Customer Reviews

Fire Cracker

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The virtual reality is sure to reach out and grab computer geeks, not letting go until the last page is turned. The characters are wonderful, from the computer hacker killer to the team of sleuths: Dr Gray, psychologist, full time police consultant, and virtual reality expert and Leo Schultz, a very believable, tough cop. Dr Gray, using the latest technology, recreates each murder scene, allowing the investigators to be a fly on the wall, the victim, or the killer. It's been a long time since I've read a book as creative as this one. Can't wait for Ms. Kennett's next one.

Grey Matter, Firecracker, & Cameleon are all a must read! Don't miss the 4th in the series written under the name Avery Morgan titled Act of Betrayal -- I'm reading it now! Also, check out Shirley Kennett's Web site!

Wil "Cracker" Washington is a troubled and dangerous person, who plans to obtain revenge on the step-mother he believes killed his father. When he was four years old, he witnessed a sexual encounter between his two guardians that Wil believes was the prelude to a cleverly concealed homicide. Unable to share the house with that person, Wil fakes his death and runs away from home as a young teen. Wil establishes a new identity and opens up a business as a computer hacker-private detective. ......Psychologist Jennifer Gray, head of the Computerized Homicide Investigations Projects (CHIPS) of the St. Louis police department, and her partner first cross paths with Cracker when an elderly, terminally ill patient dies under suspicious circumstance. The victim's hospital records appear to be tampered with by the attending physician, Dr. Eleanor Graham. When a second of Dr. Graham's patients dies, there is proof that somebody is trying to frame the medical practitioner with a homicide charge. As Cracker's efforts to bring the woman down meet with continual failure, he finally hires a contract killer to perform the deed. However, Cracker failed to realize that his hired gun is a psychopath with an agenda of his own. .......Shirley Kennett's second novel FIRE CRACKER is another fast paced and exciting police procedural techno thriller. However, this time the novel includes a more fascinating, complex, and sympathetic villain than her previous work. It is the villain who steals the show because he is depicted as a credible anti-hero who gains the audience sympathy. Readers will hope for his escape in spite of his evil acts. This novel is a first rate reading experience that is worth even more then the purchasing price. .....Harriet Klausner