Customer Reviews

Blindsided: A Mystery

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Thank god I had this book along with me on what turned out to be the longest flight I've ever been on -- I couldn't have put Blindsided down if I wanted to. Jane Candiotti and Kenny Marks, detectives, lovers, and partners against crime, are two of the best drawn characters in the world of mysteries. Together they must sort out the drama not only in their relationship, but in a frightening series of murders that'll keep your heart pumping, page after page. Beautifully written, with enough plot twists to turn you upside-down, Blindsided is a classic -- shrewd, satisfying, brilliant. Bravo Clyde Phillips.

I purchased this book based on a rave review I happened upon in Publisher's Weekly whose reviewer, I'm sure, did not know Clyde Phillips. Nor do I, though I feel I want to respond to one here posted as "Only Mystery Is The Good Reviews". Thrillers are my thing. I read many. And I have to say that Blindsided is an expceptional thriller on every level -- plot, character, dialogue. If there are more glowing reviews on this site, must be because the book deserves it. It was great. Take it from me.

As law enforcement officials, Inspector Jane Andriotti and Kenny Marks risk their lives to serve and protect the public. At times, they may perform heroic acts, but like most police officers, the couple recognizes they are just performing their jobs as members of a unique club linked by the danger of their occupation. However, the relationship between Jane and Kenny goes way beyond that of comrades in arms They are lovers and the day they move in together, the brass assigns them to investigate the brutal murder of a former cop turned druggie.

The killer Jacques Carpentier served fifteen years of hard time. Back on the street, Jacques has a personal agenda to complete. Jacques plans vengeance on specific members of the SFPD. By the third murder, the police conclude a serial killer has targeted them for termination. Neither Jane, in charge of the case, nor Kenny has any idea who the perpetrator is or why he is killing cops and former cops. Though they jeopardize their lives doing their job, Jane and Kenny know they must stop the culprit before another person is found dead.

The taut story line with its switching locations and superb characterizations are so well written, it will blind-side the sub-genre by turning it into a new direction. The story line is fast-paced while Mr. Phillips' magically switches locales in an effortlessly manner that actually propels the plot forward. However, it is the humanization of the characters, who grow as they learn from their errors, that turns this thriller into a mega-chiller. Readers of BLINDSIDED will be obsessed to read Clyde Phillips' previous novels.

Harriet Klausner

I found this book fasinating and enjoyed it even more than the first of the series. The relationship between the two main characters has depth and their interplay adds a nice counter foil to the gritty reality of their search for the killer.

It is a tour of San Francisco, murder and life, with a touch of humor. This book is a good read. Put it in your beach or travel bag.

I didn't want to put it down once I got started reading on the plane. Apart from the wonderful twists and turns within the story itself, the emotional depth is what distinguishes this book from the pack. Family, and its many shapes and definitions, is a wonderful subtext to the events which occur in the lives of Phillips' characters. This is awesome stuff.

This book holds all the action and psychological suspense of books written by James Patterson. I like Clyde Phillips and will be anxiously waiting for future books from this author. The book began with a gut-wrenching murder that grasped the reader's attention from the very first page and never let go.

Kenny Marks and Jane Candiotti are making a commitment in their relationship and moving in together. As luck would have it, moving day is more memorable than anticipated. A bizarre murder of a former police officer, now down-and-out and hooked on drugs, has just taken place. Marks and Candiotti are called to the scene. This is just the beginning of a diabolical killer's plan for revenge, a fiendish criminal who spent fifteen years in prison planning his fever-pitched killing spree. The action and suspense keep the plot twisting and turning from start to finish.

The book has a well-developed plot and, for the most part, strong characters, particularly that of the killer. The only down side of the book was the rather juvenile persona of Jane Candiotti when it came to her romantic relationship. The professional and personal characteristics of this character conflicted. Although love does make us feel young, the events and dialogue in regard to the romance came across as immature and adolescent, particularly for a forty year old woman. Jane Candiotti is supposedly strong and mature, capable of tracking down a hard-core criminal, but her juvenile personal side left the reader feeling she was too immature in her personal life to be credible in her professional life. For this reason the book lost a star in the rating.

Overall, the book was a great thriller. It was well-written with a super-dynamic plot, although the author might do a little more research on firearms (there were a few blunders in that department.) The book was still a terrific read and highly recommended.

Blindsided - the sequel to Fall From Grace - is an amazing book. The twists and turns of the story keep you up late at night, reading until the wee-morning hours. Once you pick this book up, it'll be a struggle to put it down!

You can tell the author, Clyde Phillips, has put hours of research and reading into this novel. It's truley wonderful, this book. It has everything - love, romance, action, suspense, comedy, etc. The characters are detailed, believable and so real that it's astonishing they're fiction.

And, just as his first novel (Fall From Grace) there's an incredible ending and conclusion. Once again, the culprit is someone you'd never expect to even hurt a fly. I read this book in about 3 days; hour on top of hour, reading and trying to figure out what's going to happen next. My cats were annoyed by me staying up so late!! :)

If you're looking for a novel that has a believable, strong and excellent story line, this book is a dream. Truthfully, I believe anyone, with any kind of love for books, will enjoy this novel.

Clyde Phillips is perfecting his craft. In "Fall From Grace", he introduced us to Homicide Inspector Jane Candiotti, a beautiful, yet emotionally flawed woman who makes some choices that definitely aren't in her best interest. In Phillips newest novel, "Blindsided", Candiotti is back, and seems to have grown and even learned from her previous mistakes. Reaching much more satisfying and believable emotional depths, Phillips pulls out all the stops in this rip-roaring, brilliant thriller.

Someone has brutally murdered a homeless junkie. Just another day on the job for Candiotti and her partner Kenny Marks. ..until they discover that the homeless man was once one of their own. When yet another officer is brought down, Candiotti begins to suspect that there's more to these seemingly random killings than she can put her finger on. As the killer gets more and more daring, Candiotti and Marks must race to find him before he can kill again.

Phillips craftily plays the mounting suspense of the pursuit of the police killer against Candiotti's newfound resolution to settle down and find love, with none other than her partner, Marks. As her life becomes more and more perfect, the killer gets closer and closer to home...creating some of the most intense dramatic tension captured on a page. Although the reader finds out who the killer is pretty early on in the story, that knowledge only heightens the adrenaline rush as we follow his every move...and his ultimate target: Jane Candiotti. Creating a profoundly believable cast, Phillips has given us the perfect thriller, from the first word to the very last! I can't wait for the next one!

Sure it's graphic as many other reviewers have pointed out. But it's about cops chasing a serial killer. You don't want graphic, don't read about serial killers, they aren't nice guys.

Anyway, this book has a million twists and turns. Never dull. Inspector Jane Candiotti and her partner (both on and off the force) Kenny Marks are likeable and interesting from Page 4, when you first meet them. Same for the other cops in their squad, you quickly get attached to this group.

If you like thrillers and can take a little gore, read on, you won't be disappointed. I read alot of thrillers and this is the best one I've read in ages.

Clyde Phillips treats his readers to another brilliant episode of Jane and Kenny in SF, this time teetering at the top of the Transamerica Tower. Plan on reading this thriller in one seating -- it's impossible to put down. This summer, you won't need to go any further than BLINDSIDED for a warm summer romance and a white-knuckle roller coaster ride. Highly recommended.