Presumed Dead

Larry Cole #1

by Hugh Holton

After a routine drug bust outside the National Science and Space Museum ends badly, Chicago police officer Larry Cole discovers that nearly two hundred people have disappeared from the Museum in the past, and decides to investigate. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Procedural

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1994

About the author

Chicago police captain at his death. Chicago Tribune obituary http://articles.chicagotribune.com/20...

Reviews

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this author's work, and the idea that there is a finite collection makes it all the more appealing to me. The late Hugh Holton was a Chicago cop, so his writing is authentic in terms of procedure and his knowledge of the city.

In this first book, Larry Cole has just been demoted, thanks to a new police superintendent who hasn't been a cop. He winds up in the drug unit and during a bust gone wrong, he is injured on the island behind the thinly disguised Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park.

A series of mysterious deaths connected with the museum, odd occurrences and a myriad of unexplained incidents lead Larry Cole through the gamut of people who populate the museum, as well as the political machine of Chicago. Add in a powerful corporation, the head of which has a grudge against Larry for busting the former CEO for murder, and a development company intent upon taking over the land surrounding the museum, and the scene is set for the events that lead to deaths, disappearances and near misses.

Another reviewer was not happy that Larry Cole, whose wife has left him and taken their son, has an affair with a fellow cop and subordinate. Two things to say about that: first, Edna had it bad for Larry. The second, he really likes her. Will Edna remain in the subsequent books? Only one way to find out!

[Sandra Jackson - Alawine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your usual cop mystery. Odd things have been happening at the Museum from it's inception. When a drug bust goes South on the haunted island behind the Museum Detective Larry Cole becomes caught in the Museums' web.

This book has a lot of different layers and is well worth a read.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is an ex-Chicago Cop and his mysteries are all based in Chicago. I have been reading many mysteries lately and I have to say these are the best I have found.

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very twisty story about a police detective who is injured during a routine drug bust at the National Science and Space Museum. While he's resting he discovers that over the years people have gone missing there and none of them have been found, his curiousity piqued he finds himself caught up in a twisty story and also starts to find a relationship with a co-worker.
It's an interesting story with well-drawn characters even if they seem to be somewhat over the top. It flowed well and kept me reading.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting in the fact that as a lifelong Chicagoan I could relate to the setting. I am not crazy about the author's style although I will be reading more in the series. This was the first book in this series.

[Michael R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this book, it would often remind me of Dean Koontz Frankenstein. Which is also very good!

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read years ago and still good on the second read. A little woo woo, like Preston and Child, and plot and story move quickly thanks to Holton's real life experiences as a Chicago police captain. The protag Larry Cole gets it on with his subordinate, not cool.This is the first of 10 in the series, and subsequent show some increased polish. Sorry that Holton died young in 2001.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading the Larry Cole series over. I found all the books on Amazon (used). The characters are interesting and I pretty much always love books set in Chicagoland.

I really like Hugh Holton's writing and was very sad that he passed away so young.