Customer Reviews

The Unreal McCoy

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Police Detective Albert McCoy isn't sure what it is about the beating of Michael O'Connor that bothers him the most. Is it the fact that Michael reminds him of his late younger brother, or is it that something about the whole incident stinks to high heaven? Whatever it is, McCoy, and his partner, Detective Sergeant Otis Springfield, find themselves knee deep in missing suspects and dead bodies. As they investigate a possible insurance scam involving stolen jewelry, they come up with more questions than answers. Exactly what has Michael gotten himself into? Who is sending him black flowers with equally dark threats? While Michael and the detectives try to sort out clues that lead in different and confusing directions, Michael's love interest, Marie Sielli, the daughter of his landlord, stays close by, determined to win the heart of the reluctant young man.

THE UNREAL McCOY is the first in a series that introduces readers to McCoy, a smart, street-wise detective, and Springfield, his unconventional partner. The action is fast paced, and the characters are tightly drawn and inviting. McCoy is hard-edged and quick-witted. The dialogue is sharp and engaging. An intriguing ending brings about the possibility of an interesting change in the direction that McCoy and Springfield may take in the next installment.

I enjoyed this novel very much, and I'll certainly be watching for the next offering in this super series!

Detective Sergeant Albert McCoy is a little worn around the edges, perhaps approaching burnout from the sights he's seen on the job. McCoy's life is a simple one off duty. He lives alone with his dog and frequents his favorite watering hole with friend and partner Otis Springfield. Emotional investments are out of the picture. The quiet and slightly cynical McCoy works methodically at closing each new case that comes his way, until he meets the badly beaten Michael O'Conner. O'Conner has been beaten beyond recognition. almost to death, and nobody can figure why.

What McCoy expects to be another routine mugging investigation turns personal the minute he lays eyes on the younger man. Memories so painful that McCoy wants to "turn and run" come back to him beside O'Conner's hospital bed. It could be his kid brother lying half dead in that bed. McCoy struggles to remain professional and distance himself from the sorrow of losing his brother not that long ago. With one small paragraph on page ten, the writer skillfully, succinctly, lets us into McCoy's mind and heart.

I like this author's writing style. He made me care about McCoy with simple words and phrases, and let me see beneath the cynical veneer. The dialog is realistic. Woven in as the story unfolds are the tools McCoy uses to solve a complicated case.
The characters, also, seemed like real people. I could see them, feel what they felt as the crime unravels and McCoy identifies the criminal.

I won't reveal any more of the plot. McCoy is not cut from the Mike Hammer or Dirty Harry mold. He's a very different type of hero. I believed in him. And although I understand where and why the author dubbed McCoy "unreal", he seemed quite real to me. I'm hoping Dennis Collins gives us more of his "unreal McCoy".

I actually read this book after reading Turn Left at September ( 2nd in series). An author to watch.The 2nd book shows his growth as an author. Looking forward to the 3rd book in this series.

Dennis Collins has brought out a delightful blend of Michigan characters that make me feel as if I could come across them at one time or another. The various twists and turns that take you through this book kept me reading it and I couldn't put it down. The surprise ending was perfect.

I found the Unreal McCoy a very enjoyable reading experience. As a murder mystery buff, I'm always pleased when I don't figure out "who done it" halfway through the book. Will definitely read Dennis Collins again!

I thought The Unreal McCoy was a very enjoyable book. I liked the writing style of Mr. Collins and I look forward to reading more of his books in the future.