Customer Reviews

Cherry Bomb (Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels Mysteries)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

J. A. Konrath is a very funny guy, friendly and likable. That's why I think he has an evil twin who writes the Jack Daniels series. How else could you explain the accuracy with which he depicts one of fiction's most disturbing serial killers? Alex Kork must be every cop's worst nightmare --- a psychotic, highly intelligent, strong monster who kills people with the detachment of someone stepping on an ant. The methods that she devises are straight out of Satan's handbook.

In CHERRY BOMB, Alex is piling up bodies in an attempt to get back at Jack for disfiguring her and to avenge the death of her one true love. It's hard, though, to imagine her ever loving anyone; she is completely heartless. This fact, coupled with her relentless pursuit of her quarry, makes it even more difficult to anticipate her moves. She is not motivated by normal values and desires. Yet the police and those who are trying to stop her are subject to both legal and moral constraints.

As Jack evaluates her situation, in frustration she thinks, "Life had no meaning. It had no point. I'd chosen a career to do good. To prevent cruelty, and death, and suffering. To right wrongs. To fight for something important. But nothing I did mattered. I didn't change anything. And I'd brought upon myself the very things I'd tried to prevent." That's how dealing with evil effects good people. It makes them question themselves, and doubt sets in. It can even lead them to bend the rules and become more like their adversary.

And, while Jack agonizes over her responsibility, Alex simply follows the typical psycho method of coping: "When in pain, the best way to take your mind off of it is to cause pain." It works for her.

While CHERRY BOMB seems to be a bit darker than some of the previous novels in this series, it is not without Konrath's signature wit and sense of irony. These serve not only to relieve some of the tension, but also to provide simple enjoyment to those of us who appreciate words. For example, when Jack's partner Herb is trying to convince her to turn in a piece of evidence, Jack thinks, "We'd been partners for over a decade, and often played conscience for each other. But right now I needed an enabler." Like that. However, I must say that I for one could have lived without quite so much of Slappy. But you'll have to decide for yourself.

With a little help from her friends --- the ambiguously annoying/lovable Harry McGlade, the ambiguously honest/bank robber Phineas Troutt, and her consistently wise partner, Herb Benedict --- Jack is able to confront her sworn enemy in a deliciously satisfying resolution.

--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding

If you have read the last book then you will be thrilled that in the first paragraph you find out who was killed in the last one. Cherry Bomb picks up and continues the hunt for Alex Kork. The twists and edge of the seat tension just keeps on coming in the one. With comic relief given by one crazy monkey, yes a monkey. This is a must read for all J. A. Konrath fans! At the end of this one the only cliff hanger is where will Jack go next and how will it work into the next book in the series. As a fan of Jack Daniels mystery's I sure hope this isn't the end of her. I really can't tell you much more of the plot without giving away the cliff hanger at the end of Fuzzy Navel. I hate that myself, so I won't do it in my review. Buy this book and enjoy!

I love the Jack Daniels series and all the characters. This story line took Jack to a deeper, darker level as the bodies just kept piling up around her. Somehow, though she always manages to pluck herself back up and keep after the evil Alex. I adore Konrath's writing style - his stories always take on a life of their own and are amusing and/or touching at the most unexpected times.

I also read the short story/Novella collection Suckers in Kindle format on my Blackberry right after reading Cherry Bomb. It's a delightful compilation by J.A. Konrath and Jeff Strand that features more exploits of Harry McGlade (Konrath character) and Andrew Mayhem (Jeff Strand character). If you like Funny Horror, you'll love Suckers.

I was first introduced to Andrew Mayhem a few years ago when I read Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary) and Casket For Sale (Only Used Once), An Andrew Mayhem Thriller. These books are available now in Kindle format, also. It just doesn't get any better than that.

All I can say is more please! And the sooner, the better! :)

Left in suspense following the end of Fuzzy Navel, we are left wondering died. Cherry Bomb answers the question and takes us on another ride; the kind only Konrath can give us. :)

"Cherry Bomb" the sixth in J.A. Konrath's Jack Daniels series, is not as sarcastic or hilarious as previous stories (mom and cat not really involved). But this one begins where the previous novel ended, with Alex Kork, a really sadistic killer is out to get Daniels. And the games begins: the killings get more gruesome and Jack becomes more emotional. This definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put the book down.

I've been reading this series since it started with Whiskey Sour and couldn't stop raving about it. I was eagerly anticipating this book since Fuzzy Navels heart stopping, cliff hanger of an ending. The past books had enough humor and irreverence to make up for all the horror. They were wonderful police procedural's as well as mysteries. The reason why I gave this book such a low rating is that I know that JA Konrath could have done so much better. After all, as I said, he managed to hook me into this series with his other books. So had he made more of an effort to keep our adrenaline jacked with more than just a series of random killings that did nothing to move the plot along I may have been a little less harsh in my review.

But this offering is nothing but non-stop gratuitous murder, yes we get the fact that Kork is a nut case and this is her reason for living, but a break would have been nice, there is no humor and the fact that Jack would have had sex so soon (I would explain why this is disturbing to me, but it would mean adding something that would spoil the book for those who haven't read it yet) doesn't ring true and only goes to show that men authors may not really want to write books from a woman's POV.

Too much of this book forces me to suspend disbelief to the point that I may as well have been reading a paranormal. The characters have not developed any farther than they had in the last book and in that one they hadn't changed one iota from the previous books, and the added character in the way of a monkey that throws his feces at everyone is well, maybe it's something a teenage boy would find hilarious, I didn't.

I recommend that if you must read this because you have a compulsive need to keep up with a series, then wait and buy it in paper back. I'm sorry that I got it in hard cover and didn't buy it for my Kindle. At least I wouldn't feel so cheated.

I loved this book. To me, it's the gold standard of what JA Konrath is all about - humor, horror, lightning-fast wit, and a story that absolutely blasts along. With every book in this series, Konrath has raised the bar in terms of experimentation, writing, plotting, and character-development, and with CHERRY BOMB, he has set a new personal best. All your favorites are here - McGlade, Trout, and a new character named Slappy. I won't tell you who Slappy is. I'd hate to deprive you of that surprise, but you will never be the same.

Read. This. Book. You will love it.

I love this series - until now. Jack Daniels is out to hunt down the nut case Alex Kork. As I was reading I thought this isn't the same Jack Daniels from the previous books. Apparently Lt. Daniels agreed. "What have I become" she says as she struggles with a life or death decision. Smart mouthed Herb is back with a new silly (not funny) sidekick. Tons of violence and tons of sex. I don't recall that much in the previous books. I recall tons of humor and tons of thrills. Cherry bomb was just downright depressing!

I was hoping this was all a dream - ya' know like Bobby Ewing in Dallas. Janet Evanovich hurt the Stephanie Plum series by using monkeys and stupid fart jokes. Don't let this happen to Jackie!

Please bring Jack back and her crazed cat! The only great part about this book is the ending! Truly if anything read the last few pages. They will give you hope for a tastier Jack Daniels in the future. I think Jack will be redeemed and I think it's going to be the real bomb!

Well, what can I say? I have read all the JD books in order and I only have two and a half to go (Shot of Tequila, I have to finish Shaken which was my first introduction to Jack Daniels and Stirred).

In this novel, we pick up where Fuzzy Navel finished off. This one is told in past tense and the dreaded serial psychopath you love to hate, Alex Kork, is still making work for Jack, Harry and Phin. This time she is sending Jack and Co. on a wild goose chase across the country, stalking and killing cops as if there is no tomorrow. She also decides to off someone who is very important to Jack and nearly costs the poor woman her sanity along with it.

This is a very fast paced and edgy book but when the ending comes and justice is served up, JD style, I couldn't help but a wear a very large smile on my face.

The JD series is one of the best I have read and I can understand why Konrath would want to bring it to an end. My only wonder is what fine, upstanding person he will choose for his next series, if there is to be one.

Great job and I look forward to reading what's left of the JD series.

I love this series of books on Jack Daniels! J. A. Konrath/Jack Killborn keeps you on the edge of your seat, and wanting more! I am now addicted to his writing! ( aslo its great how he links characters together in all of his books) which makes you want to everything he has written! On a low note, I think anything over $3.00 is way to high for a e-book! Yet I paid $7.19 for Cherry Bomb, Fuzzy Navel, and Dirty Martini! Not to mention some of his others! Which is absurd but they are so worth it!!!! :)