Double Bluff

Rating:
Summary: Good but needs character work
Review: It was hard to pin down what did not engage me in this book. Hawley certainly knows his subject matter and for that alone, I would have rated this book highly - but his characters, in my opinion, were fairly one dimensional. I felt that stereotypes prevailed in each character that was drawn into the story. It takes a special talent to keep characters alive against the plot and details of a murder mystery - and I can't help wishing that Hawley had not tried to bite off so much. Milkovich and Harris get lost in the plot twists. Maybe this wouldn't matter so much if Hawley didn't keep trying to bring your sympathies back into his two main characters - but he does and it didn't work for me. The first sparks of romance didn't work - especially the feelings that both characters speak to at the end of the story.

Hawley is a very knowledgable law enforcement officer and I have the greatest respect for him as such - I hope he keeps writing and I wish him well because I learned a lot. If he wants to go up to the next level of suspense writing, I feel that he needs to pace his characters, grow and nurture them so those of us who are not in his field can connect more fully with the people he is trying to create.

Rating:
Summary: Not So Fast
Review: As a retired LA cop, I can tell you that Hawley lacks street experience. However, his book is entertaining, and the story is told in the typical crime story fashion most people are accustomed to. With his second book out, I am wondering how Hawley has the time to be a sheriff? Of course, I have been hardened by the streets of LA.

Rating:
Summary: Fanastic Read
Review: Det. Sgt. Leah Harris, of the Seattle Police Department, was called out at two o'clock in the morning. She was the lead of the "HIT" Team (Homicide Investigation Team) that was assigned. The victim had been a college girl, Christina Herrera. Her body had been slashed several times. Investigator Frank Milkovich of I.A. (Internal Affairs) was called in when a photo of a copy, John Darby, was found in Christina's home. That was bad since Leah had just left Darby in her bed when she'd been called to the homicide. Since the time of death could not be pinpointed, Darby was considered a suspect without an alibi.

Worse, the victim's house seemed to be part of a Colombian Drug Cell. Christina looked as though she had been "house-sitting" to protect the Cartel's hidden money. Her uncle was a V.P. of a local bank and he seemed to have many cops on his payroll! It was an explosive situation which WILL only get worse!

***** AWESOME AUTHOR! Authors are told to write what they know about. The little detailed facts that only insiders know make the stories more real to the readers. Well, Sheriff Mike Hawley does exactly that! This story is an outstanding piece of work! In fact, I believe Mike Hawley may be to Homicide Investigation novels what John Grisham is to Legal novels! I lost a lot of sleep because I simply could not put the book down. It was non-stop action and mystery from the first paragraph. Michael A. Hawley is destined to hit the best seller list in the future! Keep your eyes on this author, Readers! *****

Rating:
Summary: As entertaining as Fox network's "24"
Review: Double bluff is an utterly involving, intricately woven, thrill-a-minute, crime mystery akin to the television program "24." And just like that program, it all takes place in the space of 24 hours (well, just a few more).

Like "24," Double Bluff doesn't go into much detail about the characters, and some readers might feel that the author could have added a little more detail. But that would have slowed the breakneck pace of the book.

While I wouldn't want every book I read to take this approach -- just as I wouldn't want every television show I watch to be "24" -- a book like Double Bluff is a great change of pace and a real adrenaline rush. I heartily recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Rapid Fire Pace
Review: Double bluff is an utterly involving, intricately woven, thrill-a-minute, crime mystery akin to the television program "24." And just like that program, it all takes place in the space of 24 hours (well, just a few more).

Like "24," Double Bluff doesn't go into much detail about the characters, and some readers might feel that the author could have added a little more detail. But that would have slowed the breakneck pace of the book.

While I wouldn't want every book I read to take this approach -- just as I wouldn't want every television show I watch to be "24" -- a book like Double Bluff is a great change of pace and a real adrenaline rush. I heartily recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Rapid Fire Pace
Review: Get ready to wear a seatbelt when you read DOUBLE BLUFF -- you'll be propelled rapid fire alongside Seattle Police Detectives Leah Harris and Frank Milkovich as they race the clock to catch the bad guys, in this debut novel by Michael Hawley. The characters, the city, and the criminals are all believeable -- after all, Hawley's a cop himself. The only thing better than DOUBLE BLUFF is Hawley's second novel, SILENT PROOF.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good for His First Book!
Review: I just completed readings Mike's book, The Double Bluff, and found it rather interesting. The disappointment was that the final pages seemed to rush to pull all the threads together and come to the end of the story. However, his build-up of the story line to that point was very well done.

Since this is his first published novel, I think he did an admirable job and his police experience definitely made all the difference in making the book realistic. Coming from a law enforcement family and background, believe me, Mike knows police work whereas, many other crime novel authors don't have a clue. This is where Mike shines. He knows the stuff and it comes through - leaving some room for fiction of course.

With more experience and an editor to help, I believe his future books will continue to improve and challenge some of today's better known authors of crime novels.

Is it worth buying and reading? If you want a good crime novel that details real-world police tactics and attitudes; is an easy and relaxing read; then yes, buy the book.

Rating:
Summary: Fanastic Read
Review: I thought this was a fantastic book. I took it on vacation with me and could not put it down. The author sounds like he really knows what he is talking about and gives a lot of insight to actual police work. Hopefully we will get a lot more of his books to read. Sheriff Hawley, keep the good books coming, and by the way, you are a great sheriff.

Rating:
Summary: fascinating police thriller
Review: Leah Harris is a detective in the Seattle homicide unit when she catches the call about the multiple stabbing death of a young Spanish woman. When she investigates the scene, her first thought is this is a crime of passion. However, things become much more complex when a picture of her lover, narcotics detective John Darby is found there.

She immediately calls her superior officer who gets Internal Affairs involved. Sergeant Frank Milkovich immediately insinuates himself into the investigation and discover heroin behind the stove and a million dollars in cash in the closet of the dead woman's apartment.
Frank thinks they stumbled upon a cell of a Colombian drug cartel. The victim's father is persona not grata in the United States and no record of a John Darby exists. Leah and Frank realize they have muddled into something deadly that could get them killed if they are not extremely careful.

DOUBLE BLUFF is a fascinating police thriller starring two great protagonists who each deserve their own series. Michael A. Hawley gives the reader an insider's look about what confronts a police officer on a recurring basis. The story line is multi-layered so that when the reader peels one subplot off, there is something ever darker and more shocking underneath it. This crime thriller is great escapist reading.

Harriet Klausner