Rating: 
Summary: Hello,
Review: Drop me a line with any comments or thoughts!
Rating: 
Summary: A thriller to the end
Review: Excellant reading! This much anticipated follow up to the Todd Mills exploits, has lived up to the expected high level of story telling. Faithfully executing the integrity of the characters, R.D. Zimmerman succeeds in shedding light on yet another lesser known aspect of the "Alternative Community". The mystery unfolds in a clash of characters, motives and secrets that unfold chapter after chapter, like a blossoming flower. The plot thickens with each revelation and twists to the point that you must read to the very end to satsify your curiosity. I was completely baffled by the change in plot twists, and caught up in the emotional ties that you form with the main characters. The ending is literally explosive with anticipation and revelation. This is a definite must read for any mystery fan!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A thriller to the end
Review: Excellant reading! This much anticipated follow up to the Todd Mills exploits, has lived up to the expected high level of story telling. Faithfully executing the integrity of the characters, R.D. Zimmerman succeeds in shedding light on yet another lesser known aspect of the "Alternative Community". The mystery unfolds in a clash of characters, motives and secrets that unfold chapter after chapter, like a blossoming flower. The plot thickens with each revelation and twists to the point that you must read to the very end to satsify your curiosity. I was completely baffled by the change in plot twists, and caught up in the emotional ties that you form with the main characters. The ending is literally explosive with anticipation and revelation. This is a definite must read for any mystery fan!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: plodding and political
Review: I am gay. I accept the fact that most of the world is not. RD Zimmerman seems to be struggling with this fact and his blindspot keeps his Todd Mills books from moving out of the special niche category. Zimmerman, how about a gay mystery where Todd and everybody else's sexuality is NOT the focal point? Despite what you seem to think, it AIN'T all about sex. To be fair OUTBURST is a solidly plotted (plodded), well-written (if predictable) mystery, and a little more action packed than its predecesors (HOSTAGE remains my favorite). But Todd's main relationship seems to be with lipstick lez Janice (kill her, PLEASE). The relationship between Todd and Steve is now all but nonexistent, and that's a drag (no pun intended). Is Zimmerman afraid a little emotion/tenderness/affection/SEX will emasculate his heros? You can't emasculate wood. Make these guys flesh and blood, please! Otherwise, don't bother.
Rating:
Summary: plodding and political
Review: I have been waiting for this book for about a month since the local gay bookstore announced an upcoming reading and signing by R.D. Zimmerman. It seems they were advertising a bit early.I finally found the book yesterday and devoured it half the night and most of today. An excellent look at the transgender community. In between the action, Zimmerman makes some very fine political points that intend to broaden people's perspectives -- even within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community there are a lot of misunderstandings and biases.You'll notice I rated this 4 stars out of 5. Frankly, I think Zimmerman worked much harder on "Hostage" getting hold of the details of the Mall of America and developing the elaborate and remarkable plot for the story.In "Outburst" there just doesn't seem to be the same enthusiasm for the craft. Several other things bothered me: Zimmerman develops a suspicious character working in a Judge's office, even a suspicious Judge -- plants some seeds along the way and then drops them completely out of the picture. Second, the relationship between Todd and Rawlins seems non-existent in this novel. Although there is an imposed separation by the "higher-ups" within the Police Department, it seems contrived. Suppose they lived together. Would they have to move out to be apart from one another? There doesn't seem to be an ounce of affection or love displayed by either partner throughout the entire book. The character development of the Minneapolis Park Policeman who was killed is completely one dimensional. At times I found myself thinking that he would be delved into more thoroughly in a real investgiation. Is it possible that literally two people knew him somewhat closely and his work partners simply found him a wonderful guy to be around. I don't feel he got his fair share.Finally, the representation of the transgender character Kris or Christopher is an extremely unusual case. In fact, I'm not sure it really represents the reasons folks go through gender reassignment in typical cases. While Kris acknowledges he was developing as a gay male, the circumstances of his heading toward a female identity, while tragic, aren't consistent with his own identification as a developing gay male. He certainly could have remained male and gay. Where and why the decision toward dressing as a woman. starting hormones, etc., and heading toward a gender change came about are never fully explained. Finally, there was a lot of concern over Rawlins HIV Positive status in "Outburst". I don't recall this previously and if it was a result of the psycho group from "Hostage", it would have served well to refresh our memories on it.Nonetheless, I liked OUTBURST and wish we didn't have to wait so long for decent gay mysteries to come our way from a short supply of authors! Thanks Zimmerman!DJMSaint Paul, Minnesota
Rating: 
Summary: Another Outstanding Contribution to Gay Mystery By Zimmerman
Review: I have been waiting for this book for about a month since the local gay bookstore announced an upcoming reading and signing by R.D. Zimmerman. It seems they were advertising a bit early.I finally found the book yesterday and devoured it half the night and most of today. An excellent look at the transgender community. In between the action, Zimmerman makes some very fine political points that intend to broaden people's perspectives -- even within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community there are a lot of misunderstandings and biases.You'll notice I rated this 4 stars out of 5. Frankly, I think Zimmerman worked much harder on "Hostage" getting hold of the details of the Mall of America and developing the elaborate and remarkable plot for the story.In "Outburst" there just doesn't seem to be the same enthusiasm for the craft. Several other things bothered me: Zimmerman develops a suspicious character working in a Judge's office, even a suspicious Judge -- plants some seeds along the way and then drops them completely out of the picture. Second, the relationship between Todd and Rawlins seems non-existent in this novel. Although there is an imposed separation by the "higher-ups" within the Police Department, it seems contrived. Suppose they lived together. Would they have to move out to be apart from one another? There doesn't seem to be an ounce of affection or love displayed by either partner throughout the entire book. The character development of the Minneapolis Park Policeman who was killed is completely one dimensional. At times I found myself thinking that he would be delved into more thoroughly in a real investgiation. Is it possible that literally two people knew him somewhat closely and his work partners simply found him a wonderful guy to be around. I don't feel he got his fair share.Finally, the representation of the transgender character Kris or Christopher is an extremely unusual case. In fact, I'm not sure it really represents the reasons folks go through gender reassignment in typical cases. While Kris acknowledges he was developing as a gay male, the circumstances of his heading toward a female identity, while tragic, aren't consistent with his own identification as a developing gay male. He certainly could have remained male and gay. Where and why the decision toward dressing as a woman. starting hormones, etc., and heading toward a gender change came about are never fully explained. Finally, there was a lot of concern over Rawlins HIV Positive status in "Outburst". I don't recall this previously and if it was a result of the psycho group from "Hostage", it would have served well to refresh our memories on it.Nonetheless, I liked OUTBURST and wish we didn't have to wait so long for decent gay mysteries to come our way from a short supply of authors! Thanks Zimmerman!DJMSaint Paul, Minnesota
Rating:
Summary: Gets better every time!
Review: I have read all the previous novels that he has written . The first one was when Todd first came out. I felt sorry for him and the total lost he felt and the way he survived. In each novel he is handed a new challenge to cope with . I like how R.D. Zimmerman handled the star. He has grown confident each time. I enjoy the relationship he has with the cop. The story starts dark and dangerous and mysterious and keeps you going throughout . From the time he meets with the stranger on the bridge to the ending in the mysterious farmhouse. One storm after another . It keeps you on your seat from twist to twist (literallly). I am looking forward to his next novel . The struggles Todd has to deal with from his job and his relationship is as iteresting as the story's plot twist. It is one anyone can enjoy. It keeps you on the edge of your seat continuously. If you haven't read any, please start with the beginning where he first meets Rawlings and then read each one until you get to this one . They all intermix. Enjoy them . I have.
Rating:
Summary: Fast paced and holds your interest
Review: It isn't often an investigative reporter gets to witness a murder, but Todd Mills does in this page-turner. What I really enjoyed about this book was how Mills follows down this story, tracking the murderer, coming to very reasonable conclusions based on the information he has. Zimmerman also reveals the typical flaw of most police investigators, in that their primary goal is often making an arrest, not necessarily solving the crime.I also liked the characterizations in this book. Each character has a distinct identity and voice that is carried through all the way to the end. The settings were authentic, but didn't bear down on you and slow the pace. And Zimmerman's ironic use of the weather as another character is really ingenius. I also liked the fact that the sex in this book was minimal and only there when it moved the story along. Yes, Mills' relationship with his cop friend, Steve, is devoid of any stirring romance, but this isn't a soft porn novel. It's a mystery. What I don't like about the book is Todd's and Steve's relationship lacks plausibility in one serious area. And that is a reporter, a television reporter at that, has a love relationship with a cop in which each assists the other in their respective jobs. I'm having trouble with that one. Police and journalists traditionally have a very strong Us-Them type relationships, and while this can be overcome, to be overcome to the point that a crime reporter can have a love relationship with a murder investigator really requires a leap. Having said that, the story is good. Perhaps most readers won't think about how odd it is that an investigative journalist gets it on with a muder investigator. Perhaps they won't think about the conflicts this type of relationship automatically brings forth. Or perhaps Zimmerman will mine this field of conflict with more realism. Perhaps he already has in the previous works. But I personally feel it would work better if Todd and Steve knew each other on a friendly, rather than intimate, basis. Such conflict would be tremendous and enthralling.
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Summary: Action-packed Todd Mills who-done-it
Review: Minneapolis investigative reporter Todd Mills receives a tip that he can be a witness to a blackmail scenario that will be front page news. While a tornado is tearing up the city, Todd goes to the alleged rendezvous spot only to observe the murder of a gay police officer. Assigned to head up the investigation is Steve Rawlins, a homicide detective and coincidentally Todd's lover. The caller dials Mills again and spurs the reporter on to begin his own sleuthing. He soon links the murder of another gay cop to the one has seen killed. Soon it becomes apparent to everyone involved in the case that a type of serial killer has risen whose target is gay police officers. The latest Mills mystery, OUTBURST, is like all its predecessors, a great tale. The fast-paced story line is filled with action both from the murder mystery and the outside elements of nature. However, what makes the Mills novels so good is the ability of award winning R.D. Zimmerman to portray all his characters, regardless of sexual persuasion, as genuine people. This series will entertain all fans of who-done-its. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Best Todd Mills Yet
Review: R.D. Zimmerman's latest Todd Mills mystery is his best yet. The story's plot twists are extremely clever and surprisingly believable. It's obvious that Zimmerman spends a lot of time researching his novels..his descriptions of everything from catered food to forensci science are excellent and, as far as I can tell, quite accurate. In some novels its hard to believe that a proatgonist who is not a cop can be involved in as much murder mystery fare as they are. But Zimmerman's Todd Mills manages to pull it off quite believably. I thought this one was a hoot!
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