Rating: 
Summary: ABSOLUTELY RIVETING BOOK!
Review: Run, don't walk, to get this book. I literally could NOT put DEMOLITION ANGEL down. It is definitely Robert Crais at his finest. And for any new Crais fans out there, you are not only in for a helluva treat with this one, but you have his wonderful backlist of Elvis Cole stories to get into. Trust me, you will definitely need a Crais fix. He is a brilliant writer.
Rating:
Summary: Well developed and exciting
Review: I read this novel in a day. I literally couldn't stop reading it and genuinely didn't want it to end. Carol Starkey is a darker character than Elvis Cole, but Crais develops her with a sure hand, and introduces supporting characters who are interesting, believable, and whose interaction with Carol give the book intensity and life. (It's refreshing to have a detective who actually likes and respects her supervisors, by the way. Sometimes the "admin jerks" cliche grows tiresome.) However, it was difficult to get used to a character who abused herself, physcially, and I found myself wondering how this woman could possibly think well on a diet of alcohol, cigarettes, tagamet, and altoids. Furthermore, it was, perhaps, overemphasized that she was a softie under her tough cookie exterior. With sufficient character development, the reader doesn't need that spelled out multiple times. And, in this novel, the protagonist was very well developed. I hope to meet Carol Starkey again. And I'm glad that Crais is one of the pantheon of mystery writers who are, indeed, artists of the genre and can be counted on to produce a book well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: His best work yet
Review: She was a bomb squad technician who enjoyed her work. She loved and was loved by her beau David "Sugar" Boudreaux. While working together to disarm a bomb, an earthquake struck setting off the mechanism. Sugar died and Carol Starkey was severely injured and badly disfigured.Three years have passed since that fatal accident. Starkey left the bomb squad to work for the Los Angeles Police Department's Criminal Conspiracy Section as a detective. She smokes and drinks way too much, even imbibing while on the job. Her latest case involves a bomb squad technician who was killed while trying to disable an explosive device. Although the case brings its own trauma to Carol, she is determined to catch the perpetrator who killed one of LAPD's own. ATF Special Agent Jack Pell also wants the culprit stopped because he recognizes the MO and pushes his way into the investigation over Carol's objection. Still they work together to try and capture a bomber. Their hunt leads to a deadly cat and mouse game between the perp and Carol. Robert Crais, author of the best-selling Elvis Cole/Joe Pike crime series, has written a stand-alone novel that is filled with force, surprises, and shockers. The audience will empathize with the lead protagonist, who remains likable even as she suffers from mental and physical scars. Carol is a fighter surmounting one obstacle after another. DEMOLITION ANGEL is a notable work that deserves fan attention to encourage Mr. Crais to write more Starkey stories. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: An explosive read!
Review: What a blast! Readers of Mr Crais' Elvis Cole books will not be disapointed, and those who have never read Mr. Cole, and love a good thriller, have a real treat in store. The characters ring true and the suspense is white knuckle all the way! Buy this book, then lock the door and take the phone off the hook! I also reccomend: "A Tourist in the Yucatan" a different kind of thriller!
Rating:
Summary: DEMOLITION ANGEL OR DEVIL?
Review: OK -- I'm another reviewer wishing this was an Elvis Cole book and immediately disliking Crais' female protagonist Carol Starkey right from the beginning. She's adversarial and has more demons of her own than she knows what to do with. Somewhere, midway through the book, she becomes more vulnerable and consequently more likeable to this reader. Carol Starky is with the bomb squad in LA when she and her partner/lover are victims of a bomb blast that kills him and puts Carol in the hospital for 54 days. Now, 3 years later, she is a bomb investigator and is investigating the death by bomb of another friend and bomb squad technician. Her mind is very keen as she unravels one clue after another amazing the reader page after page. Everyone thinks that this bomb has been planted by a serial bomb-for-hire specialist, Mr. Red. Carol is not so sure about this and sets out to find out if Mr. Red is involved. While she is investigating him, he becomes fascinated by Carol which could turn up deadly for her. My one complaint about this book is that Crais never gives you a description of Carol until after page 200 where he tells you that she is tall and athletic -- nothing more. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine. So even though this isn't another Elvis Cole masterpiece by Crais, he does prove once again that if you're a great author, it doesn't matter who your main character is.
Rating: 
Summary: Demolition Angel
Review: Robert Crais introduces us to a new heroine, Carol Starke, a back from the edge of death bomb squad officer who takes us on a rollercoaster ride. Fast paced, good twists, and excellent character development. Crais shows his versatility by giving us a new series of stories to look forward to reading.....Hard to put this one down.
Rating:
Summary: White hot and explosive!
Review: At first, I was somewhat disheartened to learn that this would not be an Elvis Cole novel. One the one hand I was looking forward to something different from Crais because he is a fantastic author, but on the other hand I need my Elvis fix! But I can now say that after reading Demolition Angel I have forgotten about Elvis (temporarily, of course). Demolition Angel is much darker and edgier than the Elvis Cole novels. The main character, Carol Starkey, is on a path to self destruction. Bitter, alienated, and self-abusive since the bomb blast death of her partner, she must regain control of her life or be destroyed herself. While struggling with her personal demons, she must catch the killer who is targeting bomb squad technicians in a series of explosions. Is Mr. Red the mad bomber or is it someone else? Non-stop action, intense suspense, and plenty of twists along the way lead to an explosive climax. An intelligent, multi-dimensional thriller, Demolition Angel will keep your heart racing and keep you on the edge as you race through the pages. Crais at his best matches up with anyone else. Period.
Rating:
Summary: Heart-stopper
Review: Hope your heart is in good shape, because after reading Robert Crais's new novel, Demolition Angel, you'll need a strong one. Fast paced, twists and turns, heart-racing action--these are the characteristics of this suspense/thriller. Carol Starkey is Crais's new leading character--a former bomb squad technician who legally died three years ago, now in a detective position sifting through bombing aftermaths. Searching for a serial bomber, Carol is put through the paces by Crais. Every time you feel that you know what's coming, Crais twists the plot and makes a connection that you really didn't expect.
Rating:
Summary: A TERRIFIC AND ORIGINAL THRILLER
Review: Bomb squad technician Carol Starkey is struggling to put her life back in order after an explosion kills her lover/partner, and leaves her scarred for life. When a bomb call turns to murder, Carol takes charge of the case. Teaming up with Special Agent Jack Pell, they begin to discover that the bombing was not just a random terrorist act, but a very clever plan, targeted at specific bomb technicians. Robert Crais has written a totally original, powerhouse of a novel. "Demolition Angel" begins with a bang (literally) and keeps on moving to a stunning climax. Crais has created a novel that will further cement his bestselling status. A MUST read. Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: An Incinerating Angel
Review: Crais has once again written a crime novel that will keep you in suspense as you try guess the identity of the perp. Demolition Angel is exciting, fast paced and will hold your attention from page one until the end. A mystery that will keep you on the edge of your chair from beginning to end. Crais at his very best.
|
