Review – Back on Murder

“Take it or leave it,” Captain Hedges said abruptly. “…work this case with Lorenzo as lead or…return to the car’s-for-criminals detail” and the suicide cop division.  The Captain again reminded March he was on probation with this homicide and if he didn’t follow orders he would return to his former duties.

Roland March, Houston homicide detective reluctantly voiced his agreement and left. He knew he would work the double homicide his way. Lorenzo was too young and green. He hadn’t even found the bed knots at the gruesome crime scene that suggested a body had been “tied spread-eagled” to the bloody bed sheets and had to explain why the knots were important to Lorenzo. However, March reasoned with himself, since he found the knots and showed them to the Captain, he was now back in homicide although on probation. That brought a smile to his face.

A smile that dimmed when his double homicide became part of a missing Houston teen’s case. How could this church-going teen, Hannah Mayhew, beautiful daughter of a well-known Houston evangelist be part of his murder case? Then the girl’s story was picked up by the national news. The publicity only added to the departmental pressure on him to find her.

Thus begins J. Mark Bertrand’s debut police procedural <em>Back On Murder, first of a planned suspense series March portrays a cynical disillusioned homicide detective who struggles with grief, has marital problems and is known for making poor career choices. However, his intuitive skills on the job make up for his shortcomings.

Add corruption, a new task-force partner, a dope-using renter above March’s garage, a too-good-to-be-true youth pastor, gangland shootings and demons from March’s past and you have the making of a first-class, gritty and realistic crime drama.

I like the author’s writing style, particularly that he wrote in first person viewpoint which gives the story a sense of raw immediacy. I also liked the developing tension, multiple plot lines and diverse characterizations. Readers who follow Order, Cold Case, Criminal Intent style television dramas would enjoy this series. March’s next case in the series, ;Pattern of Wound releases summer of 2011.

“Take it or leave it,” Captain Hedges said abruptly. “…work this case with Lorenzo as lead or…return to the car’s-for-criminals detail” and the suicide cop division.  The Captain again reminded March he was on probation with this homicide and if he didn’t follow orders he would return to his former duties.

Roland March, Houston homicide detective reluctantly voiced his agreement and left. He knew he would work the double homicide his way. Lorenzo was too young and green. He hadn’t even found the bed knots at the gruesome crime scene that suggested a body had been “tied spread-eagled” to the bloody bed sheets and had to explain why the knots were important to Lorenzo. However, March reasoned with himself, since he found the knots and showed them to the Captain, he was now back in homicide although on probation. That brought a smile to his face.

A smile that dimmed when his double homicide became part of a missing Houston teen’s case. How could this church-going teen, Hannah Mayhew, beautiful daughter of a well-known Houston evangelist be part of his murder case? Then the girl’s story was picked up by the national news. The publicity only added to the departmental pressure on him to find her.

Thus begins J. Mark Bertrand’s debut police procedural <em>Back On Murder, first of a planned suspense series March portrays a cynical disillusioned homicide detective who struggles with grief, has marital problems and is known for making poor career choices. However, his intuitive skills on the job make up for his shortcomings.

Add corruption, a new task-force partner, a dope-using renter above March’s garage, a too-good-to-be-true youth pastor, gangland shootings and demons from March’s past and you have the making of a first-class, gritty and realistic crime drama.

I like the author’s writing style, particularly that he wrote in first person viewpoint which gives the story a sense of raw immediacy. I also liked the developing tension, multiple plot lines and diverse characterizations. Readers who follow Order, Cold Case, Criminal Intent style television dramas would enjoy this series. March’s next case in the series, ;Pattern of Wound releases summer of 2011.