Rating: 
Summary: Wow...
Review: I haven't read a detective novel since my Nancy Drew days. Didn't think I'd enjoy them, and besides, my attention span is ridiculously short.I was given a copy of A KILLING SKY last Saturday, so I picked it up, just to have a look, on Sunday evening. It dropped from my hand as I fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning. I picked it up first thing Monday and found myself -- still in my pajamas -- at noontime, when the book ended and finally let me go. If you like the kind of book that grabs you by the lapels and doesn't let go until it's done with you, then A KILLING SKY is just the ticket. -Janis Jaquith, author of BIRDSEED COOKIES: A FRACTURED MEMOIR
Rating:
Summary: Wow...
Review: I haven't read a detective novel since my Nancy Drew days. Didn't think I'd enjoy them, and besides, my attention span is ridiculously short. I was given a copy of A KILLING SKY last Saturday, so I picked it up, just to have a look, on Sunday evening. It dropped from my hand as I fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning. I picked it up first thing Monday and found myself -- still in my pajamas -- at noontime, when the book ended and finally let me go. If you like the kind of book that grabs you by the lapels and doesn't let go until it's done with you, then A KILLING SKY is just the ticket. -Janis Jaquith, author of BIRDSEED COOKIES: A FRACTURED MEMOIR
Rating:
Summary: More of a good thing
Review: I was very impressed with the author's first novel, A Witness Above. The falconry aspect is unique and very fascinating. That alone sets his books apart from the standard formula for mystery novels. I met the author at our local library and was impressed with him as well. However, given all that I was still apprehensive to read A Killing Sky, fearing that like many authors it he might be a one hit wonder. To my delight, my fears were unfounded. A Killing Sky was terrific! I enjoyed it as much, if not more than, his first effort. Mr. Straka has continuing to flesh out his characters, especially the fascinating Jake Toronto, in a way that makes them more and more compelling. I can't wait for more! I have recommended this author to many fellow readers and will continue to do so........
Rating:
Summary: More of a good thing
Review: I was very impressed with the author's first novel, A Witness Above. The falconry aspect is unique and very fascinating. That alone sets his books apart from the standard formula for mystery novels. I met the author at our local library and was impressed with him as well. However, given all that I was still apprehensive to read A Killing Sky, fearing that like many authors it he might be a one hit wonder. To my delight, my fears were unfounded. A Killing Sky was terrific! I enjoyed it as much, if not more than, his first effort. Mr. Straka has continuing to flesh out his characters, especially the fascinating Jake Toronto, in a way that makes them more and more compelling. I can't wait for more! I have recommended this author to many fellow readers and will continue to do so........
Rating:
Summary: Political Intrigue
Review: PI Frank Pavlicek has been hired by Representative Tor Drummond's daughter Cassidy to find her twin Cartwright. The college freshman disappeared on her way to break up with her boyfriend. But the boyfriend claims she never made it over. Then her rental car is found with bloody fingerprints. All Frank has to go on is a 20 year old newspaper article about a hit and run car accident. Will that be enough to find her before it's too late? If it isn't already. Meanwhile, he's struggling with letting his red-tailed hawk Armistead return to the wild. I'm not normally a reader of PI novels, but this series is making me rethink that. The storyline is interesting, and the characters are well drawn. I am aware they fall well within PI novel norms, but that doesn't really bother me in the least. The added element of falconry adds another level of interest to an already strong book. This series is certainly worth a look if you enjoy PI novels. And if you don't normally read them, pick these up and give the sub-genre a try.
Rating:
Summary: Political Intrigue
Review: PI Frank Pavlicek has been hired by Representative Tor Drummond's daughter Cassidy to find her twin Cartwright. The college freshman disappeared on her way to break up with her boyfriend. But the boyfriend claims she never made it over. Then her rental car is found with bloody fingerprints. All Frank has to go on is a 20 year old newspaper article about a hit and run car accident. Will that be enough to find her before it's too late? If it isn't already. Meanwhile, he's struggling with letting his red-tailed hawk Armistead return to the wild. I'm not normally a reader of PI novels, but this series is making me rethink that. The storyline is interesting, and the characters are well drawn. I am aware they fall well within PI novel norms, but that doesn't really bother me in the least. The added element of falconry adds another level of interest to an already strong book. This series is certainly worth a look if you enjoy PI novels. And if you don't normally read them, pick these up and give the sub-genre a try.
Rating: 
Summary: delightful investigative tale
Review: When Frank Pavlicek received the call from a person claiming to be Cassidy Drummond, daughter of the Charlottesville, Virginia Congressman, he thought it a prank. However, Cassidy persuades Frank that she is for real so the former New York detective agrees to meet with her and hear her reason for needing a private detective.
Cassidy believes her father Tor has done something to her missing twin sister Cartwright. Though the evidence is flimsy and Wright is probably warm and comfortable with some guy, Frank begins to make inquiries. Perhaps he would have reconsidered taking on the case if he knew the danger to those he loves from uncovering family secrets and betrayals. However, by threatening the birds he and his associate Jake Tornado cherish as much as any falconer does only makes Frank dig all the deeper.
Though less involved in falconry than its predecessor (see the mega-excellent A WITNESS ABOVE), A KILLING SKY is a delightful investigative tale. The action-packed story line focuses mostly on Frank, who firmly believes he is wasting his time and that of his client even as he begins to uncover clues re the disappearance of Cartwright. The secondary cast adds depth to the investigation though to his family Tor, a Clintonesque-like player, seems so nasty that one wonders if his charisma is enough to keep getting him reelected. Still Andy Straka soars to wonderful heights with his latest Pavlicek tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: delightful investigative tale
Review: When Frank Pavlicek received the call from a person claiming to be Cassidy Drummond, daughter of the Charlottesville, Virginia Congressman, he thought it a prank. However, Cassidy persuades Frank that she is for real so the former New York detective agrees to meet with her and hear her reason for needing a private detective.
Cassidy believes her father Tor has done something to her missing twin sister Cartwright. Though the evidence is flimsy and Wright is probably warm and comfortable with some guy, Frank begins to make inquiries. Perhaps he would have reconsidered taking on the case if he knew the danger to those he loves from uncovering family secrets and betrayals. However, by threatening the birds he and his associate Jake Tornado cherish as much as any falconer does only makes Frank dig all the deeper.
Though less involved in falconry than its predecessor (see the mega-excellent A WITNESS ABOVE), A KILLING SKY is a delightful investigative tale. The action-packed story line focuses mostly on Frank, who firmly believes he is wasting his time and that of his client even as he begins to uncover clues re the disappearance of Cartwright. The secondary cast adds depth to the investigation though to his family Tor, a Clintonesque-like player, seems so nasty that one wonders if his charisma is enough to keep getting him reelected. Still Andy Straka soars to wonderful heights with his latest Pavlicek tale. Harriet Klausner
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