Customer Reviews

Cactus Heart (EasyRead Super Large 20pt Edition)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've read all the Mapstone books, and as a resident of downtown Phoenix (a short distance from the Willo historical district where Mapstone lives) I enjoy seeing familiar landmarks mentioned in the books. Also, Talton has been getting better at constructing good plots without loose ends and red herrings.

On the downside, the dialog in this book frequently made me cringe. "Hello, Sheriff's Deputy David Mapstone." "Hello to you, Lorie Pope, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist at the Arizona Republic." Spare me! Even worse were the constant sex scenes, with beautiful women continually throwing themselves at Mapstone. It annoys the hell out of me when authors indulge in juvenile wish fulfillment by writing this kind of stuff.

For my money, the best book in the Mapstone series is Arizona Dreams, followed by Camelback Falls. This one is so-so.

In 1999 Phoenix, Arizona, historian David Mapstone is a consultant to the Sheriff's Department and a deputy who works cold cases. One night while out to dinner with his lover, his boss Chief Deputy Mike Peralta interrupts. Three criminals are hijacking a car. One was immediately caught, another was captured by David and Peralta in a warehouse; the third remains free. During the warehouse arrest, a wall crumbled; inside were the skeleton of two children and a pocket watch.

David notes that the watch contained the brand of the Yarnell Empire and that the remains are probably the Yarnell identical twins kidnapped during the Depression. David is assigned to affirm his theory and close the case, which seems simple to do by matching DNA from the bones with that of a live Yarnell descendent. However, to his shock the DNA samples are not a match yet all other circumstantial evidence and dental records affirms these are the brothers. As he ponders the stunning information, someone murders the head of the Yarnell family making his inquiry take a modern murderous twist.

This is a well written police procedural starring an intelligent protagonist who is able to brilliantly look at issues from a variety of perspectives something few people can do. David's analysis of the present and the past especially the abduction will surprise readers yet remains plausible. That is the key to a terrific investigation of a Depression Era double murder and a modern day linked homicide. Jon Talton provides an entertaining mystery.

Harriet Klausner

Jon Talton does it again! This is the third of the David Mapstone Mystery's I have read and they keep getting better. Jon Talton's writing style in interesting, impactful and is an easy, enjoyable read. Now that I have purchased a Kindle I look forward to reading the balanace of his writings even more! Try this mystery series, you won't regret it!

In the fifth mystery involving Maricopa County sheriff's deputy David Mapstone, we're taken back to Phoenix, Arizona in 1999. Christmas is only a few weeks away, and the subject on most people's lips is Y2K.

Recently hired by the Sheriff's Office, things don't start out well for Mapstone. He chases a robber into an abandoned warehouse and stumbles across the bodies of two young children-- the remains of a sixty-year-old crime.

Just before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Arizona and the nation were shocked by the kidnapping of a cattle baron's grandsons. The bodies of the children had never been found, and although the kidnapper was caught and executed, Mapstone begins digging up evidence that shows justice was far from being served. When the evidence starts coming to light, people begin to die once more.

This is a favorite series of mine that almost wasn't. When I read the first book, I was so irritated with Mapstone's whining about the heat that I almost didn't pick up the next book. Fortunately for me, I gave him another chance and haven't looked back since.

Talton is a former Phoenix resident who remembers what the place was like Before and isn't a fan of After. Having his main character be an historian lets Talton share his love of a younger Phoenix and the things that made it unique. He can even wax poetic about the weather from time to time:

"When the winter rains come, the sidewalk restaurants move inside. The Fiesta Bowl promoters worry. The resorts cover up the pool furniture, and the snowbirds grumble. But we Phoenicians quietly exult-- that after all the punishing months of sun and heat, the sky brings back the healing water. That, after all, the desert is God's chosen, sacred place."


Although I enjoyed another visit with Mapstone and his complicated personal life as well as another glimpse into Phoenix's past, I did have some problems with the plot. It was too easy to piece together the facts to identify the real culprit, and the entire subplot concerning a hot babe from the city archaeologist's office just had too many coincidences. I couldn't swallow it without the aid of a glass of water.

Cactus Heart was still an involving read that I would've devoured in a single sitting if left to my own devices. Talton has created living, breathing characters who inhabit a place that I love. I may have a quibble here and there about a subplot or a character whining about the heat, but as long as Talton writes, I'll continue to read.

This author and his series are outstanding. Living in AZ I can picture all the places he refers to.

Talton writes about Phoenix as a native. He uses the grandeur of Arizona politics and realities to move forward his plot. He also manages to toss in editorial comments about the changing demographics and exponential growth. Talton is a great read and every one of his novels have been a great treat.

Even though it's a 'pre-quel' to his other books, I enjoyed it alot. His books are always interesting because of his viewpoint on Phoenx and its history. Since I live in a suburb of Phoenix, it makes it even more interesting. His books are intelligent, thoughtful and suspenseful.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/07)

David Mapstone used to be a history professor, now he is a Deputy Sheriff in the Phoenix area. After accidentally discovering the bones of two young brothers who had been kidnapped during the Depression era, Mapstone starts investigating their deaths. The boys appear to be Andrew and Woodrow Yarnell, grandsons of a cattle baron. They had been kidnapped and held for ransom, but their bodies were never discovered. The suspected kidnapper, Jack Talbott, had been executed and a woman believed to be his accomplice, still remained incarcerated. Prior to his execution, Talbott insisted that the boy's uncle was involved. DNA evidence leads to further intrigue in this mystery. Things just don't add up like they should.

A murder and an attempted murder of Yarnell family members lead Mapstone to wonder if these attacks are related to the investigation of the kidnappings. As he is investigating this case, he is also dealing with his own relationship issues. A much younger lover appears to be exiting from his life, while a beautiful but mysterious new woman is entering. He also has his boss moving into his home while he is sorting out his own relationship issues.

Author Jon Talton has written an excellent mystery. I love how he ties the past into the present. There are also some unexpected twists in the story. Not everybody is who they seem to be. "Cactus Heart" is a prequel to his David Mapstone mysteries. I enjoyed this story so much that I look forward to reading his other novels. I highly recommend this novel to mystery fans. It would also be a great one for a readers group.

Received book free of charge.