Customer Reviews

A False Dawn

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

 

 

The unexpected twists and turns in Lowe's first crime novel, A False Dawn, are indeed reminiscent of John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee series. But then the scene shifts and the plot delves into a Florida Noir nightmare of terrifyingly plausible acts of human trafficking, sexual slavery and body part harvesting. The likeable, widowed, former homicide detective Sean O'Brien, reluctantly tackles some of the most twisted, yet believable evil doers imaginable.

With his appealing daschund sidekick, Max, at his side, O'Brien relentlessly unravels the case of a lifetime, bringing him back from a long period of mourning to new dawn.

Margot Gould, Librarian
Cocoa Beach Public Library

Tom Lowe's debut novel A False Dawn is taking the world of mystery fiction by storm. I consider myself a very objective critic but I respectfully disagree with Publishers Weekly's review suggesting that there is "little suspense or surprise." When reading this novel you'll find that Lowe really did his homework. It is my opinion that all the characters he created were assigned quality traits and the story line is anything but austere. That fact is Lowe is a gifted writer; once I picked up the book it was hard to put down and I normally don't enjoy reading fiction. Lowe may lack experience, but he's certainly got no lack of talent; A False Dawn will not disappoint!

Grab a seat, a Corona and a Wiener at your feet and get comfortable. Lowe's skillfully crafted debut will keep you glued and turning for hours. Sean O'Brien, and his faithful companion Max, are sucked into a black market few know exist and even fewer dare tread. I can't wait until the next in the series is released and rumor has it we'll see Lowe's next in just over six months.

A False Dawn

Widower homicide detective Sean O'Brien left the Miami police department after promising his beloved late wife Sherri in a death bed promise he would give up criminal investigations. Sean packed his bags and accompanied by his dachshund Maxine leaves Southern Florida for rural Volusia County near the St. John's River.

He enjoys his quiet life with Max. One day while they hike through the nearby near
Ocala National Forest, he finds a badly battered Hispanic girl who he suspects was raped, dies in his arms. Volusia County PD detective Slater follows the book and considers the ex-cop as his prime suspect. Although he knows he is breaking his pledge to Sherri, Sean believes she would want him to investigate the homicide. His effort soon leads him to a Miami serial killer The Bagman, and with Police Detective Leslie Moor to human trafficking of migrant workers sold to the farms as slaves; to the pimps as hookers; or as cash crops harvesting organs to sell to transplant medical facilities.

This is an exciting investigative thriller starring a likable reluctant hero who enjoys his time away from the cement jungle, but feels a need to bring justice to the dead girl and to prove his innocence. The story line is action-packed though overwhelmed by the combo Bagman and slave trade; either would have sufficed. Still fans will enjoy Tom Lowe's exhilarating human trafficking tale.

Harriet Klausner

What a great book! I couldn't put it down. This author is very talented and the characters, intriguing. I loaned my copy to four different friends, and each one said they could hardly wait for a sequel. Well written and entertaining. I am truly a fan of this author and look forward to reading more of his work. Afterall, I'll have to keep up with faithful Max. He is my kind of friend!

Several critics have been pretty hard on this novel. I really could not understand why after I read it. No kidding around, I could not put this novel down for a TV show, and that's saying something.

I picked up False Dawn by Tom Lowe as a fluke but the joke was on me.....I ended up reading the entire book. When I say this is a page turner that you'll have trouble putting down, I'm not exaggerating. Filled with a gripping story and gritty prose, the writing and story line reminds me a lot of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series, though Sean O'Brien isn't carrying the baggage Burke's prime character is weighed down with.

The story is pretty simple. Sean O'Brien has fled the Miami police department as the result of a deathbed promise he made to his dying wife Sherri. While enjoying the good life of a retired detective, Sean unwittingly discovers a slave ring that is involved with prostitution and harvesting human organs for transplant facilities. A pretty grim business all around.

This is Tom Lowe's debut novel. I have to agree with other reviewers that this may mean a steady stream of equally well written suspense novels for the foreseeable future.

I highly recommend.