My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

As their eyes rested on him he felt a scrotum-tightening chill of fear descend over his body. No, not a job interview, more the professional evaluation of a couple of undertakers interested to see if he would fit the coffin.

 

It was huge, and massively muscled. It emanated a sinister, vast strength. It looked like a dog that pumped iron and ate steroids.

 

Hanlon glared at Morris Jones, her glance taking in his immaculately polished shoes, the razor-sharp creases in his suit. It suddenly occurred to her that when Jones dressed he was probably dressing for death, either his own or someone else’s.

 

Let’s see how fit you are, she thought grimly to herself… in trainers she could run a marathon in a respectable three hours… Grey Man looked like he’d have trouble on an escalator. She grinned wolfishly as she increased the pace of her stride.

My Review:

 

While well written and full of complex twists and oddly compelling characters, I struggled with this one as it had a slow start and complicated plot lines that aren’t my cup of Darjeeling.   Extremist right-wing politicians are contemptible and I feel I’ve suffered more than enough of that vile nonsense from the previous occupant for the last four years, and toss in Islamic terrorist cells, well… the little pea in my brain was growing antsy and wanting to burn rubber.

But my biggest concern was where was my beloved Hanlon? She was scarce in this tale for quite a while, and I missed my favorite kickass chick. I covertly aspire to her level of indifference and would gladly become her faithful disciple, although that is definitely a situation the rogue lone wolf Hanlon would not appreciate nor enjoy.

If I were unaware of what this crafty author was capable of I most likely would have conceded with a DNF early on. I fear I have been spoiled and most likely ruined by the richness and absorbing quality of his previous offerings and this one just hadn’t grabbed me by the throat in the same manner as the three previous installments. But luckily, the agile and wily nature of Mr. Coombs’s stellar writing kept me invested and once my revered idol joined in with significant contributions, all was right once again. Silly me, I was just too impatient. The clever Mr. Coombs continues to remain all snug and warm in a cozy spot on my favorites list.