FUZZY NAVEL: A Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels Mystery
J. A. Konrath
Hyperion
Mystery
ISBN: 9781401302801

J. A. Konrath has served up another round of the Long Island Iced Tea of mysteries: one part murder, two parts mayhem, with a generous splash of humor and garnished with some of the most interesting characters in current fiction. FUZZY NAVEL combines all the ingredients that I'm addicted to, and I can't wait to read the next one because he leaves us dangling with a crazy cliffhanger here.

Among his many occupations, Konrath teaches writing. It would be wonderful if he could pass on his gifts and inspire other authors to follow his recipe for writing books that cannot be put down, that make you laugh out loud and that have you biting your nails all at the same time. FUZZY NAVEL has many of the same elements that first drew me to the series, but there has been a noticeable polish to this work. While there is still more action than any sane person would choose, there is also some restraint. Konrath is not playing gross out just for the sake of shock value. He has found a way to write a tighter story without losing any of the delicious flavors.

The cast of characters that propel this suspenseful story include many who we have met before, including Jack's mom Mary, her portly partner Herb, her fiancé Latham, and her not-so-favorite P.I. Harry McGlade. Added to the mix are three snipers who start out to avenge the rape of one's wife by killing three sex offenders simultaneously. The wife's perpetrator would be among them, thus avenging her while diverting suspicion away from the husband. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but things go horribly wrong when one of the vigilantes finds that sniping at cops is just as much fun as sniping at perverts.

While Jack and Herb are being called from one sniper shooting scene to another, a vicious killer is preparing revenge on Jack. Alex Kork, who Jack had disfigured and arrested, has escaped from prison and will not stop until she accomplishes her goal. Her plan is to hurt Jack by torturing her and her loved ones in ways that only a psychotic mind could imagine.

Suspense builds as Alex tricks Jack into rushing home. Meanwhile, the snipers evade the police and follow the "lady cop" who got a look at one of them and could identify him. Everything hits the fan at Jack and Mary's new home in the peaceful suburbs.

In this exciting novel there is no doubt who the bad guys are or about what they have in store for Jack. Short chapters take the reader from one character's perspective to another's. We get to know exactly what Alex is planning, what each of the snipers is thinking and how Jack plans to protect herself and her loved ones from the terrors at hand.

Through all the life-threatening violence, Konrath is able to lighten the tension as Harry cracks wise and Jack demonstrates the skills that show just why she was able to become a police lieutenant. Basic values and character keep those under siege going against all odds. They never give up on themselves or each other. The non-stop action provides the thrills of “ER,” the endurance of “Survivor,” the aggressiveness of “Rage in the Cage” and the humor of “NYPD Blue.” FUZZY NAVEL is definitely one you'll have trouble putting down.

    --- Reviewed by Maggie Harding, a substance abuse counselor in Phoenix, AZ who wanted to be Brenda Starr before life intervened. She reviews for www.bookreporter.com, www.faithfulreader.com and www.livinglightnews.com. To contact Maggie, e-mail Magster2@cox.net.

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