reacherfan1909 reviewed on
Former journalist and now teacher of journalism, Bruce DeSilva, puts to good used his background as an investigative reporter in this story of a Providence, RI reporter who digs into the whys behind a series of fires in a low income area of Providence. Rhode Island and its politics are justifiably notoriously corrupt, as are political ties with organized crime, and both blend here in an engrossing way. Reporter Liam Mulligan, is perhaps a bit in a tried and true 'maverick' style for the genre, but it works. Like most journalists turned novelists, DeSilva's writing is brisk, fast paced, and lean.
As the fires continue, the violence escalates, and the whole thing becomes personal when an old friend, and first female Battalion Chief is critically injured by booby traps set to slow the fire response times. Now Mulligan is driven as much much his reporter's instincts as his need to find and bring to some kind of justice, those responsible.
The results is a believable tale of corruption on many levels, not just political and financial. With his years of experience, DeSila also gives the reader a lesson in how power plays a role in what news gets printed - or not. The workings of print news are, as one would expect for a former journalist, so well done the reader has a real sense of being there. Well plotted with a few clever twists, but long time mystery readers will know the territory.
Had I not just finished The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton, I would probably have given Rogue Island 5*, but I did, and after that, well it seemed slightly trite and predictable. The characters just didn't quite make it to standout territory. It would be 4.2*, a B+ from me and splendid first book from an experienced newsman.
As the fires continue, the violence escalates, and the whole thing becomes personal when an old friend, and first female Battalion Chief is critically injured by booby traps set to slow the fire response times. Now Mulligan is driven as much much his reporter's instincts as his need to find and bring to some kind of justice, those responsible.
The results is a believable tale of corruption on many levels, not just political and financial. With his years of experience, DeSila also gives the reader a lesson in how power plays a role in what news gets printed - or not. The workings of print news are, as one would expect for a former journalist, so well done the reader has a real sense of being there. Well plotted with a few clever twists, but long time mystery readers will know the territory.
Had I not just finished The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton, I would probably have given Rogue Island 5*, but I did, and after that, well it seemed slightly trite and predictable. The characters just didn't quite make it to standout territory. It would be 4.2*, a B+ from me and splendid first book from an experienced newsman.
