The story opens with an overview of the inner thoughts of Freddy who excels at his job, much to his dismay, as he finds himself about to move up the corporate ladder. He’s stuck in a life he doesn’t want, but can’t figure out how to get out of it. Cohen does an excellent job of making you feel Freddy’s despair, and sensing his mental imbalance.

I especially loved the inner workings of the corporate ladder at Chanet’s where managers are promoted and axed in volatile ways, from the lowly chocolate manager where employees are demoted before being publicly humiliated and fired, to the manager of the year that has his image printed on everything from store perfume to toilet paper. The supporting characters of middle and upper managers are viciously portrayed in a way that makes you want to laugh, and never work in the corporate world again, or maybe that’s just me.

The story moves slowly for almost half the book, building the characters. I was almost begging for the murder to finally happen. Then the story seemed to go by too fast. After Freddy murders Mindi and is arrested, he uses his fame to finally get his writing published, his life’s goal. Freddy’s lawyer Philip is stuck watching disgustedly as his client lies and manipulates his way through the case, unable to do anything until he comes up with a plan that ingeniously turns Freddy’s goals upside down.

The Killing of Mindi Quintana is a great first book for Cohen, I can’t wait to see more.

The Killing of Mindi Quintana

Novel Whore Rating: 3 Notches on the Bed Post

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* I received a review copy of The Killing of Mindi Quintana from the publisher

Title and series number of the book you read: Hidden Prey (Lucas Davenport, No. 15)

Year published: 2004

Tell us about Lucas Davenport: What is Lucas doing when he first appears in the book? Lucas is relaxing with his secret love, televised golf, when his wife drives her car through the garage door. Yea, this is why I don’t park in the garage because I’d either end up hitting the door or driving into the house when I accidentally put the car in drive instead of reverse. I immediately like Lucas’ wife Weather (okay, not her name though), and his reaction considering the fact that he’s warned her a million times to not come into the driveway so fast. While he’s cleaning up the mess he gets a call from his boss about a dead Russian that’s turned up that just happens to be a spy. I love those kinds of calls.

Lucas’s occupation or professional role? After years working intelligence and homicide Lucas is now running the Office of Regional Research at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension “fixing shit” for the governor. I love that, there are so many jobs that can only be described as fixing shit for someone.

Lucas’s personal status: Lucas is newly married and now a father to Sam.

Lucas Davenport is a known clothes-horse; did you notice any special fashion references? I only remember one reference after reading the book, so it wasn’t overwhelming. I do recall his Porsche in the garage though, lol.

Let’s talk about the mystery: Avoiding spoilers, what was the crime/case being solved? A Russian spy group is active in the U.S. after lying in wait for decades. The youngest generation, a young boy, Carl, has been trained since he was young to kill, starting with dogs and working his way up to human targets, by his grandfather. A known Russian spy is murdered which opens the case and forces Lucas to work with the FBI and a Russian intelligence officer, an uncomfortable trio that is unwelcome in the small town of Hibbing and surrounding area.

Does the title of your book relate to the crime? I think Hidden Prey related to the hidden Russian cell and the fact that no one knew who they were after.

Who was your favorite supporting character, good or evil? Hmm, I didn’t really connect with any of the characters, but I guess Trey because she really makes a life change that is difficult after so many years of addiction and living on the street.

What was your favorite scene or quote? When Carl runs away from Lucas still holding the pizza box. Nothing like murdering someone and still bringing dinner home!

Finally, how do you envision Lucas Davenport? If he were to be portrayed in a movie, what celebrity would play him? I thought Lucas was kind of aloof, adept at his job, but not a real stickler for rules. He wanted to get the job done and was prepared to do it no matter what, but not in a “my way or the highway” kind of attitude. I can picture Jude Law playing Lucas

I would add the Prey series to my nightstand with the Harry Bosch series, great for quick reading on planes, the beach or when you just want something you don’t have to think about too much.

Storm Prey

Novel Whore Rating: 3 Notches on the Bed Post

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Timeline is set in the twenty-first century and focuses on a group of archeologists that are working on a historical site that includes Castelgard and La Roque, two ancient towns separated by the Dordogne River. Like many historical and sporting sites these days, the site is sponsored by a corporation which is rumored to be buying the surrounding land for what appears to be nefarious plans.

As the plot unfolds, it comes to light that the corporation has knowledge of the architecture of the site that seems impossible, unless they’ve actually seen the towns when they were occupied, in the 1300’s. It turns out, they have, through time traveling of course! You all know how much I love stories about time traveling! Ahem, as it turns out the time traveling isn’t the most interesting part of the story.

What I loved most about Timeline is how Crichton portrays the real issues that would occur if someone from 2000 was thrown into 1397, it’s a completely different world, and not just because there is no Internet. Language, mannerisms, violence, religion, all conspire against the modern man, and most lead to a violent death, especially in two towns that are under siege from a foreign army.

Follow the motley group that travels back in time to rescue their director from certain death as he tries to find the hidden passageway (love hidden passageways!), and avoid the one unknown native that knows they are from the future, because he is as well.

Timeline

Novel Whore Rating: 3 Notches on the Bed Post

Wine Pairing: Dom. d’Andezon Cotes du Rhone “La Granacha” 2007

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