A Long Day for Dying [Kindle Edition]

Patrick A. Davis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With his usual attention to detail and keen sense of pacing, retired Air Force officer Davis (The Commander, etc.) pens another absorbing military mystery featuring former Special Investigations officer Martin Collins, Air Force investigator Major Amanda Gardner (Martin's love interest) and eccentric millionaire Simon Santos, an intriguing but implausible character who moonlights as a homicide detective. At the novel's outset, Martin receives an emergency call to duty. The much despised General Michael Garber has been found dead aboard a VIP transport, and it's up to Martin and his cohorts to determine, within 24 hours, whether foul play was involved-no easy feat considering that the Secretary of Defense would like nothing more than to sweep the case under the rug to preserve the military's reputation. To complicate matters further, the trio must deal with obstinate four-star generals; the deceased's father, who is an influential senator; and a number of air force underlings who have been ordered to make his job difficult. The tension builds with every stone overturned, sucking readers in gently but inexorably. Though there are no explosive action scenes here, each encounter between the protagonists and the military's elite crackles with energy, keeping readers on their toes every step of the way.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Booklist [Davis's] smooth storytelling allows him to keep crucial details secret until they sneak up on us and whack us over the head.

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 625 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0743486420
• Publisher: Pocket Books; Reprint edition (July 1, 2003)
• Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000FC0RAG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,349 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Read, September 15, 2003

By 

fjmcmm (Gardena, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Long Day for Dying (Mass Market Paperback)

This novel was very entertaining and moved at a fast pace. Loved the idea of everything taking place within a day. Even though Martin Collins is a favorite character of mine, I tend to like Simon even more. Such an intelligent mind and very likable character.

My only nitpick with this novel was the editing. This is the worse editing I've ever seen in a novel. Other than that, I really enjoyed and can't wait to see what comes next from Mr Davis. Hopefully it's the same characters with lots of Simon. He's the best.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This political thriller is fascinating and absorbing, July 2, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Long Day for Dying (Mass Market Paperback)

Normally, Martin Collins works diligently at his job as chief of police for Warrantown, Virginia. However, every once in a while he serves as a consultant for the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), the policing branch of the air force. Colonel Charles Hinkle, Chief of OSI, accedes to the demands of powerful Senator Garber, who commands that the military asks Martin to lead the investigation into the death of his son, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Michael Garber.

General Garber was a mean drunk who made a lot of enemies, especial among the Joint Chiefs who felt that he earned his stars and promotions because of his father's influence. The general was found dead in his compartment on the plane and it was made to look like an accident but Martin and his team soon discover it was murder. Everyone from the Joint Chiefs to the Secretary of Defense tries to muddy the waters so that Martin won't stumble upon a shocking truth, one that could topple the existing administration.

This political thriller is so fascinating and absorbing that readers will finish it in one sitting. The protagonist and the support cast are very likable because they see justice in terms of gray so nobody gets hurt who doesn't deserve it. A LONG DAY FOR DYING is hopefully the first installment in a new series because readers will want to see how these characters fare. Patrick A. Davis compresses all of the action into an eighteen hour period reminiscent of Twenty-four leaving the audience no time to catch their breath.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Batman and Robin, March 17, 2004

By 

bookworm (Wenatchee, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Long Day for Dying (Mass Market Paperback)

This was my first read of Davis' and his crime busters and I don't think I will read another. Ditto on the editing and proofreading, worst I've seen too. Three times characters were misnamed and easily spotted.
I found it hard to swallow that a week's worth or more of investigating and interviewing was done by 10:30 a.m. With the 8 P.M. deadline pushing them they got more done and more running around than anyone could accomplish in a traffic jammed area and only used a helicopter once I believe.
I also thought Collin's growing awareness of Amanda a bit pre-teenish.