The Pale Green Horse

by Michael I. Leahey

J. J. Donovan is sitting on the beach, his back against a palm tree, watching the sun rise over the Caribbean. He wears the self-satisfied expression of a man who spent half the night reveling with his ex-wife. Donovan and his ex, Kate Byrne, have been enjoying a romantic vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As he sips hot tea and watches the colorful spinnakers on sailboats dancing out beyond the barrier reef, he has no way of knowing that his close...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312278136
• ISBN13: 9780312278137
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Move over Travis McGee, JJ Donovan's on the case

Welcome back to JJ and Boris! There aren't nearly enough charming "windmill tilters" in the world these days, and JJ is just what the doctor ordered. Starting in the magnificent temple of baseball, Yankee Stadium, as Boris is inadvertantly drawn into the mystery, right up to the thrilling scene atop the Queensborough Bridge, this story is a pulse-pounding ride through New York. Along with our heroes JJ and Boris, we get to reunite with Manny Santos, Kate Byrne, and the other great characters from Broken Machines. But in The Pale Green Horse, there are some great additions to the cast: NYPD's solid and dependable Lt.Gavin, genial saloon keeper Peter Walsh, the toothpick spitting Det.Sweeney, a cop you'd like to see get smacked around, and of course the horrifyingly evil and psychotically inspired villain, Johnny St. John. When I finally got around to reading Michael I. Leahey's second JJ Donovan tale, The Pale Green Horse, I was sorry I waited so long to treat myself. Those of us who love to discover a great series of exciting mystery/detective novels with a truly engaging hero are in luck. Hopefully, Mr. Leahey will continue to delight us. The only drawback of course is that there are only two available so far. When I first stumbled onto John D.McDonald's series of Travis McGee stories, he'd already written all but the last three. So now alas, I must patiently await Boris and JJ's next adventure along with everyone else. Write 'em faster dammit!

Fine Noir

My barometer for judging any work of fiction is simple...Does it make me want to keep reading? The answer here is a resounding Yes! The Pale GreenHorse possesses all the elements that make up great noir...a cast of colorful characters (includinga pip of a villian), a plot that keeps you guessing, anda solid, steady pace that never lets up.From its prologue, to its Hitchcockian ending, this tale will keep you turning pages well into the night. Buy this book , sit back, and enjoy!

Breakneck Speed; Excellent dialogue

This book is more than fast-paced--it is at breakneck speed. Maurice Green would like the pace. The author certainly has a way with dialogue. Possessing an excellent ear(as Monet was said to have a great eye), the dialogue is crisp. Like Fredrick Henry in Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, it seems that J. J. Donovan provides a good window into the author's real thoughts.

Sophisticated, Supple and Very Satisfying

Like a fine wine, Michael Leahey's second book, shows a maturity which provides wonderful structure and a breathtaking finish. A book to savor and enjoy even though you will be tempted to take it all in in one sitting. "The Pale Green Horse" will be a classic mystery book for this year and for years to come.

Loved it!

While this book has a fresh and fast-paced plot, what really stands out are the rich characterizations and clever-yet-down-to-earth dialogue. These are characters you want to spend time with, but there's no dawdling with a plot filled with tension and maddeningly effective cliffhangers. The characters are flawed, funny people, and the New York City and Connecticut lakeside settings ring true.