Closer Still (A Brodie Farrell Mystery)

by Jo Bannister

Book Overview

"Bannister is one of the undersung treasures of the mystery genre." ---"Chicago"" Tribune" Although she has been trying to put her work, running a one-woman detective agency, on hold while she cares... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373266812
• ISBN13: 9780373266814
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: WORLDWIDE
• Length: 253 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Another contribution in the Jack Deacon-Brodie Farrell series- good but not great

I don't really know why this series is called the Brodie Farrell series, since Brodie never really seems real for me. Two other characters, Jack Deacon and Daniel Hood, both of whom are in love with Brodie, seem more well-developed. I found myself not even liking Brodie, which is a real problem and which probably kept me from giving this book a higher rating. Daniel is kind of pathetic (although he is qualified to teach mathematics, he rejects that job in order to run Brodie's business for a short maternity leave) -- he loves her passionately and she loves him as a buddy and he knows it. Jack Deacon also loves Brodie -- he's a police detective, kind of tough and rugged. Deacon and Farrell have had a baby together. For reasons that escape me, the author has given this baby tumors in the eyes, which form a backdrop for much of the story. Is it asking too much of a mystery series to spare us the sorrow of having a baby with cancer? It darkens the story without doing anything for the plot. The plot involves a gangster, Joe Loomis, who is threatening Brodie and the baby because he's trying to get back at Jack Deacon (not clear exactly what he hopes to accomplish, but he's a nasty guy). Loomis is killed, and it looks like Deacon may have done it, because as he died, his last word was D-D-D-D... Presumably he's trying to name the killer but can't get the words out. The book is filled with a ridiculous number of characters whose name (first or last) begins with D. Did Deacon do it? Daniel? or one of the other D characters? The chief investigator of the crime is Jack Deacon, but towards the end, Brodie decides she's going to find Loomis's killer (why?????). The pace of the book is fairly quick, and the plotting was pretty good. It's other problems that kept me from giving the book five stars.

great thriller

Owner of the Dimmock based private detective agency "Looking for Something?", Brodie Farrell is looking for a respite as her six month old son Jonathan has spent a lot of his young life with doctors having been born with rare condition retinoblastoma. His doctors have no idea how much the infant can see; if he has any sight at all. Math teacher Daniel Hood helps at the shop, but would like to help more in her personal life because he loves Brodie. Jonathan's father Dimmock Police Detective Superintendent Jack Deacon is investigating the activities of nasty hoodlum Joe Loomis, who threatens to harm his son and his son's mother. When Loomis is shot to death, the brass removes Deacon from the search for the hood's killer as the DS had a motive and opportunity. However, the investigation turns frightening when it leads to a terrorist plot aimed at Dimmock. This meritorious mystery series reaches new heights of excellence with this great thriller. Besides the Jonathan health issue and the two men in the heroine's life competing for her affection, the story line focuses on the townsfolk as reactions to a potential terrorist plot varies with the cops hoping to contain the panic while distrust grows until vigilante violence occurs even before the absolute confirmation of Dimmock being the target. The strong support cast makes this Brodie Farrell tale a flawless winner. Harriet Klausner