Search - Dead Watch

As a die-hard John Sandford fan (I've read most of the Prey series and all the Kidd series plus a couple of stand alones). I bought this and finished it in a day, and it was indeed a page-turner.

Yet, it fell short of the Prey and Kidd series.

I think the thing that makes certain political thrillers work and others fail is character construction, and for me, there were a few too many characters to keep track of, and it's a fairly convoluted plot as well.

I think the main character, Jake Winter, has a lot of potential, he's consided a
"forensic bureaucrat". It's a unique approach for a protagonist and one that could open up a new avenue for Sandford.

All in all I give it 4 stars; it kept me interested, and was a quick and easy read, but at times was a bit hard to follow, like the conversation on a where references are made to people, events and places with which you're unfamiliar.

I look forward to the return of Kidd or Lucas, but I would read another Jake Winter novel.

Former Virginia senator Lincoln Bowe is missing. His wife, Madison, believes his bitter political rival, Governor Arlo Goodman, is behind it. Critics scoff until she reveals a security tape showing two men loosely affiliated with Goodman threatening her in her home. Bowe's disappearance is a political time bomb. The presidential conventions are just over the horizon, and both parties fear the consequences if it detonates. The president, through his chief of staff, hires Jake Winter to investigate. Bowe's body is found soon after Winter initiates his investigation. Bowe was not a saint: his sexual dalliances, with both men and women, were numerous, and his obsession with destroying Goodman's political career may have driven him to contemplate political blackmail. Winter has plenty of suspects to choose from, and he knows the answer can be found somewhere in Washington's backrooms, where third-string campaign dirty tricksters change allegiances like other people change socks. Sandford, the best-selling author of the Prey series, displays an insider's knowledge of political infighting and couples it with his skill at creating memorable characters working through the maze of a diabolical plot. (Readers of a certain age will be reminded of Ross Thomas, grand master of the D.C. thriller from an earlier era.) The real Washington is awash with its own scandals and political time bombs, so expect readers to flock to this funhouse-mirror reflection of the real thing.

I've read every John Sandford book and I really liked these new characters! Great read.

I haven't read a book yet in the Detective Davenport series that I didn't like. This one did not disappoint!

When a high-profile politician goes missing, Sandford's thriller takes off! Jake Winter is a political "fixer" who gets assigned to the case. Winter's character is breezy, competent and wise to the insincere ways of Washington. A quick read...great for the summer.

Always hard to break in a new hero, but I'm liking what I'm reading about Jake Winter! Very engrossing, political thriller!