Lovers Crossing

Rating:
Summary: Fast-paced and Informative
Review: "Lovers Crossing" is a very good book. Mr Mitchell has written a mystery alright but his style makes it something more... a novel containing countless facts that he uses with good effect to augment his main story line with the result that the narative never gets bogged down. His stacato style fires items at the reader with the rapidity of a machine pistol.

The novel kicks off when the lead character, Brinker, and his partner, a couple of US Border Patrol Cops working the Arizona-Mexican border near Nogales, save a 6-year old, homeless Mexican waif. But that's really a prologue. The main theme develops when a wealthy Tucson businessman hires Brinker, who has turned in his badge and opened shop as a private detective after getting shot on the job. Mo Crain wants Brinker to find whoever it was who murdered his wife. The story weaves a trail through Nogales, Tucson, Vancouver and the location known as Lovers Crossing which figures heavily in Brinker's past.

Mr Mitchell's background in media helps him construct a look at the television News industry through the persona of Brinker's girlfriend. He has also researched the geography of the various locales extensively. Smuggling, both of drugs and human life, adds to the novel's intrigue and allows the author to develop a compelling cast of characters. The reader is left waiting for a sequal.

Rating:
Summary: A forgettable formulaic work but enjoyable enough
Review: Brinker is a PI working in Tucson, Arizona. A former INS agent who worked the US border with Mexico, he retired after being shot on duty apparently by one of his fellow agents. Brinker is hired by a local wealthy businessman, Mo Crain, to look into his wife's recent murder. Brinker's investigation takes him into contact with his old border patrol and the man who possibly tried to murder him. Of course, the investigation leads Brinker into danger with, not only his own life at stake but that of the woman he loves.
James C. Mitchell has written a competent but highly formulaic PI novel. There are little surprises here. The strength of the book are the characters and the depiction of the locale. The conclusion is predictable and with the obligatory scene of the villain holding the gun on the hero, the plot is very routine. Overall, a forgettable work but enjoyable enough while it lasts.

Rating:
Summary: A forgettable formulaic work but enjoyable enough
Review: Brinker is a PI working in Tucson, Arizona. A former INS agent who worked the US border with Mexico, he retired after being shot on duty apparently by one of his fellow agents. Brinker is hired by a local wealthy businessman, Mo Crain, to look into his wife's recent murder. Brinker's investigation takes him into contact with his old border patrol and the man who possibly tried to murder him. Of course, the investigation leads Brinker into danger with, not only his own life at stake but that of the woman he loves.
James C. Mitchell has written a competent but highly formulaic PI novel. There are little surprises here. The strength of the book are the characters and the depiction of the locale. The conclusion is predictable and with the obligatory scene of the villain holding the gun on the hero, the plot is very routine. Overall, a forgettable work but enjoyable enough while it lasts.

Rating:
Summary: A debut author writes a winning P.I. tale
Review: INS Agent Roscoe Brinker worked the border near Nogales when he was shot during an incident. He recovers, but is forced into retirement. To this day he believes one of his men either pulled the trigger or paid to have him shot, but he has no evidence against Sanchez. Instead, Brinker moved on and operates a private investigative firm out of Tucson.

Car dealer Mo Crain considers hiring Roscoe, but first asks the sleuth personal questions because he knows he needs someone who cares about loved ones to handle his case. The police have no leads into who killed Mo's philanthropic-activist wife. While standing besides her vehicle in a mall parking lot, someone shot Mo's spouse, but the killer failed to steal her car, jewelry, money or credit cards. Mo needs to know who and why so he engages Roscoe to find the answers that shockingly takes the sleuth full circle back to the border area where he was shot.

If LOVERS CROSSING is any indication of what readers can expect from debut author James C. Mitchell, fans of private investigative thrillers can expect some strong tales. The story line hooks the audience from the opening prologue when Roscoe as an INS Agent is shot until he completes his tracking of 900 miles in one week on the odometer of the car used by Mo's deceased wife. Readers will value this taut tale of illegal border dealings (not just crossings) that showcases a new talent.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A WINNER
Review: This fast paced enjoyable book is a winner.
I have been around Tucson and so liked all his referrences and descriptions.
It would make a good movie.
Bravo Mr. Mitchell!

Rating:
Summary: STRONG -- Deserving As This Year's SHAMUS AWARD NOMINEE!!!
Review: Time is a limited resource and reading is an investment. This is one of the best investments I have made this year. "Lovers Crossing" starts out like a bullet and only gets faster! Strong storyline. Interesting characters. Read it in three nights. Can't wait to read the next James C. Mitchell "Choke Point"!

Rating:
Summary: STRONG -- Deserving As This Year's SHAMUS AWARD NOMINEE!!!
Review: Time is a limited resource and reading is an investment. This is one of the best investments I have made this year. "Lovers Crossing" starts out like a bullet and only gets faster! Strong storyline. Interesting characters. Read it in three nights. Can't wait to read the next James C. Mitchell "Choke Point"!