Croaker: Kill Me Again

Fey Croaker #1

by Paul Bishop

Los Angeles homicide detective Fey Croaker must solve the recent murder of a pretty, forty-something woman whose fingerprints surprisingly identify her as a previous murder victim from eighteen years earlier.

At 43, Fey Croaker has survived three dead-end marriages, a severely abusive upbringing, and the relentless resentment of her male colleagues on the force. Now, because of a streak of unsolved murders, she feels extra pressure to solve the murder of a mysterious woman who had multiple IDs in different names, a million dollars in cash, and only new clothing and furniture in her equally new condo at the time of her death.

Fingerprints inexplicably reveal the woman had already been murdered – 18 years earlier in San Francisco. Despite this twist, the case appears to be open and shut – the woman's ex-husband, convicted of killing her the first time, was released on parole weeks before her second murder. However, the victim has many more surprises for everyone involved – especially for Fey, who finds herself becoming one of the suspects when her investigation takes a turn for the deadly.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Amazon, Crime, Mystery Thriller

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 1994

About the author

A thirty-five year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, Paul Bishop’s career has included a three year tour with his department's Anti-Terrorist Division and over twenty-five years’ experience in the investigation of sex crimes. His Special Assaults Units regularly produced the highest number of detective initiated arrests and highest crime clearance rates in the city. Twice honored as Detective of the Year, Paul also received the Quality and Productivity Commission Award from the City of Los Angeles.

As a nationally recognized interrogator, Paul starred as the lead interrogator and driving force behind the ABC TV reality show Take The Money And Run from producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Based on his expertise in deception detection, he currently conducts interrogation seminars for law enforcement, military, and human resource organizations.

Paul has published twelve novels, including five in his L.A.P.D. Detective Fey Croaker series. He has also written numerous scripts for episodic television and feature films. He currently writes and edits the Fight Card series of hardboiled boxing novel under the pseudonym Jack Tunney.

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another impulse buy from Amazon. Fey Croaker is a 43 year old LA homicide detective with three failed marriages under her belt. On top of having to constantly prove herself in a male dominated environment (yeah I know its been done to death) she is under added pressure because the solve rate of murders has recently plummeted.

Investigating the murder of a seemingly very well off and attractive forty something woman, Croaker is surprised to learn that the fingerprints show the woman has been dead for 18 years. Okay, that's weird. The husband was convicted of her murder although the body was never found (she apparently fell overboard from a yacht). The husband was out on parole but, lo and behold, he's dead too so he couldn't have killed her - again.

The mystery woman turns out to be quite the mystery with multiple identities and a big bag of tricks. But its not an easy road for Croaker who ends up being suspected of murder herself. This book started slow, hence the three stars. In this crowded space I think authors need to capture a reader's attention right at the start. Nevertheless things soon ramped up and very interesting and suspenseful. I'm hoping for even better things in book 2.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay.. somehow I clicked on the audio Cassette for this book but I really read the paperback.

Kill Me Again is a competently written police procedural. It ought to be since Paul Bishop is a 17 year veteran of the LAPD.

The heroine is Fey Croaker, nicknamed the Frog Lady. This time around she is fighting politicians, bureacracy, internal affairs, and a man on parole for killing his wife. The parolee has been released after serving ten years for killing his wife-- but lo and behold, she just got killed and Fey thinks he did it.. again?

Meanwhile, Fey has to deal with a sexist detective who wants her job, but lacks the skills and ambition to get it.

Bishop offers a rich insight into Cop life, Cop bars, and Cop procedure, but this is not one of his best efforts. I can't say why without offering some spoilers but I was displeased with the final conclusion of this one.

However, I have to say that Bishop plays fair. He provides the appopriate clues so that the reader can never complain that they were not there. The actual revelation of the murderer is a satisfying confrontation along the lines of "The Closer" (The TNT television program) or a Charlie Chan or Thin Man movie. A number of suspects are gathered in one room and slowly it is revealed who the suspect is. I like it that way.. I just did not like who the murderer turned out to be. Hmmmmm. think on that awhile.

Now back to Jack Reacher-- as I read the latest (and thus far--last) in that series after a bit of a break.

[Thomas R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by Paul Bishop and the Detective Fey is a great cop character. She is honest, caring and damaged from an abusive childhood.. She also is a great cop and the lead Cop with a Department of men reporting to her some of them that do not like to follow orders from a woman. The author does a great job describing the LA Police Department history of racial strife and abuses. The story was awesome and the ending was excellent.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had a great twist at the end. I enjoyed the procedures inside a Los Angeles police station , however, the behavior of the protagonist Fry Croaker, runs to “x” rated at times. She has a mean streak. She is fearless though and I would like to think I could be that courageous. As I noted the mystery had a great twist that I was not prepared for. Action packed.

[Wancket Enterprises · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I think this is the first book I have read by Paul Bishop but it won't be the last. This book was outstanding and reminded me of Sherlock. It was well written and one could hardly wait to read the end which was a surprise. Well done Mr. Bishop!!

[Cindy Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 1st book

Good cop story. The main detective, Fey Croaker is one tough cookie. The storyline flowed nicely & easy to keep track of the characters. Looking forward to the next one. Definitely a new fan.

[Amber Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery

It starts and finishes really strong but the middle lags at times. Full of twists I never saw coming and likable characters that add color and humor to the story. I love Fey and can't wait to see more of her.

[Thonie Hevron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most pivotal novels to me personally and professionally. Reading Paul Bishop's Fey Croaker story helped me to find my voice as an author. I got lost in the novel, swept away by the characters and the incredible pacing. I keep this in my personal library.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth excellent book I have read by this writer and I will most definitely be reading more. Excellent books.

[Alice Truong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like Fey personality

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fey Croaker is a good homicide detective. It was an interesting case. I’m not certain why I probably won’t read any more books in this series, but there was just something about it…..

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! A gripping novel from start to finish. It was almost impossible to put down. Like all of the other Paul Bishop books I've read I ended up finishing it in the wee hours of the morning. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the Fey Croaker series.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to give up and delete due to the amount of errors !!! Things like mere instead of there and die instead of the !! Pretty unforgiveable. I stuck with it but then all of a sudden there were hyphens added for no reason whatsoever such as be-hind or po-lice !!
A pity as the story itself sounded very interesting. Mind you, the book's synopsis on Amazon said the original murder was 18 years ago but according to what I was reading it was 10 years........
So if you can overlook too many errors go for it.......sadly I can't and think it's time E-books are edited properly.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. This is my third book by Paul Bishop and I think each one is better than the last. The character development was very good; the main characters are likeable, believable and intelligent. Quite a few editing errors, but I rate this one 4.8 stars. I'll be reading more of these.

[Black Butterfly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I STRUGGLED READING THIS, IT WAS VERY WORDY & BORING AT SOMETIMES. MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS, I JUST DIDN'T LIKE THE MAIN CHARACTER FEY CROAKER. I DIDN'T LIKE ANTHING ABOUT HER PERSONALITY AT ALL, SHE WAS ANNOYING. I FIGUIRED OUT WHO THE KILLER WAS AND THE MURDER WEAPON WHEN THEY WERE INTRODUCED ONTO THE STORY. (yay me!) I WASN'T IMPRESSED. ;<

[Walter Cascade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Bishop has nailed that "cop voice" and this one was one very strong read from beginning to end. Bishop was an LAPD cop who knows the in's and out's of the city, and it comes through in this well-written novel. I would recommend this book as well as anything else he has written (even if I haven't read it yet).

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took one star away due to the poor editing. I don't know how many times the word "die" was used instead of "the" a long with other wrong words used hit & miss.
Otherwise it was an awesome mystery with a surprising ending who the bad guys were.

Will read the rest of the series with hopes that they are proof read better

[Lynn Drumm]

Good detective/murder story.

Convoluted but fun.

Interesting but improbable plot. Characters fairly well drawn. would like to have seen the protagonist drop some of bravado and show a softer side once in awhile. A quick, enjoyable read overall.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a clever story. I thought I knew who the killer was a couple of times while reading. I like how everything was explained at the end. I want to read the other Croaker books in this series.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fey is a detective with a troubled past and a body who is a bit of a puzzle. Murder story with lots of twists and odd connections.

[Douglas Hord · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty terrific story line with a strong principal character. More on Croaker's back story, please - and bring Colby back for more action!

[kimberly attaway]

Interesting

this book did keep my turning pages. I lost some sleep, cause it held my interest from the first page.

[Karen]

Not too bad.

[Kenneth Nordqvist]

Read all the croaker books and i just love them.