Customer Reviews

Vigilante (Shane Scully Novels)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was so shocked when I heard that Stephen J Cannell had died. I felt like I had lost a member of my own family. I happened to be trolling the new release section on Amazon, and saw this book, Vigilante, was being released in December. I was thrilled! I immediately put in my advance order, and couldn't wait to read the final book in the Shane Scully series. In fact, when it arrived, I hesitated on reading it right away, as I wanted it to last a long time.

So, when I finally started reading Vigilante, I was a bit confused. It wasn't that long ago that I had read The Prostitute's Ball. Did I remember the characters ever behaving this way? Was this really the Shane Scully and his beautiful wife, Alexa, head of the homicide detective division, that I had grown to love and admire? What happened to them making love at least 2-3 times per book, and their meaningful collaborations? Where is their beloved son Chooch, who was barely a footnote in this entire book?

When did Shane start feeling like everyone had more than him? Why didn't he pet his cat more?! Since when was Shane concerned about his career when he was always like a stinger missile locked on a target?

I felt the plot for Vigilante could have been exciting, and a great finale of a great series, by an extraordinary writer. Instead, I felt a bit ripped off; like someone else either wrote this book, or finished this from an outline or draft. This has happened with several authors; Dick Francis, who handed over his empire to his son, Felix, and the Ludlum series, the Robert B Parker series, etc. and all of these books had an additional author name on them, the exception being the Parker series.

I lost count of the number of times Shane said "I think we're being set up". Well, I feel like I was set up. I feel that if someone else assisted in writing this book, the fans should know this, and then, consider it when deciding to purchase the book.

One of the things I always admired about Cannell's books were the exciting twists and turns, and the obscure references that a police "insider" would know. This book was predictable, mildly exciting, and for me, a sad let down. I feel just awful giving this book a 3. The only other book he wrote that I didn't like was a stand alone book called At First Sight.

If Vigilante was truly written 100% by Mr. Cannell before he passed away, I would love to know this. It is quite possible that if he did write this, he probably wasn't feeling that well, and I would then look at this book in an entirely different light.

If you have never read one of Stephen Cannell's books, I would highly recommend going back to the beginning and reading the Scully series in order...it's great to read how the characters evolved over the years, and most of the stories were fantastic. His other stand alone novels were great too.

Mr. Cannell, Rest in Peace...and thank you for all the wonderful adventures you gave me through your television shows and your novels. You were one of the all time greats, and will be sorely missed.

I had not read from this author before and I was just thrilled to find a new, good writer. I like police novels and especially the books like Connolly's books. This was also similar: good detective work, action, and surprises in plot.

Shane Scully is a fictional Detective III in the LAPD. Alexa and Scully live with Chooch Scully, who is Shane Scully's son.Shane Scully seems to be a tough cop who can bend the rules in order to get things done. Detective Scully and his partner Hitchens have a tough case ahead and they fear the worst: that there's a killer in blue, walking among the police ranks. Because the dead person is a woman who was not a popular person among the LAPD police. She was an activist and had made many complaints against the police forces. No wonder, no one was happy to be assigned to investigate her death.

I had not read the previous novels but this novel stands by itself, although knowing some background obviously makes the characters even more interesting if I had read the previous novels (and I probably will do so now). If you are looking for a great action novel then this is the right book for you!!!!

Detective Shane Scully is out to protect his fellow officers against a successful "Vigilante" reality show host. The host is a disgraced ex-cop named Nash Nix. Nix recently brought down the Atlanta PD over a botched murder case. Now he is out to get the LAPD when a cop hating gang member is murdered and a member of the LAPD may be guilty of the crime. Scully along with his screenplay selling partner, Hitchens, will make Nix's efforts very difficult.

I am a huge fan of the Scully novels and this final installment is another supremely well written police procedural by the late great Stephen J. Cannell. The story is fast paced. It never lets up and will keep you guessing while on the edge of your seat until the final arrest is made.

Scully's quick wit, dry humor, and police slang still exist. Characters continue to get straight to the point and express themselves sometimes in not so lovely ways (ex. "If I have to rip out a few yards of someone's colon to prove it, I will."). Scully still proves he is not all cop. He expresses his love for his beautiful wife, the Head of Detectives, Captain Alexa Scully and their college aged son, Chooch. Once again, Cannell brings more images of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas that had me taking time to Google new locations, such as, The Bradbury Bldg, Evergreen Cemetery and the Angeles National Forest.

Shane Scully's life and many adventures were explored through the previous 11 books and since this (the 12th) seems to be the last; this is my vision of the future:

Shane and Alexa honorably retire from the LAPD. Their son Chooch graduates from USC and becomes what Shane wanted by "running a large multi-national corporation or something". Shane and Alexa spend their evenings sitting in their backyard lounge chairs, drinking cold beers and holding hands while taking in the beauty of the those famous Venice Canals.

RIP in Mr. Cannell. Oh, how I will miss your words!

Over the years I have read several of the Shane Scully books written by Stephen J. Cannell and for the most part found them an enjoyable way to pass an evening. Cannell's latest and final Scully book, VIGILANTE, is no exception. Cannell, like his creations, was the ultimate example of taking life's lemons and making lemonade. He managed to write not only the successful Scully/Hitchens books but was also the creator and writer of some of my favorite TV shows ranging from The Rockford Files to The Commish-----accomplishing this even though he suffered from dyslexia.

VIGILANTE is a book that hooks you on page one and keeps you reading to the very last page. From the victim, an advocate for L.A. street gangs known for her hatred of the police to Nixon Nash the star of a hit reality VigilanteTV show, another police department detractor bent on selling himself as a folk hero who can solve the unsolvable, this book is not lacking colorful characters. Nash does not play nice and has already destroyed the careers of a couple of Atlanta cops. He seems to envision the same fate for Scully and "Hitch" if they do not cooperate with him. The fact of the matter is Nash's own background comes up as questionable when subjected to a little "Scully/Hitch scrutiny" and that definitely means trouble for our dynamic duo.

Cannell has taken this opportunity to give his readers not only an interesting group of suspects to examine he also provided a behind the scenes look at reality television programming including demonstrating how clever editing can be utilized to manipulate the facts being disseminated to the public. Kind of a case of "the facts are whatever we say they are - - and whatever we can persuade you to think they are".

Cannell devotees will appreciate this final endeavor and are sure to be intrigued by the how and who of the story's conclusion.

Vigilante is fast-paced and above-average, exactly what you would expect from Cannell, who combines a hungry press, local color and non-stop action in unpredictable ways, the solution never quite as simple as it seems and the motives obscured in layers of subterfuge. In this outing, veteran police detective Shane Scully of Homicide Special, under LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division, is assigned to investigate a murder scene with his suave partner, Sumner Hitchens, a case that may well be a career-ender. The Grim Reaper arrives in the person of Nixon Nash, whose popular Vigilante-TV series has been the bane of more than one big city police department. The last case Nixon covered was in Atlanta, where the careers of two homicide detectives lay in tatters after their blunders were exposed on V-TV, Nash solving the case in lieu of the detectives- live on camera.

Now Nash is scouting LA for the perfect case to feature on his show. Scully and Hitchens are sure they have drawn the very murder to attract Nixon's attention: the brutal slaying of police agitator and gang activist Lita Mendez, a high-profile personality with a reputation for suing the department and creating havoc wherever possible, including confrontations with important department heads. Not much doubt here about Vigilante-TVs next hot topic: Nix has already set up the cameras and is rolling film at the site of the Mendez murder. The only question is how Scully and Hitchens are going to avoid Nash's expected sabotage and the trashing of their reputations- and solve the murder.

Whether behind the scenes in LAPD headquarters or on the set of Vigilante-TV, Cannell orchestrates the well-rehearsed dance of an ambitious TV celebrity and his unwilling victims in a heavily-scrutinized case where public opinion carries serious weight and the detectives' actions are under a microscope, Scully and Hitchens frequently upstaged by Nash's anticipation of their direction. Stylized, current and filled with LA landmarks and particularities, Cannell leads his detectives on a merry chase, stalked by a glib TV host who has the answers even before they have the questions. But intuition, creative problem-solving and years of experience give the partners an edge that cuts both ways as they pursue an elusive prey and avoid a premature end to their careers in law enforcement. Luan Gaines/2011.

Vigilante is the 11th novel in the Shane Scully series by Stephen J. Cannell, acclaimed and prolific TV and novel writer, who is recently deceased. I was notified by Goodreads that I had won an advance copy of this novel. But when I saw that it was #11 in the series, I quickly downloaded #1, The Tin Collectors (2001) to my Kindle so I could have a little insight into the main character. However, after finishing Vigilante, I don't feel that I missed anything at all by not having read most of the books in the series. Like most main characters in police procedurals these days, Shane Scully is a flawed character with a very big heart, which usually gets him into trouble. The series takes place in L.A., Cannell's hometown. Shane Scully's partner is Sumner Hitchens, who became a millionaire by selling murder cases to the movies, one of which was a smash hit. (A bit like Cannell himself, although to my knowledge, Cannell was never in law enforcement.)

Scully and Hitchens are posted to Homicide Special, an elite investigations unit and Scully gets a cell call about a murder that is too sensitive to talk about on the cell phone. He and Hitch go right to the scene, where they find Nixon Nash, a supposed police watchdog, from Vigilante-TV already set up with cameras rolling. (What's up with that?) Nash is a former Florida Marine Patrol officer who is forced to resign over an error in procedure on a very important case. He then becomes a lawyer and gets caught embezzling his own law firm. Nash spends 18 months in prison, writes a book while there, is released and he goes to Miami where he starts a local show called Vigilante TV, which is quickly syndicated. His M.O. is to ferret out police corruption and throw a big spotlight on police incompetence.

Lying dead inside the house is another big thorn in LAPD's side, Lita Mendez, a community activist whose self-appointed job it is to start civil actions and Internal Affairs complaints against the LAPD for supposed violations of gang members and other community persons rights. She had just moved into this house. LAPD is less than thrilled by her actions, Internal Affairs captain Stephanie Madrid has filed restraining orders against Mendez. Mendezes husband, Lester, an ex-cop who retired from a SIS unit which was shut down due to extreme violence becomes part of the mix. The prior tenant of the house has an argument with the victim over a ceiling fan left in the house. There's a mysterious garlic smell in the house, an unknown coffee cup outside in the bushes, an unsolved cold case whose vic might have been dating one of the persons of interest, a party on the H.M.S. Bounty, and a similar slash and burn scenario in Atlanta where Nash last set up his cameras. And Nash is feeding Scully and Hitch information about the case that may or may not be a set up. The brass want this cleared in a hurry.

It was a terriffic ride right down to a big "wow" on my part near the end. Even if I hadn't read book #1 prior to starting the advance copy, I wouldn't have needed any background. The novel stands by itself, although knowing some background obviously makes the characters even more interesting and developed.

I am definitely going to read the others in this series.

Cannell has a gift for crafting a believable plot and characters with just enough atmosphere. He delivers a fast, entertaining read that is engrossing and then almost immediately forgettable--just the ticket for and escapist reading adventure. Not surprising that he had a successful career as a TV writer (Rockford Files, etc.). You have to give the guy credit for making it look easy.

This is the last book written/published by Cannell before he passed away in 2010. I only discovered Cannell about 5-6 years ago, but once I discovered him I quickly found and read all of his books. He was a screenwriter with numerous shows under his belt and had a great easy to read writing style which was great for TV and also great for books. I really enjoyed them and was saddened when he passed away.

Vigilante is the last of his Shane Scully books, an L.A. homicide cop. This book is particularly short and quick reading, I read it in a couple of days. The book started well but I felt the last 2/3's of the book was rushed and didn't go as deep as his previous books. What made his previous books stand out was how detailed they were, from the investigation to the characters to the action.

But I have no regrets whatsoever getting this book. New readers should not start with this book but one of his older ones. For me, as the last Stephen J. Cannell book, it's one I and all his fans will particularly treasure as there will be no more Shane Scully or Stephen J. Cannell, may he RIP.

VIGILANTE, the final book in the Shane Scully series due to the untimely passing of Stephen J. Cannell in 2010, has the distinction of presenting one of the best opening paragraphs and one of the best closing paragraphs you are likely to encounter in a crime novel this year. Both earn that accolade for entirely different reasons: the first paragraph will intrigue you, suck you in and keep you reading, while the final paragraph... well, it says it all, in just a few words.

Scully and his partner in law enforcement, Sumner "Hitch" Hitchens, are assigned to investigate a high-profile homicide. The deceased in question is Lita Mendez, a gang activist with ties to the notorious Evergreen crew. Mendez had been an impediment to effective law enforcement and a thorn in the side of the LAPD for years. Scully and Hitch do not lack for suspects when Mendez is found murdered in her apartment. Every man and woman in a blue uniform has a motive, not to mention a plethora of rival L.A. street gangs.

Scully and Hitch have a huge roadblock in their investigation, in the form of Nixon Nash. "Vigilante TV" is a hit reality show, and Nash is its host, solving crimes ahead of police departments while demonstrating the ineptitude of the investigating officers. Nash has embarrassed two police departments since his show has been on the air, and the LAPD is now in his sights. Scully isn't happy, especially when Nash offers him a position on the program, coupled with a threat that Scully will be unhappy and embarrassed, or worse, if he doesn't cooperate. There is something about Nash, and his apparent skill at investigation, that doesn't quite sit right. Is Nash that good, or that lucky? And if he is neither, how does he manage to appear on the spot of crime scenes so quickly, with so much information, even though he has airtight alibis for the times when each murder is committed?

Scully begins working backward, conducting his own investigation into Nash's background. When Nash begins to research a cold case that has been all but forgotten by the LAPD, it appears to have a link to the Mendez killing, which reaches into the higher levels of the police department. Yet Scully still isn't entirely convinced that Nash is simply an extremely clever investigator. When Hitch comes up with a crucial clue, Scully sets an ingenious trap for Nash, one that will reveal whether he is good, bad, or lucky, but that may also put Scully and Hitch in grave danger.

Cannell's background in television has been heavily utilized in VIGILANTE to demonstrate how reality TV programming can manipulate public perception. He gives readers an over-the-shoulder glimpse of the editing room and the director's chair, while presenting a fascinating mystery that is more of a howdunit than a whodunit but that still asks a number of intriguing questions that keep the reader guessing from beginning to (almost the) end. VIGILANTE fulfills the promise of that great opening paragraph and leads perfectly to that superb ending. It's unfortunate that the series needs to end, especially under such tragic circumstances, but we do have Cannell's entire backlist --- not to mention the countless TV shows he created, written and produced --- to savor.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

This is an interesting crime novel with well-drawn characters, likable protagonists, properly disagreeable villains, and a somewhat different and suspenseful plot line. The hero, Shane Scully, who appeared in prior Cannell books, is a police detective whose wife is the chief of detectives. He is partnered with a millionaire who prefers police work to retirement. Shane and his partner handle the more complicated and sensitive murder cases in Los Angeles. They are assigned the case of the murder of a woman who had filed over 200 cases against the police, alleging corruption, a case that raises the question, was she killed by police officers who she was harassing? What complicates the case is that a former police officer turned TV star has decided to use this case to belittle the LA police and Shane personally. He is determined to show that Shane and the LA police are incompetent. He seems to know what the police are doing, which raises the question, is there an informer among the police? While the police have small resources, the ex-cop-TV-personality has hired former cops, ex FBI profilers, retired judges and others, including a former girlfriend of Shane, to help him solve the case. He is very manipulative and uses deception to mislead the police. Shane wanders if he has another agenda for his plot against the police besides raising his ratings.