World Famous Comics: A Cold Day In Paradise (Alex McKnight Novels)
A Cold Day In Paradise (Alex McKnight Novels)
By: Steve Hamilton Publisher: Minotaur Books Average Rating: Binding: Mass Market Paperback Label: Minotaur Books Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 320 Publication Date: February 15, 2000
Product Description: Other than the bullet lodged less than a centimeter from his heart, former Detroit police officer Alex McKnight thought he had put the nightmare of his partner's death and his own near-fatal injury behind him-after all, Maximillian Rose, convicted of the crimes, has been locked in the state penitentiary for thirteen years.But in the small town of Paradise, Michigan, where McKnight has traded his badge for a cozy cabin in the woods, a murderer with the unmistakable trademark of Maximillian Rose appears to be back to his killing ways. With Rose locked away, McKnight can't understand who else would know the intimate details of the old murders, described in the threatening notes and phone calls he receives-not to mention the signature blood-red rose left on his doorstep.And it seems like it'll be a frozen day in hell before McKnight can unravel the cold truth from a deadly deception in a town that's anything but Paradise.AUTHORBIO: STEVE HAMILTON, born and raised in Michigan, now works for IBM is upstate New York, where he lives with his wife and son.A COLD DAY IN PARADISE is the winner of the 1997 St. Martin's Press/Private Eye Writers of America Best First P.I. Novel contest.Hamilton is now at work on his next Alex McKnight mystery.
Hard to put down Alex McKnight is a former cop turned private detective. He retired from the force after he and his partner were shot by a man called Maximilian Rose. His partner died and Alex moved to Paradise, a small town by the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan.
Now, several years later, a series of killings are taking place and the killer appears to be none other than Maximilian Rose - although he is supposedly locked up in prison. What's more, Rose appears to be targeting McKnight as another victim.
This is a convoluted but highly enjoyable suspense novel that is very hard to put down. The suspense is almost unbearable at times. The book reads very much like a movie and just like a movie it hangs on at the end when you think that everything is wrapped up to give you one more twist in the tale. This is the first of seven novels featuring Alex McKnight and while it's not imperative to start with #1, you would probably enjoy them most if you read them in order. If you enjoy the likes of Harlan Coben and Christopher Reich, I strongly recommend A Cold Day in Paradise.
Cold Lead This was a winner of the Edgar and the Shamus Award for best first novel. Alex McKnight is an ex-police officer from Detroit. He retired from the force after being shot three times, with one bullet still lodged next to his heart. He went to Paradise, Michigan, to get away, but ends up being talked into what should be some light duty P.I. work. Two dead bodies later, he comes face to face with evidence pointing to the same man who shot him, but he's been locked in a maximum security prison for years. This is a very good book, with some interesting new characters, as well as some character types you will be familiar with. It is a very quick read, pulling you along with suspense and delivering a few surprises along the way. I will definitely add Steve Hamilton to my list of must read mystery/detective authors.
Horror in Upper Michigan This is the first thriller novel that I've ever read (if you don't count "Mystic River" by Dennis Lehane), and it was a great read. Steve Hamilton's writing is clear, direct, and never overly complex; his compelling characters and fluid pacing make it all better. Alex McKnight is one hell of a fascinating P.I.: his haunted past makes one feel sorry for the character. Of course, the story of this mystery is so effective, the plot twist at the end had me shocked! I thought i had it all figured out, until the ending turned out to be completely different. And that's how good this book is! Steve Hamilton deserved the Edgar Award for "A Cold Day in Paradise".
Grade: A
Great Crime/Suspense Novel! If you're looking for a crime/suspense novel to sink your teeth into, search no more! This book was suggested to me by a friend and I am SO glad that I gave it a shot. Wow, what a great novel! I was turning the pages late into the night to find out what was going to happen next, and with a toddler, believe me, I usually try to get all the sleep I can!
I won't go into the plot since it is all described above, but I did want to chime in and say to give this author/novel a try! I honestly enjoyed it so much that I'll be picking up his other books that also feature Alex McKnight. A+ in my book!
A good read but that's about all. I read most of the other three star reviews and have to say that I don't understand how some of them can say that they dislike the book so much but give it an average rating of 3 stars. Seems contradictory to me. I also don't understand the five star ratings that so many people gave. To me five star means it is an enduring classic (ala The Big Sleep or The Maltese Falcon). This book is definitely NOT a classic. Although I found it a good read for the most part.
I liked the setting, most of the characters, and some of the dialog. I also found the relationship between the main character and the police chief Maven to be unrealistic. I also couldn't figure out what Sylivia's problem was. But then again I can't figure out women as a whole, what guy can?
But it seems like a good first effort despite the Psycho killer thing that is much overdone by a lot of authors.
I expect for this author to improve over time. If he doesn't then I will stop reading him.
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