11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One cannot reasonably ask for more, January 24, 2008
This review is from: Dirty Martini (Jack Daniels Mysteries) (Hardcover)
While the titles of J. A. Konrath's series featuring Lieutenant Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels are all named after drinks --- WHISKEY SOUR, BLOODY MARY, RUSTY NAIL and the recently-released DIRTY MARTINI --- these aren't lighthearted stories about wasting away in Margaritaville. The novels are set in Chicago, and the crimes and its perpetrators are dark indeed.
DIRTY MARTINI had me on the edge of my seat --- not once, but twice. I won't go into too much detail, but the first time was when Daniels was in a house and the second time was when she was in a truck. Upon completion of the book, I thought I was going to require cardioversion to get my heart working properly again.
Between those two scenes, however, is one heck of a story, expertly plotted and wonderfully told. Konrath starts off by introducing The Chemist, a twisted genius who plans to take revenge on the City of Chicago by poisoning its food supply. Quite honestly, the author's step-by-step description of what The Chemist does, and how he does it, is enough to make me, a city boy through and through, get a complete library of The Mother Earth News, move to the country and become entirely self-sufficient. That is even before you get to the aforementioned "house" and "truck."
Meanwhile, Daniels's boyfriend has proposed, but she is afraid to say "yes," even though she wants to. She then discovers that her long-deceased father isn't dead at all. Those are relatively minor problems, however, compared to what The Chemist has planned, which is to hold Chicago for ransom. How do you catch somebody who is a master of disguise, two steps ahead of you and capable of murder performed in unexpected ways? Maybe you don't. Perhaps this is the last book in the series. You'll have to read to find out.
Mystery, action, suspense and, perhaps, redemption. Oh, and a bit of very well-written erotica as well. All this is to be had in DIRTY MARTINI. One cannot reasonably ask for more, or for better, than Konrath and Daniels straight up.
One more thing. At the very end of the book, Konrath gives thanks, by name, to every single bookseller he met while on his book tour for RUSTY NAIL. A cynic would call that a smart marketing move, but I call it "class" with a capital C. If you need one more reason to read DIRTY MARTINI, that is it.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best One Yet!, March 19, 2008
This review is from: Dirty Martini (Jack Daniels Mysteries) (Hardcover)
Over the last year or so J.A. Konrath has become one of my favorite authors to read. He has a great way of making his characters stand out, and adds a great mix of humor, horror, and thrill to all his novels. I really enjoy reading the Jack Daniels series and have read all four so far, and look forward to reading all the future titles. This in my opinion is the best book of the series to date. I can definitely tell that JA is getting better at the writers craft the more work he produces. You will definitely want to check this title out! Happy Reading!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely not chick lit, August 3, 2007
Lt. Jack Daniels of the Chicago PD is back. This time she is in charge of a case involving a killer who murders by toxic poisons. He kills by infecting supermarket produce, by directly injecting poisons into his victims by an airgun or even by spiking drinks in bars. The killer is nicknamed `The Chemist' because of the numerous chemical poisons he uses. The Chemist wants two million dollars in order to stop the killings and he wants Jack to deliver the money to him. The only problem is the killer has one more spectacular massacre before he quits. Jack must stop him or thousands of innocent lives will be lost.
I have loved the books in the Jack Daniels series. They are very funny and actually quite suspenseful. Joe Konrath could be accused of writing a chicklit-style book if it weren't for his very dark vision and his very funny, yet very black humor. The book has a lot going for it. The characters are a odd bunch and seemingly real. The dialogue is outrageously funny and the plot is fast and furiously paced.
Brilliance Audio uses two narrators to tell the story, Dick Hill and Susie Breck. Both are exceptional readers with many different voices in their armamentarium. They bring the characters very much to life. Well recommended.
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