Incendiary Designs : A Jack Caleb and John Thinnes Mystery

Rating:
Summary: Best tour of Chicago since Bueller
Review:

Psychiatrist Dr. Jack Caleb is jogging in Chicago's Lincoln Park when he hears some chanting. When he goes in the direction of the noise he observes a cultist mob about to burn a police car with the cop inside the vehicle. His presence puts a halt to the festivities and the wannabe arsonists flee the scene. Later on, the officer's partner Arlette Banks is found dead, a victim of a stoning. The Chicago police department assigns John Thinnes to investigate the case, which circumstantially point towards the cult.

However, the case becomes more complicated when members of the cult begin to die in what appears to be a series of arson fires. Soon, evidence surfaces that makes the prime suspect appear to be Dr. Morgan, a close friend of Jack. To prove his buddy, who he wants a closer relationship with, is innocent, Jack sets in motion a plan that, if it fails, will leave him and John burnt to a crisp

The third Thinnes-Caleb investigation, INCENDIARY DESIGNS, is a well-designed tale. The story line is obviously crisp and fast-paced. The secondary characters and the lead duo strengthen the plot. However, what makes Michael Allen Dymmoch's novel so good is the best tour of Chicago since Bueller needed a day off. This is a wonderful series that is worth reading.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding noir detective novel
Review: This novel takes readers inside the Chicago PD, through some of the city's meanest streets, and explores several levels of Chicago's social structure. And always, in a complex city with a complicated plot, the clear, direct writing of the author, her sensitivity and realism make this an excellent novel with logical action, realistic dialogue and solidly grounded conclusions.
A night-time jogger, Jack Caleb, comes across a mob trying to burn a Chicago squad car. When he discovers a cop still inside, he risks his own life to save the man. His actions put him in the middle of a complex situation that soon involves, murder, arson, and crack Chicago detective, John Thinnes. Adding to the richness of this dark and gritty novel are some marvelously sensitve scenes of the deepening relationship between a Dr. Martin Morgan and Psychiatrist Caleb.
Chicago in all its complexities, the PD and the charismatic Conflagration Church all come realistically alive in this fine, exciting novel.