The Detective

by James Patrick Hunt

Rookie Chicago detective David Beckman investigates the shooting deaths of five people during a snowstorm, one of whom was a controversial Jewish rights activist in the 1970s.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

299 pages, Hardcover

First published March 19, 2014

About the author

James Patrick Hunt is the author of several books and e-books. He was born in Surrey, England in 1964 and graduated from St. Louis University with a degree in aerospace engineering in 1986. He graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1992. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he writes and practices law.

Reviews

[James Glass · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Detective is a good story, just not written very well. There were too many tag lines i. e. He said, she said. Action words would have moved the story along at a quicker pace. There was also head hopping going on throughout the book. Several times I had to go back a reread a section because I was inside a different characters head in the same paragraph. The writer may have been trying to use omniscient voice, but it just confused me.
I thought the plot was a good one. Five people are found shot near a subway in Chicago. David Beckman who is new to the homicide division is the antagonist. He's young, vibrant, a bit cocky, but is all about finding the killer. His partner, detective Tom Regan, is the senior detective on the case and regarded as the best detective on the force. I thought the relationship between these two was a little cliche at first, but I thought they worked well together as the story unfolded. The Detective has some great characters, those you live and those you live to hate. If not for all the tag lines and head hopping I would have given this book 5 stars.

[John Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a very good book about Jewish detective David Beckman in Chicago who is assigned to work on the murder of a well known Jewish activist. He is partnered with a legendary homicide detective Tom Regan. The interaction between Beckman and Regan (an Irish cop) is a great story. Although Regan suspects involvement of neoNazis in the murder of the Jewish activist, Beckman is not so sure and tries to find a more plausible suspect. The author explores the feelings of a Holocaust surviver, Jewish family relationships, the Vietnam war and the tribalism that exists among in society. It is a very insightful book.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

mystery taking place in 1970's Chicago - it was ok. I don't known if I would go look for more to read - if this is a series debut as I am not into the 70s vibe but if I was in the airport on on the beach - sure, why not.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way Mr. Hunt writes. His dialogs are very readable and move the plot along.

Once again I was surpised by the ending. This book is very well written.

[K.B. Hallman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Various reviews of this book suggested that the history and sociology aspects of it might be distracting and annoying. I didn't find that to be so, but I do think Hunt overemphasized the idea of tribe. Or rather the use of the term tribe. But it was a good read--I read it in one sitting.

[Jillian Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. something about the noir detective, but this is placed in Chicago in the not too distant past. My DH watches "Streets of San Franciso" on ME TV and this was like a really good episode
J

[Barbara Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good I liked it.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunt at his Best..A+ on this Book.

[Rob1109 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’m surprised it’s not rated better.

I found the story interesting. I found the dialogue to ring true. It was as if you weren’t “reading” dialogue but hearing it in your own mind. I enjoyed the social commentary but also the internal struggled between ‘the Jewish cop’ and his ‘Irish partner.’

This book moved along quickly and kept me interested from the opening chapter to the last page. If you like books by Ed McBain, you’ll enjoy this.

This was the first novel I read by Mr. Hunt. There will DEFINITELY be more.

[JJ Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good crime drama. I enjoyed the dynamic between Regan and Beckman. It was like being part of the team as the followed the leads and solved the crime.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Of all the detective suspense fiction I've read, and it's a lot, this is one of the best writers.

[Carol Heiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get into this book. It drug along and all of a sudden the killer confesses out of the blue. A so-so police procedural.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

All about the relationship between an old Irish cop and a younger Jewish cop in Chicago in the eRly 70's. Decent, kinda slow.

[Phyllis Bismanovsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read it for my book club. Too gruesome and psychologically repugnant. Not a fave.