I discovered this book through the CA Center for the Book's Mysterious California Book-Club-in-a-Box program. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the Mystery genre--but you don't need to be in order to enjoy Shell Games. The story is propelled not so much by "who done it" and the crimes involved a...
This is the third and perhaps final novel in this series and it starts off like the others that preceded it with a screw-up and potentially violent ending for a character. However, it quickly charts a course for some interesting plot diversions with the Russian mob and Marquez's personal life. I'...
It was close to midnight and the bar was getting busier. The bar door was open. People spilled out into the courtyard and a techno beat vibrated into the night. Raveneau wanted more from Lindsley before they left here, but it was harder to talk now. ‘He called you two-faced. How do you feel about...
He didn’t have any hard information and the Special Agent in Charge, Coe’s SAC, sat listening and then left in what Raveneau read as dismissal. Within ten minutes the other two agents excused themselves and Raveneau said to Coe, ‘I don’t need this.’ ‘Everyone is looking for anything.’ ‘I never sa...
Is that the only reason I’m here?’ ‘Maria, I have to ask you about everything that might have anything to do with this investigation, but let’s get off to the right start. I want what you want. I want to find the killer of your friends and bring them to justice. It’s that straightforward. That’s ...
When it ended and Raveneau and la Rosa were outside talking in the church lot, Bates approached, wanting to talk alone with Raveneau. Bates’s face was dusty, ashen. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. He’s truly hurting, Raveneau thought, and then walked far enough away to talk alone with hi...
He did not mind the tourists as many did and liked the reflection of light off the water at this hour. He liked the smell of the air. He liked Zurich. It was a walking city and walking helped him think. He pondered this John Marquez, former DEA agent. Marquez had eluded them for months. He should...
the Archvicar was saying, “there’s an intricate hollow darkness behind this door: first biggish caves, then a labyrinth, with a center to it. The labyrinths of legend have two difficulties about them: first, once in, the adventurer can’t get out; and second, a guardian of the mysteries hangs abou...
Keeler was so certain of who he’d seen that Marquez drove there next. He called Bell on the way, got it going in case there was a deal to be made with Ungar. “Why’s he coming forward now?” Bell asked. “Is it this Stockton bust?” “I talked to Delano, the vice cop handling it, they don’t have any l...
