Read Time:2 Minute, 4 Second
Each day, brave men and women risk their lives for others—whether in the military or as a first responder. And in Kill the Heroes, the fourth Charlie Henry mystery by author David Thurlo, local heroes find themselves facing a different kind of risk when they become the targets of a killer.
The story finds veteran and Albuquerque pawnshop owner Charlie Henry on the hunt for a killer. It begins at the dedication of a memorial in a park, where a retired army captain is shot and killed and others are injured. Charlie suspects that the bullet may have been meant for him—and when he’s suddenly the target of more shootings and fire bombings, it seems as though that might be the case. So he teams up with the local police and the FBI to track down whoever’s responsible.
It may be fiction, but the situation here is all too real: tragedy strikes, and it isn’t long before people start using the dreaded word, “terrorist.” But while ISIS may be a possibility, there are several other options, too: a jealous ex-husband, an escaped criminal, a bitter business associate. The variety of possibilities will give readers plenty of angles to consider. And the repeated attempts on Charlie’s life—and the lives of those around him—keep the action moving.
In this fourth Charlie Henry adventure, the character development is admittedly rather light. For anyone who’s read the three previous installments, that’s obviously not an essential part of the novel. But those who are new to the character and his exploits will get just the basics: his military background, his partnership in the pawnshop, and his budding relationship with employee Ruth, who has her own complicated history. Throughout the story, Thurlo also weaves in aspects of Charlie’s Native American upbringing—and those cultural touches add personality to the character and his story.
Still, when the story comes to an end, the resolution isn’t entirely satisfying. Not all of the answers seem reasonable—and some just lead to more questions. But while it may not be the perfect conclusion, it’s certainly an action-packed one.
Of course, if you’ve followed Charlie Henry through the first three books in the series, you’ll enjoy catching up with the characters in their latest mystery. But the minimal development and the unsatisfying conclusion probably won’t win over many new fans.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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