Customer Reviews

DEADER BY THE LAKE: A Reno McCarthy Thriller

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From the first page, this exciting mystery set in Chicago grabs the reader and does not let go. It's intricately plotted, meaty and satisfying. As a Chicago area resident, I found that the detailed description of the neighborhoods really added to my enjoyment of the book. Although the plot becomes a little overly complicated towards the end and the reporter protagonist is somewhat over the top, this book is well worth experiencing. An excellent read.

So many novels written by well known people (Cummings is a reporter on Chicago radio) end up a disappointment. It seems some get publishing contracts only because of their name. But, this is definitely not the case here. This is better than most mysteries I've read recently. I'm happy to say that this book is more than a pleasant surprise and I hope it's the start of a first rate series.

I couldn't put this book down! It is fast-paced and full of surprises. The character's sense of humor is engaging. The plot's twists and turns kept me on my toes and while Cummings did a fantastic job of wrapping it all up in the end, he left me wanting more. I anxiously await the next in the Reno McCarthy series!

As someone who has worked many years in Chicago journalism, I found this book right up my alley. I'm always looking for books with Chicago references--and this book is chock-full of them. The only problem is that Cummings goes way overboard trying to cram as many Chicago scenes in as possible. The lead character, Reno McCarthy must have spent a fortune on gas because he's driving all over the metro area, often in record time. First he's in Hyde Park, then Winnetka, then River North, then even Oak Brook. He lives in Evanston, but is wheeling downtown every chance he can get. Hey, these places are far apart and there is a lot of traffic to be considered. I doubt anyone could make those trips in the time Cummings allots to McCarthy.

Although the action is terrific and the characters well-defined, I thought a judicious editor could have trimmed this book by one third. There are many extraneous scenes that don't really further the mystery and just serve to get McCarthy beaten up for the umpteenth time. Sometimes a writer can't see when he has overwritten parts of the novel, and definitely this is the case here.

Still, I was glued to this book until it ended, and wondered why a major publisher did not pick this up (it is self-published by iUniverse). A few minor editing glitches are apparent, but on the whole the book is polished and well-researched.

I'd be interested in seeing what Cummings does next.

Hopefully Cummings has some Hollywood connections because this would make a doozy of a movie. Imagine a novel that focuses on crime and political corruption in Chicago without involving the mayor or any aldermen. How refreshing. Grips you from the beginning and leaves you hungry for Reno's next assignment. Can't wait.

This is the type of book that every reporter wishes they would have written. Cummings' love and broad knowlege of Chicago is evident on every page; one can taste, smell and feel the city and the distinctive characteristics of its diverse neighborhoods. The quality speaks for itself. The writing is careful, but not self-conscious. Characters have a real humanity, and are not simply used to move the story along. Nothing sloppy here, and the wonderful and timely plot unfolds at the perfect clip. Cummings' background in media is evident in his dead-bang insights and descriptions into the workings of Chicago radio and TV newsrooms.
In short, Cummings' debut novel, "Deader by the Lake" stands tall above the typical writing of this genre. There's no cheating, no corner cutting...not in setting, story, or character development, and the story is delivered with an economy of words that keep the pages turning.

Deader By the Lake is a great first novel! Doug Cummings' portrayal of the symbiotic, often love/hate, relationship between the media & law enforcement is dead-on! This book is chock-full of Chicago details: people, places & events. It's cheaper than an airline ticket & lot's warmer! Cummings has struck a nice balance between exposition & action. The plot is believeable & Reno McCarthy is my kind of hero - not too smart, but doggedly determined, with a strong sense of justice! I hope another Reno McCarthy book is in the works. Buy this one - you won't regret it!

Right from the start, I knew Reno McCarthy was going to get into trouble. Most people know better than to return to an old job. Sure enough, while doing some investigative work for his old boss, McCarthy busts in on a murder and things go downhill from there. Cummings gives us an inside look at broadcast media, exposing some of its foibles while letting us share McCarthy's frustrations with himself and his situation.

"Deader" is fast and fun, a great adventure in a great city with great characters. I look forward to seeing more of them in future books.

Cummings' skillfully written descriptions were so realistic that I felt like I was right there along Reno's side. For example, when Reno was punched I felt the whack. The book drew me in deeper, the more I read. I had a hard time putting it down. Without being predictable, Cummings left me craving more info to solve the mystery. Totally action packed, from the very first chapter. With the turn of each page, I was excited to discover the next dilemma Reno would need to work his way out of. This book is filled with surprises!

A wonderfully fast-paced read. The writing is tight and highly descriptive, with a marvelous sprinkling of humor thru-out the whole mix. Cummings obviously knows his stuff, with the end result being a totally believable yet incredibly intriguing thriller. As a tour of the Chicago area, it's irresistable -- he takes us effortlessly from one WOW to the next. Bring back Reno! -- I'm hooked.

Cummings' skillfully written descriptions were so realistic that I felt like I was right there along Reno's side. For example, when Reno was punched I felt the whack. The book drew me in deeper, the more I read. I had a hard time putting it down. Without being predictable, Cummings left me craving more info to solve the mystery. Totally action packed, from the very first chapter. With the turn of each page, I was excited to discover the next dilemma Reno would need to work his way out of. This book is filled with surprises!