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Jane Candiotti #4
Unthinkable
For homicide lieutenant Jane Candiotti, stress is part of the job. But now that she and her husband are expecting their first child, Jane is under strict instructions to take it easy. A tall order on an average day, yet never more so than when a mass shooting at a local restaurant claims six victims ? including her teenaged nephew. Jane's always been professional. But this time, it's personal. Before she can bring a baby into this world, Jane vows to hunt down the monster who didn't think twice about shooting an innocent kid. But every thread of evidence leads her deeper into a tangled web of deception, violence, and murder. Her only hope of navigating the twisting turns of this case is to enlist the help of a dangerous ex-con, one who could shed light on the connection between the death of her nephew and a decades-old murder case ? eventually leading her to the most shocking discovery of her career.
367 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2013
243 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Clyde Phillips
13 books35 followersClyde Phillips is a prominent writer for television and film, he created Get Real and Parker Lewis Can't Lose for Fox and Suddenly Susan for NBC. He lives with his wife and daughter in California, and Martha's Vineyard, M.A.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 11, 2013
Clyde Phillips is a sonofabitch. This smug bastard had the audacity to write a novel filled with wonderful characters and poignant prose and peppered it with San Francisco details and scenery, and detectives and lieutenants actually working through the case in a methodical, reasonable manner where dead bodies piled up in Stella’s restaurant faster than grilled cheese sandwiches. And Amazon, those flamboyant bastards, the Wal-Mart of bookstores if you will, with marketing techniques and promotions that’ll knock you flat on your ass and have you clicking the buy now button faster than your remote control, have entered the publishing arena, with one of my favorite new imprints being Thomas & Mercer, and offered up the first three novels in the Jane Candiotti and Kenny Marks series for $3.99 each. And then Dennis Lehane (who is one of my favorite writers) called the first novel in the series “a deftly plotted first novel with the pace of a hurricane and the impact of an earthquake.” And then Publisher’s Weekly compared the plot of FALL FROM GRACE to Alfred Hitchcock, and I started feeling like a smug bastard myself, since I received the fourth novel for free, and I preordered the first novel for less than the cost of a Happy Meal. And I feel like one lucky sonofabitch, even though I just spent $3.99 and now I have a stupid grin on my face that won’t go away even if I try to wipe it off.
The beginning of UNTHINKABLE reminded me of a movie with scenes and characters introduced before cutting to the next segment, similar to what Quentin Tarantino might do. Like Tarantino, the reader was left with where this particular individual would be shot, while the actual violence took place offstage (not Tarantinoesque). The violence and gore weren’t needed to portray the horrific outcome (half a dozen bodies littered the Stella’s restaurant floor like dropped watermelons), and in fact, it certainly allowed my active imagination to enter hyperactivity mode and depict an infinite number of appalling possibilities, any number of which could have had me sitting in a corner with my knees pulled up to my chin rocking myself back and forth while I stared at a spot on the opposite wall. Prescription medication could have been one way I cured my ailment, but instead, I kept on reading and was sucked in on each and every page by the characters, as the plot moved along at a brisk pace and the twists and turns started piling up faster than cars on an Atlanta freeway.
At the core of this fourth novel, though, were Lieutenant Jane Candiotti and Inspector Kenny Marks. No matter what happened outside their world, and for a while it certainly didn’t look good, they still had each other, and a baby on the way made three. Certainly likeable enough on their own, there was a cast of characters to include Edgar Silva and Carmen and Rick Weymouth who proved likeable as well. As for the unlikeable ones, there were plenty of those, too, both inside and outside the department.
This novel kept me guessing. Even when I thought I had it all figured out, another kink would be thrown into the mix, and I was back at square one all over again. It happened often enough that I began to lose track, but I certainly never lost interest.
If you’re looking for a new series, and even if you’re not, you may just want to give Clyde Phillips a spin. Just make sure you keep both hands on the wheel while you do.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
The beginning of UNTHINKABLE reminded me of a movie with scenes and characters introduced before cutting to the next segment, similar to what Quentin Tarantino might do. Like Tarantino, the reader was left with where this particular individual would be shot, while the actual violence took place offstage (not Tarantinoesque). The violence and gore weren’t needed to portray the horrific outcome (half a dozen bodies littered the Stella’s restaurant floor like dropped watermelons), and in fact, it certainly allowed my active imagination to enter hyperactivity mode and depict an infinite number of appalling possibilities, any number of which could have had me sitting in a corner with my knees pulled up to my chin rocking myself back and forth while I stared at a spot on the opposite wall. Prescription medication could have been one way I cured my ailment, but instead, I kept on reading and was sucked in on each and every page by the characters, as the plot moved along at a brisk pace and the twists and turns started piling up faster than cars on an Atlanta freeway.
At the core of this fourth novel, though, were Lieutenant Jane Candiotti and Inspector Kenny Marks. No matter what happened outside their world, and for a while it certainly didn’t look good, they still had each other, and a baby on the way made three. Certainly likeable enough on their own, there was a cast of characters to include Edgar Silva and Carmen and Rick Weymouth who proved likeable as well. As for the unlikeable ones, there were plenty of those, too, both inside and outside the department.
This novel kept me guessing. Even when I thought I had it all figured out, another kink would be thrown into the mix, and I was back at square one all over again. It happened often enough that I began to lose track, but I certainly never lost interest.
If you’re looking for a new series, and even if you’re not, you may just want to give Clyde Phillips a spin. Just make sure you keep both hands on the wheel while you do.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
April 10, 2017
This book starts off by showing you information about 6 seemingly unrelated people with the information about where they will be shot. So when the cashier and 5 customers of the fast food restaurant are found dead, you; the reader, aren't surprised.
The police are stumped, there is little evidence, and no obvious suspects. One of the victims is related to a police officer; another to a gang leader. It will end up taking the cooperation of the police and the former gang leader to bring the perp to justice. Through this Lt. Jane Candiotti is trying to balance the demands of her job and her first pregnancy.
This is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
The police are stumped, there is little evidence, and no obvious suspects. One of the victims is related to a police officer; another to a gang leader. It will end up taking the cooperation of the police and the former gang leader to bring the perp to justice. Through this Lt. Jane Candiotti is trying to balance the demands of her job and her first pregnancy.
This is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
January 20, 2022
I was a huge fan of this series and they were as good as any police procedurals out there. I really like Clyde Phillips and his work not only in these books but Dexter seasons 1-4 and New Blood. I really look forward to watching the seasons of Nurse Jackie where he was the showrunner. I would love to have a conversation with him because he tackles so many things and imo they are always great. Big fan of this and I hope he decides to write another one eventually.
March 25, 2015
The book reads like a plot outline; the authors voice is like a reading a police blotter. Yes the plot is good-ish but I figured out who the killer was early on. When I read the author bio at the end I realized why I felt that way about the book - he is used to writing for TV and having actors develop his characters for him. Very meh feeling about this.
July 18, 2022
A half dozen people are in a cafe, and will be victims of a mass shooting. No spoiler - you know this right off, and if you've read enough in the genre, you know that only one of the victims is the target and the others are pretty much collateral.
Now, it's not hard to figure out who the target it, and not really hard to figure out who the shooter is, so all that's left is the "why". That's pretty much rushed through in the last 1/4 of the book although there are a few clues scattered here and there.
The sympathetic cops (husband and wife - this is part of a series, though I haven't read other books) and a cast that is calculatedly diverse, even for a story set in San Francisco and the mix of "sensitivity" with violence make this read like one of those books that is written with the TV series in mind. Nothing special about the prose - not bad, must nothing stands out, just one of those many, many okay mysteries that seem like they're really a teleplay in novel form.
Now, it's not hard to figure out who the target it, and not really hard to figure out who the shooter is, so all that's left is the "why". That's pretty much rushed through in the last 1/4 of the book although there are a few clues scattered here and there.
The sympathetic cops (husband and wife - this is part of a series, though I haven't read other books) and a cast that is calculatedly diverse, even for a story set in San Francisco and the mix of "sensitivity" with violence make this read like one of those books that is written with the TV series in mind. Nothing special about the prose - not bad, must nothing stands out, just one of those many, many okay mysteries that seem like they're really a teleplay in novel form.
June 18, 2019
I just realized that I picked this up when I was actually looking for another book from the same title. It was an OK police procedural; it certainly describes San Francisco beautifully; and the characters are mildly interesting. But it reads like a TV series, which is what the author has written and produced. Suddenly Susan is the only one that I ever watched, and wasn't impressed. I didn't find the characters compelling enough to want to read more of the series.
July 19, 2020
The action builds up continually throughout the story, with an unexpected twist even, but the main characters lack development. In the first third of the book, Kenny Marks shows various moments that might trigger a personal crisis, but they all stop as suddenly as they appeared. So the characters remain flat and interchangeable even. A great story should have an interesting development of plot and characters, therefore only three stars.
May 6, 2017
Excellent read
Excellent characters with depth, even the secondary characters are well developed. Twists and turns in the story keeps the story compelling. I would definitely recommend this book.
Excellent characters with depth, even the secondary characters are well developed. Twists and turns in the story keeps the story compelling. I would definitely recommend this book.
May 13, 2017
I won't go into the plot, etc. as that has all been covered well by the synopsis and other reviewers.
Just adding my "well done" for the series that at first I did not think I would like.
Do read from book one, the relationships will make more sense and you will enjoy the character developement
Just adding my "well done" for the series that at first I did not think I would like.
Do read from book one, the relationships will make more sense and you will enjoy the character developement
October 25, 2022
I must have become jaded with this series (or, knowing that it was ending, in some serious denial), because I saw where this was going from the earliest chapters. It's a great read, though -- and a great ride. Goodbye Jane and Kenny.
October 17, 2023
Well written, exciting and lots of drama.
The narrator was not the best so I did more reading than listening.
You will be turning pages way past your bedtime trying to figure out who the killer is.
Great crime thriller!
The narrator was not the best so I did more reading than listening.
You will be turning pages way past your bedtime trying to figure out who the killer is.
Great crime thriller!
October 4, 2024
Great series of four books
Each book in Clyde Phillips Candiotti series is phenomenal. Unthinkable is the best one yet. You'll never guess the end. His writing is concise and yet beautifully descriptive.
Each book in Clyde Phillips Candiotti series is phenomenal. Unthinkable is the best one yet. You'll never guess the end. His writing is concise and yet beautifully descriptive.
November 26, 2016
Good blend of drama and plot
This is the best of the Candiotti series yet. Plan to read rest of the series as soon as possible.
This is the best of the Candiotti series yet. Plan to read rest of the series as soon as possible.
May 20, 2019
Love these
Great mystery series. Y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y do we need 20 words?
Great mystery series. Y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y do we need 20 words?
July 24, 2020
Loved the end
This book was good enough to finish. Got a little slow. Loved the end. Yes I would recommend this book.
This book was good enough to finish. Got a little slow. Loved the end. Yes I would recommend this book.
October 21, 2021
See my review for Sacrifice. All the same points. Add the irony of how bad men change...or vice versa.
And the loss of life can give life and save lives.
And the loss of life can give life and save lives.
July 7, 2024
well written
Hard topic to read for entertainment since our lives are bombarded with senseless shooting but this book was written well with a finale!
Hard topic to read for entertainment since our lives are bombarded with senseless shooting but this book was written well with a finale!
July 14, 2013
3.5 stars
Unthinkable is the fourth book in a series featuring married San Francisco homicide detectives Jane Candiotti and Kenny Marks.
Jane and Kenny are excited about expecting their first child when a tragedy shatters their peace. A mass shooting in a local fast-food restaurant has claimed the life of Kenny’s nephew Bobby amongst five other victims, with no obvious connections to one another. Only one staff member has survived the massacre by locking herself in a freezer, but she cannot give any clues as to the killer’s identity other than having heard his voice yell a single command. With little information to go on, Jane begins looking into the victims’ pasts in the hope of finding a motive for the killings, whilst Kenny tries to comfort his sister and come to terms with their loss. Jane finds an unexpected ally in the ex-con brother of one of the victims, who also has connections to San Francisco’s underworld. Their investigations unearth a startling link nobody had expected, and put Jane in the line of fire of a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to fulfil his mission.
Unthinkable is a solid police procedural with an unexpected twist at the end which left me satisfied overall - even if not totally wowed - by its storyline. There is enough action to keep the pace going, and the police investigation unravels in a realistic and timely fashion. As the investigation comes closer to unveiling the identity of the killer, the pace picks up a notch, racing towards an unexpected finale.
The theme running through the novel, that of an unthinkable crime and its effects on the police officers working the scene, intrigued me and gave food for thought. Tragedies like the mass shooting explored in the novel leave their marks on all first responders of the various emergency services called to the scene (from police to paramedics to crime technicians) and may result in more casualties other than the shooting’s actual victims. This is an aspect we often ignore when hearing about tragedies on the news, and one which is definitely worthy of being further explored to raise awareness of the great job our emergency services do, often at great cost to their own lives. Unthinkable touches on the after-effects of the shootings on many levels, from the devastating effects on the victims’ families as well as the personal demons some emergency personnel have to face afterwards. I was surprised that Kenny was allowed to remain part of the investigation, when he had such a deep personal connection to the case! The theme of the after-effects of trauma and loss (and its resulting anger) played a large role in the story until the very end of the novel and formed an integral part in the final resolution of the plot.
Throughout reading Unthinkable I thought that the story would make a great TV series, and was not surprised to find out later that the author Clyde Phillips is in fact a prominent writer for television and film, and was Executive Producer for popular TV shows such as Dexter and Nurse Jackie. Perhaps it is the different writing style which allowed the story to play out vividly in my mind, yet always held me at an arm’s length from feeling truly connected to its characters. Jane, intelligent, dedicated and professional, always remained a bit of an enigma to me, which made me a spectator rather than a participant in the story. Whilst this did not impair my enjoyment of the story, it never totally held me in its grip. Since I have not read any of the previous books in the series, I cannot comment whether this is due to jumping in at number four rather than getting to know the characters through Phillips’ earlier novels.
Unthinkable is a well-constructed police procedural which should appeal to lovers of the genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free preview copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Please note that the final version of this novel may differ from the version I have previewed.
Unthinkable is the fourth book in a series featuring married San Francisco homicide detectives Jane Candiotti and Kenny Marks.
Jane and Kenny are excited about expecting their first child when a tragedy shatters their peace. A mass shooting in a local fast-food restaurant has claimed the life of Kenny’s nephew Bobby amongst five other victims, with no obvious connections to one another. Only one staff member has survived the massacre by locking herself in a freezer, but she cannot give any clues as to the killer’s identity other than having heard his voice yell a single command. With little information to go on, Jane begins looking into the victims’ pasts in the hope of finding a motive for the killings, whilst Kenny tries to comfort his sister and come to terms with their loss. Jane finds an unexpected ally in the ex-con brother of one of the victims, who also has connections to San Francisco’s underworld. Their investigations unearth a startling link nobody had expected, and put Jane in the line of fire of a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to fulfil his mission.
Unthinkable is a solid police procedural with an unexpected twist at the end which left me satisfied overall - even if not totally wowed - by its storyline. There is enough action to keep the pace going, and the police investigation unravels in a realistic and timely fashion. As the investigation comes closer to unveiling the identity of the killer, the pace picks up a notch, racing towards an unexpected finale.
The theme running through the novel, that of an unthinkable crime and its effects on the police officers working the scene, intrigued me and gave food for thought. Tragedies like the mass shooting explored in the novel leave their marks on all first responders of the various emergency services called to the scene (from police to paramedics to crime technicians) and may result in more casualties other than the shooting’s actual victims. This is an aspect we often ignore when hearing about tragedies on the news, and one which is definitely worthy of being further explored to raise awareness of the great job our emergency services do, often at great cost to their own lives. Unthinkable touches on the after-effects of the shootings on many levels, from the devastating effects on the victims’ families as well as the personal demons some emergency personnel have to face afterwards. I was surprised that Kenny was allowed to remain part of the investigation, when he had such a deep personal connection to the case! The theme of the after-effects of trauma and loss (and its resulting anger) played a large role in the story until the very end of the novel and formed an integral part in the final resolution of the plot.
Throughout reading Unthinkable I thought that the story would make a great TV series, and was not surprised to find out later that the author Clyde Phillips is in fact a prominent writer for television and film, and was Executive Producer for popular TV shows such as Dexter and Nurse Jackie. Perhaps it is the different writing style which allowed the story to play out vividly in my mind, yet always held me at an arm’s length from feeling truly connected to its characters. Jane, intelligent, dedicated and professional, always remained a bit of an enigma to me, which made me a spectator rather than a participant in the story. Whilst this did not impair my enjoyment of the story, it never totally held me in its grip. Since I have not read any of the previous books in the series, I cannot comment whether this is due to jumping in at number four rather than getting to know the characters through Phillips’ earlier novels.
Unthinkable is a well-constructed police procedural which should appeal to lovers of the genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free preview copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Please note that the final version of this novel may differ from the version I have previewed.
November 21, 2013
Before I start this review, I would like to list why I was excited to read this book:
1] I had read the first three books more than a decade ago when I first came across them and the 2nd one (Blindsided) made me a fan of the series as well as the author.
2] Clyde Phillips for those who don't know him is a writer/producer for shows like Dexter, Suddenly Susan and a others. His involvement with Dexter coincided with some of the series best seasons and coincidentally his exit led to some weaker ones (5th and 6th).
Unthinkable stars Jane Candiotti and her husband Kenny Marks, both of whom are members of SFPD. After the events of the past 2 books which have lead to some drastic personal and professional changes in Jane's life, this book shows us the vibrant aftermath and it is soon shattered when a fatal restaurant shooting occurs. With a personal connection to one of the murdered victims. Jane and Kenny strive to solve this case but things are never black and white as they come to witness.
Clyde Phillips is simply a masterful plotter and with this book, he again shows how twisted his plots can be. With a streamlined plot and plot twists that will trip readers, Unthinkable is a fine return by one of the most under-rated thriller writers. Be sure to grab this book and the previous ones if you love Jeffrey Deaver, Owen Laukkanen, James Patterson (earlier thrillers) or Harlan Coben!
August 23, 2013
This is the long-awaited fourth in the Jane Candiotti/Kenny Marks police procedural series. Jane has been told to take it easy on the job, since she’s pregnant with the couple’s first child, but you know how that will go for a hard-charging officer.
As the story opens, people are lining up to die, one after another—our clue that this story will involve a lot of bodies. Each person is seen in connection with Stella’s, a San Francisco deli, either entering the restaurant or working there. There don’t seem to be connections between most of them, which makes the case a real puzzler, as they are all murdered there at the same time. One victim, however, is the nephew of Jane’s husband, and that makes this case personal for Jane.
Jane is not only pregnant but she’s forty years old, which puts her at even more risk. She can’t back down on this case, though. Tenuous connections between the dead are explored and lead to dead ends, time after time, until the break comes and leads to the thrilling conclusion.
The mystery is a worthy addition to this series by the former executive producer of the television series, Dexter.
Reviewed by Kaye George, author of “Death in the Time of Ice,” for Suspense Magazine ■
As the story opens, people are lining up to die, one after another—our clue that this story will involve a lot of bodies. Each person is seen in connection with Stella’s, a San Francisco deli, either entering the restaurant or working there. There don’t seem to be connections between most of them, which makes the case a real puzzler, as they are all murdered there at the same time. One victim, however, is the nephew of Jane’s husband, and that makes this case personal for Jane.
Jane is not only pregnant but she’s forty years old, which puts her at even more risk. She can’t back down on this case, though. Tenuous connections between the dead are explored and lead to dead ends, time after time, until the break comes and leads to the thrilling conclusion.
The mystery is a worthy addition to this series by the former executive producer of the television series, Dexter.
Reviewed by Kaye George, author of “Death in the Time of Ice,” for Suspense Magazine ■
June 30, 2013
Print edition to be released in August 2013 by Thomas and Mercer
This is my 1,000th review on my blog. I have several good books that are already read and just waiting to be reviewed, but only one could be my 1,000th review. This is the best of that small bunch of books and it is really quite good.
This is the fourth book in a series of books about married San Francisco homicide detectives Jane Candiotti and Kenny Marks. I had not read any books in the series until this one and the reader does not have to read them in order to join in.
Cadndiotti and Marks are called in to a nasty murder scene in a fast food restaurant. Six strangers are massacred in the basement storage area right after the lunch rush. They have nothing in common except for the way they died. To make everything much, much worse, one of the victims is Marks' nephew.
The San Francisco Police Department...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2013/...
This is my 1,000th review on my blog. I have several good books that are already read and just waiting to be reviewed, but only one could be my 1,000th review. This is the best of that small bunch of books and it is really quite good.
This is the fourth book in a series of books about married San Francisco homicide detectives Jane Candiotti and Kenny Marks. I had not read any books in the series until this one and the reader does not have to read them in order to join in.
Cadndiotti and Marks are called in to a nasty murder scene in a fast food restaurant. Six strangers are massacred in the basement storage area right after the lunch rush. They have nothing in common except for the way they died. To make everything much, much worse, one of the victims is Marks' nephew.
The San Francisco Police Department...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2013/...
October 16, 2013
"Unthinkable" that I haven't read author Phillips before...
I haven't read any of author Phillips' other books including the first three in the Jane Candiotti series but that is something I mean to remedy very soon.
This is one great detective story. Twists and unexpected turns abound in the book and it kept me guessing up to the final page.
Lieutenant Jane Candiotti is pregnant and trying to fit that in with being an excellent cop. Her husband, Homicide Inspector Kenny Marks is trying to be a good cop yet protect his wife at the same time. All of this becomes more difficult when a mass murder takes place and one of the victims is their nephew.
Superb characterization, wonderful background on all the characters, snapshot views of San Francisco (a city I love), and I especially appreciated the way the author tied up all the loose ends for the reader at the end of the story.
This is a tale definitely worth reading.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I haven't read any of author Phillips' other books including the first three in the Jane Candiotti series but that is something I mean to remedy very soon.
This is one great detective story. Twists and unexpected turns abound in the book and it kept me guessing up to the final page.
Lieutenant Jane Candiotti is pregnant and trying to fit that in with being an excellent cop. Her husband, Homicide Inspector Kenny Marks is trying to be a good cop yet protect his wife at the same time. All of this becomes more difficult when a mass murder takes place and one of the victims is their nephew.
Superb characterization, wonderful background on all the characters, snapshot views of San Francisco (a city I love), and I especially appreciated the way the author tied up all the loose ends for the reader at the end of the story.
This is a tale definitely worth reading.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 14, 2013
I´m luckily on a roll. I just finished On These Courts by Wayne Drash, a book that deserved five stars and went on to read Unthinkable by Clyde Phillips next. Another five stars book. Two in a row, baby! Not a lot of these I´ve reviewed so far, as it is actually only the fifth review in this site that I give five stars to, including How Life Imitates Chess and Cannibal Serial Killers.
I have to admit though, it kinda feels like I cheated, since by knowing about the author I could certainly expect a good outcome; after all, Clyde Phillips is not only a great writer, but he was also the EP and Showrunner of Dexter´s first four seasons, the EP of Nurse Jackie and the creator of Parker Lewis Can´t Lose. I mean, freakin´Parker Lewis! That was my favorite show when I left kids shows for teens shows in the early nineties.
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I have to admit though, it kinda feels like I cheated, since by knowing about the author I could certainly expect a good outcome; after all, Clyde Phillips is not only a great writer, but he was also the EP and Showrunner of Dexter´s first four seasons, the EP of Nurse Jackie and the creator of Parker Lewis Can´t Lose. I mean, freakin´Parker Lewis! That was my favorite show when I left kids shows for teens shows in the early nineties.
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August 14, 2013
I loved this book. I was unsuprised to find that Phillips is prominent in the world of TV, having written for and produced many tv shows, (including being executive producer on one of my favourite shows Dexter)as this would make an excellent TV series. As I read, I couldn't help but imagine it playing out on TV.
It is the fourth book in the series focusing on homicide lietuenant Jane Candiotti. I haven't read the others (though I intend to) and don't feel it held me back in enjoying this book.
This book kept me guessing to the end and even though I had half-guessed the ending, it still managed to suprise me. The characters are all perfectly drawn and the setting of San Francisco, perfect. The plot deals with the aftermath of a shooting in a fast food restaurant and I found it fascinating. We all see the stories on the news, and with some sort of morbid fascination, I was intrigued by this storyline.
It is the fourth book in the series focusing on homicide lietuenant Jane Candiotti. I haven't read the others (though I intend to) and don't feel it held me back in enjoying this book.
This book kept me guessing to the end and even though I had half-guessed the ending, it still managed to suprise me. The characters are all perfectly drawn and the setting of San Francisco, perfect. The plot deals with the aftermath of a shooting in a fast food restaurant and I found it fascinating. We all see the stories on the news, and with some sort of morbid fascination, I was intrigued by this storyline.
August 19, 2014
Don't know whether this is going to be the last in the Candiotti series but they're worth reading. This is another one where the reader is caught unawares at the discovery of who the perp is.
I can't say I agree with the extremes Lieutenant Candiotti and Inspector Marks go to in trying to nail the perpetrator of the killing of innocent people in a local diner. I won't say what those extremes are lest I spoil it for future readers.
As proven in his other books, unlike other authors, Phillips doesn't balk at knocking off beloved characters. If you've been reading others by him, you might find yourself saddened once again but definitely taken by surprise. It certainly gives life-likeness to his books when they don't mysteriously survive. But fortunately not all is tears; some smiles as well.
I can't say I agree with the extremes Lieutenant Candiotti and Inspector Marks go to in trying to nail the perpetrator of the killing of innocent people in a local diner. I won't say what those extremes are lest I spoil it for future readers.
As proven in his other books, unlike other authors, Phillips doesn't balk at knocking off beloved characters. If you've been reading others by him, you might find yourself saddened once again but definitely taken by surprise. It certainly gives life-likeness to his books when they don't mysteriously survive. But fortunately not all is tears; some smiles as well.
June 10, 2016
Unthinkable by Clyde Phillips ( Detective Jane Candiotti series)
Jane and Kenny are married, still SFPD, and suddenly a radio dispatch alerts everyone that a mass murder has occurred at Stella's restaurant and two patrol officers are on scene. On arrival, Jane and Kenny find 6 people shot to death and one survivor in the food freezer barely alive. The search for the killer in at the top of the tasking. Every lead seems to be a dead end until another person is killed, the last survivor is killed on her doorstep. How Jane brings the killer to justice is definitely worth reading about, but the method she uses is completely "out of the box." Thanks for another great read. Can't wait to see what Jane and Kenny encounter next.
Jane and Kenny are married, still SFPD, and suddenly a radio dispatch alerts everyone that a mass murder has occurred at Stella's restaurant and two patrol officers are on scene. On arrival, Jane and Kenny find 6 people shot to death and one survivor in the food freezer barely alive. The search for the killer in at the top of the tasking. Every lead seems to be a dead end until another person is killed, the last survivor is killed on her doorstep. How Jane brings the killer to justice is definitely worth reading about, but the method she uses is completely "out of the box." Thanks for another great read. Can't wait to see what Jane and Kenny encounter next.
October 29, 2013
This is a good one, using themes of family loyalty, love and loss. A massacre at a diner causes pain for members of 19. Lt. Candiotti and her team work tirelessly to find the killer and the story shows the ripples that violence causes - not just for the short term but for decades. This is a good story and I hope that after a ten-year hiatus, Phillips has decided that he has more to write about Jane, Kenny and their squad.
October 18, 2013
A detective story with many twist and turns. A 40 year old detective pregnant with first child, needs to step back and take it easy and be careful. Husbands nephew gets killed in fast food restaurant and she wants and needs some answers. First book I've read by this author. A great story. I want to read more by this author. I highly recommend buying and reading this book.
September 27, 2013
I won a first read copy of this book and I have to say I am now a fan of Clyde Phillips, I also didn't realize that he was the executive producer of Dexter and Nurse Jackie...my two favorite shows !!
I read this book in a day and it kept me wondering till the very end !! Looking forward to reading more of his books asap !!
I read this book in a day and it kept me wondering till the very end !! Looking forward to reading more of his books asap !!
September 15, 2013
I did the unthinkable! I fed my kids PB & J for breakfast, lunch and dinner until I finished the book. After 4 days, they learned how to cook. I love the Jane Candiotti series. I am so connected to Jane, I feel like we should do lunch.
Reading Phillips' novels is like eating a bag of peanuts...Once you start, you cannot stop!!
Reading Phillips' novels is like eating a bag of peanuts...Once you start, you cannot stop!!
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