Customer Reviews

Color of Justice: A Novel of Suspense

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With Color of Justice, from page one you're taken on a dark, suspenseful, and gritty ride through the mean streets of Detroit. Prominent black people are getting brutally killed. The trail of murders has complex similarities that threaten to shake the city. Danny Cavanaugh, a white cop, along with his partner, Erik, is on a mission to unlock the case. Throughout the read, there's a lot of guesswork about the probable killer. That constant intensity is what makes this read so engaging that at times you're almost hyperventilating in an effort to turn the pages.

Gary Hardwick is a highly gifted and credible talent, a writer who's very adept at sketching characters that live, breathe, and are full of emotion and angst. His prose is simple yet profound. This book leaves its footprints throughout Detroit, and the descriptions regarding the settings are so on point, you feel as if you're given a bird's eye view of all the action. From drug addicts to murderers, the characterizations are shocking, yet compelling. And the societal implications of the high drama within Color of Justice will leave your mouth hanging open as the plot unfolds and skids to a dramatic close.

If you're looking for a non-stop thrill of a read, one packed with characters whose outcome become your concern, then Color of Justice is the book for you. Gary Hardwick makes reading about the Motor City adventurous, electrifying, and oh so trendy.

A white man with a black soul who finds his woman slipping away. A murder of prominent blacks who all have something in common.
A cop who is driven by guilt and the past. A murderer who has something to prove by specific targets.
Danny Cavanaugh is a cop just like his father was. Raised in the Detroit inner-city, he has adopted a black persona. He "talks and acts black". Does he hate himself as his psychiatrist suggests? He is also having his share of problems indirectly as a result of his lifestyle. His black girlfriend seems to be outgrowing the relationship and he has dreams about his late mother. How did she really pass away?. He is also worried about his father, an alcoholic, who spends his days secluded at home.
When prominent African Americans in the community are killed, Danny and his partner are paired up with a saucy FBI agent, a black woman who thinks she can read the case and read Danny also.
What is the common factor in these murders. When they realize what it is, it is a race to prevent more murders.
Meanwhile there are a string of other murders throughout the city that are reportedly done by a group of young brothers. They are committing mayhem and not only are the police looking for them but they have managed the ire of some bad guys.

Gary Hardwick does a good job of giving the readers a view of Detroit inner city life through not only a cop's eyes but also the dynamics of the black community and the idiosyncrasies. Class and color lines are explored as well family relationships and the pain of a man finding his way in a country that puts everyone in boxes determined by race. Hardwick has a new fan in this reviewer. I am ordering his other books.

Danny Cavenaugh. An Irish boy raised in a black Detroit neighborhood. Adapting to his surroundings, he picks up the speech and mannerisms of his peers. A cop. The job becomes his life.

The case. A string of murders of members of the black elite.

The challenge. Danny must come to terms with the death of his mother, his psyche, and in the process solve this case before it's too late.

This was my first Gary Hardwick novel, and I was pleasantly surprised by his writing style. He grabs you at page one. He doesn't let go until you close the book after reading the last page. This novel was a great read that contained all the ingredients of a good mystery/suspense. Strong characterizations, fast paced- plot, and a lesson about race make Color of Justice a 5 star read.

Gary Hardwick is back with a vengeance in his latest mystery thriller titled The Color of Justice. This novel was definitely well worth the wait and more than exceeded my expectations. Fast-paced and action-oriented, the reader is taken on a harrying roller coaster ride from Chapter One as Hardwick takes us to the scene of a brutal, grizzly and bizarre murder of one of Detroits elite and wealthy African American families. This is only the first of many murders that will occur and will require not only the Detroit Police Force but also the FBI to figure out who the killer(s) is.

Hardwick reunites us with one of Detroits finest Detective Danny Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh swore to protect and to serve but currently hes barely staying afloat of personal issues and its sometimes questionable as to how well he can do his job. Cavanaugh has many issues including being under psychiatrist care; a strained relationship with his father as well as his long-term, live-in African American girlfriend, Vinny; disturbing visions and dreams about his mothers death and to some a serious identity crisis. Danny Cavanaugh was raised in inner-city Detroit and not only does he act like an African American male but he also sounds like onewhen you hear his voice sight unseen you imagine a tall, dark and handsome brothahmmm..open the door and who appears is Danny. Despite issues regarding his personal life, Danny is an outstanding detective and when the murders continue and appear to be that of a serial killer, Danny is able to bring to the forefront that which isnt so obvious to others including his fellow partner Eric and an FBI Agent whos also been assigned to the case.

This book is a Must Read for 2002. Once I had a moment to devote my attention to Color of Justice, I devoured this book in one sitting; it was my first read for 2002 and what a suspenseful and engaging read it was. Hardwick gives us an action-packed, fast-paced, suspenseful and intriguing storyline. Plot twists and turns abound and just when you think youve figured out the villains, Hardwick throws you another curveball and takes you on another terrifying and thrilling roller coaster ride. I only had one minor pet-peeve with the storyline and that was the theory behind the murders. The theory was really weak for me but the creatively crafted storyline more than made up for that little nuance. Color of Justice is the third novel Ive read from Hardwick and with each book he gets better and better; hes definitely my favorite AA mystery writer and I look forward to future releases from this talented author and master storyteller.

Reviewed by Yasmin

This book was the talk of the office. I purchased it on Friday night and finished it by Sunday. Put succinctly, I was blown away. I read constantly, and never have I read a novel from this particular perspective. Of course, the mystery was gripping, but even more compelling and impressive was the way Mr. Hardwick managed to incorporate the race issue throughout the book, without making me feel manipulated or beaten over the head with the message. It's obvious he wanted to make a statement - and he did! But it was done with such insight and eloquence that I was more inclined to feel, rather than read, what he was conveying. I am amazed with Mr. Hardwick's ability to show prejudice in it's myriad of disgusting forms. Broadening, and taking it to a level that makes us empathize with the pain it causes ALL races. Proving, yet again, that cruelty is cruelty, regardless of the color or class of the offender.

The protagonist jumps off the page. I hope to read more about this complex character. I found the actions of his girlfriend to be intriguing, and accurate. She was strong and decisive, but terribly susceptible to the influence of her peers and family.

I actually just finished this book tonight and I thought it was good. This is the second book that I've read by Gary Hardwick. My only complaint was that there were a lot of typos but other than that I enjoyed it because the setting of the story took place in Detroit, as a matter of fact that seems to be a theme with all of his mystery books.
Since he's from Detroit I guess he's representing his city which is cool. Usually the books I read the story takes place in either California or New York.
So it was nice to learn about Detroit, and he was descriptive when he was describing the ways of Detroit, I felt like a tourist visiting the city for a tour or something... I liked how the author mixed in his experiences being a lawyer and the justice system into the book. I don't know that much about law but I got to understand a little better from the standpoint of this book.
The main character of the book is Danny Cavanaugh who's a white cop who grew up in Detroit around black people, so he's learn their mannerisms and talks like a black man ( which I thouht was peculiar, but it made for a good storyline).
Danny has to catch a serial killer who's been preying on the black elite of Detroit, and while on this mission he comes to terms with his own issues concerning race and class.
Again, I thought the storyline was good, I would recommend for anyone to read the book if you can by pass the many typos. I'm an avid mystery reader and am always interested in reading mysteries with african-americans.
I plan to read " Supreme Justice" once I get a chance.

At first glance, Detroit detective Danny Cavanaugh appears to be a black man trapped in a white man's body. Cavanaugh displays the mannerisms of an African American urban male. On the outside, he is a white man-white skin, red hair and green eyes.

However, Cavanaugh is not trying to pass for black. He is an enigma and on a daily basis, Cavanaugh battles prejudice from both races. And he is haunted by demons from his past.

Cavanaugh is assigned the investigation of tracking down the killer of a Detroit African American elite couple. Later, an another member of the Detroit African American elite is murdered.

Creating the psychological profile of the serial killer is as complex as resolving the issues from Cavanaugh's past.

The Color of Justice is a deeply intricate psychological thriller and it is page-turner. I completed the book within a span of less than 24 hours. I could not stop reading.

I would highly recommend this novel.

Long Awaited one of my favorite mystery writers new book has finally been released. This book was well worth the wait. The writing was excellent, descriptive and it had good dialogue. The storylines were well developed and thought out. If you can guess the murderer in this one, you are GOOD!!, cuz it was none of my suspects.

Danny Cavanaugh is a white cop in the City of Detroit. He sounds black and has pretty much acclimated to the black life. His live in girlfriend Vinny is black, he listens to gangsta Rap and lives in a black neighborhood. Danny and his partner Erik get the privilege of investigating the murders of some elite black members of the NOAA. While investigating these murders, Danny is fighting his own demons: the recent death of his mother, his girlfriend distancing herself from him, his crumbling relationship with his father and his own tendencies for self destruction.

Along with the murders of the NOAA members, there are other interesting storylines including the mean and ruthless Bady Brothers and racial discrimination. This is a book you won't want to miss. An actual 4.5 in my book. The writing and accurate descriptions of my hometown, gives it a 5.

Quite a suspense story. This is the first I have read of Mr. Harwick's and will not be the last. He in few words discribes the city of Detroit and It's people. He has several twists and turns and his plot is tremendous. In all fiction I feel there is truth. This book certainly brackets my feelings. I felt a real attachment to this story;it certainly discribed what Detroit is today, the city I was raised in and left.

If it walks like a black man, talks like a black man, thinks like a black man, it must be a black man. Right! Wrong! What if I told you he was a big Irishman with red hair and green
eyes. At first glance Danny Cavanaugh seems to stomp all over the creed "to thine ownself be true" but you quickly realize this is not an act. This is who he really is. "Color" is a big
part of this story.

Some of Detroit's most prominent black citizens are being murdered in the most heinous ways possible. The killer has tortured them and kept them alive so that they suffer long,
painful deaths. So we know it must be personal.

Danny Cavanaugh and his partner Erik Brown are assigned to find out who this killer is and stop him fast. But oh, he is so clever and the bodies are piling up. The FBI insist they
may actually be looking for the first true black serial killer. The story moves fast and Hardwick keeps the suspense at a optimum. Everything about this book is satisfying, the story is top notch, the writing is superb it flows and grabs your attention . A lot of Hardwicks ideas about color and race will have you thinking about this one long after you've closed the covers. Hardwick is quickly becoming one of my favorite mystery writers.