Shakedown
A Jack Davis Mystery
Joel Goldman
Pinnacle Books (Mass Market
Paperback)
ISBN-10: 0-7860-1610-8 (0786016108)
ISBN-13: 978-0-7860-1610-5 (0786016108)
Publication Date: April 2008
List Price: $6.99
Synopsis (from the publisher): The lives of three people collide over mass murder at a Kansas City residence that Special Agent Jack Davis has carefully staked out for weeks. Kate Scranton, whose job is spotting lies for high-priced courtroom lawyers, is convinced that mild-mannered Latrell Kelly knows something about the crime. But Latrell is hiding far more than Kate can guess. And with Jack half-blinded by an imploding personal life, and someone on his own side leaking crucial information, they’re headed straight for the ultimate danger zone—where truth lies at the heart of betrayal.
Review:
Joel Goldman introduces FBI Special Agent Jack Davis in Shakedown, a
man whose world is coming apart and there is nothing he can do about it.
The murder of a drug lord on the Kansas side of Kansas City is followed
by several other killings. The local police are claiming responsibility
for the investigation. Jack Davis, of the Kansas City (Missouri) FBI
office, however, is authorized to take over the investigation but promises to
keep the police chief, a friend of his, in the loop. But just as Jack
gets involved, he is overcome with an unpredictable convulsive
movement, a shakiness, that lasts only two or three seconds, but could
be potentially fatal if it happened while handling a weapon. He's
forced to
take a medical leave, giving up his badge and gun. The police chief,
however, continues to allow Jack to ride along and knowing he may never
again be an active agent with the FBI, he still seeks to learn the
truth behind the murders.
Jack Davis is a very appealing character, made more so by his unusual
medical condition and how he strives not only to overcome it,
but work within the constraints it imposes upon him. The plot is
first-rate as well, an intricate investigation that involves a complex
web of characters including some of Jack's own family. There's also the
conflict between jurisdictions and the gritty realism of drug
trafficking that add a level of stress and suspense to the story. In total, it's all very well done.
From the clever and ironic title and the unrelenting pace of the plot to its riveting conclusion, Shakedown is a
terrific thriller.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Shakedown and to Breakthrough Promotions for providing a copy of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.
Mysteries in this series ...
Shakedown
Pinnacle (Mass market paperback), April 2008
ISBN-10: 0-7860-1610-8 (0786016108)
ISBN-13: 978-0-7860-1610-5 (0786016108)
Omnimystery keywords for Shakedown ...
Location(s) referenced: Kansas City, Kansas, Missouri.