Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade

 

I wasn't sure what to expect of this book. Initially, it seemed like a crime noir book with quirky characters, but it became a good police procedural with quirky characters.

Jeep Mullane has switched from being a New York City cop to the police chief of a wealthy community where he had grown up, far from the "haves" who populate the community. When the body of his wealthy friend, Johnny Chambliss, aka Johnny Careless, because of his "care less" attitude, is found, Jeep suspects foul play. Because of his connection, the case is taken away, and he is forced to concentrate on a gang stealing high-end vehicles. Not to be deterred, he keeps tabs on the investigation and often steps on the toes of the officer in charge. When the cause of Johnny's death comes back as undetermined, Jeep decides it is up to him to figure out what happened to Johnny.

Written with a touch of humor, this is a fast-moving story with great characters. Johnny's mysterious death and secret past add to a mix of loose ends Jeep is determined to tie up. Overall, it's a good story but failed to capture my attention fully. I'm a mood reader, so maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Celadon Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is January 28, 2025.

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Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson

 I am drawn to Icelandic authors. I like their dark take on murders, the atmospheric environment, and the exciting plots. I especially liked Jonasson's last book, "Reykjavik," which he co-authored with Katrin Jakobsdottir. In this, his latest book, Jonasson, is again at the top of his game.

In 1983, at a former tuberculous sanatorium, a nurse was found brutally murdered. Detective Sverrir arrests the groundskeeper, only to release him when the chief physician is found dead. The cause of death is suspected suicide - overcome by his guilt of the murder of his colleague. The case is closed.

Flash forward to 2012. Helgi Reykdal is completing his master's in criminology. His dissertation focuses on the 1983 deaths and the police investigation. As he digs into the past, he begins to doubt the competency of the police investigation, but the lack of cooperation of those involved makes him wonder what they are hiding. Soon, the past and present collide, and what Helgi uncovers threatens to reveal long-held secrets and again endanger lives.

This is an intricately plotted book with interesting characters and excellent pacing. The back-and-forth timelines reveal clues to the murderer and the long-buried secrets that add to the absorbing story. If you enjoy good suspenseful crime fiction, I recommend this book. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is September 10, 2024.

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