Undercurrents by Ridley Pearson
>> Monday, March 3, 2008
Series: # 1 in the Boldt/Matthews Series
Genre: Mystery/ Crime Thriller
Publication Date: 1988
Pages: 386
Challenges: Themed Reading Challenge #3, A-Z Reading #13 (U title)
I first heard about Ridley Pearson when a few bloggers reviewed his new book last year. I promptly added this (the first of his Lou Boldt/Daphne Matthews series) to my TBR list. Later, I found out that he’d co-authored some award winning juvenile fiction books with Dave Barry about Peter Pan before Peter Pan. I currently have those on my ipod for future listening. I knew this book had been around a while when I picked it up in the library and found a pocket in the inside back cover for a library check out card from the days before the library went to bar codes and scanners. That will give you a hint that some of this book is a bit dated (typewriters instead of computers on detectives’ desks, a notable lack of cell phones, etc.).
The story, however didn’t feel dated at all. I really enjoyed this one and although I was sure I’d figured it all out early on, there were enough twists at the end to keep me from being certain.
Lou Boldt is a member of a special homicide task force investigating a brutal serial killer in Seattle. The police had thought the Cross Killer had been caught, but apparently he’s still out there. This also means that the person who had been gunned down in a courtroom by a previous victim’s relative was probably innocent. Not only is Boldt dealing with guilt issues over that man’s death, he’s also dealing with his own personal issues with his marriage. Add to that a co-worker on the task force who resents playing second fiddle to Boldt, and it’s just an unpleasant situation all around.
Although not Pearson’s first book, this was the first in a series featuring Lou Boldt and psychologist Daphhe Matthews. I have added the rest of this series to my TBR list and will also be considering some of Pearson’s standalone crime thrillers.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
5 comments:
Sounds interesting! While I love books that keep me guessing on the killer's identity until the end, I can be perfectly happy as long as there are things like howdunit or how-to-prove-it left to unravel.
This is the one that started it for me. I have veered away from the series, as Pearson has veered away in some of his writing. I may go back to the earlier ones, see if there is anything I missed. This is the best one of the bunch, to me.
Heather: I'm the same way - the procedural stuff when written well can be quite interesting.
Vickie: I plan to continue with the series - you know me - I can't read a series out of order - no matter what ;-)
Lou Boldt is one of my favorite series characters. The last one that has come out so far was "The Body of David Hayes", and it was the only one I was disappointed in. I'm hoping he'll continue the series and get it back on track. I the meantime, he's got a new thing going with the sequel to "Killer View" coming out later this year.
Lezlie
Lezlie: thanks - good to hear from folks who have read more of his books. I definitely want to read more after reading this one.
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