Customer Reviews

Five Star First Edition Mystery - The Heist

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The best novels out there are those where the author takes control from the start and doesn't let go. Michael A. Black, who wow-ed me with his terrific Chicago PI series featuring Ron Shade (A KILLING FROST and WINDY CITY KNIGHTS) is back with a standalone thriller that never lets up on the excitement. This author is always in total control.

THE HEIST, set during Chicago's freak flood of 1992, follows Linc and Rick, two ex-marines attempting the titular Heist by taking advantage of the temporarily silenced Loop alarms. As in all great books, what they get turns out to be much different than what they expect, and the book's ensemble cast of back-stabbing mobsters and tenacious cops keeps the pages turning far into the night. I'm hard-pressed to pick a favorite character, because all of them are drawn so well, but Tony the cop (I could see Clint Eastwood in this role), and the chilling "Regulator," are standouts.

If you're looking for a great read that keeps you guessing, you'll love THE HEIST. Michael Black does what so many authors only hope to do. He gets better with every one. I can't wait to see what he has planned next.

Desert Storm veterans Linc Jackson and Rick Weaver served their country well, but have been discarded since returning to civilian life in Chicago. However, an opportunity arises when a rare flood threatens downtown. The two former combat soldiers think that during the mass confusion they can steal about a million dollars from the Mafia with no detection and the raising waters serving as the escape.

Linc and Rick succeed in the heist beyond their wildest imagination, but failed to have a post game plan on how to spend the loot. The mob cannot afford to allow anyone to hijack their cash so they send their best The Regulator to clean up the problem. At the same time, cops, some questionable on which side of the law they lie also want the former marines and the money they stole. High noon in the ocean of Chicago is coming.

This is an action packed thriller that moves at a rapid pace once Linc and Rick decide to use their military skills under the cover of the weather to pull off THE HEIST and never slows down as the Regulator keeps coming after them. The story line is caper driven with the events enabling the audience to somewhat see how the characters, especially the lead duo, react. No one stays on the legal side of the law leading to a fun testosterone overflow Chicago joy ride.

Harriet Klausner