The Cruelest Cut

In Rick Reed's The Cruelest Cut, the first installment in the Detective Jack Murphy police procedural mystery thriller, this debut is so twisted and would make your head spin. It all started for Jack, and his partner Liddell Blanchard for the Evansville PD, that they've come across two dead bodies at the fresh crime scene. And that's when they've found a riddle stuffed inside of their mouths. That had started the body count for Jack and Liddell when they were after a serial killer. Besides that, they also dealt with their new Chief of Police, Richard Dick, who's ruthless and corrupted as they come. When they received the call of another dead body, the crime scene was similar in nature--the same could be said for the same notes stuffed in the mouth of the corpse. As Maddy Brooks wanted to make a name for herself for her local station, she became the center of attention and dubbed the serial killer the "Mother Goose killer--each note had to do with a selected nursery crime. Later on, they discovered the connection to Jack's past, a ruthless criminal who haunted and taunted Jack with this rhymes. And when they discovered who he is and how twisted it could be, Jack would do anything to protect Susan Summers, his girlfriend, and his ex-wife Katie, even if he had to shoot first and ask questions later in a shocking ending.

This was a scintillating and intriguing mystery thriller debut from Rick Reed. I did care for Jack and how he had two loves in his loves who were friends. I loved how he looked after Liddell, who loves donuts, and how he took charge of the investigation while dealing with the new chief of police. Although he might have some emotional baggage to take care of, he would feel better after therapy. I did love how Susan cared for him and loved her job too. I did like the scenic locations and the compelling visual settings around Indiana and near the Illinois borderline. This would make you hold onto your seat and to buckle up for a long ride with non-stop action, drama, suspense, and plenty of hints of mystery right to the end.

Would you check out the Cruelest Cut tonight?

The Highest Stakes

In Rick Reed's The Highest Stakes, the 4th installment in the Jack Murphy thriller series, hang onto your hat for a bumpy ride. It all started with a bombing in Chicago, when Jack Murphy and his partner Liddell chased a family of bank robbers and shooting them dead. But things get dicey, when his friend ATF George Killian gets shot in an undercover operation. As he investigates the scene with Liddell, they learn about who's involved into the crime of crooked cops and other unsavory characters. Every step of the way, he throws no punches to uncover the secret of why other federal agencies are on his tail and wanted to stop him dead. In the end, it comes to a shocking explosion that would knock your socks off. 

This was a gripping thriller to read with a lot of going on. I cared for Jack and for his troubles at work and liked Liddell a lot. I thought the CIA agents were swarmy and Susan were a great friend to Jack.  I liked the Evansville scenery in Indiana and how intricate the locations of the riverboats were on the Ohio River. This would take you for an action-packed ride with non-stop action, drama, a hint of humor, and lots of suspense that will keep you guessing.

Will you gamble on reading The Highest Stakes?