The Color of Justice: A Novel of Suspense

Rating:
Summary: This was a 4.5
Review: A white man with a black soul who finds his woman slipping away. A murder of prominent blacks who all have something in common.
A cop who is driven by guilt and the past. A murderer who has something to prove by specific targets.
Danny Cavanaugh is a cop just like his father was. Raised in the Detroit inner-city, he has adopted a black persona. He "talks and acts black". Does he hate himself as his psychiatrist suggests? He is also having his share of problems indirectly as a result of his lifestyle. His black girlfriend seems to be outgrowing the relationship and he has dreams about his late mother. How did she really pass away?. He is also worried about his father, an alcoholic, who spends his days secluded at home.
When prominent African Americans in the community are killed, Danny and his partner are paired up with a saucy FBI agent, a black woman who thinks she can read the case and read Danny also.
What is the common factor in these murders. When they realize what it is, it is a race to prevent more murders.
Meanwhile there are a string of other murders throughout the city that are reportedly done by a group of young brothers. They are committing mayhem and not only are the police looking for them but they have managed the ire of some bad guys.

Gary Hardwick does a good job of giving the readers a view of Detroit inner city life through not only a cop's eyes but also the dynamics of the black community and the idiosyncrasies. Class and color lines are explored as well family relationships and the pain of a man finding his way in a country that puts everyone in boxes determined by race. Hardwick has a new fan in this reviewer. I am ordering his other books.

Rating:
Summary: This was a 4.5
Review: A white man with a black soul who finds his woman slipping away. A murder of prominent blacks who all have something in common.
A cop who is driven by guilt and the past. A murderer who has something to prove by specific targets.
Danny Cavanaugh is a cop just like his father was. Raised in the Detroit inner-city, he has adopted a black persona. He "talks and acts black". Does he hate himself as his psychiatrist suggests? He is also having his share of problems indirectly as a result of his lifestyle. His black girlfriend seems to be outgrowing the relationship and he has dreams about his late mother. How did she really pass away?. He is also worried about his father, an alcoholic, who spends his days secluded at home.
When prominent African Americans in the community are killed, Danny and his partner are paired up with a saucy FBI agent, a black woman who thinks she can read the case and read Danny also.
What is the common factor in these murders. When they realize what it is, it is a race to prevent more murders.
Meanwhile there are a string of other murders throughout the city that are reportedly done by a group of young brothers. They are committing mayhem and not only are the police looking for them but they have managed the ire of some bad guys.

Gary Hardwick does a good job of giving the readers a view of Detroit inner city life through not only a cop's eyes but also the dynamics of the black community and the idiosyncrasies. Class and color lines are explored as well family relationships and the pain of a man finding his way in a country that puts everyone in boxes determined by race. Hardwick has a new fan in this reviewer. I am ordering his other books.

Rating:
Summary: A Complex Psychological Thriller
Review: At first glance, Detroit detective Danny Cavanaugh appears to be a black man trapped in a white man's body. Cavanaugh displays the mannerisms of an African American urban male. On the outside, he is a white man-white skin, red hair and green eyes.

However, Cavanaugh is not trying to pass for black. He is an enigma and on a daily basis, Cavanaugh battles prejudice from both races. And he is haunted by demons from his past.

Cavanaugh is assigned the investigation of tracking down the killer of a Detroit African American elite couple. Later, an another member of the Detroit African American elite is murdered.

Creating the psychological profile of the serial killer is as complex as resolving the issues from Cavanaugh's past.

The Color of Justice is a deeply intricate psychological thriller and it is page-turner. I completed the book within a span of less than 24 hours. I could not stop reading.

I would highly recommend this novel.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good!
Review: Color of Justice was a suspense filled novel with several story lines intertwined around the central plot. The murder of a high profile couple sparks a killing spree among the elite group of African Americans. The story follows tough, street-wise Detective Danny Cavanaugh as he takes us to Detroit's city hall, the affluent suburbs, and into the inner city to solve the murders. Interesting, colorful characters from judges to prostitutes are introduced along the way and Hardwick's handling of dialog and character interaction adds credibility to each one of them. I really liked the manner in which Hardwick managed the family and relationship sub-plots and how we "hear" Danny's innermost thoughts, concerns, and fears. Kudos to Hardwick for braving the "colorism" issue -- although fictional... the views expressed by some characters could easily be based on fact. Overall, I really liked the book and would recommend it to others; however, I found the ending was sort of loose and weak, so I deducted a point for that. I also noticed a couple of typos..but didn't deduct for those.

Rating:
Summary: Color of justice
Review: Danny Cauanaugh is white Irish cattholic cop who has been raised in the dangerous part of the innercity. He speaks and acts like a black man, which has made him a enigma to his people and a legend on the street. he's been rocked by devasting and suspicicus personal tragedy. A black couple has been savagely executed in their upscale home. Danny has to solve the crime but cant because it would look weird if a white man walks up to a black man and ask's what's the black power around here. But through all of this he learns a lot of himself. He has problems because of what has happend with the killing of his mother and he go'es to see a psychologist to work them out. Him and his brothers had a plan to find the father and kill him, because he was the reason the mother died.

Rating:
Summary: Looking beneath the surface
Review: Danny Cavenaugh. An Irish boy raised in a black Detroit neighborhood. Adapting to his surroundings, he picks up the speech and mannerisms of his peers. A cop. The job becomes his life.

The case. A string of murders of members of the black elite.

The challenge. Danny must come to terms with the death of his mother, his psyche, and in the process solve this case before it's too late.

This was my first Gary Hardwick novel, and I was pleasantly surprised by his writing style. He grabs you at page one. He doesn't let go until you close the book after reading the last page. This novel was a great read that contained all the ingredients of a good mystery/suspense. Strong characterizations, fast paced- plot, and a lesson about race make Color of Justice a 5 star read.

Rating:
Summary: Looking beneath the surface
Review: Danny Cavenaugh. An Irish boy raised in a black Detroit neighborhood. Adapting to his surroundings, he picks up the speech and mannerisms of his peers. A cop. The job becomes his life.

The case. A string of murders of members of the black elite.

The challenge. Danny must come to terms with the death of his mother, his psyche, and in the process solve this case before it's too late.

This was my first Gary Hardwick novel, and I was pleasantly surprised by his writing style. He grabs you at page one. He doesn't let go until you close the book after reading the last page. This novel was a great read that contained all the ingredients of a good mystery/suspense. Strong characterizations, fast paced- plot, and a lesson about race make Color of Justice a 5 star read.

Rating:
Summary: Color of justice
Review: Gary Hardwick is back with a vengeance in his latest mystery thriller titled The Color of Justice. This novel was definitely well worth the wait and more than exceeded my expectations. Fast-paced and action-oriented, the reader is taken on a harrying roller coaster ride from Chapter One as Hardwick takes us to the scene of a brutal, grizzly and bizarre murder of one of Detroit�s elite and wealthy African American families. This is only the first of many murders that will occur and will require not only the Detroit Police Force but also the FBI to figure out who the killer(s) is.

Hardwick reunites us with one of Detroit�s finest �Detective Danny Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh swore to protect and to serve but currently he�s barely staying afloat of personal issues and its sometimes questionable as to how well he can do his job. Cavanaugh has many issues including being under psychiatrist care; a strained relationship with his father as well as his long-term, live-in African American girlfriend, Vinny; disturbing visions and dreams about his mother�s death and to some a serious identity crisis. Danny Cavanaugh was raised in inner-city Detroit and not only does he act like an African American male but he also sounds like one�when you hear his voice sight unseen you imagine a tall, dark and handsome brotha�hmmm..open the door and who appears is Danny. Despite issues regarding his personal life, Danny is an outstanding detective and when the murders continue and appear to be that of a serial killer, Danny is able to bring to the forefront that which isn�t so obvious to others including his fellow partner Eric and an FBI Agent who�s also been assigned to the case.

This book is a Must Read for 2002. Once I had a moment to devote my attention to Color of Justice, I devoured this book in one sitting; it was my first read for 2002 and what a suspenseful and engaging read it was. Hardwick gives us an action-packed, fast-paced, suspenseful and intriguing storyline. Plot twists and turns abound and just when you think you�ve figured out the villains, Hardwick throws you another curveball and takes you on another terrifying and thrilling roller coaster ride. I only had one minor pet-peeve with the storyline and that was the theory behind the murders. The theory was really weak for me but the creatively crafted storyline more than made up for that little nuance. Color of Justice is the third novel I�ve read from Hardwick and with each book he gets better and better; he�s definitely my favorite AA mystery writer and I look forward to future releases from this talented author and master storyteller.

Reviewed by Yasmin

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing, Suspenseful and Superbly Written!
Review: Gary Hardwick is back with a vengeance in his latest mystery thriller titled The Color of Justice. This novel was definitely well worth the wait and more than exceeded my expectations. Fast-paced and action-oriented, the reader is taken on a harrying roller coaster ride from Chapter One as Hardwick takes us to the scene of a brutal, grizzly and bizarre murder of one of Detroit's elite and wealthy African American families. This is only the first of many murders that will occur and will require not only the Detroit Police Force but also the FBI to figure out who the killer(s) is.

Hardwick reunites us with one of Detroit's finest 'Detective Danny Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh swore to protect and to serve but currently he's barely staying afloat of personal issues and its sometimes questionable as to how well he can do his job. Cavanaugh has many issues including being under psychiatrist care; a strained relationship with his father as well as his long-term, live-in African American girlfriend, Vinny; disturbing visions and dreams about his mother's death and to some a serious identity crisis. Danny Cavanaugh was raised in inner-city Detroit and not only does he act like an African American male but he also sounds like one'when you hear his voice sight unseen you imagine a tall, dark and handsome brotha'hmmm..open the door and who appears is Danny. Despite issues regarding his personal life, Danny is an outstanding detective and when the murders continue and appear to be that of a serial killer, Danny is able to bring to the forefront that which isn't so obvious to others including his fellow partner Eric and an FBI Agent who's also been assigned to the case.

This book is a Must Read for 2002. Once I had a moment to devote my attention to Color of Justice, I devoured this book in one sitting; it was my first read for 2002 and what a suspenseful and engaging read it was. Hardwick gives us an action-packed, fast-paced, suspenseful and intriguing storyline. Plot twists and turns abound and just when you think you've figured out the villains, Hardwick throws you another curveball and takes you on another terrifying and thrilling roller coaster ride. I only had one minor pet-peeve with the storyline and that was the theory behind the murders. The theory was really weak for me but the creatively crafted storyline more than made up for that little nuance. Color of Justice is the third novel I've read from Hardwick and with each book he gets better and better; he's definitely my favorite AA mystery writer and I look forward to future releases from this talented author and master storyteller.

Reviewed by Yasmin

Rating:
Summary: Another good book by Gary Hardwich
Review: I actually just finished this book tonight and I thought it was good. This is the second book that I've read by Gary Hardwick. My only complaint was that there were a lot of typos but other than that I enjoyed it because the setting of the story took place in Detroit, as a matter of fact that seems to be a theme with all of his mystery books.
Since he's from Detroit I guess he's representing his city which is cool. Usually the books I read the story takes place in either California or New York.
So it was nice to learn about Detroit, and he was descriptive when he was describing the ways of Detroit, I felt like a tourist visiting the city for a tour or something... I liked how the author mixed in his experiences being a lawyer and the justice system into the book. I don't know that much about law but I got to understand a little better from the standpoint of this book.
The main character of the book is Danny Cavanaugh who's a white cop who grew up in Detroit around black people, so he's learn their mannerisms and talks like a black man ( which I thouht was peculiar, but it made for a good storyline).
Danny has to catch a serial killer who's been preying on the black elite of Detroit, and while on this mission he comes to terms with his own issues concerning race and class.
Again, I thought the storyline was good, I would recommend for anyone to read the book if you can by pass the many typos. I'm an avid mystery reader and am always interested in reading mysteries with african-americans.
I plan to read " Supreme Justice" once I get a chance.