Whiskey Sour

Rating:
Summary: Splendid debut by an exciting new voice in crime fiction
Review: Debut author J.A. Konrath has leapt onto the mystery scene with a first novel that is so good, so entertaining, that it's hard to believe that we haven't heard from him before now. Whiskey Sour introduces readers to Lt. Jack Daniels, one of the Chicago Police Department's best officers, a woman with the steely toughness to match her unconventional name. Daniels is assigned to investigate a series of grisly killings, each one worse than the last.

Konrath expertly cuts between Daniels' first-person narrative with the killer's own story, a device that is often over-used in the mystery genre, but is handled very well in this case. He has an excellent sense of both pacing and character, each of which contributes to make this book so good.

The serial killer subgenre has been all but done to death, but the author wisely puts his own stamp on the story, injecting a darkly comic sense of humor into the proceedings that will have readers chuckling even as they wince.

Combining the best qualities of John Sandford and Janet Evanovich into one sleek and enjoyable package, Whiskey Sour is the best debut of the year so far.

Reviewed by David Montgomery, Chicago Sun-Times

Rating:
Summary: Whiskey Sour is fast, fun and gruesome
Review: J.A. Konrath's Whiskey Sour is a well-paced and very enjoyable book. With his first novel he introduces us to a Chicago lieutenant by the name of Jacqueline Daniels (everyone calls her Jack for short) and Mr. Konrath does not fail to deliver! Whiskey Sour reminded me of Charles Bukowski's 'Pulp'. The comedy mixed with the brutality of detective work works perfectly. Mr. Konrath does an excellent job of getting you inside the characters head then never lets go. 'Whiskey Sour' is a fine novel and is definitely worth your time in looking at. It's a fast and brutal read that will will make you want a bloody mary afterwards (or maybe something less blood-like).

Rating:
Summary: Could leave you with a hangover.
Review: Lieutenant Jacqueline Daniels comes across as a strange hybrid of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum and Sarah Paretsky's V. I. Warshowski. Her Plum traits include having man trouble and chronic insomnia, which leads her to max out her credit cards with late-night home shopping purchases. Her Warshowski characteristics include being able to take a punch, and the ability to ignore personal problems when she's got work to do. Whiskey Sour also displays disparate personality traits, alternating between the gruesome activities of the serial killer known as "The Gingerbread Man" and the often comic activities of his nemesis, Lt. Daniels. Combining the bi-polar nature of the storytelling with the bi-polar characteristics of its heroine gives you one mixed up book.

Which is a real shame, because first time author Konrath displays genuine talent. Several of the set pieces he creates, both humorous and serious, are quite compelling, as evidenced by Daniels' interaction with two oblivious FBI profilers, and her pursuit of the killer through the Chicago sewer system. Reading the disjointed narrative, one is struck by the feeling that it's not really the first time author's fault, that the book could have benefited from the guiding hand of a more ruthless editor. It could also benefit from less gaudy cover promotion-the dust jacket art leads one to expect something along the lines of a Carl Hiassen or Tim Dorsey romp, and the overly enthusiastic author blurbs create unreasonably high expectations. Sadly, the actual book fails to deliver what's been implicitly promised.

Rating:
Summary: Fast-paced, original and intoxicating
Review: Like its namesake, Whiskey Sour is an intoxicating cocktail. I was privileged to receive an advance copy of this book before publication, and from the first page to the last, Joe Konrath grabbed and held my attention. As someone who has been part of the criminal justice system for more than 25 years, I appreciate the accuracy and attention to detail, the obvious care Konrath took in researching and describing police procedures. The blend of gut-busting humor and moderately graphic (but by no means gratuitous) violence reminds me somewhat of Lawrence Block and his Keller stories (which I highly recommend). It's hard to believe that this is Konrath's first published novel; the pacing, character development, and story line all show considerable polish. Some readers may take exception to the tongue-in-cheek depiction of FBI profiling, in which Konrath has taken some comedic license, but to me it adds comic relief to a story about a brutal serial killer. Konrath's approach is refreshing, and I hope that he brings us more Jack Daniels mysteries soon.

Rating:
Summary: Whiskey Sour is Sweet!
Review: There is nothing worse than a serial killer scorned... Ooops, did I get that right? J.A. Konrath did. WHISKEY SOUR, Konrath's first novel, Hyperion Books, is well worth the money.

Fourty-six year old, Chicago Police Lieutenant Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels, is having a really bad week. Yes, you read that right--Jack Daniels--and yes, she's a woman! Not only did her boyfriend dump her for his bulked-up, WWE inspired, personal trainer, but a crazed serial killer who goes by the name of The GingerBread Man, has a sick infatuation with her. His endearing form of love--torture and death.

Jack, a chronic insomniac, gets through it with plenty of humor, pool playing, a few gunshot wounds and lots of whiskey sours. Her partner, lovable detective Herb Benedict, whose stomach might hold the answer to the question: where is Jimmy Hoffa buried, is protective of her, and never skips a meal. His most famous line in the book? "Are you going to eat that, Jack?"

Rounding out the cast of quirky characters are Phineas Troutt, a pool-playing, ex-con who doubles as Jack's friend and unofficial bodyguard. Harry McGlade, Jack's old partner, who reminds me of Janet Evanovich's bail bondsman and Stephanie Plum's boss, Vinnie, could easily "steal" the show. But the two feds, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are hilarious as they profile The GingerBread man as a horse owning French Canadian--and believe it.

Konrath's easy writing style and unique voice make this novel what it is--a truly entertaining, laugh out loud, scare the crap out of you, great read. The same plot and characters in the hands of another, would fall flat, but Konrath's flair for comedy in the face of horror, and his knowledge and respect for law enforcement and justice, shine through.

If you're a fan of Janet Evanovich or Dave Barry, you'll love this book. I read it in just over 5 hours, and that was stopping to get snacks and soda.

If you're in this to read lots of description and dialogue, don't bother. In true mystery fashion, the book is low on setting and character description, but high on making you use your imagination. Konrath, like Stephen King, allows you to "see" into the heard of a character, with a one sentence description.

The only gripe I had, being a Chicago girl, not enough mention of other Chicago neighborhoods. Most of the action takes place in Chicago's "Loop," but I'm confident in Konrath's next book, BLOODY MARY, he'll make a mention or two about other areas of interest.