A Killing Sky (Frank Palvicek Mysteries) [Paperback]

Andy Straka (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2002 | Series: Frank Palvicek Mysteries (Book 2)

When a Congressman's daughter disappears, Charlottesville P.I. and falconer Frank Pavlicek follows a trail of family secrets to the most dangerous discovery of all-the truth.

"A winning new sleuth whose love of falconry adds uniqueness rarely seen in private investigator novels." (Midwest Book Review)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Publisher's Weekly has featured Andy Straka as one of a new crop of "rising stars in crime fiction." His books include A WITNESS ABOVE (Anthony, Agatha, and Shamus Award finalist), A KILLING SKY (Anthony Award Finalist), COLD QUARRY (Shamus Award Winner), KITTY HITTER (called a "great read" by Library Journal), RECORD OF WRONGS, hailed by Mystery Scene magazine as "a first-rate thriller," and his most recent thriller THE BLUE HALLELUJAH. Andy is a licensed falconer and has worked as a book editor, movie production accommodation agent, commercial building owner and consulting vice president for a large specialty physician's practice, surgical implant and pharmaceutical sales representative, college textbook sales and manuscript acquisition representative, web offset press paper jogger, laborer on a city road crew, summer recreation youth director, camp counselor, youth basketball coach, assistant parts manager at an auto dealership, assistant manager at a McDonalds restaurant, and even been registered as a private investigator. (Not to mention a longstanding stint as a stay-at-home Dad to six, which makes neurosurgery look like tiddlywinks.) For more information visit andystraka.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Signet (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451205707
• ISBN-13: 978-0451205704
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,989,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Publisher's Weekly has featured Shamus Award-winning author Andy Straka as one of a new crop of "rising stars in crime fiction." His books include A WITNESS ABOVE (Anthony, Agatha, and Shamus Award finalist), A KILLING SKY (Anthony Award Finalist), COLD QUARRY (Shamus Winner), KITTY HITTER (called a "great read" by Library Journal), RECORD OF WRONGS, hailed by Mystery Scene magazine as "a first-rate thriller," the recently released novella FLIGHTFALL, and a new standalone suspense thriller, THE BLUE HALLELUJAH.

Andy is a licensed falconer and has worked as a book editor, movie production accommodation agent, commercial building owner and consulting vice president for a large specialty physician's practice, surgical implant and pharmaceutical sales representative, college textbook sales and manuscript acquisition representative, web offset press paper jogger, laborer on a city road crew, summer recreation youth director, camp counselor, youth basketball coach, assistant parts manager at an auto dealership, assistant manager at a McDonalds restaurant, and even been registered as a private investigator. (Not to mention a longstanding stint as a stay-at-home Dad to six, which makes neurosurgery look like tiddlywinks.)

For more information visit www.andystraka.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Straka's Still Soaring!, May 12, 2002

By 

Kent Braithwaite (Palm Desert, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Killing Sky (Frank Palvicek Mysteries) (Paperback)

I am genuinely impressed by Andy Straka's A KILLING SKY, though, initially, I expected to be disappointed. After all, his debut novel, A WITNESS ABOVE, was simply stunning, and I doubted if he could follow up such a strong work (nominated for an Agatha) with an equally well-written work. His storyline also appeared to be lifted from the headlines (Clinton or Condit, take your choice)with the vanished daughter of a philandering politician taking center stage, and his series set-up bears a strong resemblance to the Spenser series with its literate PI, enforcer-type sidekick, sophisticated love interest, and a pet featured prominently in the story. Finally, having met Andy Straka at a recent mystery convention and having participated on one author panel with the man, I am quite impressed by Mr. Straka as a person and a writer. I didn't want to be disappointed by his sophomore effort so I delayed reading A KILLING SKY.

My mistake. In A KILLING SKY, Andy Straka pulls everything together perfecly. Falconry is Frank Pavlicek's trademark, and it is featured prominently. He clearly distinguishes Frank from Spenser, Toronto from Hawk, and Marcia from Susan. His development of Frank's daughter Nicole into a well-rounded sidekick-type character is also a unique touch.

The tale he tells, he tells well. The politico Drummond is no Clinton or even a Condit. The story takes several unexpected turns, and the writing is first-rate. A KILLING SKY is a giant step forward for this new mystery series. I am hoping for many more Frank Pavlicek mysteries.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lean, Clean, Muscular PI Novel Reads Great, June 11, 2002

By 

Margarette Maranto (Charlottesville, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Killing Sky (Frank Palvicek Mysteries) (Paperback)

Andy Straka's private eye, former policeman Frank Pavlicek, sprang into existence last year in "A Witness Above." His debut in a briskly paced and well constructed mystery was memorable enough to attract not only the attention of readers, but the judging panels of the Agatha Award and the Shamus Award -- it has received nominations from both. Now, in "A Killing Sky." Straka again demonstrates his prowess in another fully satisfying tale starring Pavlicek. He has taken strands from several recent political scandals and woven them into a fresh, new, and completely ingenious plot that is totally plausible and logical. The dialogue and action rings true every step of the way. Pavlicek lives and works in Charlottesville, Virginia, near the Blue Ridge Mountains. He enjoys, along with his buddy Jake Toronto, another ex-cop, the unusual hobby of falconry, a metaphor of sorts for his own search for prey -- and perps. This novel will give an added frisson of pleasure to anyone familiar with Charlottesville, because it uses real sites as backdrops for much of the action. You can easily follow Frank up and down the city streets and out into Albemarle county, lending added verisimilitude to the action. When I first read "A Killing Sky" I was so engrossed that I raced through it at a dead run, eager to know just how the complex plot twists would play out, and who actually "dunnit." Only on second reading did I become aware of and impressed by Straka's careful craftmanship, and how how lean, clean, and muscular his writing is. "A Witness Above" was an imprssive first novel for any author, and "A Killing sky" only seconds the motion.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat Underpowered!, July 28, 2011

By 

carryon - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Killing Sky (A Frank Pavlicek Novel) (Kindle Edition)

Have you ever tried to pull into the traffic lane using an underpowered vehicle? Gosh, I would really like this vehicle if it just had a little more ump. Straka has a good outline story plot that needed some excitement to make it click. Frank Pavlicek, Straka's main character is a private investigator who takes a case with little enthusiasm. Frank's friends also have a negative take on the client. There are hints of bad things that might happen and bad people in high places, but not much to keep you on edge. You find that you are nearly at your final destination before your cruising in the fast lane. Good material that just needs that extra kick to get it above average.