Cookie Cutter

Rating:
Summary: The Diary of a Mad Keebler Elf.
Review: "Bloody" Mary Cunningham must catch a killer with a very unique theme. Certain african-americans are being executed because of their politics, precisely those that lend themselves to be catagorized as 'sell-outs'. After each murder, an oreo cookie is left in their hands as a sign of their betrayal of their race. The clock is ticking, because the race for mayor is under way, and it especially turns ugly when the killer seems to be connected. Characters seem to be inserted when there was no need for them, but further along, the pieces begin to fit and the story moves even further. Kudos for an original story, a determined dectective, and, with luck, another continuing mystery.

Rating:
Summary: A great find
Review: A self-appointed crusader is bumping off victims who he regards as Oreos (black on the outside but white on the inside). A quick tempered hot mama of a homicide detective draws the assignment of stopping him. That's the plot in a nutshell. It's a fresh storyline but I didn't rate it just on originality. What I liked most was the execution and I'm not talking about the murders. I'm talking about the quality of the writing. I found every character believable with strengths and weaknesses. I disconnect with stories based on characters that are all good or all evil. The main character, Bloody Mary (no, that's not the killer), for example, has a number of personal issues that she wrestles with in addition to having to stop a serial killer. And speaking of the devil, Eugene Shaw is an original as far as I know. I've never run across the likes of him on page before and certainly hope never to in person. I sort of stumbled onto this book. It was listed as one of the books readers also bought for another book I ordered. The cover is very eye catching but I was convinced by the reviews. Now I'm returning the favor. Buy the book.

Rating:
Summary: A suspense thriller
Review: This is the second mystery thriller that I have read in which the main characters are Black. It was well thought out and written impressively by Sterling Anthony making his debut as an author. I read it quickly and enthusuastically, wanting to know how the several story lines were interwoven and the final conclusion. I felt at times that the author gave alot of excess information that was not necessary and was a bit distracting, however on the whole it was a good book. I liked the originality of the plot, wherein a Black male who looks Caucasian is so confused and unhappy about his racial identity that he goes to extremes of murdering those Blacks who seem to hold disdain for their race and side with the White man in perpetuating oppression. It is interesting how the author makes the killer a believeable figure, because Black people are not known for being serial killers. However, the reason that Eugene commits these crimes is not difficult to understand, given his unbalanced state of mind. I liked the way Anthony gave Mary Cunningham, the newly promoted officer in charge of the case a full, interesting life in which she had others options open to her aside from police work. She also had a loving and supportive husband. Oftentimes, Black authors want to dwell on the negative aspects of Black family life. I do hope that this is not the last that we have heard from Mr. Anthony. I would enjoy reading more of the exploits of Lt. Mary Cunningham, but whatever the subject matter I'm sure he will do it justice.