Customer Reviews

Tropical Heat

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

 

 

I had read the second novel in this series (SCORCHER)first, and actually it is better than the debut novel, TROPICAL HEAT. John Lutz obviously has to establish his characters in this one, and so some of this exposition tends to diminish the plot's suspense ratio.

We meet Fred Carver, a 45 year old, former Orlando police detective. Carver was forced into retirement after suffering a debilitating knee wound in a convenience store robbery. Now, he is a private investigator, still rehabilitating after his life-changing injury. He is friends still with Detective DeSoto, a handsome and debonair Latin/Italian, who wears tailored suits and wants Carver's life to get meaning again. Carver's wife, Laura, has left him taking his two children with her. So when deSoto sends the lovely Edwina Talbot to procure Carver's services to locate her missing lover, Carver reluctantly takes the case.

Did Edwina's Willis Davis commit suicide, fake suicide, or has he been kidnapped or murdered?

Carver's quest leads him on a search for potential drug runners and real-estate scams.

Lutz has created a complex, albeit human, protagonist in Fred Carver. Carver of course finds himself falling for Edwina, and she's still clinging to Willis' chances.

The novel doesn't have the terse, brisk pace of SCORCHER, but it is a worthwhile series. The Florida locales add a lot to the narrative.

John Lutz does an incredible job of creating a novel packed chalk full of suspense, humor, mystery and tops it all off with a just a hint of romance to make you crave more.

I find myself snickering to myself throughout most of the book and laughed out loud more than once.

Highly recommended.

This is a very enjoyable detective mystery and the first book I have read by John Lutz.

The story and characters were interesting and the writing style made it an easy read. The only ding I would give it is that some of the details unwinding the mystery are spoon-fed near the end in an all-too-convenient fashion.

I look forward to reading through the whole ten book series of Fred Carver mysteries which I picked up at a recent Kindle book sale for $1.99 each!

Appended to the end of the book is an endearing biography of the author including photos beginning from childhood and noteworthy achievements. Clearly, this is an author who thoroughly enjoys his craft.

This is the 2nd Kindle book I have downloaded from Amazon not knowing what I am doing yet. The first book was by accident but I enjoyed it. I don't know how to use the prime exactly so should not be charged. Once I go to the library and get some lessons on the Kindle Fire I will be downlowding lots of books. This book is good and I am still reading it. It isn't exactly what I would choose but I like it.

I really wanted to like this book. I tried. Readers of the crime/mystery/suspense genre will most likely find themselves groaning in frustration. While the main character is somewhat likable, for an ex-cop cum P.I. he is CLUELESS. I'm so annoyed I can't even finish this review...

Don't waste your time.