19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Stuff!! We want more!!, January 31, 2003
This review is from: Under The Gun (Paperback)
This book definitely has a hook. Cops, romance, action, mystery, facing one's past demons -- it's all here.
Here's a sample: Chapter Six, page 73, first edition.
"An energetic, blonde-headed dynamo whisked into the room, and Dez's gaze was drawn to her, soaking in the intensity of her presence. All the veteran cop's past griefs had been made bearable because of this smiling being. It was a wonder that everyone in the room didn't sense the energy that so often passed back and forth between the two of them. She felt the heat rise up her neck to her ears, and she grabbed up her water bottle from the floor and drank from it, hoping no one noticed her red face."
Aaaawwww!!!!!
I really like the two protagonists, Dez Reilly and Jaylynn Savage, and I like what Lori Lake does with this story. She skillfully crafts the believable backdrops of their daily work and personal lives, and uses realistic life dynamics to develop two very endearing and strong personalities. She also shows Jay and Dez's evolving relationship in the midst of some growth pains and restructuring. It all rings real and true, and Lori writes with an impressive maturity.
In particular, there is a theme involving some poignant scenes of self-insight for Dez, as she struggles to come to grips with the terror of love and need. Her orderly, Spartan and emotionally pristine life, (or how she lived Before-Jay) is gone, and with the passing of that way of coping, the sense of firm self-control Dez had established seems to be going, too. Dez has to find another way to live, a way that allows her to need and embrace fully Jay's presence in her life. Dez has an additional dilemma in recognizing and dealing with what is eventually diagnosed as post-traumatic stress. Dez endures an internal wrestling match with these twin tigers in a compelling series of scenes rich with both complex plotting and inner dialogue. It's good, evocative writing.
Does this sound ever-so-Isben-esque? Well, Lori manages at the same time to make you want to turn to the next page. I think Jaylynn's involvement with trying to solve a puzzling murder mystery has something to do with that. It's an intriguing and competent rendering of what detective work is: the monotonous hours of making lists and comparing obscure, unrelated facts, the mountains of notes an investigation amasses, and the human foibles that add nuances to the job. (There are two well-drawn, middle-aged guys who like what Jay can make the computer data bank do, but have no interest in learning how to do it for themselves.) The plot portrays the odd incongruities the detectives come across during their search; weird things that sometimes mean nothing and sometimes hold a thread that needs a mere tug to unravel the weave which obscures the truth. This is a very solid exposition on police work, police officers and an unvarnished examination of the grunt work involved in being a detective. And I didn't figure out the ending -- so I think this is some deft mystery writing.
Two things are obvious to me. This book took a great deal of research, and at the same time, the plotline that delved deeply into Dez's psyche caused Ms. Lake to stretch her craft. It is a book of grace and power. Bravo.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not your typical sequel, February 18, 2004
This review is from: Under The Gun (Paperback)
I find that most sequels aren't quite as good as the original story. In so many sequels, especially romances, the romance issue has been resolved and now there is just some external conflict to be solved by both. This is definitely NOT the case with "Under the Gun."
As in any story, "Under the Gun" brings in some new external conflicts. But I was also caught up once again with their romance. It was not the complete and "happily ever after" I had thought. I found myself once again pulling for them and at the same time wondering if it would be possible for them to remain a couple.
I was also caught up in the complex story-line. I cannot say much that isn't in the editorial without giving away too much. But the external events were just as spellbinding as what was going on between the two of them. We get a better look at some of the primary characters from "Gun Shy." Some are colorful and interesting. Some are...just as bad as you thought they were.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A sequel as fine as "Gun Shy", August 6, 2004
This review is from: Under The Gun (Paperback)
A continuation of her excellent first novel and just as good. Along with all of the romance and relationship angst and suspense and a well relayed tactile sense for her setting (I would actually get cold at times while reading from her description of the environment) the thing I liked most about this novel was the presentation of an empathetic, funny, real, genuinely helpful shrink, if only they could all be as intelligent and insightful.
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