Fire Cracker [Hardcover]

Shirley, Illustrated by Cover Art Kennett (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: N . Y.: Kensington Books, 1997; F edition (1997)
• ASIN: B000L9XQ38
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

More About the Author

I've worn a number of hats, including those of corporate analyst, business systems programmer, independent computer consultant , and pet store employee (the one who cleans the cages), but my writer's hat is by far the most comfortable - and most satisfying - of them all. I've been a mystery fan as long as I can remember, which may have had something to do with growing up in a converted turn-of-the-century funeral home.

I've been involved with computers most of my life. In my consulting career, I focused on improving the quality of patient care through computerized clinical applications. Conducting business with clients around the country from my home office, I was a pioneer of telecommuting before the word was commonplace.

Starting married life as a teenager, I recently celebrated over three decades of married life with my husband. I discovered motherhood not in the usual fashion, but by bringing home an adopted child from Peru, astounding myself by falling in love with my son at first sight, changing my first diaper (ever), and floating down the Amazon, all on the same trip. Since then, an Ethiopian boy has joined our family. The two boys, now fifteen years old, created 'twins' from greatly different cultures. Truly mine is a global family.

I'm a St. Louis native and a member of the Mystery Writers of America, the American Crime Writers League, and International Thriller Writers. My hobbies are reading (not surprising), gardening, and photography.

I have six thrillers published, more on the way, plus I'm trying something new: a tie-in book for the TV series Without A Trace. Look for it in the summer of July 2007.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great characters and a cutting-edge plot, March 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire Cracker (Paperback)

I'm sure this author is headed for the big time in the suspense field. Fascinating story. The villain here is a little like Darth Vader, because there is some good buried beneath the surface. Way beneath the surface. The character PJ Gray is something different in the overabundance of female leads these days. She comes across like a real person, with problems at work and at home that others can relate to. Her partner Schultz is a detective who doesn't have some flaw, the kind I'm tired of, like being drunk all the time or practically suicidal. He's just a guy with a lot of dedication who thinks he's doing some good. This book isn't a piece of fluff like many of the books with female leads, and I rate it one of the best I've read in a loooong time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars NOT BAD AFTER ALL...., July 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire Cracker (Paperback)

This is my first time reading one of Kennett's books. I couldn't help but compare her characters to those of P.Cornwell's. By the time I was halfway through though, the characters had become more endearing to me. I enjoyed the computer imaging involvement. I wasn't happy knowing who the "bad guy" was from the start. As the book progressed, I realized that this knowledge was a building block for understanding the psyche of the killer. In the end, I was glad that I read this book and I will seek out more of Shirley Kennett's work.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you think about the computer age, May 10, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fire Cracker (Paperback)

I just discovered Shirley Kennett's story-telling, and all I can say is, "Can't you write them faster?!"

In FIRE CRACKER, PJ Gray (plus son, Thomas, and wonder cat, Megabite) and Leo Schultz appear again to take on Will "Cracker" Carpenter--a computer geek who is bent on revenge on Mom Elly--his evil stepmother (in his mind).

Since PJ is also very knowledgeable with computers, it may seem surprising that Cracker knows even more--and is NOT bashful in letting her know.

I really like the characters PJ, Thomas, Leo, & yes, the wonder cat, Megabite. They are REAL people--almost unheard of in today's fiction. Yeah, they get put in very unreal situations--it wouldn't be fiction & a thriller if it wasn't. I e-mailed Shirley and told her how much I enjoyed her stories; she told me that she has 7 cats; I can see that since Megabite has many qualities that my own share!

The story itself has several interesting points of interest--among them, Cracker's ability to thwart PJ; when PJ steps into the virtual world & confronts Cracker's Grim Reaper (had me squirming!); and hints that maybe Cracker ISN'T the machine he wants to be.

Mostly, though, I really love the characters in Shirley's world. PJ, Thomas, Leo, & Megabite; Dave (who gets queasy at the thought of blood & guts); Anita--the steady, up & coming detective wannabe; PJ's bosses; Millie's diner & Millie (makes me wish we had a Millie's here in Danville). The whole package.