Rating: 
Summary: Is this the same series?
Review: #6 in the Lou Boldt series is completely different than in any other in the series - and not in a good way. The plot didn't seem quite as detailed as other Pearson thrillers, with less twists, less thrills, and very, very weak payoffs. Also, the female reporter that is one of the main protagonists is perhaps Pearson's weakest character to date (it is very hard to feel sympathy for someone who keeps causing most of the problems). In The First Victim, Pearson also gets away from the personal details of his characters' lives, which is one of the things that this series usually does a great job with. In closing, I would argue that Pearson gave away one of the major villains way too fast in this one. In some instances, such a plot device may work to tighten the suspense - not so in this case. A fast read, but not a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: Pulsating police procedural
Review: Due to Typhoon Mary, the Visage lost one of its crates that it was transferring to another ship in the sea. The Coast Guard picks up the "metal iceberg" that threatens to harm ships in the Seattle area. Hearing human screams from within, they call the police and the INS. Nine Chinese women crawled out of the space with some help. Three were placed in bags. Law enforcement officials Lou Boldt and John LaMoia investigate the case with a gritty determination due to what the smugglers did to these humans. Reporter Melissa Chow convinces her "brother" TV news anchor Stevie McNeal to investigate a small lead. However, she goes undercover, only to vanish somewhere inside the Chinese brothels. Meanwhile, the two police officers keep losing their witnesses as if someone in authority is leaking information to the criminal masterminds. Time is running out for Melissa. Ridley Pearson is renowned for his action-packed police procedurals and his latest thriller will not disappoint his myriad of fans. The story line is filled with action and Lou remains a wonderfully frustrated individual. However, the novel falls victim to its own premise that centers on the cruelty of humans towards one another because that aspect never takes hold, leaving readers with little concern over the fate of Melissa. Mr. Pearson scribes an excellent police thriller that could have been a classic novel on human conditions. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Pulsating police procedural
Review: Due to Typhoon Mary, the Visage lost one of its crates that it was transferring to another ship in the sea. The Coast Guard picks up the "metal iceberg" that threatens to harm ships in the Seattle area. Hearing human screams from within, they call the police and the INS. Nine Chinese women crawled out of the space with some help. Three were placed in bags. Law enforcement officials Lou Boldt and John LaMoia investigate the case with a gritty determination due to what the smugglers did to these humans. Reporter Melissa Chow convinces her "brother" TV news anchor Stevie McNeal to investigate a small lead. However, she goes undercover, only to vanish somewhere inside the Chinese brothels. Meanwhile, the two police officers keep losing their witnesses as if someone in authority is leaking information to the criminal masterminds. Time is running out for Melissa. Ridley Pearson is renowned for his action-packed police procedurals and his latest thriller will not disappoint his myriad of fans. The story line is filled with action and Lou remains a wonderfully frustrated individual. However, the novel falls victim to its own premise that centers on the cruelty of humans towards one another because that aspect never takes hold, leaving readers with little concern over the fate of Melissa. Mr. Pearson scribes an excellent police thriller that could have been a classic novel on human conditions. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Fast, Furious and Hard to Put Down
Review: A shipping container washes ashore in Seattle carrying a handful of scared and hungry Chinese women, three dead from the hard voyage across the Pacific. TV news anchor Stevie McNeal and her Chinese reporter friend and adopted sister Melissa chase after what seems to be a large scale scheme involving illegal aliens. Melissa decides to go undercover as an illegal but when Stevie doesn't hear from her she fears the worst.Seattle police Detective Lou Boldt is also on the case and now, all of a sudden, Stevie sees him as friend and ally, rather than foe. This was a fun read as are all Pearson's novels. It was fast, furious and impossible to put down. Reviewed by Vesta Irene
Rating:
Summary: Change the pic; get back to research . . .
Review: A tip to the author: Women don't take their usual toothbrushes on overnight trips. Submarines smell of sweat -- young man sweat -- and mildew. Mr. Pearson did what he was supposed to do: He entertained me. P. S. His picture makes him look so scary; needs something softer.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Plot...But
Review: Although I have read all of Ridley Pearson's books, this was my first experience with one of his works on audio cassette. Once again, Mr. Pearson has created a wonderfully suspenseful plot, but one that is almost ruined by this narrator. From the very beginning Mr. Rosema's too-rapid delivery makes it almost impossible to absorb the many details which are Pearson's trademark. Rosema's chopped-up reading style results in dreadful enunciation (i.e. dijalcamra for digital camera) With the exception of Mama Lu, most of the characters are unbelieveable due to their speedy conversational styles. I was greatly disappointed. A greater disappointment would only have resulted had I purchased this audio instead of borrowing it from the library. I must now read the book.
Rating:
Summary: What a thrill
Review: Although the beginning got off to a slow start I quickly became intrigued with the story line. Once again the author has managed to keep the suspense of the novel at a extreme level. I read in just a little over 4 days and I am anxiously awaiting the next novel.
Rating:
Summary: This book could have been a blockbuster if it had more depth
Review: and development of the Chinese women who are so sadly explointed when arriving in the U.S. as illegal aliens. Pearson's stories are always good and his character development nearly flawless. However, I felt the subject of women forced to work in sweatshops would have had so much more impact, had the conditions been described in more detail. Also, he has subjects that would add more flesh to his story if he would dwell on the relationship of Lou Boldt and his wife, who is in remission with cancer, especially, since Boldt is having a difficult time accepting Liz's newfound faith in God. I would like to see him broaden the characters of La Moia and some of the others. This would take nothing away from his main character and could be very entertaining. I applaud him for addressing the entry of other nationalities into this country and how they can be, and are exploited. After saying all the above; I don't want to miss any of his books and even when he isn't at his best, I'm always unable to put one of his books down and will stay up into the wee hours of the morning in order to enjoy his prose.
Rating:
Summary: Good book for Lou Boldt fans
Review: Another Lou Boldt book ... readers who have been following the series will get more insight on Lou as he struggles with the path his career and life are going. If this is your first read, you'll like it. For those who have read previous books in the series (such as "The Angel Maker" and what I consider his best "Beyond Recognition") will like it even more. It not as suspenseful as his best but I did like it better than his previous, "The Pied Piper".
Rating:
Summary: Great book to take with you on vactation!
Review: As with all of Ridley's books, this was a winner. I really have enjoyed all of the Lou Boldt-Daphne Matthews series and this one was no exception. I recommend reading them in order though. I think you get a real sense of the characters and their problems and growth, by reading them in order. Highly recommended.
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