Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Brooklyn On Fire ..… The Deliveryman


BROOKLYN ON FIRE by Lawrence H. Levy

When an author skillfully combines history and fiction, a reader/listener can easily get lost in that plausible reality. Such is the case of BROOKLYN ON FIRE by Lawrence H. Levy.

Each character has their own unique voice and distinction thanks to the wonderful vocals of narrator Cassandra Campbell. She brings the characters to life with her cadence and accents. Her rich interruption enhances this delightful tale.

Working at Lazlo’s Books, Mary Handley is ready for her next job after helping the Brooklyn Police Department close a case earlier. Advertising herself as a Consulting Detective, Mary is hired by Emily Worsham to investigate the death of her uncle, John Worsham. The problem is Worsham died 21 years earlier and close family members said it was natural causes.

As Mary begins to investigate, she finds more questions than answers. The case involves the now wife of a prominent New Yorker, political corruption, several new murders that begin to connect and an unexpected romance that puts Mary in the spotlight of New York’s elite.

As the body count goes up, Mary becomes more determined than ever to get to the bottom of Worsham’s death, figure out who’s framing her cop brother for murder and decide if she’s ready to settle down.

The author takes a suspenseful murder mystery and blends it with historical figures such as the Vanderbilt family and John D. Rockefeller for an intriguing tale. With detailed descriptions, the author takes readers/listeners from setting to setting with New York in 1890 being the vocal point.

The characters are well-developed and likable. The story moves at a steady pace with numerous twists, turns and unexpected surprises. The events will hold your attention from beginning to end. Mary is independent and a bit daring for her time making her a fun and spunky protagonist.

BROOKLYN ON FIRE is the second installment in the Mary Handley Mystery series, but is a standalone book. References to her first case are detailed enough new readers/listeners won’t be left in the dark. This is an entertaining story that will have you wondering where the history leaves off and the fiction begins.

Brooklyn on Fire by Lawrence H. Levy, A Mary Handley Mystery (Book #2), Narrated by Cassandra Campbell, Random House Audio, @2016, ASIN: BO198O1OG2, Unabridged, Audible Audio Edition, Run Time: 10 Hours and 14 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

THE DELIVERY MAN by Jeffery Deaver

If you’re a fan of the Lincoln Rhyme’s series by Jeffery Deaver, be warned that while THE DELIVERYMAN is an enjoyable story, it is a short story and not as lengthy as you may be accustomed to.

Narrator Edoardo Ballerini does a wonderful job giving distinct voices to the various characters. He breathes life into the characters with his cadence and mannerisms.

When a deliveryman is murdered in a trash-filled alley, renowned forensic detective Lincoln Rhyme and his partner, Amelia Sachs, have lots of evidence collected from the scene to go through. Their best hope however, is what the man’s eight-year-old son, who was riding along when the murder happened, knows.

As Lincoln and Amelia sift through the evidence, the deliveryman’s acquaintances are also searching for the cargo he was supposed to have. Turns out, the deliveryman was delivering illegal contraband in between his legitimate stops.

As both sides uncover more clues, the closer they all get to who has the key to unlocking the truth. It’s a dangerous game to see who gets to the truth first.
The author keeps the story short and sweet, but suspenseful and action packed. The twists and unexpected surprises will keep you on your toes in determining who the good guys are from the bad guys.

THE DELIVERYMAN is filled with drama and bits of humor. The story flows smoothly and at a steady pace. The characters are well-balanced and likable.

An enthralling tale that will delight returning fans of the Lincoln Rhyme’s series, but not put new readers/listeners of the series in the dark. Once you begin this tantalizing short story, you won’t be able to stop until you know the outcome.

The Deliveryman by Jeffery Deaver, A Lincoln Rhyme Short Story (Book #11.5), Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini, Hachette Audio, @2016, ASIN: BO1B1SAWHK, Unabridged, Audible Audio Edition, Run Time: 1 Hour and 46 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out one or both of this delightful audios. If you’re not into listening to audios, you can find both of these in print or eBook formats. Are you a fan of the Lincoln Rhyme series or have you only seen the movie version of the books?

5 comments:

  1. Both sound wonderful. I haven't yet taken the leap to audios, so it is nice to learn that they are also available in what I consider 'real book' format.

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  2. Like that the first author inserted some famous families.

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  3. I do like historical novels and mysteries, Mason, and Brooklyn on Fire sounds as though it has a solid sense of the era. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. I don't read many mysteries--unless Harlan Coben counts. Even with his books, I don't like series. There's something that feels so "Matlock" about it that turns me off.

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  5. The both sound good, and I adore the cover for Brooklyn on Fire.

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