Even though they are a little cheesy, I like them, and I like the series, both book and television. I think its great and hilarious that they attribute the writing credit to the fictional character, I love all the Castle books, but this one the best. Each subsequent book is not only longer then the previous one, but in my opinion better. The intrigue and conspiracy that go up the ranks within the NYPD was suspenseful enough to keep you turning the pages as well as shocking.
I love the parallels between the characters in the show and the books. Ochoa is Esposito, Raley is Ryan and their characters being attached at the hip as partners in the show and books they call them Roach, the new Captain in the show being Gates so they call them Irons in the book, Castle being Rook and not a author but a journalist who moonlights as a romance novelist.
Like its predecessor "Naked Heat", "Heat Rises" includes some great little nuggest for fans. The main one being the mentioning of the word castle, the name of the show from which these books stem.
Also, an ex-con being interrogated by Nikki Heat says he watched "Quantum of Solace" on Blu-Ray and then adds that Nikki Heat could be a Bond Girl. The joke being that Stana Katic who plays Kate Beckett whom Nikki Heat is based on played a Bond Girl in "Quantum of Solace".
At the end of chapter nine, Rook (Castle) says the famous line from the Castle promos: "I really am ruggedly handsome, aren't I?"
On the first page of chapter sixteen, Rook mentions Malcolm Reynolds, the character Nathan Fillion portrayed on the show "Firefly" and in the movie "Serenity" before nabbing the role of Richard Castle on "Castle".
Not being censored by TV panels and such, the book drops the occasional F-bomb, but overall remains true to the spirit and fun of the TV show. I found "Heat Rises", like "Naked Heat", to be fun, engaging, and entertaining. Only "Heat Rises" struck me as better. The twists, the turns, etc. Not just more of the same, but improved! The murder of a priest turns a conspiracy that threatens the lives of Nikki Heat and those around her. Including Rook. Even Captain Montrose comes under the magnifying glass.
Like a great episode of the television series these books keep me engaged and coming back for me. Time to pick up "Frozen Heat," book 4 of the series.