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Read Cold Hit (2006)

Cold Hit (2006)

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Genre
Series
Rating
3.82 of 5 Votes: 5
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ISBN
0312347359 (ISBN13: 9780312347352)
Language
English
Publisher
st. martin's paperbacks

Cold Hit (2006) - Plot & Excerpts

Cannell, Stephen J. COLD HIT. (2005). ***. Billed as a Shane Scully novel, this escapade follows Detective Scully of the LAPD as he tries to bring to justice the perpetrator of the “fingertip murders.” Bodies have been turning up in the LA River (You know, the one all paved over.) shot to death through the back of the head, with their fingertips cut off, and a strange symbol carved into their chest with a knife. Shane and his partner are investigating the death of John Doe – 4 when some things don’t seem right. Shane thinks this is a copycat murder not tied into the other three. This corpse was identified as a street person who was known from his corner in Thousand Oaks. What also was different about this one was that the bullet was still in his brain, and was found to be from the same gun that killed a police officer years earlier. What was also a break in the case was that the bullet could only have come from a Russian made pistol that was standard issue to the KGB during the time of their existance. Shane and his partner, Zack, are taken off the case, however, because the Department of Homeland Security suddenly declared it to be one involving national security. Now the plot begins to get really complicated, with the Russians, the CIA, the Israelis, and the FBI getting involved – along with Homeland Security, of course. You can tell that Cannell is a successful TV screen writer because his books are all action and very little thought. His plots would work better as a mini-series where you could help yourself remember who was who by seeing them as well as hearing their names.

This is another great book, very entertaining, the motion picture type of book that will make you feel like you're watching a good movie.Full of action and suspense, we have our main protagonist L.A. homicide detective Shane Scully and his partner working on what turns to be a very complex and intricate serial murder case. On top of this, his team-partner is experiencing significant distress due to a divorce and the prospect of bankruptcy, combined with heavy drinking and because of it, not only that is weakening the team, but also in a twisted way places the old time friend and partner on the suspect list - witch in itself makes the book even more interesting and captivating.Full of fast paced action, tension and thrills at every corner, great characters, very funny dialog at times, all that and more constructed on and around an intriguing plot makes this book a great read if you like the murder investigation style. I couldn't let it go until I was done with it.I for one, will definitely follow this author and continue with this series.

What do You think about Cold Hit (2006)?

I've watched numerous Stephen J. Cannell TV shows over the years, but this was my first Shane Scully novel. The dust jacket summary is enough to draw in fans of police procedurals and with the hint of an out-of-control Homeland Security Czar, this would be a favorite with conspiracy theory buffs and anyone who loves to feel the frustration of a government agents vs local cops story.It started out fairly serious with Scully and his partner barely able to keep thier heads above water investigating a serial killer preying on Vietnam War era homeless veterans. As the chapters progressed, Scully lost his overly serious persona and some very good caustic and humorous dialogue broke surface and made me happy. My one critism comes from an over-the-top wrap up that could have been just as effective and much more believable. But I'll still be reading more Shane Scully books in the furture, even though I feel almost hopeless when I consider that these stories are written by a guy like Cannell who has a big IN in Hollywood, but doesn't have a primetime show on the horizon called Homicide Special. If he can't land a TV spot now, what can the rest of us crime fiction writers hope for?
—Wayne Zurl

It's nice to get back in touch with Cannell's writing. After I learned belatedly the other day that he had passed, I got into a sort of funk and a little ashamed for not keeping up with him better. Alas, all bad things happen in threes though. After my other two favorite - or at least most-read - authors passed, c'est la vie I guess. He will be missed.This was another Scully novel about a serial killer labeled "The Fingertip Killer" as he cuts the fingertips off all his victims. Good read. I enjoyed it, as I always do Cannell's work. He's always full of good sayings and funny quips, and his books are a fast read, and a lot of fun without requiring too much thought.Upon learning of Cannell's untimely death the other day, I went to half.com and ordered the rest of his books that I don't have. There were only five, and one of those is due for release next month. I will be going on a Cannell streak here like I did in December 2007-January 2008.
—Space

Good escape value with this mystery/thriller that pits LAPD Detective Scully against a serial killer and shadowy forces that impede his investigation, 5th in the series. The killings of homeless men is challenged by difficulty identifying them due to removal of their fingertips. As he gets closer to meaningful clues, linkages to the Russian mob and Homeland Security issues brings an array of enemies out of the woodwork. Unfortunately, his partner�s alcoholism and his son�s negotiations for a college football scholarship are providing distractions dangerous to his concentration on the case. A bit long and complicated but still satisfying in the puzzles solved and courageous action taken by Scully.
—Michael

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