Customer Reviews

Sorrow's Anthem (The Lincoln Perry Mysteries)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Long repressed emotions erupt when Cleveland PI Lincoln Perry learns that former friend Ed Gradduk has been accused of arson and murder. Feeling pangs of regret from the results of a well meant past gesture gone bad, the ex-cop seeks his childhood pal out to offer his assistance. He eventually locates Ed, only to see him run down by a police car moments later. Motivated primarily by guilt and shame, Perry strives to uncover the truth behind the accusations, hoping to clear his friend's name. Investigating, he starts poking around at the edges of a conspiracy that includes members of a local police precinct; unfortunately for him, the conspirators are willing to go to any length, including murder, to protect their secrets.

A worthy follow-up to his highly praised debut, 2004's Tonight I Said Goodbye, Sorrow's Anthem is notable not only for its swift pacing, well drawn cast, and harrowing, hard boiled action, but also for the fact that its author is all of twenty two years old. Displaying an outsize talent that belies his youth, Koryta cements his reputation as one of the "top young mystery writers in America today," delivering a work that takes a hard look at the world of crime, and on the impact of the choices people in that world, both criminals and law enforcement officials, make everyday, choices that often mean the difference between life and death, and between a life lived inside or outside the blurry confines of the law.

I think I was one of the few people who really didn't care for Koryta's debut, _Tonight I Said Goodbye_, which I thought was very gimmicky and didn't really come to life. That said, this second book in the Lincoln Perry-Joe Pritchard detective series, is a wonderful turnaround. This time, the characters rang true and the story was vivid and gripping. Where the first book felt a bit forced at times, this one is natural and flows beautifully. It's still hard to believe Koryta is as young as he is.

This time around, Lincoln is drawn into a mystery that ties into his past, as he witnesses the unfortunate death of a childhood friend, Ed Gradduk, apparently run over accidentally by a police car while trying to escape arrest. Ed was the prime suspect in a murder/arson case and he was just starting to open up to Lincoln when the cops arrived to take him in. Lincoln had lost touch with Ed many years before when, as a rookie policeman, he'd been responsible for Ed's arrest and imprisonment on drug charges, all the while hoping Ed would save himself and roll over on the real culprit. When that didn't happen, the two best friends became estranged and their tight-knit community turned its back on Lincoln and his father.

Unable to clearly spell out his reasons for doing so, Lincoln finds himself investigating his friend's death, which seems to be related to a string of arsons, some recent and some dating back 20 years. There may also be a link to Cleveland's mafia and, perhaps, some police corruption involved.

Lincoln and his partner, Joe Pritchard, are well-visualized characters. They're both retired veterans of the Cleveland police department, Joe with 30 years' experience. Lincoln is the younger of the two and besides the detective agency, owns a gym. The portrait of Cleveland is a vivid one and the sense of community, of tight-knit neighborhoods where everyone knows everyone, a way of life that is on its way out, is well-developed. The mystery is an intriguing one and its twists and turns don't lead where we think they will.

I was very impressed by the novel and am looking forward to Koryta's next.

After reading Koryta's first book, I was wondering if this kid was a one-hit wonder, or if he might be at the beginning of a truly great writing career. Well, it looks like it's the latter. Within the first few pages, the reader is given an obviously guilty character (there's a video, for goodness sake!), and unbelievably the protagonist is convinced of his innocence. And it gets more complicated from there. The book is emotionally evocative, the reader really cares. Even the title--"Sorrow's Anthem", which was what the main character's father called the sound of ambulance and police sirens, is moving. Very readable, very satisfying. Comparable to Pelecanos, Coben, Childs, already; this guy is on his way.

I stumbled onto Michael Koryta's books through the reviews of other readers. He is a great writer and really hits the mark with Sorrow's Anthem. Although it helps to read the series in order, its not required. The characters in this book are even more fully developed than in his previous novels. I can't wait to read #4.

P.I. Lincoln Perry is involved in a case which is very near to him when his boyhood friend,Ed is killed in a supposed car accident which involved being run over and then backed up upon by two policemen. Lincoln and his partner, Joe Pritchard, become entangled in a story of local corruption and stand over tactics, by a neighbourhood thug who intends to own the surrounding district and everyone in it. When Lincoln was a young cop, he saw his friend being corrupted by this thug and was personally involved in getting him jailed to break the ties with organised crime. Locals still hold a grudge against Lincoln for his part in Ed's jailing, not knowing the motive behind it, and not knowing that Lincoln was determined to prevent his friend from getting in any deeper with the gangs. It's a fine second novel by Michael Koryta and I look forward to more of his work.

Koryta's second book is a solid follow on to his first. I really enjoy the contrast of Perry, the not-yet-30 investigator and his partner, Joe Pritchard retired after 30 years on the police force. But this was definitely Perry's story and really a story of friendship. The author uses fire and weather well to add tension and to build the suspense to an exciting climax. The story is very well plotted with excellent dialogue. I loved the explanation for the books title and look forward to more books in this series.

In Cleveland private investigator Lincoln Perry plays HORSE with Amy Ambrose when her editor informs her that an arsonist was taped burning down a house with a woman inside. The suspect Ed Gradduk eluded the cops, but upon hearing that name Lincoln is stunned as they were best friends as children. Several years later Lincoln adhering to his oath as a cop had arrested his pal.

Still feeling guilty of betrayal though he knows he did the right thing, Lincoln wants to help Ed. He visits Ed's hostile mother and then his pal Scott Draper when Ed comes down the stairs of the bar insisting he never killed the woman regardless of tapes. Cops see Ed who flees; they drive after him but when he stumbles they accidentally hit and kill him. Lincoln believes Ed and decides to prove his friend's innocence to clear his name. With the help of his partner Joe Pritchard, Lincoln begins his quest not realizing that his path leads to a serial arsonist protected by those who could make trouble for Lincoln.

The second Perry hard-boiled detective tale (see TONIGHT I SAID GOODBYE ) is a terrific who-done-it because of the hero's belief that though he did the right thing as a cop years ago, he failed his pal by not being there afterward; thus clearing Ed's name is an obsession heated by a need for redemption. The twists and turns of the arson-murder investigation is clever and plausible while quite entertaining. The key cast members, not just Lincoln, seem genuine especially characters like Ed's mom who holds Lincoln culpable for her son's downfall. Michael Koryta provides a deep mystery with a strong support cast and a powerful lead detective working the mean streets of Cleveland.

Harriet Klausner

Building upon the series that began in "Tonight, I Said Goodbye" author Koryta brings back private investigators Lincoln Perry and his partner, Joe Pritchard in another excellent read. This time around, Lincoln Perry is driven to help an estranged friend and it could cost him in ways he never saw coming.

Years ago when Lincoln was on the Cleveland Police Force he was put into a very difficult position. He could ignore his old friend's criminal activities or he could work him like any other suspect. Lincoln chose not to prevent his childhood friend Ed Gradduk from going to jail. That decision severed a friendship, marked Lincoln as an outcast in his old neighborhood, and changed both lives forever. With Ed in the news and on the run from charges of arson, murder, and others, Lincoln sees an opportunity to try once more to save his friend from himself as well as assuage his own guilt.

Minutes after finding him, Lincoln is powerless to save him as Ed dies in a confrontation with police. But, just because he died does not mean the case is over. It just means Lincoln feels even more guilt and now he has to deal with a grieving mother, former friends that hold him responsible and a trail that has few answers now that the man that could give them is dead.

As the bodies began to stack up and houses burn in the old neighborhood, Lincoln is forced to relieve a childhood that he thought he understood completely. Decisions made decades ago have come back to haunt those alive today and it becomes a real question as to whom will survive the repercussions.

As he did in the first novel, the author weaves another complicated and compelling read. The pace moves along steadily without a wasted word or thought as Lincoln works the case. Back story sections are brief, to the point, and provide not only information, but rich character detail. Such transitions are done well and do not serve as information dumps as routinely happens with lesser authors.

While this is second in the series, it certainly could be read independently as a stand alone. There are brief references to the earlier novel but the information shared would not harm the enjoyment of that read. This is another excellent novel from the author and does not fall prey to any of the normal second novel weaknesses.


Kevin R. Tipple (copyrighted) 2005

"All you need to know is I went cop and he went con. Worlds collided." So says PI Lincoln Perry about himself and childhood best buddy, Ed Gradduck. Now, Gradduck's dead. Perry feels guilty, and he and partner, Joe Pritchard, labor to untangle a complicated series of crimes stretching back twenty years.

As in TONIGHT I SAID GOODBYE, Koryta's prose is elegant in its simplicity and the dialogue hums. The characters continue techni-colorful. The story, despite its density, holds together very neatly.

All in all, it's a better book than TONIGHT I SAID GOODBYE. A must read for Koryta fans--indeed for any devotee of crime genre fiction.

We;ve read three of his books so far and, to say the least he is an excellent writer. Keeps you wanting more, good characters and suspensful writing. Bring 'em on! mabs