Rating: 
Summary: Can't they at least get the guns right?
Review: I'm going to take out a long-restrained frustration on this single book: Can't mystery/suspense authors get someone knowledgeable to review their books to see if the guns they describe actually exist? This author refers to both a "Glock .38" and a "Browning .38." Neither weapon exists. Browning does make a couple versions of handguns in .380 ACP, but that's not the same thing. It drives me up a wall! I am willing to "suspend my disbelief" and become absorbed in a good story, but then comes that moment where the hero or villain pulls out a non-existent weapon and "poof"...I am shocked back to reality by the author's ignorance. Other than the author's complete and abysmal ignorance about firearms (every weapon used in the book is a ".38"...obviously the only caliber of which the author is aware, even though it is almost never used by modern law enforcement), the story is pretty good. Ethan (or whatever your real name is), go to a good gun shop!
Rating: 
Summary: Evolution
Review: In the third entry in the Conrad Voort Detective series the pseudonomous Ethan Black has evolved as an author similiarly to the evolution of his detective hero. In this novel Conrad Voort last seen in The Broken Hearts Club and Irresistable, meets his childhood friend in a bar and recieves a list of names on a napkin. Bang like a shot the plot takes off with the speed of an assasin's bullet. Voort soon discover's that four of six names on the mysterious list have passed away in accident's, and after meeting a fifth name Dr. Jill Towne, he vows she won't be amongst the victims.
The author's writing has evolved (I repeat)as he more fully flushes out his protaganist's character. Voort breaks up with one love interest in previous novels over the issue of abortion. Cynic's will say the pairing of Jill and Conrad was predictable and Camilla was discarded conviently to make room for his character's new female interest. However, I debate that his struggles with relationships (without giving away whole story there is side issues with Jill too.) is what makes his hero so identifiable and human to the reader. Particularly in this novel his villians are never merely evil two dimensional bad guys, rather again vividly drawn character, all too human and real.
Ethan Black has also expanded the scope of his plotting in this recent entry, he imagines new challenges and cases for Voort to work on that takes him outside of standard Sex Crimes modus Operanti. This isn't thickest book on the market, yet the buyer definitely gets their money worth as each page is densely packed with characterization, plot and sub-plot. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Rating: 
Summary: Hated it!
Review: Most ridiculous excuse for a detective novel that I have ever read. Dumped it about two-thirds of the way thru. Couldn't stand any more of it!
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and original
Review: New York detective Conrad Voort has not seen his friend Meechum since they were children, so it comes as a welcome surprise when he gets a phone call from his old buddy inviting him for drinks. As Voort meets his friend in a Manhattan bar, he notices his friend is acting strange…a little nervous, a little scared, and a lot paranoid. As Voort probes his friend with questions, Meechum skirts around giving any answers, only telling his friend he has made a list of names and he would like Voort to investigate the names on the list. Puzzled, but willing to do his friend the favor, Voort agrees. Twenty-four hours later, Meechum is missing! As Voort begins looking into the list of names he is shocked to find that all of the people, except for two, have died in so called "accidents". Determined to get in touch with the two survivors, he comes in contact with Dr. Jill Towne, the fourth name on the list. Dr. Towne is, at first, not very cooperative, but after a visit from other men claiming to be FBI, and an almost "accident" against her, she opens up to Voort and wants his help. While Voort continues his quest for answers, the men behind the diabolical plan discover Voort’s intentions, and must put a stop it, no matter the cost…even murder. Forced to make a terrible choice, Voort must go head-to-head with two very dangerous men, face some shocking truths about the friend he thought he knew, and deal with his feelings for Dr. Towne, a woman who may be a key player in a massive conspiracy that will lead to a brutal act of mass murder. ‘All The Dead Were Strangers’ is a very exciting thriller. Most of the plot remains a secret, and it needs to, for Ethan Black exposes just enough information to jolt the reader and keep them turning the pages. The gritty streets of Manhattan come alive with lies, deceit, conspiracy, and murder in a mystery that proves Ethan Black is one of our finest new thriller writers. After two previous novels, Mr. Black earns his place alongside best-selling authors Michael Connolly, and John Sandford as he continues with his stunning Conrad Voort series. Fans of fast-paced, original detective thrillers should treat themselves and read ‘All The Dead Were Strangers’, and then go back and read the two previous novels in the series ‘The Broken Hearts Club’, and ‘Irresistible’. A MUST read! ...
Rating:
Summary: Relevant
Review: The issues raised are even more interesting post 9/11. Some interesting characters will make me look for earlier entries in this series.
Rating:
Summary: Some sizzle, not a lot of steak
Review: The opening of this book is so confusing that I had to keep flipping back, trying to figure out who the two people were. Once past the first few pages, until halfway through the book, there is good, strong plotting that moves along at a nice pace. As well, in backflash, there's a fine depiction of the childhood friendship of the two men that allows the reader to be saddened by the death of Meechum Keefe. Then, too soon, the "protagonist" is introduced. And while Szeska is, initially, a very interesting character, he gradually becomes a caricature of himself. The ensuing cat and mouse game has moments of interest, but what the author structured at the outset gets watered down (literally) in a damp conclusion that's not particularly suspenseful or satisfying. The one female character, again, starts out interesting: feisty and combative, but winds up as little more than a sexual vehicle; an annoying female who won't listen to what she's told, who shows up where she's not wanted and puts herself in danger. As if. Given her intelligence at the outset, it's close to impossible to accept the moves she makes. In other words, more than once the author moves people out of character.There's w-a-y too much about Conrad Voort's genitaliaÑas if its state is indicative of the hero's emotional stateÑleading the reader to believe that Conrad doesn't know the difference between sexual attraction and caring. So when the romance part of the plot doesn't work out, it's not in the least surprising because, all along, it's been about Conrad's state of arousal or non-arousal. The story line would have been better served if the author had focused on the hero's emotions, rather than his body parts. Certainly, Black gets points for dealing with the issue of terrorism and about how vulnerable everyone and everything is. Given that the release of this book predates 9/11, it has a certain prophetic aspect that makes the subject matter particularly interesting.
Rating:
Summary: The Best one yet
Review: This is the best one yet in the Ethan Black detective series. I read it in one sitting start to finish. Ethan Black is by far one of the best writers of our time. He draws you in and never lets you go. I can't wait for the next offering by this very talented writer.
Rating:
Summary: The Best one yet
Review: This is the best one yet in the Ethan Black detective series. I read it in one sitting start to finish. Ethan Black is by far one of the best writers of our time. He draws you in and never lets you go. I can't wait for the next offering by this very talented writer.
Rating:
Summary: Hated it!
Review: This third book finds Conrad Voort tracking a list of names given to him by a childhood friend, Meechum Keefe. As Conrad tracks down these people he finds that so far all but one is dead. In digging a little deeper, Voort finds himself the target of some very dangerous and unsavory characters. This particular book didn't hold as much interest for me as his first two because it was focused largely on military/government, but as far as the actual storyline and plot, it was a little more intricate than Black's other books and very well written. Black is proving to be a top-notch novelist. I will definitely continue to read books by this author.
Rating: 
Summary: Can be hard to follow.
Review: This third book finds Conrad Voort tracking a list of names given to him by a childhood friend, Meechum Keefe. As Conrad tracks down these people he finds that so far all but one is dead. In digging a little deeper, Voort finds himself the target of some very dangerous and unsavory characters. This particular book didn't hold as much interest for me as his first two because it was focused largely on military/government, but as far as the actual storyline and plot, it was a little more intricate than Black's other books and very well written. Black is proving to be a top-notch novelist. I will definitely continue to read books by this author.
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