Hocus

Rating:
Summary: Astonishing
Review: It's hard to add much to what has already been said about this excellent mystery. The editorial reviews provide a great summary of the plot of this complicated kidnapping story. Let me add that the book was nominated for three best novel of the year awards -- McCavity, Agatha and Barry. It deserves that type of recognition.

What makes this book unique is that Irene is so normal. I'm getting a bit weary of the "hard-boiled female PI" that is so popular these days. The lonely woman with one (or more) major problems (alcoholism, anger, etc.)can be a bit hard to relate to, not to mention boring. Irene has grown from one of these characters to a newlywed. No small part of this book involves her trying to balance her professional needs with her need to save her husband. The fact that the search takes her back to his family and former girlfriend just makes things that much more interesting.

The kidnapping itself is full of unusual twists. The kidnappers motivation lies in childhood trauma and the desire to force the determination of the unknown cop who caused that trauma. Interesting stuff.

Bottom-line: A tight, page turner. Reading of the previous four books in the series would be helpful but isn't imperative.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating, critically acclaimed kidnap drama
Review: It's hard to add much to what has already been said about this excellent mystery. The editorial reviews provide a great summary of the plot of this complicated kidnapping story. Let me add that the book was nominated for three best novel of the year awards -- McCavity, Agatha and Barry. It deserves that type of recognition.

What makes this book unique is that Irene is so normal. I'm getting a bit weary of the "hard-boiled female PI" that is so popular these days. The lonely woman with one (or more) major problems (alcoholism, anger, etc.)can be a bit hard to relate to, not to mention boring. Irene has grown from one of these characters to a newlywed. No small part of this book involves her trying to balance her professional needs with her need to save her husband. The fact that the search takes her back to his family and former girlfriend just makes things that much more interesting.

The kidnapping itself is full of unusual twists. The kidnappers motivation lies in childhood trauma and the desire to force the determination of the unknown cop who caused that trauma. Interesting stuff.

Bottom-line: A tight, page turner. Reading of the previous four books in the series would be helpful but isn't imperative.

Rating:
Summary: Jan Burke's best book yet.H
Review: Jan Burke continues to provide the reader witha believable and likable herione. This timethe reader is on the edge of his seat from thefirst page. I highly recommend "Hocus"

Rating:
Summary: Jan Burke's books are great, this one was terrific
Review: Jan Burke's books always hold my interest, this one captured it and wouldn't let go. I read this book on an eight hour flight and I didn't want the flight to end until the book did. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to Frank, but I didn't want the book to end. It has been a long time since I have read such a captivating book. I read a lot of women detective novels and this one is tops

Rating:
Summary: GOOD, NOT GREAT
Review: KF.: Good (not great), well-researched, suspense mystery with this reporter crime solver in California.

Rating:
Summary: Nobody writes a mystery romance as well as Jan Burke
Review: Never let it be said that a good mystery book can not have a fulfilling and captivating romance at its core because HOCUS will prove them wrong. Irene Kelly has an argument with her husband, policeman Frank Harriman, thinking they will make up when they return from work. Only problem with that scenario is Frank never comes home. It soon becomes evident that he has been taken hostage by unknown people for inexplicable reasons. While Irene worries, something totally out of character for her, she receives a phone call from the kidnappers who have the injured officer in their custody. ..... The two men holding Frank captive were victims of a childhood trauma, eye witnesses to the slaughters of their fathers. As adults they finally expect to exact their own brand of justice on the man responsible for the carnage. They don't know who he is except that he was a policeman in the town where Frank grew up and went to work as a detective. It is Irene's task to find out his identity and bring him to them in exchange for her spouse's freedom. Irene subdues her own controlling nature, out of her deep abiding love for her husband, and allows herself to be at the beck and call of the kidnappers knowing that if she fails to obey their orders, she will lose the only man she ever loved. ..... Readers of romance, mystery, suspense and thrillers will want to get their hands on HOCUS as quickly as possible. It is a deeply satisfying emotional read yet intellectually stimulating, prodding, and provoking the audience into trying to guess what will happen next. Jan Burke is a brilliant writer, a gifted storyteller who can hold her own with any writer in the genre, including Cornwell, Crichton and Rosenberg. If ever a book deserves an award, this one does, not only because of its popular appeal but because of a masterful plot execution. ......Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Astonishing
Review: This book is extremely well written and the plot is captivating. I felt as though I was Irene and experiencing the fright and anguish due to the situation. One of Jan Burke's best. And the ending is such a shocker- sad too.

Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down
Review: This is a fast paced novel. While the main action takes place in less than a week, there are flashbacks to earlier events related to a double murder in the past. Young men who have mental problems related to the past events form a group of urban terrorists. There actions at first seem like unconnected pranks until people start getting killed. When a police officer is kidnapped, and demands are made, their real purpose becomes evident.

While the story is a stand-alone plot, it continues with characters from previous novels, primarily news reporter Irene Kelly. Various information emerges about people's pasts. Some people have hidden problems that cause bad dreams.

The setting for the novel is somewhat before the present so, while there is electronic technology, technology is not quite up to 2004 standards (cell phones but no caller ID). One can wonder about a police officer and news reporter being able to afford a beachfront home in California, but perhaps it was purchased at some time in the distant past (or maybe they got incredibly lucky with investments).

Overall, a good cops and robbers type story involving police, news reporters, and deranged killers. There is a short epilogue to wrap up a few loose ends.

Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down
Review: This is a fast paced novel. While the main action takes place in less than a week, there are flashbacks to earlier events related to a double murder in the past. Young men who have mental problems related to the past events form a group of urban terrorists. There actions at first seem like unconnected pranks until people start getting killed. When a police officer is kidnapped, and demands are made, their real purpose becomes evident.

While the story is a stand-alone plot, it continues with characters from previous novels, primarily news reporter Irene Kelly. Various information emerges about people's pasts. Some people have hidden problems that cause bad dreams.

The setting for the novel is somewhat before the present so, while there is electronic technology, technology is not quite up to 2004 standards (cell phones but no caller ID). One can wonder about a police officer and news reporter being able to afford a beachfront home in California, but perhaps it was purchased at some time in the distant past (or maybe they got incredibly lucky with investments).

Overall, a good cops and robbers type story involving police, news reporters, and deranged killers. There is a short epilogue to wrap up a few loose ends.

Rating:
Summary: Jan Burke does it again!
Review: This is the fifth in her series about Irene Kelly and I found that it was just as good as the rest of the series. I stayed up all night to read it and see what happened to Frank (her husband). If you've got a free evening and a strong heart, pick up this book. The plot and the characters will keep you enthralled until you finish it