Rating: 
Summary: Not a bad story; seems familiar. Well read though.
Review: This is the first story of Ridley Pearson's I've listened to [I'm referring to the abridged audiocassette version] featuring Lou Boldt. It was not bad. The story seems a little familiar (perhaps, because "Law and Order" or one of the program(me)s; perhaps, CSI, I'm not sure)had a similar story. Anyway, the reader, Scott Rosema, kept the story "tight". The characters, the detective, the reporter, and her friend, who took a chance going "undercover", are fairly strong. I think I'd like to check into more of Mr. Pearson's work. Recommended to me by a co-worker. Not bad, as I said, even though familiar.
Rating: 
Summary: A DISAPPOINTING, SLOW-PACED THRILLER
Review: When a shipping container with illegals in it washes ashore, television news anchor Stevie McNeal jumps on the story to boost her career, along with the help of her friend, reporter, Melissa.Lou Boldt and John LaMoia are the investigating officer's on the appearance of the mysterious ship. When Melissa disappears and other murders begin happening, the two detective's team up with Stevie to find her friend and put and end to the illegal smuggling. "The First Victim" is a let down, considering Pearson's previous novels "Beyond Recognition" and "Chain Of Evidence", although the plot is interesting, it is slowly paced for a thriller, and introduces too many characters along the way becoming more confusing and dull as the novel progresses. The climax may surprise some, but the armchair detective will have figured it out. Ridley Pearson writes good thrillers, this not being one of them, pick up one of his previous novels for good thrills. Nick Gonnella
| 
