The Black Beast

Rating:
Summary: WELL WRITTEN AND INTRIGUING
Review: I found THE BLACK BEAST to be a very well written and intriguing murder mystery novel with a refreshing touch of etherial grace. This story captures the reader right from the start.

THE BLACK BEAST is quite a thriller, loaded with all the right details. Well edited, not at all difficult to read. I have recommended this novel to several of my friends!

Rating:
Summary: WELL WRITTEN AND INTRIGUING
Review: I found THE BLACK BEAST to be a very well written and intriguing murder mystery novel with a refreshing touch of etherial grace. This story captures the reader right from the start.

THE BLACK BEAST is quite a thriller, loaded with all the right details. Well edited, not at all difficult to read. I have recommended this novel to several of my friends!

Rating:
Summary: A First Book Well Worth The Money
Review: I have a copy of "The Black Beast". It is a very gritty book set in Chicago. It combines police drama, societal problems and even the occult in the framework of the book.

The ending threw me for a loop. I had to reread the last chapters several times to follow all the twists and turns that Mr. Berlin put into the ending. It surprised me and I am an avid reader of mysteries.

I am sure that any mystery reader would enjoy the book. I know that I did.

Rating:
Summary: A First Book Well Worth The Money
Review: I have a copy of "The Black Beast". It is a very gritty book set in Chicago. It combines police drama, societal problems and even the occult in the framework of the book.

The ending threw me for a loop. I had to reread the last chapters several times to follow all the twists and turns that Mr. Berlin put into the ending. It surprised me and I am an avid reader of mysteries.

I am sure that any mystery reader would enjoy the book. I know that I did.

Rating:
Summary: Badly in need of editorial assistance.
Review: The Black Beast is a "print on demand" book distributed through 1stBooks Library, a leading online library. It is an interesting concept; there is no waste and no unsold books for the publisher to deal with. It is reasonable to assume that this would lead the way towards more books being published, rather than fewer, since overhead is reduced.

Ford Berlin is an ex-Chicagoan, who spent his life writing advertising and his hobby writing books. He is rightfully proud of his effort, and has enough love and parental pride in his daughter to give her credit for the task of editing.

The Black Beast is a mystery that isn't written like any mystery this reviewer has read. It centers around the mystery of why a young, talented, intelligent, and beautiful woman named Amber Jade transformed from a successful executive secretary with a nice salary into a crazed would-be assassin in just a few months. Detective Sam Samples is assigned the case, which is sensitive and hampered by F.B.I. and Secret Service meddling. Samples wonders if there really was an assassination attempt. And what caused Amber's run of bad luck, which is central to the case? Berlin loves to surprise the reader with his answers:

"`Ok, I get it,' he spoke to the sky. `You're telling me I have to get to the rental office right away. I'll do it, Amber. But try to remember, I'm not used to dealing with a spirit I can't even see. You don't have to hit me with a brick wall to send a message. The radio went on and played soothing church music. Sam smiled, backed up the car and fishtailed out of the lot to show Amber he was indeed hurrying. The music stopped."

The Black Beast presents layer upon layer of intrigue. There is, for one thing, not really a murder to solve. But the entire story is about murder. There is a decided spiritual side; Sam Samples is a saint of a cop. His assignment to solve the murder turns into nothing short of a quest. But as the story unfolds, it is apparent that a quest is exactly what is called for. The Black Beast is gritty and raw; but with a purpose. It's a terrific read that can't be put down.

Shelly Glodowski, Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: Badly in need of editorial assistance.
Review: This book is well plotted, but is so much in need of a competent editorial hand that it is difficult to read. I understand that this is a self published book, but nonethless the author should have had it edited beforehand, since the publisher doesn't seem to do any editing.