I only discovered this author within the last 6 months and have read 5 or 6 of his novels. I rated this one 3-star instead of the usual 4-star mostly because the level of gore was a little past my cut-off point. The plot was extremely well-developed and complex; the writing style was fascinating (as usual); and the characters, even the diabolical Hal, were extremely bodied and interesting. Quotes to remember: "Not exactly a yes-man, still Charliewas a guy who could sing harmony to any tune." "It was the same way Frank's ex-wife had looked at him most of the time. Collecting faults, adding them to the heap." "Enough cock-sure arrogance floating around that room to power Manhattan through a July heat wave." "Helen looking at his bare chest. Studying it, like she was counting the hairs, doing a masculinity calculation." "He kept studying her but she didn't feel invaded or violated or any of that male-pushy stuff. A guy trying to force his advantage. None of that. Just his eyes prowling around inside her, seeing some of the stuff she kept hidden there." "(it) had been a fashionable suburb when Hannah was growing up, but much like this part of town, it had begun a long slide into third-world fragmentation, a melting-pot where noting melted anymore." "Her life had been one long tantrum." "...so impressed with their wealth and power that he lost his way. That was his weakness. He was easily dazzled. Money impressed him so."
As a Miami girl, I always enjoy reading a novel set on home turf. With James W. Hall, the pleasure is doubled by his superb writing skills.Hall knows how to keep a story going at full speed, fueled by skillful dialogue. His characters are full-bodied, original and realistic.The plot has multiple muders, from crime writer Hannah Keller's parents to crazed maniac Hal Bonner's seemingly random victims. Mix in more than 400 milllion in missing drug proceeds, the FBI and a U.S. senator and you've got a plt twisted within a plot. This is a suspense novel for those with the highest standards.
What do You think about Rough Draft (2000)?
This was a solid mystery featuring an ex-cop turned writer who, along with her son, is haunted by the murders of her parents. She becomes an unwitting pawn in an undercover FBI operation to catch an elusive assassin who murders his victims using only his bare hands. Unfortunately for the FBI she begins to track them and try to unravel their plan. This was a really solid read. Good characters, a very interesting villian, and a different (but not too out there) mystery. I really recommend this one to anyone.
—Lisa Decesare
Hannah Keller was the public information officer for the Miami Police Department on the day her parents were murdered. It was also the day her first novel was published. It was two years ago and now the case, never solved, has come back to haunt. I love all of James Hall's books and this one is nearly as good as the rest, but it does have a nearly fatal flaw. I am so weary of children being used as plot toys I could spit. You know from the first minute the kid is introduced that the plot will turn on the kid's safety. Kind of knocks the surprise element in the gut.
—Susan
