Customer Reviews

A Killing Frost PB

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Some of the finest memories of my youth involve the arrival of the latest novel from Mickey Spillane. I knew, from repeated experience, that the next couple of days were going to be great.

I still enjoy the hardboiled PI genre --I've even been tempted to try my hand at writing one, though my own books tend toward a different direction entirely. But in recent years, the Mike Hammer school of private detective has been supplanted by a series of popular but... well, overly genteel gumshoes. Somewhere along the line, things got a little too politically correct, a touch too enamored of fern bars and gourmet cooking. I missed the grittier, more darkly complicated PI hero.

Well, he's back. In the deft hands of author Michael Black, the noir flavors I remember from my oft-misspent youth have been resurrected in the person of Ron Shade.

A KILLING FROST is the first of what we can only hope is a new series by Black featuring his Windy City toughman-with-a-heart. In it, we rediscover that an intelligent mind and a wicked right hook are not mutually exclusive; nor are cracked heads of the bad guys and a tough-but-tender touch with the requisite beautiful ladies who populate Shade's world.

Author Black himself is a journeyman writer, a cult favorite among authors-in-the-know. Go to any writers' conference, mention Black's name, and be prepared for the rave comments from writers whose names regularly populate the best-seller lists.

With A KILLING FROST, Black reaches a wider audience. My guess is that they will be equally appreciative of the talents of this hard-working, hard-hitting writer and the stories that he tells so well.

--Earl Merkel

There may be lots of great literary PIs out there, but they'd better step aside, because Ron Shade has just entered the ring.

A Killing Frost really packs a punch. It has it all: Excellent story, delightful writing, and characters so real, I found myself thinking about them even after I turned the last page.

Michael A. Black has introduced private investigator Ron Shade, former full-contact Karate champion and former cop, who's gearing up to reclaim the heavyweight title, while dealing with the ups and downs of life. Just as the downs seem to be overtaking the ups, Ron's good friend Maria steps in with her friend, Juanita, bringing him a case that will put all of Ron's investigative and kick-boxing skills to use.

A Killing Frost pulled me in from the opening line, and didn't let go till the heartfelt ending that brought it all together. Ron Shade is the kind of guy we'd all love to have in our corner. He's strong, brave, tough, and yet possesses an undeniable gentle side that makes Maria sit up and take notice. I found myself so immersed in his adventures that I didn't realize I'd read the whole novel until it was done. This is a story that will engage, entertain, and most of all make you cheer for our hero.

A Killing Frost is Black's spectacular literary debut...Now let's hope there are lots more of his novels to come!

You know how it goes: most times when a friend or relative or coworker raves about a new book (or movie or TV show), it doesn't add up to the expectations built up around all the hype. But sometimes it is as good as you've heard, and it's those special times that keep you going back for more, searching the new talent pool that will amaze and delight you. A KILLING FROST by Michael A. Black is one of those even rarer treats, a book that's even BETTER than you've heard.

Simply put: I couldn't put the book down. Will Private Eye Ron Shade discover what happened to Carlos? Will the relationship with Maria blossom into something more? Will Shade regain his kickboxing title? And will Shade survive the breathtaking climax to reveal the murderous political corruption underlying everything about Space Oddities? The plots and subplots are woven so seamlessly and intricately that it simply isn't possible to set the book aside without wondering what will happen next. And so you find yourself saying, "Oh, I'll just read one more chapter," until you suddenly realize you've read the whole thing. It's that good.

One of my favorite things about the novel is Shade's relationship with Maria. I can't tell you how tired I am of reading PI novels where the "dolls" exist only to gush "My hero" or the sexy dame turns out to be the true murderer. Black sweeps all that silliness aside by showing Maria as a complex woman with her own identity and life. Their relationship is wonderfully romantic while still being true to each of their own issues and concerns of real life.

Best of all, Black reminds us that a car is just a car and a kickboxing title is just a title, but making the best of what you have and being true to yourself and your ideals in the search for truth and justice is what truly makes a man. And when all is said and done, the only question remaining at the end of the novel is: "When's the next one coming out?!"

Ordered this on the advice of a friend. Good blurbs, great cover. The story did not disappoint. Ron Shade's a believable hero. A man's man. He solves the death of the illegal with good pacing and plenty of action. Never a dull moment. Enjoyed the kickboxing. Interesting characters. I'll pick up the next Ron Shade when it comes out. Good writing. I recommend it.

Author Michael Black has created a PI (Ron Shade) for the current times and set his PI in the Windy City, Chicago. That is fitting, since the author also has been a cop in Chicago for a number of years, and obviously, Chicago has some "mean streets" down which PI Ron Shade can prowl.

As a female reader who enjoys PI novels, I can't help but think that Black has created a PI that's macho--Shade is a competitive kickboxer--and one that also has a kind of gentle soul. For example, in Shade's love scenes with girl friend Maria, he is sensitve with a slow hand, so to speak.

Black's writing is spare and moves the story along quietly and efficiently. The reader doesn't have to wade through lengthy exposition. I could see a bit of Parker's Spenser in Ron Shade. For example, Spenser works out at a gym with a buddy who owns it, and Shade works out, too, and has a buddy in Chappie, the gym owner and his manager. There's also a bit of Macdonald's Lew Archer in Shade in that both have loner/melancholy qualities about them.

But Shade is distinctive.

I finished the book in one sitting, and when I closed it, I had the sense that I'd gotten in on the ground floor with this debut novel of Black's. I have no doubt that his PI character will evolve in upcoming novels and give readers many hours of enjoyment.

And I'm looking forward to the next one.

"A Killing Frost" is a fun read. If you don't want anything to heavy and are into the Robert B. Parker style of gumshoe, you will definitely enjoy Michael Blacks' introdcution to Ron Shade, detective and martial artist.

The story, like all good detective novels, is written in the first person. Ron Shade is a former SWAT team member and martial artist, currently attempting to win the world heavyweight kickboxing title. The story is simple and fairly straight forward (Really just a missing person case) and therefore highly believable. Black's understanding of police procedure and his in depth knowledge of the feelings that a fighter has while he trains are very entertaining. There is a nice romance underlying the main story that keeps the reader caring about the characters. Also, the descriptions of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are right on the nut.

This book was definitely worth the money spent. Hopefully we haven't seen the last of Michael Black.

Black is a confident writer with a take charge attitude. He doesn't waste too many pages setting up his characters, explaining their relationships to each other or any subtle clues on when or where the mystery will occur. Instead he gives us a character who is original yet funny but has had his share of bad luck. Ron grew up in Chicago and had a rough childhood. An older cop took him under his wing and convinced to serve in the army. Upon his return he joined the men in blue in protecting the rough streets of Chicago while on duty one day something goes wrong and he is no longer a cop. The author hasn't fully told this story but his friends are sympathetic to him as he begins a career as a private detective. While all this is going on, he is also working out for a fight in the ring where boxing and kick boxing is combined into an event. His current case is for an old friend who is trying to locate a missing fiancee. As Ron works the case, he learns that Carlos uncovered a dirty secret for the company he was employed. Black uses an old plot of a company doing deceitful things and hiding under dummy corporation to fly under the radar of the government. The originality comes from the way Black uses action to propel the plot to the end. I figured
out early on what the secret was but by that time I wanted to see how Ron would figure it all out. And Ron works hard to apprehend the persons in the company he rubs the investigator on the case the wrong way and ends up solving the case his way. If you like Myron ( Harlan Coben ) or Elvis ( Robert Crais) or even Patrick ( Dennis Lehane) give this new author a chance. He will be a master storyteller like Connelly soon.

I have to admit, I did have fun reading "A Killing Frost".I found many contrasts with character types and also the activities of Ron Shade that simply kept me interested through the book.
This is a creative and unique work and a completely enjoyable piece with which to spend your time.

I really enjoyed this book. I think Black has a feel for the streets that most authors only read about. Black writes like someone who has been there. I also like the lead character, Ron Shade. He is written very human and real. I think this is a wonderful first book, and hope to see more.

In Chicago, private investigator Ron Shade is relocating to reduce costs when social worker Maria Castro enters his office escorting Juanita. Maria explains that Juanita does not speak any English, but wants to hire Ron to make inquiries into her missing fiancé Carlos Sanchez, who vanished a few days ago. Maria clarifies that the police cannot be brought into the case as Carlos is an illegal. She also says that she will help pay the fee as Juanita cannot afford the full price of retaining Ron.

While also training for the full contact karate heavyweight championship fight, Ron starts his inquiries at Carlos' last known place of employment, Two Thousand and One Space Oddities. There he learns that Carlos was fired three days ago for allegedly coming on the job intoxicated. However, Ron is uncomfortable with the way management cooperates by providing everyone with responses to the sleuth's questions as if a ventriloquist act is on the stage. As he begins to get closer to the truth, Ron's life is threatened, but he refuses to allow a viable threat from stopping his investigation.

This is an exciting private investigation tale because the lead protagonist is an intriguing All-American hero. The story line engages the audience, as readers observe Ron's struggles to uncover the truth while training for a professional bout. Though Ron seems a bit too perfect, no one will care because the missing person's case is fun to follow and his budding romance with Maria adds flavor to a pleasurable few hours.

Harriet Klausner