Book Review- Max Allan Collins- CSI: Body of Evidence

Max Allan Collins- CSI: Body of Evidence (Pocket Star Books 2003) 3 Stars

Nick and Catherine are investigating a child pornography picture which turned up at an office building. Now they must trust the computer experts to come up with a list of suspects based on finding out which computer was used to print the picture. Meanwhile Grissom, Sidle, and Brown are investigating the kidnapping-murder of a high profile secretary of the Mayor. They are forced to work hard in order to keep the case from exploding into the media frenzy.

This book was only okay for me. I found that if they had focused on one case, instead of the team splitting up and taking two cases, I know he needed to follow the TV show, but it was distracting. I also found it a little annoying that the characters would picture what MAY have happened (again TV show style), as it is pure conjecture and slows things down. They also tend to handle things that do not fall under the CSI job title. Case-breaking details just happen to come to the characters a little too easily and they really had very little setbacks. Overall though the plot was good and the book had good solid writing from a very skilled author. I understand that Collins has his hands tied in following the TV show, but I think he could have veered away from it a little to make a more interesting book.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Max Allan Collins- Dick Tracy

Max Allan Collins- Dick Tracy (Bantam Books 1990) 3.75 Stars

When five of the towns toughest thugs are found dead in a garage, and their boss follows shortly after, Dick Tracy is brought in on the case. It does not take him long to figure out just who is responsible for these murders, but proving could be the problem. Big Boy Caprice wants to take out all opposition and form an alliance between the biggest thugs in town, and he will eliminate anyone who gets in his way, even if it means Dick Tracy must fall. Dick Tracy will soon find himself in the sights of many. Can he crack the case before it cracks him open like walnut?

At first I was not sure if I liked the comic book feel of this book, but I soon learned to love it. I remember this movie from when I was a kid, so reading the book was interesting. I thought that this book was a practice in creativity and it had a unique feel to it. It is a time period we see more movies on, but don’t really read a lot of books on anymore. The characters names were amusing Pruneface, Mumbles, Big Boy, Lips, Flattop, Shoulders, to name a few. Dick Tracy was also an enjoyable character as he was tough, smart, and capable, yet he was still vulnerable and had a soft side. The action was fun, not always realistic, but still intriguing. It was meant to feel like comic book action and they succeeded. Dick Tracy’s detective work was different and again, comic bookie, yet I still loved to see how his mind worked out the details of the case.

I recommend Dick Tracy to anyone who enjoys reading comic books, or is looking for a different kind of mystery novel.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html