Rating: 
Summary: This book (or CD) is a real blast!
Review: If you like the threat of fiery explosions hanging over your police investigations of a serial bomber, then this one's for you. Well, it's more than that. Crais creates a new character (temporarily vacationing from his successful Elvis Cole series), Carol Sharkey, who is well depicted as a bomb-wounded, gin drinking, chain-smoking, Tagamet chewing nightmare prone police detective assigned to bomb investigations. Though she is emotionally battered and physically sewn back together since her close encounter with a bomb three years previously, she finds the inner strength to face another bomb death scenario. However battered and drunk she is, somehow she is still able to lead her fellow detectives through a twisty course involving several dangerous wackos who have no guilt about the deaths they cause. Beat up and beaten down emotionally as she is, she is still smart and driven.The problem is, she has to do everything her own secretive way, and runs amok of standard operating procedures, eventually alienating her investigative team members, bringing more trouble on herself that she doesn't need at all. She meets a Federal officer Jack Pell from ATF early on and immediately hates him, though he seems to be sincerely trying to assist her to trace a serial bomber known only by his nickname, "Mr. Red." Gradually, she realizes that she is actually attracted to Pell, the first positive emotion she has felt in the last three years. Her injury had left her physically scarred in many places on her torso, with a resulting disgust with her body. Pell, however, is not all he seems at first, having his own hidden agenda, and the result is a conflict for Starkey. She doesn't know if she can trust him, but she realizes she is longing for a man who can accept her in her damaged condition. As the chemistry and the plot evolve, it gets confusing for Starkey. It's on again, off again, she never seems to know from day to day. Now and then the story cuts over to Mr. Red and what he is going through. Is he really the serial bomber that Pell is sure he is? Is he the mad genius the FBI has been chasing for years? For a while you see through his perspective what is happening and why. Then, when you think maybe you have figured out something about him, we jump back into Starkey's perspective. All of the transitions are smooth, and you are kept on edge about who might do what to whom and why. The conclusion is a super dramatic countdown to three people's destiny. Can't give away anymore, but suffice it to say that it gives a new meaning to the term 'boom box'. Crais does a wonderful job delineating Sharkey's down and out but tough character, as most of the story is told through her eyes. He makes her troubles real, and yet allows her to be likeable in spite of them. We learn about Mr. Red from several sides, including his own. Pell, though a major character, is almost as much a mystery as Mr. Red. There is a good blend of introspection, suspense, story-telling, and tense situations. I have already ordered another of Crais's thrillers and am eagerly awaiting it. I also suspect (and hope) that we'll all get to meet Sharkey again in another equally chilling tale.
Rating: 
Summary: Explosive Novel
Review: Robert Crais was recently selected by People Magazine as the sexiest author. His photo proved that point to me, and his novel Demolition Angel proved to me that he is a terrific author. Demolition Angel is the story of Carol Starkey. She is a scarred woman, both physically and emotionally. She is battling a chemical dependency as she attempts to rebuild her life. I enjoyed the story and especially the way Crais handled Carol. I am eagerly awaiting the film. Not a bad book for a piece of beefcake.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book on Tape
Review: This is the first book that I had to bring into the house to listen to the end. It is 8 tapes and I listen to books on tape on my way to and from work. I got through 6 1/2 tapes and just couldn't wait to hear the rest of it. Paul Hecht is a great narrator and I felt he made the characters come to life. I loved this book, as it was full of great characters. Carol Starkey, Jack Pell, Mr. Red and supporting characters as well.
There was some swearing in the book, but I didn't think it was that bad. This is about a bomb tech that has died and been revived. Another bomb tech is blown up and she is the lead on the case to track down who set or planted the bomb. Jack Pell is with the ATF and is helping her with clues and seems to be carrying some baggage of his own. I found this story to be a nice chain of evidence book. I have put Hostage on hold at the library and I can hardly wait to read that.
Rating:
Summary: A blast!
Review: Except for the feeling that I might get lung cancer after finishing this book, I really enjoyed it. For some reason, the author felt compelled to have Carol Starkey sucking on a cigarette during most of her waking hours. Perhaps it was to demonstrate her fragile hold on reality after having been killed as a Bomb Squad member of the LAPD. She was clinically dead for a period of time and then revived. Her partner and lover was not so fortunate. Transferred from that position to the Criminal Conspiracy Section of the LAPD (Dective-2) she catches the lead in investigating the death of another Bomb Squad member. It appears that the bomb in the case she is investigating was made by a serial bomber known as Mr. Red who, while available as a killer for hire with his pyrotechnics, is apparently killing a bomb squad member or two, just for the fun of it. To tell more of the story line would give away some of the twists, turns and quirks of this very well told tale of revenge and betrayal. To do that would be to spoil the soup. Again, this book is evidence of the growth of this author from his early and popular Elvis Cole novels.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much smoking!
Review: I found this book to be very readable and filled with a lot of information about bomb squads that I found fascinating. For some reason, the author is equally fascinated with the heavy smoking habits of the heroine to the poinnt that it was distracting. Why?? Anyway, I'm glad I read it but it could have been a lot more entertaining by subtraction of disgusting habits.
Rating:
Summary: Crais has written a winner
Review: This was a very good read. The characters could have been a little more detailed (especially the supporting characters), but they were still very good. Starkey and Mr. Red were both great characters, and Crais does a good job of writing from each of their mindsets. There are plenty of twists to keep you guessing. The action is very good, although I thought there could be more of it. The book slowed slightly during Starkey's investigation, but there are enough surprises to keep you reading and entertained. Overall it's a very entertaining read, with a solid plot. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Impressive
Review: Although not as good as his last novel LA Requiem, for a standalone thriller this was more than satisfying from Mr Crais.
Carol Starkey at times can be a little hard going due to her depressing outlook on just about everything. Having said that, this is more than made up by the truly marvellous character Mr Red, who for me, actually makes the book worth reading. I did enjoy it however and am just about to begin Hostage. If it's as good as this, I'll be more than happy.
Rating:
Summary: Crais getting better and better.
Review: With this book, Robert Crais stretches his fiction-writing muscles even further. Fans of his Elvis Cole series already know Crais' ability to write suspenseful, smart mysteries in the private eye genre. "Demolition Angel" shows he can make it work with a fast-paced police procedural. "Angel" is gripping from the start- a volcanic prologue and opening that offers a glimpse of our flawed hero, Starkey: cigarettes, Tagamet, gin and all. Anyone might crack under the pressure of the danger and tragedy she's lived, and by the job she must do- stop a mad bomber named Mr. Red who takes personal satisfaction in killing cops. As in Crais' breakthrough novel, "L.A. Requiem," much more territory is explored here than in an average mystery/suspense novel; the protagonists are complex and flawed, working at cross purposes with one another, becoming personally involved with the case and each other. All this leads to a jarring climax that will leave the reader amazed and ready for Crais' next work, be it a stand-alone like this or more Elvis Cole. I certainly am. This one won't disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent thriller!
Review: I loved this book and agree with another reviewer that it was a refreshing change from his Elvis Cole series. Carol Starkey made for a very interesting character, and the plot has several good twists and turns.
Rating:
Summary: A Woman's Point of View
Review: You read the summary of the plot and I praise Mr. Crais's departure from Elvis. I'll wait for the next Elvis. This story was a stand alone and it was one terrific read. Carol Starkey's angst was on every page, along with her full out guts. The drinking problem upset me a little but it fit. I read this book in two evenings and hated to put it down the first evening. The bad guy was scary (arent they all). The twists and turns of the plot were excellent. Realistically, things like this do happen and thank God we have people out there who fight these maniacs for us, much to their own danger. This is well done. Mr. Crais is always in my reading list and this book does not disappoint.
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