A Brewing Storm (part 1 Of The Derrick Storm Trilogy) (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
I truly did enjoy this e-short. It is the first part of a trilogy. So, the ending is... to be continued. I was happy to see Derrick Storm come back from the dead. He seemed like such a great character I had a hard time believing Richard Castle would kill him off for good. Sort of like how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle brought back Sherlock Holmes all those years ago. Thank you, Richard Castle, or whomever you are who writes these books. I had a great time reading this. On to part 2! This wasn't a bad book. In fact, it was decidedly okay. The trouble was that it was a bit amateur for a tie-in licensed property. Not only did the story take sixty pages to get going, but there was banter that felt cold, flirting that had all the subtlety of a shovel, titillating descriptions for the sake of titillating descriptions, and a plot hole or two with convenient circumstances. When an action novel introducing a new brand begins with the main character fishing, you know that the story is going to be slow. I realize that Storm's death was an established fact in the show, so some explanation was required, but it was still a slow way to begin a new action adventure series. Fortunately, there were nice touches here and there—small bits of characterization that sparkled—and the plot was interesting. I just wish that there had been better consistency in the character who was this story's Judas. It was obvious from the first time they were introduced that they were involved with the kidnapping of the senator's stepson. It was obvious that Mr. Castle wanted us to suspect this character. Unfortunately, the discrepancies in this character's behavior often came across as bad writing and not intentional slips that the author let us see with a wink. There were too many novice mistakes elsewhere to allow me faith in the author's ability. For instance, one character smirked with an open mouth. Also, a character's skirt had risen up so Storm could see her polka-dotted thong. A thong. The character didn't notice. How short was this skirt for something like this to happen? This was a rich, trust fund girl dating a senator's stepson. Was it "Dress Like a Stripper Day" at the office? Another instance, Storm casually snuck out of the hotel to park a rented van, yet in every other instance in the story he was under heavy surveillance. These are small details, but they stand out in short works. Overall, however, the story entertained, which is all you can ask for in stories like this. I'll likely read the next one. On a personal note, however, I had one pervading thought as read: I can write better than this, so what is holding me back from getting published? In that regard, I'm glad I read the book. I needed a kick in the pants.
What do You think about A Brewing Storm (part 1 Of The Derrick Storm Trilogy) (2012)?
As you all know I'm a big fan of the Richard Castle Nikki Heat series. A Brewing Storm is the first in the Derrick Storm mysteries. Derrick Storm was a CIA operative who faked his own death so he could retire undisturbed. His old boss tracks him down and calls him back to Washington to deal with the kidnapping of a powerful Washington Senator's step-son. He's given a "new" name and credentials and with some assistance from an FBI investigator April Showers, he solves the mystery. The second book in the series A Raging Storm picks up right where this one ends and I'm already into chapter one!
—NikkiOfTheFae
I honestly wouldn't read these books if I wasn't such a big fan of the TV show "Castle." But alas, I am, and I am behind and missing me some Castle. however, this isn't the same as watching the show. Much like the first few Nikki Heat books, it is missing something that I would expect of Richard Castle in the show. In fact, it's probably more worthy of two stars but it gets that extra one because the whole time I'm reading, I'm picturing Richard Castle writing and hearing his voice narrating, and well, that makes any murder mystery better.
—Kirteal
