Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing after PIED PIPER
Review: I am relatively new to thrillers in general, and FIRST VICTIM is only my second Ridley Pearson book, the first being the excellent (five-star) PIED PIPER. This was a real comedown in comparison. Another in the Lou Boldt series, FIRST VICTIM doesn't have half the character development of its predecessor. The story of Boldt's relationship with his wife and kids is perfunctory at best. We are told that he loves his kids above all else, which I suppose makes him unique in the world. Detective Sergeant John LaMoia, so subtly flesh out in PIED PIPER, is a cartoon cutout here. Daphne Matthews is nearly invisible, appearing only in cameo, and the licentious Captain Sheila Hill is AWOL.The plot revolves around the underground industry of illegally importing aliens and making them pay for their passage by forcing them into slavery and prostitution. This is villany at its worst, but the cops never get beyond low-level goons in ferreting out the bad guys. The special guest star of FIRST VICTIM is TV anchorwoman Stevie McNeil, who in Scott Rosema's audio interpretation is given a stilted accent of no particular nationality. She spends most of her time fretting over the disappearance of her adopted Chinese "little sister," while at the same time trying to frustrate the attempts of Boldt and crew too find her. We are never really told why she is so uncooperative, except to the extent that journalists don't trust cops in general. Well, few people like lawyers in general, either, but when we need one, we don't hesitate to seek out the best. Pearson gives McNeil the obligatory sumptuous cleavage, blond hair, and shapely legs, but her sexuality never gets beyond that of a Barbie doll. This is the most chaste novel I have read in a long time. There are problems with motivation, too. When we finally find out what happened to McNeil's sister, it is never clear why she suffered this fate. Further, what happens to the bad guy, or whether or not he really was a bad guy, is never resolved. The novel just ends, abruptly and unsatisfyingly.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Plot...But
Review: Although I have read all of Ridley Pearson's books, this was my first experience with one of his works on audio cassette. Once again, Mr. Pearson has created a wonderfully suspenseful plot, but one that is almost ruined by this narrator. From the very beginning Mr. Rosema's too-rapid delivery makes it almost impossible to absorb the many details which are Pearson's trademark. Rosema's chopped-up reading style results in dreadful enunciation (i.e. dijalcamra for digital camera) With the exception of Mama Lu, most of the characters are unbelieveable due to their speedy conversational styles. I was greatly disappointed. A greater disappointment would only have resulted had I purchased this audio instead of borrowing it from the library. I must now read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Is this the same series?
Review: #6 in the Lou Boldt series is completely different than in any other in the series - and not in a good way. The plot didn't seem quite as detailed as other Pearson thrillers, with less twists, less thrills, and very, very weak payoffs. Also, the female reporter that is one of the main protagonists is perhaps Pearson's weakest character to date (it is very hard to feel sympathy for someone who keeps causing most of the problems). In The First Victim, Pearson also gets away from the personal details of his characters' lives, which is one of the things that this series usually does a great job with. In closing, I would argue that Pearson gave away one of the major villains way too fast in this one. In some instances, such a plot device may work to tighten the suspense - not so in this case. A fast read, but not a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: Another excellent Ridley read
Review: I love the Lou Boldt books and the First Victim was another 'couldn't put it down' read. When I finish Mr. Pearson's next novel, I will probably go through withdrawal awaiting the further adventures of Boldt, La Moia and Matthews! The 'slaveshop' felt real--depressing, dark and horrendous conditions. Boldt's wife's illness combined with his hectic and frantic official duties make his character so life-like, I keep thinking there is a real Lou Boldt in Seattle with real problems to solve! I did miss Bear not being in this novel--even if it were for just a scene or two. The news anchor was a new angle and very well done, showing crime from the media's standpoint. The rivalry between federal and local departments is palpable. All of Pearson's novels are able to stand alone as excellent stories--he is so good at writing about diverse crimes!--but I love the threads that run through each book and show the personal sides of his characters; the children growing, Liz dealing with cancer, La Moia ogling women, Daphne's on again/off again engagement. I highly recommend 'First Victim'-- especially if you can read all the Boldt books in published order-- to get a feel for the man, his personal and professional lives, and the characters he is involved with over the years.
Rating:
Summary: The First Victim by Ridley Pearson
Review: In Ridley Pearson's THE FIRST VICTIM, the familiar team of Lt. Lou Boldt, Sgt. John LaMoia, and Psychologist Daphne Matthews team up again to track down the location of a sweatshop where illegal Chinese immigrants are being held as slaves. Seattle PD is called in when a homicide victim is found. Matthews has a minor role in this story, as Boldt's continuing struggle with his attraction for her is replaced by a his inability to trust his wife's belief that prayer has put her cancer into remission. The always analytical and evidence-driven Boldt can't accept a spiritual power that doesn't exist for him. Matthews' skills as a profiler are less necessary in this investigation, and Boldt gets help instead from a TV reporter whose adopted sister goes missing as she follows the story. When Boldt identifies someone who may be involved, they turn up dead under suspicious circumstances. This book was not as terrifying as other Pearson novels, but I was still quite engrossed in the story, and could not seem to put it down. I would recommend it not only for Pearson fans, but for others who enjoy good detective mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: First Victim
Review: I loved First Victim although it wasn't as griping as the Pied Piper (maybe because I can empathize more as a parent than an illegal alien or reporter!) it was still wonderful and I was hard pressed to put it down. I love "matching wits" with Boldt and LaMoia although I don't plan to give up my day job. As a crime/mystery fan, I would recommend this book easily as I would all the other Pearson books I have bit my fingernails through!
Rating: 
Summary: excellent book
Review: I love Ridley Pearson's books. I firt hurd of his book when he was interveiwed on the radio about a year and a half ago (95.5 WPLJ in New York) and they sounded interesting, so I picked up the book. Now i have been hooked on his books. When i hurd that First Victom was realsed i ran to book store to pick it up. As with his other books i couldn't put it down. I finished it in uder 2 weeks ( it takes me about 6 weeks to finish a school reading book half its size(or i just end up reading the cliffnotes)) It is an excellnt additon to his Lou Bold series.
Rating:
Summary: The First Victim
Review: I just finished reading The First Victim and found it another fantastic and fast moving novel by Mr. Pearson. This book like many of Mr. Pearson has characters that you come to feel for and know. He sprinkles each novel with hints of past novels which helps with the familiarity of the characters. Always fast past and suspenceful, I highly recommend this and other Ridley Peason books.
Rating:
Summary: illegal containment
Review: meticulously detailed detective thriller re: chinese immigrants shipped to seattle in container ships. maintains the high level of this continuing lou boldt series.
Rating:
Summary: Another Good Ridley Read
Review: I just finished The First Victim an hour or so ago and enjoyed it throughout. It had the good investigation work that Boldt is known for and a few surprises along the way. I read it in three days and was sorry to see it come to an end.
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