Rating: 
Summary: Finally, an engaging Merci
Review: (this is a corrected version of a review by me that you have already posted -- i inadvertently switched the sequence of the first two merci rayborn books, in two separate references to that sequence; please sub this for the one now posted. tom parsons) After first encountering Merci Rayborn (and T. Jefferson Parker) in "Blue Hour," and then following
her growth in "Red Light," it is gratifying to see her become a fully engaging person/character in
"Black Water." The locale is familiar to Parker readers, the L.A. area's polyglot Orange County, and so is Parker's
mix of business people and hustlers, police procedure and character interaction. But a difference
with this book is the focus not on "whodunit" aspects (those are resolved for the reader relatively
early on) but how the case will be disposed of in Merci's complex world of cops under pressure
from sensation-mad media and ambitious prosecutors, and how Merci will handle the resolution.
The climax comes not with discovering "whodunit" but with the wholly surprising denouement of a
suspect and victim. Well done. As a fan of what I call "L.A. noir" (Harry Bosch is very high on my list), I had found myself engaged
by Tim Hess in "Blue Hour." But I was willing to give his partner in that book, Merci, a chance in
"Red Light." After finishing it, I was dissatisfied -- she was too self-absorbed and had too little
self-awareness to pull me much further into her life. If I hadn't already bought "Black Water," I don't believe I would have read it on the strength of the
first two Merci books. But, I had bought it, so I did read it, and was pleased to find that Parker has
allowed Merci to develop a more complete, more mature personality. If his slow development of
Merci -- relying primarily on plot rather than the engaging aspects of a character, which were in
short supply in the first two books -- was deliberate, it was a large risk, but it is one that pays off
for persistent readers.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong Characters
Review: A standard police procedural with characterizations that hold the readers' interest long after the ending is known. Parker continues to refine and expand the police force he has created.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, an engaging Merci
Review: After first encountering Merci Rayborn (and T. Jefferson Parker) in "Red Light," and then following her growth in "The Blue Hour," it is gratifying to see her become a fully engaging person/character in "Black Water." The locale is familiar to Parker readers, the L.A. area's polyglot Orange County, and so is Parker's mix of business people and hustlers, police procedure and character interaction. But a difference with this book is the focus not on "whodunit" aspects (those are resolved for the reader relatively early on) but how the case will be disposed of in Merci's complex world of cops under pressure from sensation-mad media and ambitious prosecutors, and how Merci will handle the resolution. The climax comes not with discovering "whodunit" but with the wholly surprising denouement of a suspect and victim. Well done. As a fan of what I call "L.A. noir" (Harry Bosch is very high on my list), I had found myself engaged by Tim Hess in "Red Light." But I was willing to give his partner in that book, Merci, a chance in "The Blue Hour." After finishing it, I was dissatisfied -- she was too self-absorbed and had too little self-awareness to pull me much further into her life. If I hadn't already bought "Black Water," I don't believe I would have read it on the strength of the first two Merci books. But, I had bought it, so I did read it, and was pleased to find that Parker has allowed Merci to develop a more complete, more mature personality. If his slow development of Merci -- relying primarily on plot rather than the engaging aspects of a character, which were in short supply in the first two books -- was deliberate, it was a large risk, but it is one that pays off for persistent readers.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, an engaging Merci
Review: After first encountering Merci Rayborn (and T. Jefferson Parker) in "Red Light," and then following her growth in "The Blue Hour," it is gratifying to see her become a fully engaging person/character in "Black Water." The locale is familiar to Parker readers, the L.A. area's polyglot Orange County, and so is Parker's mix of business people and hustlers, police procedure and character interaction. But a difference with this book is the focus not on "whodunit" aspects (those are resolved for the reader relatively early on) but how the case will be disposed of in Merci's complex world of cops under pressure from sensation-mad media and ambitious prosecutors, and how Merci will handle the resolution. The climax comes not with discovering "whodunit" but with the wholly surprising denouement of a suspect and victim. Well done. As a fan of what I call "L.A. noir" (Harry Bosch is very high on my list), I had found myself engaged by Tim Hess in "Red Light." But I was willing to give his partner in that book, Merci, a chance in "The Blue Hour." After finishing it, I was dissatisfied -- she was too self-absorbed and had too little self-awareness to pull me much further into her life. If I hadn't already bought "Black Water," I don't believe I would have read it on the strength of the first two Merci books. But, I had bought it, so I did read it, and was pleased to find that Parker has allowed Merci to develop a more complete, more mature personality. If his slow development of Merci -- relying primarily on plot rather than the engaging aspects of a character, which were in short supply in the first two books -- was deliberate, it was a large risk, but it is one that pays off for persistent readers.
Rating:
Summary: Filled With Dangerous Plot Curves
Review: Archie and Gwen Wildcraft seem to have it all. He's a young cop and she's a beautiful woman with a head for business. Then their promising future together is brutally put to an end. Gwen's found dead in the couple's home. And Archie's got a bullet in his brain, barely clinging to life. All clues point to a botched murder/suicide. But detective Merci Rayborn's on the case and she suspects there's more to the story than just the evidence.
Rayborn tries to believe in Deputy Wildcraft, even though her opinion's betrayed her before. As she searches for a definitive answer, the one person that could help solve the crime winds up disappearing. Archie checks himself out of the hospital. He's on a mission as mysterious as the circumstances behind his wife's death. Rayborn launches a manhunt but isn't sure if it's for a killer or a victim. Just when she thinks she has an innocent man on her hands, more victims start to surface. Is Archie Wildcraft a man dedicated to his wife or a madman finally letting go? Merci finds herself in the middle with more questions than answers. And time is running out for the one person she wants to save. Detective Merci Rayborn returns in T. Jefferson Parker's new thriller. Rayborn's personal struggles, emotions and life in general make her more real than most people.
Rating:
Summary: The Quality of Merci
Review: Black Water is the third in T. Jefferson Parker's series featuring Orange County, California detective Merci Rayborn. Merci is a single mother (the father having died in the first book) and an ambitious cop whose dreams of being sheriff have diminished after making enemies in the department in the second book. Her new case offers a chance at redemption but even a bigger chance of endangering her career again. The case is a deputy who has apparently killed his wife and then attempted suicide. There are many who are ready to leap to this conclusion - not wanting the Sheriff's department to look like it's covering things up - but Merci has her doubts, which are strengthened as she continues her investigation. Merci's not the only one seeking the truth. The severely wounded deputy, despite shards of bullets in his brain, is out to find answers and vengeance. He is almost a supernatural force, a seemingly undead being who knows his own life is limited and only has a mission to sustain him. Parker is an accomplished writer who as always delivers an entertaining novel. The only problem I have is the inclusion of the first chapter which shows the deputy's innocence. If the reader doesn't know this, it deepens the mystery. While solid enough entertainment, it admittedly does not have the spectacular quality that merits five stars. But four stars is enough to make this a recommended read for mystery fans.
Rating:
Summary: The Quality of Merci
Review: Black Water is the third in T. Jefferson Parker's series featuring Orange County, California detective Merci Rayborn. Merci is a single mother (the father having died in the first book) and an ambitious cop whose dreams of being sheriff have diminished after making enemies in the department in the second book. Her new case offers a chance at redemption but even a bigger chance of endangering her career again. The case is a deputy who has apparently killed his wife and then attempted suicide. There are many who are ready to leap to this conclusion - not wanting the Sheriff's department to look like it's covering things up - but Merci has her doubts, which are strengthened as she continues her investigation. Merci's not the only one seeking the truth. The severely wounded deputy, despite shards of bullets in his brain, is out to find answers and vengeance. He is almost a supernatural force, a seemingly undead being who knows his own life is limited and only has a mission to sustain him. Parker is an accomplished writer who as always delivers an entertaining novel. The only problem I have is the inclusion of the first chapter which shows the deputy's innocence. If the reader doesn't know this, it deepens the mystery. While solid enough entertainment, it admittedly does not have the spectacular quality that merits five stars. But four stars is enough to make this a recommended read for mystery fans.
Rating:
Summary: Suspense With Depth
Review: BLACK WATER presents the tragic character of Archie Wildcraft, accused of murdering his loving wife and then failing to kill himself. In the eyes of the District Attorney there is little doubt Archie committed the crime. Merci Rayborn, tough but emotionally scarred, feels pressure to arrest him but is unconvinced of Archie's guilt, despite all the evidence to the contrary. Instead, she is driven to prove his innocence and discover what really occurred on the night both Archie and Gwen Wildcraft were shot. Merci has witnessed the love Archie professes for his slain spouse and doesn't want to see him unjustly punished. Archie invokes sorrow, rage and pity as Merci and the reader empathize with his situation. His wife has been murdered, he has a bullet in his brain, has lost his memory and is unsure of his involvement in the crime. Throughout the story, the pace builds as new clues, relationships, and characters are uncovered. By the time the story reaches resolution, the pieces come expertly together and we once again have proof that T. Jefferson Parker is a writer of suspense with depth. If you are looking for a suspense novel with subplots and emotional depth expertly crafted to keep you interested and entertained, I think you will enjoy BLACK WATER.
Rating: 
Summary: Police procedure with real emotional impact--great
Review: Homocide Sergeant Merci Rayborn has screwed up before--let made the wrong call in the battle between her emotions and her logic--and she swears she isn't going to in this case. The evidence looks compelling. A local sheriff's deputy is found with a gun in his hand, a bullet in his skull, and a dead wife in his house shot with that gun. Add in a recent fight and a spending pattern that a deputy's pay could never support and it's a clear murder-suicide. Except that Merci thinks that something is wrong. But then, can she even trust her judgement? Author T. Jefferson Parker does a great job on the details of police procedure, making ordinary detection compelling. Where he really stands out, however, is in his development of character and character emotion. Merci Rayborn, in her third novel, is no longer the young innocent of THE BLUE HOUR. She still believes in what she is doing, but she is no longer so sure of where she is going. BLACK WATER delves deeply into her angst and is somehow more powerful but also more exciting because of it. Archie Wildcraft, the wounded Deputy, is also powerfully drawn as he battles with his loss of memory and especially the loss of feelings caused by brain trauma and the bullet that remains inside his skull. BLACK WATER certainly stands alone and is a wonderful and powerful book. Fans of T. Jefferson Parker will be overjoyed to see Merci back--and rewarded for the wait. If you aren't familiar with this series, it would be worth a look to find the novels in order (the earlier novels, THE BLUE HOUR and RED LIGHT. Another excellent novel by an exciting novelist.
Rating:
Summary: Only complaint is I have to wait for the next book
Review: I agree with the other reviewers who say that Parker gets better and better with every book. He writes great crime novels but, like P.D. James, never lets us forget the churning mix of loss, grief and vengeance that the survivors and the crimefighters are left with. This is the third Merci Rayborn novel and her character is uniquely complicated - both insensitive and touchy at the same time. It's a delight to see her develop as a tender mother even while she concentrates on solving grisly crimes. In Black Water, a deputy and his wife are the victims - she's dead, he barely survives. Did he do it? Or is there more to the picture? You know with Merci on the case, it's not going to be easy. Especially with the reverberations of her actions from the previous novel in the series, Red Light, splitting department loyalties. Merci, her partner Zamora, Mike McNally and all of the familiar characters are back (along with the omnipresent memory of Hess). If you've read the other books in the series, don't miss this one. If you haven't, read The Blue Hour, then Red Light, then get this one. Afterwards you'll be like me, wondering if you should write Mr. Parker to congratulate him on another great story or just urge him to write faster, darn it! A very satisfying series.
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