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A DEAD MAN SPEAKS - Lisa Jones Johnson Genesis/Vibe September 2006 |
SYNOPSIS: Clive January--a poor Southern boy who became a successful Wall Street banker--is dead, but his spirit can't rest until he learns who killed him and why. To find the murderer he must work through Bob Greene, a white detective with psychic abilities. Bob sets out to reassemble the pieces of Clive's life, but the wrenching truth will shock them both.
MAINSTREAM FICTION |4| Adrienne Starkey
REVIEW: Businessman Clive January is dead and it’s up to
embattled detective Bob Greene to not only unravel the mystery of
Clive’s death, but that of his life as well. Shrouded in a web of
secrets, lies, and betrayals, Clive January built a successful life for
himself as a Wall Street banker. His untimely death comes on the eve of
him closing the most important deal of his career. All the players in
this game have a lot to lose, but only Clive paid the ultimate price --
with his life.
Clive January has struggled with himself his whole life. Having been
rejected by his mother early on, he forged a powerful bond with his
father that remained strong until his father’s death. When he discovers
just how evil his mother really is, he ventures out into the world where
a series of events change him forever. Bob Greene is on his last leg at
the Police Department. Having breached the “Blue Wall” of silence - his
testimony sent his last partner to jail - he has no friends at the NYPD.
As he gets closer to the truth of Clive’s demise, he finds that this
routine investigation is anything but. Not only does he have to contend
with his ex-girlfriend, who was recently hired by his department, but he
has to endure the jeers of his co-workers and the fact that someone
extremely pretty powerful doesn’t want the truth of Clive’s death
uncovered.
A DEAD MAN SPEAKS is well written and enjoyable. The dialogue is
believable and the characters are well fleshed out. While the point of
view changes many times, I could still relate to each and every
character. The descriptions are vivid and the author convincingly brings
you into the scenes. The ending may have been a little trite, but it in
no way took away from the story.
The time span covered many years, yet the writing doesn’t feel rushed.
Ms. Jones-Johnson makes the transition from the past to the present in a
way that isn’t confusing or disruptive. I am not a big mystery book fan,
but this story pulled me in from the very beginning and made me a
believer.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com |18th September 2006