Officer Elvis by Gary Gusick (4 stars)

About Officer Elvis

On Sale: February 15, 2014
Pages: 224
Published by : Alibi 

In the vein of Harlan Coben and Lisa Gardner, Gary Gusick takes readers on an explosive ride-along with Mississippi detective Darla Cavannah, a Yankee transplant making her name in the Deep South.

After performing at a local old-folks home, off-duty police officer and part-time Elvis impersonator Tommy Reylander smoothes out his pompadour, climbs into his pink Caddy, and gets all shook up—fatally so, when a bomb explodes. Whether he was killed for his police work or bad singing is a mystery that detective Darla Cavannah is determined to solve.

Though it’s been several years since Darla (reluctantly) partnered up with Tommy, she convinces her boss to let her lead the murder investigation. As the new regional director of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Shelby Mitchell can think of better uses for his star detective’s time, but not even the most hardened good ole boy can resist Darla’s smart, savvy persuasions. She soon embarks on a roller coaster ride through the world of Elvis tribute artists while tracking down one of the most bizarre serial killers in the history of the Magnolia State. Aiding her pursuit of the killer is recently reprimanded officer Rita Gibbons, fresh from the trailer park and described by Shelby as “half a licorice stick short in the manners department.” But Rita’s plenty smart, even when this case takes their suspicious minds in an entirely unexpected direction. .

 

Purchase Links 

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Review

Darla Cavannaugh sets out to find the killer of Tommy Reylander, a police officer known as Officer Elvis because he is also a part-time Elvis impersonator (or Elvis tribute artist as they prefer to be called). He loses his life after a show one night. At first, the police department is hesitant to jump in the investigation and wonders if it was a one-time unfortunate event, but then other murders start happening. And all the victims are Elvis tribute artists. 

Now, Darla is on the hunt for a serial killer. What could possibly bet the motivation to kill Elvis many times over?

When I first read the title of this book, I had no idea what to think. Officer Elvis? It started off a little campy, with Officer Elvis performing for a group of senior citizens. But, when the murders started happening, it became a captivating mystery. Best part... the characters are eccentric and memorable. There are no one-dimensional characters here.

I love seeing a woman leading investigations and being sharp and not easily intimidated, so Darla was a joy to read. Even better, her partner is a lady who's trying to make a comeback after some misfortune. Even though there's a lot of wit and charm to the characters, there are some intense and emotional murders made all that more interesting by getting occasional chapters from the murderer's point of view.

What could have been a hokey Elvis story, ends up being a murder mystery full of twists and turns and loaded with characters you won't forget. All in all, a fast read that will keep your attention, engage your emotions, and keep you guessing.

Rating: 4 stars

About Gary M. Gusick 

Gary Gusick is the author of The Last Clinic. A former advertising executive with more than thirty years experience as a copywriter and creative director, Gusick has won numerous national and international awards for creative excellence in advertising.

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the Officer Elvis blog tour page.

The Lawyer's Lawyer, James Sheehan (4 stars)

About The Lawyer's Lawyer
(from GoodReads)

Celebrated Miami corporate attorney Jack Tobin was known in courtroom circles as a "lawyer's lawyer," the guy the best lawyers say they'd want to represent them in a fight. Now retired from the high-powered Miami scene to the sleepy fishing town of Bass Creek, Tobin picks his high-profile pro bono cases based on their merit, and his gut. When he's brought in to fight the death row appeal for a serial killer, Tobin blows the prosecution's weak case wide open--wide enough for the convicted killer to go free. This big win turns out to be the biggest regret of Jack's career as he finds himself hunting the killer down before he strikes again.

The lawyer's lawyer then becomes the hunted when an out-of-control police chief who blames Tobin for his own destroyed life trumps up charges and arrests him for murder. Now Jack needs an attorney of his own and he turns to the only man he trusts with his life--legendary Tom Wylie. Together they present a powerful defense, but will it be enough? 

James Sheehan delivers an intricately plotted, fast-paced read with more than enough thrilling plot twists to satisfy the most dedicated Grisham and Connelly fan.

Buy at Amazon

Review

A suspected serial killer sits on death row, the clock ticking on his life, and his only hope is Jack Tobin. Jack is a man of conviction, and he trusts his gut. But, in the end, he must rectify his mistakes and protect someone he cares about from a killer determined to kill anyone in his path.

This killer affected many lives, but one in particular: Sam Jeffries, the former police chief who lost his wife and daughter to the madman. When Jack's legal prowess results in the killer being set free, Sam is determined to make Jack pay. Soon, Jack finds himself needing his own lawyer--one who can save him from a first degree murder conviction. 

Beginnings and endings are such important elements for a good read. The Lawyer's Lawyer starts with police tracking down a serial killer and ends with intense courtroom scenes. Both are done well, drawing the reader into the lives of some well-developed characters. (Side note: my favorite character was Jack's best friend, Henry. A character who deserves a story of his own.)

Unfortunately, I struggled a bit with the middle. To be fair, I had such a clear idea of what I thought the story would be that it took me a while to go along with the author's story. I wanted more mystery of who-done-it. However, the emotional roller coaster of watching both Sam and Jack face their own failings was worth my momentary disconnect.

Overall, the courtroom scenes, action, and character development won me over. I highly recommend to readers who value fascinating characters and an intriguing storyline.

Rating: 4 stars

About James Sheehan

James Sheehan was born and raised in New York City, the fourth child of Jack Sheehan and Mary (Tobin) Sheehan. There would eventually be six children. He moved to Florida in 1974 to attend law school and became a lawyer in 1977.

He was a trial lawyer for thirty plus years. Prior to that time, he worked at various jobs: paper boy, shoeshine boy, iron worker, stock proofer, grocery boy, dishwasher, short order cook, and restaurant manager.

Presently, he is a law professor at Stetson University College of Law and the Director of the Tampa Law Center.

James currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida near his two sons, his 5 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. James youngest daughter, Sarah, lives in New York City.

Find him on Twitter, Facebook, and his website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes from Susan Schwartzman Public Relations. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

Primal, D. A. Serra (4.5 stars)

Description of Primal

Publisher: Perry Street Pictures, Inc., May 13, 2012
Category: Crime Thriller, Suspense/Thriller
Tour Dates: January & February, 2013
Available in Print and ebook: 191 Pages

PRIMAL by D.A. Serra (screenplay originally purchased by James Cameron)

The most dangerous place on Earth is between a mother and her child…

With everything at stake – what are you capable of? What if the worst happens and you’re not a policeman, a soldier, or a spy with weapons training and an iron heart? What if you’re a schoolteacher – a mom? In this gritty crime thriller a family vacation takes a vicious turn when a fishing camp is invaded by four armed men. With nothing except her brains, her will, and the element of surprise on her side, Alison must learn to kill or watch her family die.

And then, things get worse.

Review

Full of suspense and intensity, this story hits the ground running from the very first page. Alison and her husband, Hank, are taking their son, Jimmy, on a fishing trip--not exactly Alison's idea of the perfect getaway, but she wants to be a good sport. Unfortunately, a band of evil brothers are heading in the same direction intent on breaking their brother out of jail.

Not long after Alison and her family arrive at the cabin near Lake Superior, an escaped death row inmate and his brothers seek shelter from a storm at the very same area. Alison manages to sneak out the back, but her husband and son are taken hostage. With a fierce determination, Alison realizes she's the only chance the hostages have. She finds a local man, procures a gun, and digs deep to find a way to take out these bad guys.

Even when she thinks she has succeeded, the ringleader escapes. Back at home, facing the press and trying to get back to some sense of normalcy, she knows Ben will come for her. Hank, feeling his own guilt for not being the hero, just wants her to move on. Is she right? Will Ben come for her? Or, is she being paranoid?

The action never lets up, and the author does an incredible job creating a character who harnesses the power to take down a madman, but doesn't know exactly how to handle the power once she unleashes it. As a mother myself, I respected Alison's need to protect her child and understood the lengths to which she needed to go. 

But instead of just giving the reader an intriguing story, D.A. Serra really dissected the characters and how they each dealt with such an unimaginable situation. It wasn't just about the action, it was about the human reaction to evil and preserving our families.

I highly recommend this book to readers who like an intense read with the added bonus of well-developed characters. It's a breathtaking ride with heart-pounding moments. 

Rating: 4.5 stars
Note: Worthy of rounding up to a 5 on GoodReads & Amazon

About D. A. Serra

Deborah Serra was a screenwriter for twenty years and recognized by the Writer’s Guild for her long term continuous employment. She has written ten TV movies, four feature films, and numerous TV episodes including two years as a staff writer for NBC. She worked for top producers, directors, and actors. She has taught writing at the University of California, San Diego, Wofford College and at writers’ conferences nationwide. Serra has now turned her attention to novels, and she was honored as a recent recipient of the prestigious Hawthornden Literary Fellowship, and as a semi-finalist for the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Award given by the Faulkner Society in New Orleans, LA.

For more information, visit the author’s website.

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Book Depository

Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours for including me on this blog tour. Please visit more blog stops on the Primal blog tour page.