Eve Missing

Rating:
Summary: This book smokes
Review: I had never heard of this writer until I came across a rave review of his book online. I've got to tell you that this guy can write. As a matter of fact, he's a whole lot better than practically every other contemporary mystery writer out there and this is his first book.

What does Eve Missing have to recommend it? A whole lot. Great lead characters, a whole line-up of colorful supporting characters, some sexy and emotionally complex women, a terrific plot, great scenary.... I could go on and on. The New York City settings are evocative and gritty, but I particularly liked the scenes in Miami and San Francisco and a philosophical surfer girl named Sunny, who I'm hoping will return in the next book.

Grab this one. You'll be very pleasantly surprised.

Rating:
Summary: More than a great mystery
Review: I loved this guy, Smokey Annicelli. He's not perfect by a long shot. But he's a real fresh and blood character who cares and won't stop until he finds the truth. The plot is superior to so many I've read. It's full of twists and surprises and keep me guessing to the end. And the women characters are great. I especially liked Sunny, the lost surfer girl he meets on the beach in Miami. I hope there's a second Smokey book and I hope Sunny returns. I recommend this book very highly.

Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: I'm adding Smokey Annicelli to my list of existential detective heroes that includes Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe and Matthew Scudder. Smokey might sleep around more than the other three, but he's a good-hearted type, who treats women with respect and is trying to solve his own problems as he delves into the case of Eve. Eve is, indeed, a mystery. A wild girl from the streets who disappears after making it big as a high fashion model. The best of intentions sometimes go awry; as they do here. Brief glimpses into Eve's seamy past provide all the clues we need to know why. The whole complicated story of guilt, greed and ... blackmail is vividly drawn by R. Pezzullo, who knows how to bring a character and a place to life as well as anyone I know. The tension is taut and builds throughtout. Fine writing, clever plotting and rich characters make for a richly satisfying read.

Rating:
Summary: Waiting for the next one!
Review: It took me a lot of discipline not to try to finish this one in one night,so it took exactly two sleepless nights to read the whole book.Very strong characters and a lot of surprises. And who would not like to have friends like Smokey has?
Looking very much forward to the next one.

Rating:
Summary: The best mystery I've read in years
Review: Rarely have I read a book that is so absorbing. Right away the reader is pulled into the very colorful world of Smokey Annicelli - an ex-NYC cop. He's a very interesting, attractive guy, but he's got problems. And his problems only get worse when he takes on the case of missing Eve. She's a high fashion model with a lurid past. Her mentor is a beguiling and sophisticated fashion designer named Danielle Giroux.

She's just one of the many fascinating characters that bring this book so vividly to life. My favorite was Smokey's mysterious and influential friend Sabino Goldstick.

The book is rich with psychological complexity and atmosphere. But what made it so compelling for me were two things: One, the very human and sympathetic central character, Smokey. And, secondly, the mystery that keep me completely riveted until the end.

Rating:
Summary: Totally entertaining
Review: This book takes off with tremendous energy and never stops. It's told in the voice of tender-hearted tough guy Smokey Annicelli and filled with twists and turns, colorful characters and gritty atmosphere. Pezzullo knows how to build a mystery and keep you on the edge of your seat. A very promising start to a juicy new mystery series.

Rating:
Summary: More than a great mystery
Review: What a terrific read. I ate up every page of it. Eve Missing starts with a bang and keeps picking up speed until the wild ending. It's sexy and smart with a complex and sympathetic main character. Like other top-notch books, it works on several levels. First, there's the central mystery of what happened to the fashion model Eve, which is very satisfying on its own. Second, there's the struggle of the detective Smokey Annicelli to reclaim his dignity and self-confidence after being shot. Third, there's a sizzling love story between Smokey and Eve's mentor, fasion designer Danielle Giroux.

Author Pezzullo keeps all the action moving at a fast clip. He's very skillful at creating real characters who are full of interesting quirks. His descriptions are colorful and lean and never bog down the action.