Customer Reviews

The Maltese Murders (Dr. David Brooks Mysteries)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dr. Jerry Labriola brings extensive medical experience to his writing, having practiced medicine for over 30 years. He was also an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut Medical School and was Chief of Staff at Waterbury General. He has coauthored a crime book and is involved in several mystery writers' groups. He lectures and conducts workshops on forensic science and true crime.

There is, apparently, no rest for Dr. David Brooks. David can't seem to even take a vacation with his fiancé, Detective Kathy Dupre, without finding a dead body and being chased by the bad guys. But this time the action begins with the kidnaping of a baby, who happens to be related to Kater Weld, scientist and Associate Director of Brent Institute of Technology. Kater is the next victim, although the baby is returned. Threatening notes and more murders ensue, all connected to the planned Interpol-sponsored summit in Malta, where a revolutionary inhaler touted as the next anti-terror tool, is supposed to be introduced. Each scientist involved with the formula is killed, and Dr. David's job is to uncover the plot and the culprits:

"At his computer, David continued the review he'd begun on the drive home: the puzzle of criminal elements seeking him out on a vacation in Venice. Was his life an open book to some people? The validity of Hendley's remarks. The necessity for another series of interrogations. Whom to include? Whom to leave out? Should he try to find Saltanban? Shades? But, as in the case of his most recent investigations, he return to a dominant theme, one with its own set of queries: Would his personal mettle be up to the test again?"

Labriola casts Dr. David Brooks as sort of a medical Sam Spade. Brooks is a big guy with a rare intellect; the savvy of a street fighter; and just the right amount of sensitivity to be a ladies man with his love, the delectable Detective Dupre. For her part, Detective Dupre is both hard-boiled and soft in all the right places, making their romance flashy and warm. David also has a sidekick, Musco the cabby, and Musco's devotion to David is only topped by David's high regard for Musco's talents and his self-deprecating insight that he is Musco's role model. All in all, Dr. Labriola writes with a high plot, attention to detail, and insight into criminality.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer