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Title: Hocus by Jan Burke ISBN: 0-7434-4453-1 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.65 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Riveting, heart-wrenching
Comment: Although I usually prefer the more hard-boiled writers such as Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, James Crumley, and Joe R. Lansdale, this book really packs a punch. Jan Burke has crafted an excellent plot that keeps you turning the pages well into the night. The love between Irene and Frank is very strongly portrayed, but the sympathetic story of the two "villains" is also very moving. Although there is no excusing their actions, you can't help but feel their pain, particularly that of Bret. This was my first "Irene" book; I can assure it won't be my last.
Rating: 5
Summary: Another Winner from Jan Burke
Comment: Almost every professional reviewer puts Jan Burke in a box with other female mystery writers. We see her compared with Grafton, Cornwell, and Paretsky, etc. Well, enough of that! This "female mystery writer" can go toe to toe with the boys anytime. She proves it again with "Hocus". As with most of her other novels, Burke again uses the theme of tragedies in the past impacting on lives in the present. In this book Irene Kelly's husband, Frank, is taken hostage by two young men he had rescued ten years ago. Their fathers had been killed and they had been left to die in an abandoned warehouse. They believe that a corrupt policeman was involved and are using Frank as a bargaining tool to obtain his name. Burke creates sympathy for the two villians. We feel real pity for them because she has shown us how they became the damaged creatures they are now. Frank and Irene are very likeable characters simply because they seem like normal people. They have a loving marriage, two great dogs and a 20lb cat, wonderful friends and neighbors, and jobs they go to every day. This series just keeps getting better and better. Burke deserves to be compared with Robert Parker, Dennis Lehane, and Robert Crais. She definitely can play with the big boys.
Rating: 5
Summary: Hard to put down
Comment: This is a fast paced novel. While the main action takes place in less than a week, there are flashbacks to earlier events related to a double murder in the past. Young men who have mental problems related to the past events form a group of urban terrorists. There actions at first seem like unconnected pranks until people start getting killed. When a police officer is kidnapped, and demands are made, their real purpose becomes evident.
While the story is a stand-alone plot, it continues with characters from previous novels, primarily news reporter Irene Kelly. Various information emerges about people's pasts. Some people have hidden problems that cause bad dreams.
The setting for the novel is somewhat before the present so, while there is electronic technology, technology is not quite up to 2004 standards (cell phones but no caller ID). One can wonder about a police officer and news reporter being able to afford a beachfront home in California, but perhaps it was purchased at some time in the distant past (or maybe they got incredibly lucky with investments).
Overall, a good cops and robbers type story involving police, news reporters, and deranged killers. There is a short epilogue to wrap up a few loose ends.
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Title: Remember Me, Irene : An Irene Kelly Novel by Jan Burke ISBN: 0743444507 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Liar: An Irene Kelly Mystery by Jan Burke ISBN: 0061044407 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 01 May, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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Title: Nine by Jan Burke ISBN: 074344454X Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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Title: Dear Irene, : An Irene kelly Novel by Jan Burke ISBN: 0743444493 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 31 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Sweet Dreams, Irene : An Irene Kelly Novel by Jan Burke ISBN: 0743444523 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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