Superior Position

by Evan McNamara

Book Overview

When a reporter investigating mountain sprawl is shot dead, a small-town Colorado deputy and former Army sniper must catch a ruthless sharpshooter who is locked, loaded, and ready to kill again.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425203905
• ISBN13: 9780425203903
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 370 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.3" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Great story about a sniper!

I really liked this story. The author did an incredible job developing the characters. The main chaacter is an ex-military sniper and is now a deputy sheriff who must track down another sniper in a small Colorado town. The mystery keeps you guessing and is loaded with western flair and sniper strategy. I just bought the author's second book to see if I like it as well. Note: My review is based on the unabridged audiobook.

If you want excitement, this is the book for you!

Superior Position is a thriller set in a mountain community that thrives on tourists. Though the scene seems serene and beautiful, when a reporter is murdered, Deputy Tatum begins to unravel a complicated plot that reveals a deadly and hidden undercurrent he never expected. Author McNamara has done an expert job of leading the reader on a rollercoaster ride of shocking twists and turns in an idyllic setting, perfect for murder. Highly recommended! Marilyn Meredith, author of Wishing Makes It So and Wingbeat, the latest in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series.

A Decent Mystery from a Promising Writer

Evan McNamara's Superior Position tells the story of a secluded Colorado mountain town and it's sheriff's department's investigation of a murdered journalist. As the investigation progresses, key witnesses also turn up dead and it isn't long before the main character, ex-82nd Airborne sniper Deputy Bill Tatum, is questioning the relationship between the events and the rural mountain town's recent "boom" of housing development. Having lived in a small mountain community in the western United States for a few years I felt the description of a rural town was right on target. I also felt that there was a strong sense of place but, like other reviewers, I felt that McNamara struggled to convey key elements of the story in the characters' dialogue. Much of what we learn as the story unfolds is divulged to the reader through the main character's thoughts, not his interviews with potential suspects or through interaction with other characters. In addition, I got a sense that McNamara was a bit too long winded in descriptions of action versus just letting the scenes unfold. There are a few twists and turns in the story and overall it did keep me interested. I would imagine that McNamara's style will evolve as he writes more and I will certainly read his work again. If you like rural Western mysteries I would strongtly suggest books by C.J. Box and/or Clinton McKinzie over this one but I can say that this book is worth a look.

Outstanding First Book

I rarely pick up mystery books, but do get interested in books that pertain to the military. What caught my attention with this book was how an ex-soldier used the skills taught in the military in his civilian job. Would sniper skills be useful in tracking down a killer. I say yes. Waiting for a killer to make his next move and find clues takes extraordinary patience, attention to detail, and physical and mental acuteness. The mystery itself was well developed as I thought I had the answer numerous times throughout, only to be cleverly tricked. That kept me interested to keep reading, and find the answers at the end. I greatly enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to the next installment. Looking forward to another trip to Mineral County with Mr. McNamara's second book Fair Game.