Dead Red

Rating:
Summary: First-time novelist shows promise with "Dead Red "
Review: After reading the back cover of Dead Red, I said to myself, "Well, the author certainly has the law enforcement background to write this book, but can the police officer, well, write?"

It didn't take many pages to answer that question. Not only can Lt. Nelson Andreu write, he does so in a manner sufficient to keep me turning pages and that's what I look for if I am going to say a book is worthy of some attention.

With 22 years in Miami's Homicide Unit, now-retired Andreu has the ability to take a reader to the scene of the crime through his words. He didn't engage in something I've seen many new authors do, that is to fill up the page with so many adjectives, the reader forgets what the noun was up to begin with. There were few grammatical problems, another rarity with first works.

Andreu's main character, Detective Pete Copeland, is believable, not so far over the top that the reader would think of a character from one of Arnold's action movies, yet replete with enough testosterone and street smarts he keeps from getting killed. The story begins with Copeland, waking up on a beach one morning with a bad headache, but no clue as to how he got there. He later finds out he was with a red-headed female, but before he can figure out who she was, the lady turns up dead. And that sort of thing puts a cop in a very bad situation.

The story unfolds, perhaps a bit too slowly at first, but once it picks up some speed, it is non -stop action. Copeland, who Andreu describes as, "not like Dick Tracey, but more like Tom Selleck", sets about trying to find out what really happened that night, who was involved and why.

The rest of the book details Copeland's investigative prowess and is filled with behind the scenes workings of what actually happens during a murder investigation. There are twists and turns and a few more people end up dead. Even so, the gore score is mild and younger members of the house can read it without having nightmares. Andreu says his characters are gleaned from the good, the bad and the ugly of many former fellow officers and it's a sure bet some of Andreu himself is detailed in Copeland's skills and maneuvers.

My only frustration with Dead Red was that Andreu left a few details dangling toward the end. Throughout the story, Copeland's girlfriend, Mary, plays more than an incidental role and Copeland ends up marrying her. Yet once the two tie the knot, Andreu never mentions her again, a minor, yet noticeable oversight.

The author promises more murder cases, meaning the Copeland character will return to solve more crimes. With Andreu's experience in what was once coined "the murder capitol of the world", which included regular contact with corpses and serial killers, this reader is certain the sequels won't be dull.

Rating:
Summary: One That Deserves An Award!
Review: As a book reviewer I received an advanced copy of this book and can honestly say DEAD RED is one detective novel that you won't put down once you start it! Mr. Andreus's takes you into the life of a homicide detective in DEAD RED. His character's are believable and you will find yourself getting into the investigation that is taking place in this novel.


Not only is DEAD RED a detective novel but as I continued to read I believed it to be a mystery of sort too. This novel is unlike any detective shows you will see on TV, DEAD RED will give you the truth to real homicide detective investigations through his own experience.


This is one novel that anyone who enjoys this genre or wants an insight into what real life detective work is like should read. I can't wait to read more of his novels. This is one author who deserves recognition and an award for his wonderful writing!

Rating:
Summary: Dead Red
Review: As a retired Atlanta Homicide Detective I first heard of Nelson Andreu's new novel from a fellow retired cop. I must say the author utilizes the realities of a murder investigation in his book and it was one I consider a 5 star novel & a must read!

Rating:
Summary: Superb Detective Mystery Novel
Review: As a retired police officer from South Florida, although I never met Lt. Andreu, I can see that was he has written in the pages of Dead Red is the way detectives really work their cases. I was fortunate that a friend turned me on to Dead Red and I can't wait for the next book. Dead Red is a superbly written detective novel that I highly recommend to those who like reading this genre of books.

Rating:
Summary: All the elements readers expect of a mystery novel
Review: Former Miami homicide detective Nelson Andreu's debut novel, Dead Red, delivers many of the elements readers come to expect of the traditional page-turner mystery-ruthless killers, an aura of corruption, a love story, diamond and drug traffickers, a murder made to look like a suicide, and foreign intrigue.

What is unique about this mystery novel is that Andreu strikes the right balance between the narration of the story and his behind-the-scenes commentary that are based on his own personal experiences as how murder investigations are conducted in the real world. In other words, forget about what you see on television where Colombo or Kojack are able to solve a crime within an hour. This simply does not happen with crime investigations.

The story unfolds when homicide detective Peter Copeland wakes up early one morning on a beach near his former girlfriend's home with a splitting headache and a bad taste in his mouth.
Confused, while finding his way back and entering his friend's home, Peter is reminded by his friend Mary that he had left her party the previous evening with a very attractive redhead.
However, neither Peter nor Mary seems to know who the redhead was, her name, and who invited her to the party.

Matters become very complicated when our principal protagonist discovers upon reading the morning newspaper a few days later that a woman was found washed up on a beach by a couple of kids. After conferring with the detective assigned to the case and some preliminary investigations on his own, Peter discovers that the woman was the same red head whom he had departed with the night of Mary's party.

The action builds up when an anguished Peter engages the service of one of his FBI buddies, Ralph Fernandez, to find out more about this mysterious redhead. No doubt, as he was the last one seen with the redhead, he would be a prime suspect in the murder.

After a one -week vacation, Peter's partner, Joe, returns and immediately is apprised of what has been happening since he was away, and some of the findings of Ralph Fernandez.
Unfortunately, Joe meets an untimely death, that is supposedly meant to look like a suicide, and here is where the saga really takes off with one surprise after another, always keeping the reader off balance until the very end.

Although Andreu gets off to a rocky start within the first few pages, fortunately, however, he consciously or unconsciously realizes the effectiveness of the economical usage of words in order to deliver powerful images and messages, and here is where he is at his best.

If you are not too peeved when it comes to not being able to capture or kill all of the bad guys, the closing scenes will not be too disappointing. Perhaps, it was purposely crafted this way, to remind us that such is the case in the real world or it was because the author wanted to leave the door open to a sequel.
I prefer the latter explanation and I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

Norm Goldman Editor of Bookpleasures.com

Rating:
Summary: Nelson Andreu's new book
Review: Having just finished reading "Dead Red," I can honestly say the author has expertly used his homicide experience in writing this novel. It kept me reading late into the night for several days. This is a MUST READ!

Rating:
Summary: DEAD RED is an Outstanding Police Novel
Review: Having lived most of my life in the greater Miami area, I have always been facinated with Detective novels. A friend recommended 'Dead Red' last week. Was I glad she did! After having read dozens of police novels I finally found one that truly explains the inside workings of a real case. This is one book you will not want to put down. A big Hoorah to Nelson Andreu for this superb novel!

Rating:
Summary: Dead Red
Review: I received my copy of Dead Red a few days ago and I must say I have been reading late into the night for the past few days. Many of the other reviews I have read here say this is one book you will not want to put down. I have heard that before of other books, but Dead Red is one you REALLY WON'T WANT TO STOP reading. This is a great novel! Great job Lt. Andreu; let's go with the next one.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: If this was a movie, you couldn't blink. I found myself cheering for the main character as if I was his partner driving side by side with him through the streets of Miami and the dark city morgues. If you like CSI you will love this book!

Rating:
Summary: All the elements readers expect of a mystery novel
Review: In most police procedurals, you observe the officers investigating - from the outside. Mr. Andreu lets you into the work of solving this crime so you are on the inside. You are the police detective! When is the next installment?