Deader by the Lake: A Reno McCarthy Thriller

Rating:
Summary: We have some breaking news....Reno McCarthy
Review: This is the type of book that every reporter wishes they would have written. Cummings' love and broad knowlege of Chicago is evident on every page; one can taste, smell and feel the city and the distinctive characteristics of its diverse neighborhoods. The quality speaks for itself. The writing is careful, but not self-conscious. Characters have a real humanity, and are not simply used to move the story along. Nothing sloppy here, and the wonderful and timely plot unfolds at the perfect clip. Cummings' background in media is evident in his dead-bang insights and descriptions into the workings of Chicago radio and TV newsrooms.
In short, Cummings' debut novel, "Deader by the Lake" stands tall above the typical writing of this genre. There's no cheating, no corner cutting...not in setting, story, or character development, and the story is delivered with an economy of words that keep the pages turning.