Kiss (Bookcassette(r) Edition) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

John Lutz (Author), multivoice (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1990

Fred Carver is hired by his good friend, Lieutenant Alfonso DeSoto of the Orlando police to investigate the death of his uncle at Sunhaven, a local nursing home. Carver is harassed by Raphael Ortiz, a viciously depraved thug bent on discouraging Carver from investigating Sunhaven.

Before he can solve this shocking case he must battle to stay alive, and confront some personal demons of his own in the process.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fred Carver, a Florida police sergeant until a crippling bullet ended his career, is now a successful private eye investigating rumors about Sunhaven Retirement Home. "The grip on the reader is relentless until the final, entirely unforeseen shocker rings down the curtain on Lutz's best novel so far," praised PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

An elderly man's death in expensive Sunhaven Retirement Home results in Fred Carver's ( Scorcher, Tropical Heat ) "volunteering" to investigate possible irregularities there. Oppressed by the Florida heat, the cane-wielding ex-cop must also contend with a 15-year-old runaway girl, a granite-faced lesbian nurse, a creepy but ambitious local cop, and a malicious Cuban degenerate. The use of a sympathetic protagonist inevitably colors the plot, heightening the sense of danger and suspense and perhaps altering the reader's perception of love and human mortality. Recommended. REK
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Bookcassette (May 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930435621
• ISBN-13: 978-0930435622
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,337,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Florida PI mystery., May 20, 2000

By 

nobizinfla "nobizinfla" (Windermere, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kiss (Bookcassette(r) Edition) (Audio Cassette)

For my money John Lutz ranks high among the crop of Florida mystery writers. He does not have the high profile of the likes of Carl Hiaasen, James Hall, Edna Buchanan, Dave Barry, Elmore Leonard, Randy Wayne White, etc., but he captures the essence of Florida in wonderfully spare novels.

Consider this word picture of the Central Florida heat: "On his left, the ocean rolled blue-green and too sluggish for whitecaps, as if it felt the burden of the heat and was lulled to lethergy." Anyone who spent time in Central Florida between May and October has experienced that feeling.

"Kiss" is a Fred Carver, PI entry. Carver, retired due to disability from the Orlando PD (shot in kneecap and needs a cane), now resides along the mid Florida East Coast. While his supporting cast is excellent, he prefers to work alone and maintain self reliance.

The plot is believable, the crime feasable, the crooks a fine mixture of brains, brawn and corrupted innocents. Throw in a couple of red herrings, dogged detective work, menace from a psycho, all under the hot Florida sun and you are rewarded with an enjoyable read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Fantastic Installment!, July 19, 2007

By 

Christine Wood - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kiss (Paperback)

I inadvertently got introduced to Lutz's Fred Carver stories. I'm hooked. The books are fast paced. They make you think and ponder right along with Fred as pieces of the puzzle come into focus. You'll find yourself holding your breath in suspense many times as you ride shotgun with Carver throughout the book.

"The Kiss" is my third 'Carver' novel and it is my favorite. I read the last two paragraphs three times and wanted to cry each time. The ending was tragicly beautiful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orthodox and Nice Hard-boiled Detective Story, June 14, 2005

By 

APRICOT "ryoko" (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kiss (A Rinehart Suspense Novel) (Hardcover)

Simple and orthodox, but very nice hard-boiled detective story. The author is very good in writing; for example, he makes me feel the unbearable heat of Florida and smell the nasty odor of McGregor, an unscrupulous cop. And the "kiss of farewell" in the ending is sad and touching. I'd like to read more Fred Carver stories.