22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific, Intelligent Mystery, February 9, 2010
This review is from: Frame-Up (Kindle Edition)
Plot/Storyline: 4 3/4 Stars
This was not a "figure it out" mystery with clues dropped for the reader to ascertain what is going on. It was one-half police procedural and one-half thriller with a regular guy trying to figure out the clues.
The book has an outstanding opening sentence that automatically made me want to read further. However, the first scene suffered to provide it, as the author(s) had to backtrack to "fill-in". This backtracking was not very well done and caused a little confusion.
The story progressed at a pretty fast clip, taking me along for the ride at a fast trot. New twists kept the story interesting with no filler added. The book also managed to give an interesting view of capital punishment without ever becoming `preachy'.
I found the mystery to be well-planned and well-executed in the writing. However, my first thought when the nefarious person (or persons) were uncovered was, "Why go to all that trouble?" I didn't feel the author addressed that question in enough depth.
I'm still trying to decide if I liked the dual scenes at the end of the book. It certainly kept me enthralled, but I think that it could have been better told linearly. I kept trying to picture it as a movie with cut-scenes/flashbacks, and that almost worked.
Character Development: 5 Stars
Will was a very nicely developed character that any reader could empathize with somewhat. I do admit to wondering at times, "Do all young, black (or African American, if you prefer, but I'm old...LOL) degreed professionals really think in terms of so much slang?" However, I can't take off for that because I, of course, have no idea what goes on in the minds of others. Also, it was relatively believable and gave Will's character more depth.
Sam, the lead detective on the case, was also a very good character. She was pretty and smart, without being a model or a genius. In other words, she was `real'.
My favorite character is actually the little old German lady. I was amazed at how well the author(s) portrayed the "German attitude." I lived in Germany for three years and found many Germans to be of similar personality as this woman.
Writing Style: 5 Stars
The sentence structuring is excellent thoughout the book. One thing I did not find here was a disparity between chapters that belied the fact that there were two authors. I could not tell who wrote what, which made me wonder if only one wrote while the other had ideas? Either way, the writing flowed smoothly from beginning to end.
The dialogue was filled with rich voices, giving each person their own distinct one. The descriptions were vivid, almost too much so when describing certain scenes.
Editing: 4 3/4 Stars
Although the grammatical editing was of professional caliber, I have to mark this section down a bit because of the dead man talking at the end. Yes, there is a scene with a man named Finch, but "Lynch" seems to change facial expressions and talk several times. Unfortunately, "Lynch" is the dead man that Will framed himself for killing in the beginning of the book, so I was pretty certain that he wasn't chatting it up with the cops at the end of the book. It was pretty funny.
Rating: R for Graphic Violence, Blood, Gore, Adult Situations
****This review was originally posted on my blog. The author has stated that he has corrected the "name problem" I discussed in the "Editing" Section."****
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing is as it seems, July 10, 2010
This review is from: Frame-Up (Kindle Edition)
Will, an overly-ambitious magazine writer, and his publisher concoct a scheme, frame the writer for a murder he didn't commit and hold back the evidence that will eventually exonerate him. Will objects to the death penalty, some of his reasons very personal. This should make his point to the public and maybe win him a Pulitzer Prize. Brilliant idea, right?
On its' face the premise seems farfetched, but as I came to understand Will and his motivations I bought into it. I've read that any fiction requires the reader to "suspend disbelief" at some point. I anticipated this would be tough. Turns out I was wrong.
But, as with any book of this type, things are not as they seem. Some characters have motivations that aren't as they first appear. When the plan starts falling apart those who seemed allies sometimes aren't. Your perceived enemies might really be your best friends. Those who should want the truth uncovered might not, those who don't, maybe do. Hopefully, in the end, Will can survive, but will the price be too high?
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Author does it again, April 11, 2010
This review is from: Frame-Up (Kindle Edition)
After reading Eric Christopherson's marvelous thriller "Crack-Up," I was highly skeptical that the author could repeat such a success. I was wrong, very wrong. "Frame-Up," by Mr. Christopherson and co-author Brad Schoenfeld, is every bit the equal of "Crack-Up" for ratcheting up the tension as the reader wonders if Will Pruett will really be executed for a murder he framed himself on.
Even after will realizes that he's been suckered into framing himself for the murder of a cop, it's no certainty that he can escape the death penalty. His only hope lies in convincing police detectives Ortiz and Dyrstad of his innocence, not an easy job, especially with the Manhattan DA pushing for quick justice to help his struggling campaign for re-election. Fortunately for Will, the two detectives are determined to find the truth, despite having to sift through the red herrings in their way.
There are some memorable characters in "Frame-Up." Will Pruett is cool as a cucumber as he goes through the arrest process, but he never bargained on the dangers waiting for him at the jail on Rykers Island. Samantha Ortiz is a spicy enchilada of a detective who's going to prosecute Pruett all the way to the death chamber, and it appears that she's succeeding.
If you're into nonstop action thrillers, "Frame-Up" is for you .
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