Ray's Reviews: The Hangman's Song by James Oswald

  “The Hangman’s Song” by James Oswald (Mariner books, $13.95) is
the third book in the police procedural series featuring Edinburgh
Detective Inspector Tony McLean.

        As in Oswald’s earlier novels, there are aspects of the supernatural
prevalent, adding an intriguing touch.

        The unorthodox Scottish investigator has been shifted to the sex
crimes unit. He’s now working on a case involving an overseas
prostitution ring and a murdered pimp.

        There’s still a bit of fallout from McLean’s last case, (“The Book of
 Souls”); his relationship with his former lover Emma is severely strained
as she recovers from a major memory loss after being in a coma.

        McLean hires Jenny as a live-in caretaker to help with Emma’s
recovery, but more assistance is needed.

        Soon Dr. Eleanor Austin begins treatment on Emma with regression
therapy and hypnosis.

        Supernatural elements abound, particularly when a transvestite
medium utilizes her skills. McLean can’t easily cope with some
situations.

        His superiors want him to close up another investigation,
where two victims are discovered hanging just days apart.

        The detective doesn’t want to comply; he has a feeling that they are
not simple suicides. He’s puzzling over the fact that an identical rope
was used in both cases and that the noose’s knots were tied in exactly the
same manner.

        When a third body is found, many more questions surface; is a
copycat killer on the loose?

        McLean gets more deeply involved in the case but his bosses just
want him to forget it; he must use devious methods to continue
investigating.

        Eventually, as the body count rises, more clues point to a
suspect - but there’s little proof and additional worrisome
aspects.

        Further deadly complications arise as McLean digs deeper into the
prostitution ring case, where women are being exported to foreign
countries; disturbing, unnerving facts emerge.

        Oswald’s characterization is very strong, making it easy for the
reader to empathize with their struggles and emotional stability.

        After a while, it becomes tougher to keep track of all of the
characters and their roles; the over-sized paperback is almost 500 pages
long!

        The author doesn’t resolve all issues, so there’s sure to be a
sequel. While “The Hangman’s Song” works well as a stand-alone novel,
it’s probably best to read the series in order.

        Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime
novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

Find this book and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on May 31, 2015.

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Ray's Reviews: Michigan History, In His Words: The Freeman H. McClintock Story by Mary Jane McClintock Wilson

"In His Words: the Freeman H. McClintock Story” (Lulu, $30.00) is a fascinating look at the multi-faceted life of one of Lansing’s highly prominent businessmen.

       Compiled by his daughter, local historian Mary Jane McClintock Wilson, the entertaining biography initially focuses on his early life and service during World War I.

        McClintock was born in 1892 in Laingsburg, a town founded by his great grandfather, Peter Laing. The family moved to a farm in DuPlain Township, then later to a farm outside of St. Johns.

        He loved cars at an early age and started working after school and on Saturdays at a local Ford dealership. After graduating from high school in 1911, he got a job with the REO Motor Car Company in Lansing. In 1912 he witnessed the terrible Downey Hotel fire.

        After spending some time in Washington and California, McClintock returned to Michigan in 1915, taking automotive classes at the University of Michigan.

        He enlisted in the Army in 1917; interesting parts of the narrative include comments taken from postcards and letters that were written home describing his experiences in France.

        McClintock worked on maintaining and repairing many vehicles during the war, gaining significant expertise. Eventually he became the officer in charge of the Motor Transport Corps Garage in Paris that serviced numerous cars and trucks, including those of President Wilson and General Pershing.

        After the war, McClintock returned to Michigan, spending a couple of years in St. Johns, wheeling and dealing used cars.

        He moved to Lansing in 1922; a few years later, he opened a Packard dealership. Other dealers nearby included England-Cook Chevrolet, Lorenz Bros. Buick, and F. J. Blanding Ford.

        In 1936, he took on the Cadillac franchise and became one the area’s largest car dealers. McClintock Cadillac’s business growth and successful expansion is detailed, with many local historical references.

        After 60 years in the stressful automotive business, McClintock retired, spending more time with his family, dealing in motor boats and serving as a quiet philanthropist.

        F.H. McClintock died in 1983; his personal and business records, correspondence and military memorabilia are housed with the Archives of Michigan.

        Wilson’s excellent self-published paperback retrospective also includes photographs of her father during World War I and images of different dealership locations.

        Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed
Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.

Find these books and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on May 10, 2015.

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Ray's Reviews: The Perfect Game by Leslie Dana Kirby

“The Perfect Game” by Leslie Dana Kirby (Poisoned Pen Press, $24.95 hb,
$14.95 pb) is a fast-paced crime novel. It will appeal to baseball fans
as well as readers who enjoy police procedurals and legal thrillers.

        This debut novel introduces Lauren Rose, who has just moved to Colorado
to be near her sister Liz. Lauren’s working as an emergency medicine
intern at Phoenix Good Samaritan Hospital when Liz drops by for a brief
chat.

        Their parents are dead, but now the sisters can spend more time with
their ailing grandmother. Liz says that she has important news to share,
but will tell them both tomorrow.

        Unfortunately, by the end of the first chapter, Liz, the beautiful wife
of Arizona Diamondbacks star pitcher Jake Wakefield, is discovered
brutally murdered at their swank Scottsdale mansion.

        Lauren becomes a prime suspect, repeatedly questioned by police
detectives who are seeking answers in the high-profile investigation. She
 gets emotional support from Jake, who helps protect her from the massive
media interest.

        Jake, in grief and recovering from his loss, comforts Lauren and tries to
keep his mind on baseball. Later, he amazingly pitches a perfect game,
but his challenges are only beginning.

        Police suspect that Lauren is involved in the murder and give her a lie
detector test. She’s a prime figure in the highly publicized case that’s
being dubbed as “The Trial of the Millenium”.

        Courtroom drama abounds; there are many excellent scenes as the trial
continues with witnesses testifying and evidence being presented.

        There’s a bit of romance throughout the book, but scenes are
well-orchestrated and the relationships are strained but seem believable.
The baseball backdrop is integral to the plot, but not overdone.

        At the beginning of each chapter, Kirby includes the date of when the
action occurs; this is very useful as it allows the captivated reader to
more easily follow the novel’s time frame.

        The author, who’s a practicing clinical psychologist, has created an
intriguing tale with short chapters and satisfying plot twists.  The
characters are well-developed; even though they don’t always make wise
decisions.

        Kirby’s definitely a mystery writer to watch; this is a carefully-
crafted crime novel that will have you flipping pages until the quirky
but satisfying conclusion.

        Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, 

has reviewed crime novels and mystery books regularly since 1987.

Find these books and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on May 3, 2015.

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