two McKenna's work with a multitude of police departments to track down the killers. The double meaning of the title is finally revealed about half way through the plot. A few of the characters the two McKenna's come across are not as believable as the plot leads, but Brian McKenna continues to be written realistically as someone who solves crimes through hard work and gut instinct, while thoroughly understanding the intricasies of a political NYC police force. Mahoney, a former NCY police captain, is not one to sympathize with the killers in his novels, and offers the readers a straight line plot that keeps the reader interested until the final pages.

Dan Mahoney's books are excellent reads. "Black and White" is no exception. I would not recommend this book to anyone who has a weak stomach, or is offended by sexual references. While it is an great book, it is extremly graphic. I have enjoyed reading all his books.

In Manhattan, the wife of New York City Council president Paul Barrone is found brutally murdered along side his political aide Arthur McMahon, son of a Virginia scion. The police department assigns the high visibility case to Detective Brian Mckenna. The brass designates Tommy Mckenna (no relation) to assist the low keyed Brian. Tommy is renowned for turning his investigations into a media circus.

Tommy recognizes the modus operandi as identical to a case that has haunted him for almost two decades without resolution. The officers soon learn that their peers in other states and Puerto Rico are working on similar crimes. Through illegal means, they obtain a few clues that point towards a snuff video crew selling their vintage live action work.

BLACK AND WHITE is an interesting police procedural that provides sub-genre fans with several twists. The officers are fun to watch as they struggle to find clues. Ironically, progress on the case mostly comes from a private investigator hired by Arthur's father. The sleuth has no compunctions and no legal concerns as to how he obtains information. This twist adds to the fun as the frustrated cops work hard to make little progress while their private counterpart goes underground to make quantum leaps. Dan Mahoney provides his audience with an entertaining novel that will give much pleasure to readers.

Harriet Klausner

Normally Police Procedurals are not my cup of tea; however, Dan Mahoney's BLACK and WHITE kept me riveted. This was my first (but not last by now) Brian McKenna book by Mahoney, and while I like Brian a lot, my hero and person I'd like to see more of in future books, is the tenacious, intutitive, elderly retired black policeman. I guarantee, you've never met anyone like him. They made him and threw away the mold! As you can tell, I really get into my books - good ones come alive for me - and this is a good one!

There are other very unusual characters in this book that you will come to know and like (or dislike), and this is another book you will hate to put down.

I started this book in the morning, took it with me for my flu shot (stood in line reading) at the Church, and stayed up all night to finish.

I think you will like it!

This was my first read of Dan Mahoney's work. I must say I liked it alot. The character of Brian McKenna is a strong one. The story with the two killers is very interesting. The Police work is well decribed.The character Tommy McKenna is based on a real person. He, along with Greve, Bynum, and Big Ed make the investigation end a real good show. The outside agencies, FBI, Arizona Sheriffs, and Singapore police add flavor as well. The Political side show, with Barrone and McMahon, add a good sub-plot. The story, which had parallels to the movie, 8mm, kept me very interested. This book will have you feeling bad for the victims. I look forward to more books by Dan Mahoney.

Dan Mahoney's Black and White is excellent at describing the hows of tracking down serial killers, from visits to the morgue to police politics, to getting help from outside sources... However, the graphic cruelty he describes is apparently without motive -- the victims are simply chosen at random, so there is no motive per se other than idle viciousness and disregard for human life. The perpetrators have no conscience, no shame, no remorse. The reader is left with a vague feeling of distaste and unease at Mahoney's portrayal of a depraved subculture that will always exist despite the occasional successful 'gotcha!" by the police...

Ive enjoyed all of the McKenna books, including this one. excellent procedural. my only complaint is that the dialog at times is artificially stiff. No NY detective talks like this. but a good read

The author makes a huge mistake right off the bat. I was listening to this book, and the two major protagonists are both named McKenna: Brian and Tommy. He then proceeds to compound the error by talking about each not by given name, but rather by patronymic. You really have to keep your head wrapped around this in order not to get confused. A quick look at Amazon reveals that the names are even spelled the same, although, in the author's defense, Tommy McKenna is a real NYPD detective of some note. Whatever.

A man and woman are discovered dead near the cloisters, she the daughter of a wealthy, politically connected man, Brian is assigned as lead detective on the case even as they discover another similar set of murders that had haunted the other McKenna, Tommy. As the investigation proceeds, it becomes apparent the detectives are looking for two serial killers who are engaged in the production of snuff films. The chase leads all over the country in addition to Costa Rica, Thailand, Burma, and Barcelona.

It's a well-done police procedural with lots of interesting investigatory detail and I do really hope (although I sincerely doubt) that the different police agencies here and abroad really do cooperate and get along and are all such nice guys as described in the book.

I read about 3 or 4 books a week, most of them in this genre. This particular novel is as spell-binding and as well-written as anything I've read. It is certainly in the top two percent of the crop. A particularly gruesome crime is committed and then we are led, step-by-step, through the actual procedure of tracking down the bad guy. Fascinating stuff that could only have been done by an ex-captain of police who knows all the ins and outs from first-hand experience. A gripping read that takes you by the throat and won't let you go until the last page.