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Las Vegas Mystery #3
Desert Drop
Private investigator and former homicide detective Alice James was just six months old when her father, Leon Stapper, abandoned his family. Forty years later, Alice has convinced herself she’s over it—until her half sister, Corina, calls her up and wants to meet. But before Alice and Corina can get acquainted, everything goes terribly, tragically wrong. Determined to uncover the truth behind what happened to her sister, Alice calls in reinforcements: Jim Snow, her partner in Las Vegas’s James & James Detective Agency who knows a thing or two about family drama. Their investigation takes them from Sin City to Silicon Valley, where Alice and Corina’s father reigns as a high-tech CEO. As Alice and Jim dig for clues, they find that Leon’s best friend and attorney Ron Bale took a very personal interest in Corina. Not to mention the fact that he used to be married to Leon’s ex-wife—until she vanished without a trace. Alice is convinced that if she and Jim can uncover the truth about the missing wife, they will discover what happened to Corina. But first, they will need a little help from some old friends.
Smart, sharp, and entertaining, Desert Drop is the third installment of Rex Kusler’s Las Vegas Mystery series, starring one of contemporary crime fiction’s favorite investigating duos.
Smart, sharp, and entertaining, Desert Drop is the third installment of Rex Kusler’s Las Vegas Mystery series, starring one of contemporary crime fiction’s favorite investigating duos.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2012
About the author
Rex Kusler
23 books50 followersRex Kusler was born in Missouri and raised in a small town in Iowa. He spent his most formative years reading Mad Magazine and playing tiddlywinks. His writing began with a newsletter for a beer club he founded in San Jose in 1982. Soon afterward he tried his hand at short stories. After success selling some of them to a few regional magazines he began writing novels. Seven years, four novels, three agents, and a pile of rejection letters later, he gave up--for a while. In 2003 he wrote ANGELA. In 2009 he completed the first novel in his Las Vegas Mystery Series PUNCTURED, based on his experience selling his trailer for cash in an RV storage lot after dark. After success as a self-published e-book, it was re-released in May 2011 by Amazon Publishing. The second in the series is ASHES TO DUST, followed by DESERT DROP, and many others.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 27, 2012
Desert Drop is a pretty good story. However, there are flaws to the story when the specific details are put into it. From a Private Investigator's perspective, anything goes but since these private investigators are former, seasoned cops, they don't act like cops especially if they have been on the force for several years. Some experiences are just ingrained into their personalities. They should have that edginess.
Desert Drop started off with P.I. Alice James. She was to meet her half-sister Corina but instead Corina ended up kidnapped and dead. She teamed up with her partner Jim Snow to find out who killed her sister. The story is predictable of who are the people behind Corina's murder. The attorney character is just too bubbly. Her father is too cold. I was hoping for a twist to the ending.
As I mentioned there are flaws as the details get specific. What P.I. would advertised that her sister is the victim of the investigation. Those individuals that are interviewed are not friendly. It makes looks like Vegas is a very friendly City.
At the start of the story, I just don't understand how could Alice not recognized her sister's voice if she has spoken to her. There were mentions of a voice alternator, I would be suspicious. These days, talking to a kidnapped person doesn't cut it anymore. A former cop would be asking for personnel information only a kidnapped person would know.
The story did ended up as all's well that end well.
Desert Drop started off with P.I. Alice James. She was to meet her half-sister Corina but instead Corina ended up kidnapped and dead. She teamed up with her partner Jim Snow to find out who killed her sister. The story is predictable of who are the people behind Corina's murder. The attorney character is just too bubbly. Her father is too cold. I was hoping for a twist to the ending.
As I mentioned there are flaws as the details get specific. What P.I. would advertised that her sister is the victim of the investigation. Those individuals that are interviewed are not friendly. It makes looks like Vegas is a very friendly City.
At the start of the story, I just don't understand how could Alice not recognized her sister's voice if she has spoken to her. There were mentions of a voice alternator, I would be suspicious. These days, talking to a kidnapped person doesn't cut it anymore. A former cop would be asking for personnel information only a kidnapped person would know.
The story did ended up as all's well that end well.
April 12, 2018
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you, Rex, for autographing the book - that was a lovely touch!
I feel a little uncomfortable reviewing this book, simply because I'm NOT a writer, and I don't feel qualified to critique another person's work. But, Rex Kusler, clearly has talent - no question about it! So, I want to give credit where credit is due and give constructive feedback where it might help out.
The GOOD Stuff:
+ I was hooked in Chapter one. The build-up of excitement for our heroine, then the unexpected voice on the other end of the phone call. Yeah - great way to grab the reader!
+ Within the first 50 pages, my stomach flipped and I had a creeped-out, disturbed feeling while reading. I suspected what was coming, but only after the author clued the reader in for the SECOND time with the giggling. But, I was just as surprised as the heroine when the body was discovered. That was some fantastic writing!
+ Several secondary characters are introduced with various accents / dialects. An Indian, a Mexican, an Asian. Several times while reading, I could almost 'hear' the accents in my head. While not perfect - Lin Wang's accent was inconsistent - I still give positive points for effort here!
+ Although this is a series, the book stands on its own merit. Prior knowledge of the characters is not necessary to enjoy the story.
The Stuff That Needs Work:
- I truly don't buy into Alice's character. She's supposed to be black, but she doesn't talk OR act like a confident, black woman. I mean, I don't know any sisters that say stuff like "Be still my beating heart." Alice is also supposed to be an ex-homicide cop, but she strikes me as much too girly, skittish, and emotional to be a veteran homicide cop. I feel like our author needs to do some more research on this type of character development, or change his heroine to a character-type that he's already more familiar with.
- Lin Wang's broken English was portrayed inconsistently. The dialects are great, but could use a little tweaking here and there.
- The style of writing - mostly dialogue, very little in the way of descriptive words, short and to the point responses - lent itself to feel like I was reading a Dragnet script. Now that I think about it, this might be a positive thing if that's what the author was going for. But, somehow, it felt wrong for the story.
- Finally, I've not read any of the previous books in this series. The author did a great job keeping the story in tact while elaborating on details from previous stories where necessary for character development. But, I never did understand the whole armpit playing jokes. Perhaps I missed it in this story, but it seemed like that may have been a hold-over from another book and should have been explained or edited out.
All-in-all, a solid story which I enjoyed reading very much! I devoured this book in one sitting!
I feel a little uncomfortable reviewing this book, simply because I'm NOT a writer, and I don't feel qualified to critique another person's work. But, Rex Kusler, clearly has talent - no question about it! So, I want to give credit where credit is due and give constructive feedback where it might help out.
The GOOD Stuff:
+ I was hooked in Chapter one. The build-up of excitement for our heroine, then the unexpected voice on the other end of the phone call. Yeah - great way to grab the reader!
+ Within the first 50 pages, my stomach flipped and I had a creeped-out, disturbed feeling while reading. I suspected what was coming, but only after the author clued the reader in for the SECOND time with the giggling. But, I was just as surprised as the heroine when the body was discovered. That was some fantastic writing!
+ Several secondary characters are introduced with various accents / dialects. An Indian, a Mexican, an Asian. Several times while reading, I could almost 'hear' the accents in my head. While not perfect - Lin Wang's accent was inconsistent - I still give positive points for effort here!
+ Although this is a series, the book stands on its own merit. Prior knowledge of the characters is not necessary to enjoy the story.
The Stuff That Needs Work:
- I truly don't buy into Alice's character. She's supposed to be black, but she doesn't talk OR act like a confident, black woman. I mean, I don't know any sisters that say stuff like "Be still my beating heart." Alice is also supposed to be an ex-homicide cop, but she strikes me as much too girly, skittish, and emotional to be a veteran homicide cop. I feel like our author needs to do some more research on this type of character development, or change his heroine to a character-type that he's already more familiar with.
- Lin Wang's broken English was portrayed inconsistently. The dialects are great, but could use a little tweaking here and there.
- The style of writing - mostly dialogue, very little in the way of descriptive words, short and to the point responses - lent itself to feel like I was reading a Dragnet script. Now that I think about it, this might be a positive thing if that's what the author was going for. But, somehow, it felt wrong for the story.
- Finally, I've not read any of the previous books in this series. The author did a great job keeping the story in tact while elaborating on details from previous stories where necessary for character development. But, I never did understand the whole armpit playing jokes. Perhaps I missed it in this story, but it seemed like that may have been a hold-over from another book and should have been explained or edited out.
All-in-all, a solid story which I enjoyed reading very much! I devoured this book in one sitting!
June 9, 2012
Objectively speaking, this is a mediocre book. Cliché beyond belief, its attempts at originality are feeble- the main character is African American, Vegas is brought up several hundred times, the final shootout takes place in a Port-a-potty… The worst part (as with many mysteries) is that the murderer is quite obvious for the reader, yet the “detectives” must chase a dozen leads and risk their lives to finally bring the convict to justice. Nothing is worse than slogging through a detective story with stupid detectives.
Yet, I had fun reading it. Perhaps this pleasure was derived from laughing at the characters’ stupidity, marveling at the plot’s contrivances, or reading the revoltingly “sensual” romance scenes. Or maybe there were portions of the book that were genuinely… exciting. To be honest, I gulped down this novel in one sitting. The hook is nice (okay, maybe even exceptional), and the story moves swiftly. The characters, while one-dimensional, are at least somewhat interesting; the fact that the murder victim is the main character’s never-seen-before-half-sister sets the emotional stakes a little higher.
This novel is meant for entertainment, and shallow entertainment at that. But maybe shallow entertainment is necessary. After all, if all books were remarkably thought-provoking, then the term “remarkably thought-provoking” would lose all meaning. The world needs Dan Browns and Rex Kuslers to bring out the exceptionality of these provocative and meaningful books. And maybe the world needs Dan Browns and Rex Kuslers to write books that everyone can read and enjoy, and maybe laugh at.
And thus, this novel is respectable. Read Desert Drop for its entertainment value only. If you require meaningful literature, then don’t bother. Or maybe you can read this book so that you can laugh at its shortcomings. To each his own.
Visit my site: http://disappointmentsea.blogspot.com/ for more reviews!
Yet, I had fun reading it. Perhaps this pleasure was derived from laughing at the characters’ stupidity, marveling at the plot’s contrivances, or reading the revoltingly “sensual” romance scenes. Or maybe there were portions of the book that were genuinely… exciting. To be honest, I gulped down this novel in one sitting. The hook is nice (okay, maybe even exceptional), and the story moves swiftly. The characters, while one-dimensional, are at least somewhat interesting; the fact that the murder victim is the main character’s never-seen-before-half-sister sets the emotional stakes a little higher.
This novel is meant for entertainment, and shallow entertainment at that. But maybe shallow entertainment is necessary. After all, if all books were remarkably thought-provoking, then the term “remarkably thought-provoking” would lose all meaning. The world needs Dan Browns and Rex Kuslers to bring out the exceptionality of these provocative and meaningful books. And maybe the world needs Dan Browns and Rex Kuslers to write books that everyone can read and enjoy, and maybe laugh at.
And thus, this novel is respectable. Read Desert Drop for its entertainment value only. If you require meaningful literature, then don’t bother. Or maybe you can read this book so that you can laugh at its shortcomings. To each his own.
Visit my site: http://disappointmentsea.blogspot.com/ for more reviews!
March 23, 2012
The James and James Agency: Alice James, ex-Vegas Homicide, and James Snow, even longer ex-Vegas Homicide, are the two PIs.
Alice gets a phone call from Corina, the sister she'd never known, wanting to meet. Forty years before, the six month old Alice and her mother were abandoned by the father. He'd married, and divorced, three times since then. Alice was happy to meet Corina.
Along the way, she disappeared.
Then the phone call demanding $150,000 in hundred dollar bills or she would be killed. Their father was rich, the money was arranged, the drop made, and pick-up was set up. Alice was talking to Corina the whole time as she and Jim sped to find her.
The only problem was, Corina was dead when they got there, rolled up in a sheet of plastic. The M.E. determined she'd been dead a week.
So who was the woman Alice had been talking to? Who was her partner, who they'd only heard through distortion?
The two were going to find out and, as the case unwinds, a twisted web begins to emerge.
Third on the Las Vegas Mystery series, this one is fine like the previous two. Becoming a favorite.
Alice gets a phone call from Corina, the sister she'd never known, wanting to meet. Forty years before, the six month old Alice and her mother were abandoned by the father. He'd married, and divorced, three times since then. Alice was happy to meet Corina.
Along the way, she disappeared.
Then the phone call demanding $150,000 in hundred dollar bills or she would be killed. Their father was rich, the money was arranged, the drop made, and pick-up was set up. Alice was talking to Corina the whole time as she and Jim sped to find her.
The only problem was, Corina was dead when they got there, rolled up in a sheet of plastic. The M.E. determined she'd been dead a week.
So who was the woman Alice had been talking to? Who was her partner, who they'd only heard through distortion?
The two were going to find out and, as the case unwinds, a twisted web begins to emerge.
Third on the Las Vegas Mystery series, this one is fine like the previous two. Becoming a favorite.
May 31, 2012
I was lucky enough to win a copy of Desert Drop through Goodreads, and I am so glad that I did because I couldn't put it down. Desert Drop is the first book that I have read by Kusler so I wasn't sure what to expect. When the book began, it seemed like everything was cut and dry and that Alice and Snow would have this case solved in record time. Then things took a deadly turn and the twists and turns really began. Kusler does a great job at building a good mystery and leading the reader on a wonderful ride. The character development for Alice and Snow is great, and I was able to get a good feel for both characters despite not having read previous books. Their partnership/friendship is definitely the highlight of the book. I definitely want to read more books with these two. Some other secondary characters were introduced that really added to the enjoyment of the book such as Sally, Duke, and Mel. Plus the story had some interesting villains. Overall this was a great read that I would most definitely recommend. I look forward to reading more books by Kusler.
August 5, 2012
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads.
This book is like a roller coaster ride.It starts with a big thrill like that first big drop.There are lots of twists and turns to keep the excitement going.The book flows smoothly from one point to the next just like it it was following a track.It is a lot of fun to read.
This is the third book in the series but I could not tell from reading the book.It has no problems standing alone.The reader will not feel like they are missing anything if they are not familiar with the series.
A solid mystery with interesting and believable characters.
This book is like a roller coaster ride.It starts with a big thrill like that first big drop.There are lots of twists and turns to keep the excitement going.The book flows smoothly from one point to the next just like it it was following a track.It is a lot of fun to read.
This is the third book in the series but I could not tell from reading the book.It has no problems standing alone.The reader will not feel like they are missing anything if they are not familiar with the series.
A solid mystery with interesting and believable characters.
August 24, 2018
Alice
This was more centered on Alice the other partner. Sad she lost her Sister but her and Snow caught the bad guys. Thanks
This was more centered on Alice the other partner. Sad she lost her Sister but her and Snow caught the bad guys. Thanks
August 31, 2018
Desert Drop
Another good mystery with excitement and humor. Liked it a lot. Jim and Alice are so good together. Keep the stories coming.
Another good mystery with excitement and humor. Liked it a lot. Jim and Alice are so good together. Keep the stories coming.
July 4, 2012
This third book in the Las Vegas Mystery series, Desert Drop by Rex Kusler picks up right after the second book, Ashes to Dust. Alice James' half-sister Corina is coming to visit for the first time ever (Corina never knew she had a sister until the week before). En route to Las Vegas, she is kidnapped and held for ransom, but only $150,000 so it's not worth contacting the police. The dad is rich, so this amount of money is practically pocket change.
And things go down from there.
Mr. Kusler has gotten a good handle on these characters and their style. This book flows more smoothly than the previous two, and the plot seems more complex and better thought through. The others aren't bad at all, but this one is better. I did notice that almost every character does something with his/her hands during interviews, and the "product placement" from the first book became much more integral to the plot here without seeming to be tacked on as an afterthought.
I found the book to be rather enjoyable, a pleasant read, and I look forward to more adventures of Alice and Jim. Please, Mr. Kusler, do not let this be the end of their story.
And things go down from there.
Mr. Kusler has gotten a good handle on these characters and their style. This book flows more smoothly than the previous two, and the plot seems more complex and better thought through. The others aren't bad at all, but this one is better. I did notice that almost every character does something with his/her hands during interviews, and the "product placement" from the first book became much more integral to the plot here without seeming to be tacked on as an afterthought.
I found the book to be rather enjoyable, a pleasant read, and I look forward to more adventures of Alice and Jim. Please, Mr. Kusler, do not let this be the end of their story.
June 21, 2012
Quite enjoyable. Punctured was the first of Rex Kusler's books that I read. I enjoyed it enough to want to read more by him. Yesterday, I picked up Ashes To Dust and enjoyed it thorougly. Today I picked up Desert Drop and finished it in less than a day. It was quite satisfying and I am looking forward to another installment in the series.
There is a definite plot. The two main characters are trying to solve the abduction and murder of Alice James' (one of the main characters, a PI) half sister. During the course of the investigation we join them as they come upon one "promising" suspect after another, only to find that they have a verifiable alibi. Eventually, we find out who the surprising guilty parties are.
Along the way, we encounter some shady characters and some very likable ones, as well as humor, tension, and some very good writing.
I'll be looking for more from Rex Kusler, that's for sure!
There is a definite plot. The two main characters are trying to solve the abduction and murder of Alice James' (one of the main characters, a PI) half sister. During the course of the investigation we join them as they come upon one "promising" suspect after another, only to find that they have a verifiable alibi. Eventually, we find out who the surprising guilty parties are.
Along the way, we encounter some shady characters and some very likable ones, as well as humor, tension, and some very good writing.
I'll be looking for more from Rex Kusler, that's for sure!
October 5, 2014
This story about the detective duo James and James is heart breaking.
Alice James' has never known her father (though she does know who he is). After they have been in contact she discovers she has a half sister and this sister, Corina, can't wait to meet her. She says she will drive to L.V. so they can have a family "reunion" Alice thinks it a little strange that Corina should choose to drive rather than fly, but soon dismisses this as why shouldn't she make a road-trip of the meeting.
Corina never turns up, but someone using her phone contact's Alice asking for a ransom for Corina's safe release.
Things are not what they seem and James and James travel to Silicon Valley to try to track down the kidnapper.
s
Alice James' has never known her father (though she does know who he is). After they have been in contact she discovers she has a half sister and this sister, Corina, can't wait to meet her. She says she will drive to L.V. so they can have a family "reunion" Alice thinks it a little strange that Corina should choose to drive rather than fly, but soon dismisses this as why shouldn't she make a road-trip of the meeting.
Corina never turns up, but someone using her phone contact's Alice asking for a ransom for Corina's safe release.
Things are not what they seem and James and James travel to Silicon Valley to try to track down the kidnapper.
s
March 14, 2013
I got this book free through Goodreads First Reads.
When I started this book I thought the writing was weird in the fact that the people are always...ALWAYS...called by their first and last names. After I got over the quirkiness of that I really enjoyed this book. Turned out to be a very interesting who-done-it with some good plot twists. Though I didn't read books 1&2 before hand it was pretty easy to get into the story. I definitely want to read the first 2 books. They sound just as good as this one. I'd also like to get more background on Alice and Jim. I'd like continue the series. I think its going to be a good one.
When I started this book I thought the writing was weird in the fact that the people are always...ALWAYS...called by their first and last names. After I got over the quirkiness of that I really enjoyed this book. Turned out to be a very interesting who-done-it with some good plot twists. Though I didn't read books 1&2 before hand it was pretty easy to get into the story. I definitely want to read the first 2 books. They sound just as good as this one. I'd also like to get more background on Alice and Jim. I'd like continue the series. I think its going to be a good one.
October 26, 2022
Entertaining enough to keep me from putting it down. A little predictable, but not so much that you can guess what will happen.
I had my reservations about the lawyer from the beginning, but never suspected Leon.
It is unfortunate for Alice that she didn't get to meet Corina, but now she and Jim can focus on more important things, like their budding romance and P.I. agency.
Pretty easy to read, and I really do enjoy reading their process for solving crimes!
I had my reservations about the lawyer from the beginning, but never suspected Leon.
It is unfortunate for Alice that she didn't get to meet Corina, but now she and Jim can focus on more important things, like their budding romance and P.I. agency.
Pretty easy to read, and I really do enjoy reading their process for solving crimes!
August 27, 2012
Third book in this series, probably my least favorite but still a fun detective/mystery. This one involves a kidnapping in Las Vegas. I liked the methodology they used to track down the kidnappers, but the ending seemed a little rushed and convenient at times. Still a fun read.
December 29, 2012
Didn't enjoy quite as much as first two books in series - PUNCTURED and ASHES TO DUST- but still worth reading. Strong characterization; funny moments.
December 21, 2014
Really improving, #3 surprised me
I loved the twist, wasn't expecting it, was a real surprise. So good I am going to start #4 in a few minutes. Just keeps getting better.
I loved the twist, wasn't expecting it, was a real surprise. So good I am going to start #4 in a few minutes. Just keeps getting better.
December 7, 2016
The third James & James story - this one is personal - and our heroes beat the FBI to the murderer
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews