Rating: 
Summary: Kinda Boring
Review: This is my first read of a Michael McGarrity novel and it was okay. I'm suprised no one seemed to mention this but why are there long paragraphs of descriptions that have nothing to do with nothing such as what kind of shingles are on buildings? Very distracting to the story!I agree with the other reviewers as well -- the ending was anti-climatic to say the least but I'm grateful that it spared me from learning ALL the useless details such as perhaps what kind of shoes someone was wearing when the take down occurred. The characters are so undeveloped it's not even funny but perhaps I'd know them better if I didn't jump in mid-way through the series. For some reason, chief Kerney seems to me to be in his early 50's and he's having a kid with someone who sounds to be a kid herself (just graduating West Point?) -- that's odd. The guy has grandchildren and his own baby on the way? Ewee! Won't be lining up to read this author anytime soon unless I need a good sleeping aid. Course, I'd learn more reading a history book I'm sure.
Rating: 
Summary: Dirty politicians, drugs, prostitution, and murder
Review: When you kick over a rock, you never know what kind of vermin may be exposed. What starts as a fire investigation and the death of a vagrant, rapidly escalates into the exposure of a web of crime and corruption. As in real life, criminals sometimes are their own undoing. The murder of one man leads to the murder of another, and then another. Investigations tie events into the murder of a woman 10 years earlier, and information comes to light on circumstances related to other deaths. As leads are developed, trails lead into other states, and a vicious prostitution ring is revealed along with drug dealing. Your sins will find you out, and many people discover to their chagrin that people keep records. This is a good novel to take to the beach. It is written at about a PG-13 level with nothing overly graphic.
Rating:
Summary: Dirty politicians, drugs, prostitution, and murder
Review: When you kick over a rock, you never know what kind of vermin may be exposed. What starts as a fire investigation and the death of a vagrant, rapidly escalates into the exposure of a web of crime and corruption. As in real life, criminals sometimes are their own undoing. The murder of one man leads to the murder of another, and then another. Investigations tie events into the murder of a woman 10 years earlier, and information comes to light on circumstances related to other deaths. As leads are developed, trails lead into other states, and a vicious prostitution ring is revealed along with drug dealing. Your sins will find you out, and many people discover to their chagrin that people keep records. This is a good novel to take to the beach. It is written at about a PG-13 level with nothing overly graphic.
Rating:
Summary: THE RISKS OF GAMBLING
Review: While this is certainly a worthy entry in the marvelous Kevin Kerney series, it's not as good as previous efforts, and mainly because there's no real "suspense" in this one; none of our characters ever really seem in trouble, until the very end, and we know how that will turn out. Aside from that though, McGarrity once again weaves an intricate plot, focusing a little more on Clayton Isee, Kerney's just-discovered son, and giving Kevin a little bit of a break. Kerney is going to have reconstructive surgery on his knee, Sara's a typical pre-natal mess, and the other cops are interesting to spend time with. Once again, a respected politician figures in the maelstrom of corruption, drugs, prostitution and murder. The victims this time are a long-missing Hispanic woman and a low-life hustler. McGarrity works the plot well, providing some early clues, but unlike his previous novels, they just aren't as intriguing. But I won't give up on McGarrity---he's been too good so far, and this one is far from mundane.
Rating:
Summary: THE RISKS OF GAMBLING
Review: While this is certainly a worthy entry in the marvelous Kevin Kerney series, it's not as good as previous efforts, and mainly because there's no real "suspense" in this one; none of our characters ever really seem in trouble, until the very end, and we know how that will turn out. Aside from that though, McGarrity once again weaves an intricate plot, focusing a little more on Clayton Isee, Kerney's just-discovered son, and giving Kevin a little bit of a break. Kerney is going to have reconstructive surgery on his knee, Sara's a typical pre-natal mess, and the other cops are interesting to spend time with. Once again, a respected politician figures in the maelstrom of corruption, drugs, prostitution and murder. The victims this time are a long-missing Hispanic woman and a low-life hustler. McGarrity works the plot well, providing some early clues, but unlike his previous novels, they just aren't as intriguing. But I won't give up on McGarrity---he's been too good so far, and this one is far from mundane.
| 
