An intriguing murder mystery written by a fictional character from a television show, what could be more fascinating?
Narrator Robert Petkoff does a wonderful job giving voices to the numerous characters in author Richard Castle’s RAGING HEAT. Petkoff’s mannerisms enhances the story and adds depth to the characters. He brings out the highs and lows of each character’s reactions.
When a man mysteriously crashes through the roof the planetarium, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat has her hands full. When a large sum of cash and a note leading to the commissioner of the Port Authority are found in the dead man’s room, things get really sticky.
Meanwhile, emotions between Nikki and her boyfriend, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jameson Rook, seem to be on a roller coaster ride. Nikki is happy to have him back after his extended assignment, but he seems to be working against her on this case.
As Nikki gets closer to getting answers, the closer she comes to being the killer’s next victim. This killer is determined that no one stands in the way of him reaching his ultimate goal. Solving this case could cost Nikki her relationship with Rook or even her life. And if she didn’t have enough working against her, Hurricane Sandy is making its way to New York in time to add to her growing problems.
This is a fast-pace action adventure from the start to the finish. The New York setting pulls you in and the characters hold you spellbound. A delightful play off of the television show, Castle, RAGING HEAT will keep mystery lovers entertained throughout the story.
Readers/listeners don’t have to be fans of the Castle show to enjoy this tantalizing tale involving mercenaries, human trafficking, greed, murder, suspense, and blind ambition.
Raging Heat by Richard Castle, Nikki Heat Book #5, Narrated by Robert Petkoff, Hachette Audio, @2014, ISBN: 978-1478932529, Unabridged, 9 Discs, Run Time: 11 Hours and 30 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.
I do so appreciate you stopping by today. Are you a fan of the TV show Castle? Have you read or listened to any of the Nikki Heat books? What do you think about a fictional character writing a fictional story?
*This post contains affiliate links.
I’m delighted to welcome author Kat Sheridan here today. I recently became acquainted with her and her new Victorian gothic romance novel, ECHOES IN STONE.
Here’s a brief description of the intriguing novel:
A letter from the grave…
Lily is dead. But a mysterious letter launches her half-sister, Jessa Palmer, on a harrowing journey into the wilds of Cornwall to rescue Lily’s daughter from a tyrant of a father, a man who confessed to murder. Jessa follows in Lily’s footsteps to a forbidding castle on the cliffs, but discovers the past will not stay dead at Tremayne Hall. Someone—or something—wants to ensure Jessa is no more successful at escaping than was Lily.
A heart locked in stone…
Bitter, brooding, and tragically scarred, Viscount Dashiell Tremayne believes Jessa is just like her manipulative, unfaithful half-sister. He’s not about to let another treacherous woman into his home or into his heart. Particularly not a woman who’s come to steal his daughter. Only one can win in the battle for a child’s life. Then the accidents begin.
A passion that threatens to consume them…
Jessa wants only to take her niece and escape the grim manor. But Dash, fiercely protective of those he loves, gives up nothing that belongs to him. As the danger escalates, so does the heat between Jessa and Dash. Soon she’ll have to make a choice: surrender the child to a man she cannot trust or surrender her heart to the same fires of passion that destroyed Lily.
Oh, my … now that sounds fascinating! Well, I’ve also learned that Kat is a fan of one of my favorite TV shows, Castle. She’s joining us now to talk about … ‘Richard Castle is (sadly!) not real.
One of my favorite television shows is Castle. For those who haven’t seen it, the premise is that a famous mystery novelist connects with a group of New York police detectives and follows them around gathering plot ideas for his novels while solving crimes. In between, he lives a lavish lifestyle in a scrupulously clean apartment, attends fancy cocktail parties, and smiles charmingly through standing room only book signings.
It’s a nice fantasy (and seriously, who doesn’t just love to look at Nathan Fillion, who plays Richard Castle?). But it’s nothing remotely resembling the real life of any author I know. Sure, there might be a few like that. If you believe everything you read on Facebook, any number of authors are jetting off on research trips to Europe, riding camels in Tibet, or rafting down the Nile River or something.
But most of us? All we really want is at least one room in the house that doesn’t have a dust bunnies forming a union to protest for better living conditions, one load of laundry that gets washed and dried and folded and put away, and maybe one dinner a week that’s been cooked in an actual pan on an actual stove and made with actual ingredients that don’t come from a can. A shower now and then would be a bonus.
I know lots of heroic writers who hold down full time jobs, manage the entire household, raise kids, entertain friends, coach little league, and still manage to turn out multiple books a year. I don’t know how they do it. I admire them more than I can say. I want to get them into a quiet corner and ferret out their secret. Because I? Am clueless.
When the muse is upon me and the characters are demanding my attention like a two-year-old on a cotton-candy-and-Kool-Aid-sugar-fueled high, I consider myself fortunate to even find a clean coffee cup, much less run out and solve crimes and make a gourmet dinner at the end of the day. At times like this, when I finally back away from the keyboard (which is more like wriggling out of handcuffs), I am grateful for a hubs that likes take-out Chinese food and doesn’t mind that the “cocktail hour” consists of box wine drunk from a souvenir glass that says “Surrender the Booty!” on the side.
It would be nice to be Richard Castle, but here’s the important thing to remember. He’s a figment of somebody’s imagination, a dream of what a writer could be. But I’m the real thing. A writer (albeit a messy, clueless one!), but still, a real writer.
If you’re a writer, did you ever fantasize about what the writing life would be like? And if you’re not a writer, do you ever picture what your favorite author is actually doing all day? (Hint: it’s less likely to include bon-bons and more likely to include litter boxes.)
Kat, thanks so much for joining us today. I have to admit, I’m one of those readers who use to think a writer’s life was much more glamorous than it probably is. Having met writers through blogging, I still put y’all on pedestals, but now it’s for all the hard work y’all do so we readers can live happily in any kind of dream world we’d like. And yes, looking at Castle is fun.
Now if you’re not familiar with Kat, let me tell you a bit about her.
Kat is a former project manager whose very serious exterior hides a secret romantic. She is fond of books, bourbon, big words, coffee, and shiny things. Kat splits her time between the Midwest in the summer and the South in the winter, sharing her home with the love of her life and an exceedingly dignified Shih Tzu.
She loves to hear from readers, and can be contacted at www.KatSheridan.com.
ECHOES IN STONE can be found at Amazon (print and Kindle), Barnes and Noble (print and Nook), Kobo (e-book only), and Smashwords ( e-book, most popular formats).
Thanks everyone for stopping by today. I’m curious like Kat, did you ever fantasize about what the writing life would be like? (*Thanks Sia 
)
I wasn’t sure what to expect listening to a book reportedly written by a T.V. character. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by the action and suspense that ended with me looking forward to the next installment.
Narrator Johnny Heller does a wonderful job bringing the characters to
life. He gives each their own distinct voice making it easy to keep up with the characters’ exchanges. His cadence will make you laugh at the humor and hold your breath when the suspense takes over.
NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat is being shadowed by reporter Jameson Rook, who she is also romantically involved with. When an unidentified woman is found stabbed and frozen in a deliver truck, Heat gets the case. But when she discovers the woman is stuffed into her own dead mother’s suitcase, Heat’s investigation takes a drastic turn.
With Rook’s help, Heat begins to reinvestigate her mother’s murder, as well as the frozen woman’s. Learning the frozen woman was best friends with her mother leads Heat and Rook on a journey to Paris and back. Battling an incompetent captain, missing key pieces of evidence, and several attempts on her life, Heat is determined to find the killer of both women no matter the cost to herself.
The action is fast-paced filled with tension, suspense, a bit of romance, a touch of humor, and some surprising turns. The twist at the end brings the story to a close, but opens a lead for Heat and Rook’s next adventure.
The story is a good take-off from Castle. Many of the characters could be based on the characters of the show. If you’re a fan of the T.V. show Castle, then FROZEN HEAT is a must read (or listen). This is the four installment in the Nikki Heat series, but is a stand alone story.
Whoever author Richard Castle is, he’s done a terrific job with FROZEN HEAT.
Author Richard Castle’s website is www.richardcastle.net
Frozen Heat by Richard Castle, A Nikki Heat Novel, Read by Johnny Heller, Hyperion Audio, @2012, ISBN: 978-1401326302, Unabridged, 9 Discs, Listening Time: 11 Hours
FTC Full Disclosure - 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.
Are you a fan of the show Castle? If so, what elements draws you back each week? Has anyone else read any of the Nikki Heat series? Thanks so much for stopping by today.
