Summer Wind

Mike Malick #1

by Christa Charter

“We’re getting reports that Nicky Ware was found dead in his recording studio. Nicky, dude, we love you. Here’s the hit that put him and his band Subduction on the map....”

In the early nineties, Nicky Ware led his grunge band, Subduction, to the top of the charts. Twenty years later, he’s a family man and a Seattle legend with his own recording studio. Life is good…until his assistant finds him shot to death in a sound booth. With sketchy evidence and no witnesses, Detective Mike Malick and his team follow the only lead they’ve got into the sleazy world of record companies, royalties, and a rumored Subduction reunion album. Who sells more records than a former rock star? A dead rock star.

173 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Christa Charter worked in the video game industry for two decades including eight years as community manager/website editor/video hostess "trixie360" for Microsoft's Xbox Live before writing books full time. She is the author of "Schooled," "Pwned," "I Saw Lexy Kissing Santa," "Griefed," "The Sleepless Nanny," "B.Y.O.P.: Be Your Own Publisher," and a Detective Malick spin-off, "Summer Wind." The fourth full-length Lexy novel, "Glitched," released March 31, 2015 is available on Amazon. Christa is currently writing Mike Malick #2. Follow her NSFW tweets @trixie360.

Reviews

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book hooked me right from the first chapter and had me guessing "who done it", incorrectly I might add, the rest of the way through. I'm looking forward to more Mike!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mmmmm, love me some Detective Malick ;) I enjoyed him in the Lexy Cooper series, so it was nice to have an entire book devoted to him. This was another great story by this author. I love her writing style - it flows so easily because it's so real. It's refreshing to read a book with dialogue that seems like something people would actually say. The mystery to be solved was well thought out and definitely had me guessing to the end. I also enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from previous books by this author, such as Officer Yi and of course Lexy herself. My only regret was that there weren't more steamy sexy scenes featuring the good Detective. Maybe next time? ;)

[Sonic Alpha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Mike Malick breaks out in his own Lexyverse spin-off, the first of a planned trilogy, Summer Wind. Can author Christa Charter continue to build on the success of the Lexy Cooper saga, or is Summer Wind nothing more than a chilly Winter breeze?

Two months have passed since the tragic events that unfolded in Griefed, and while Lexy struggles to pick herself up and dust herself off, a new case lands on Mike’s desk that could make or break his career.

When Nicky Ware, a legendary Seattle musician and music producer, is found shot to death in his favourite sound booth; it’s up to Mike Malick and his team to solve the murder. However with very few leads to work with, and a leak that threatens to turn the investigation into a media fiasco, everything seems to be against them.

I have to admit, I finished reading Summer Wind over one week ago, and I’ve been struggling to write a review since then. While I could easily type “I loved it,” drop the keyboard and walk away, it wouldn’t really do it justice. Summer Wind deserves more than that, much more. A book of firsts, Summer Wind features a fresh new perspective, a “new” leading character for the Lexyverse, as well as nods to Christa’s previous titles.

Hitting the ground running, thanks to previously established characters and settings, the new fixed perspective (that of Detective Mike Malick) lends itself well to the mystery/crime genre. It gives the reader glimpses into the ever expanding catastrophe that is Lexy Cooper’s life, while keeping its focus on the new case.

Malick was always one of my favourite characters in the Lexy Cooper series, however I always felt that despite being the main investigating force in her world, he was always a bit of a side character that was swept under the rug until needed. It’s great to see him finally break out from underneath Lexy’s shadow, with a rather meaty and technical crime novel that he can truly call his own.

Summer Wind has three main plot points that intertwine perfectly with each other. The initial thread that presents itself is, of course, the murder of Nicky Ware. Secondly, the mole on Malick’s team that threatens to collapse the case before it can even be built. Finally, Malick’s personal life, which includes the rather tense relationships between Mike and his “family,” and the solitude that comes from being an officer of the law.

These constantly twisting threads give a real weight to the character of Det. Mike Malick, giving the reader a lead that’s a flawed as the world he inhabits. Through them we discover what really makes Mike tick, while the expertise of he and his team finally gets a chance to shine.

Summer Wind is not only an enjoyable and solid first outing for Detective Mike Malick and his team, but it represents a fantastic addition to the Lexyverse. That’s right, I loved it.

*drops the keyboard and walks away*

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's no secret that I'm an unabashed fan of Christa Charter's books. Her writing is engaging, her characters are realistic in their desires and flaws, and her mysteries always keep me guessing. With each of her novels, she continues to mature and grow stronger as a writer. This trend continues with Summer Wind, as this is, without a doubt, her best novel to date. Despite the love I have for the Lexy Cooper books, I like Malick as a narrator even more. Because of his job, Charter was able to delve even more into the mystery/crime than she could in the Lexy Cooper novels. His observations about the other characters were also entertaining ("manslide" made me actually laugh out loud). I found it fascinating to see his thoughts about Lexy, as well... The mystery was especially engrossing in this book. Charter laid out the clues in a path filled with believable red herrings before revealing the truth to the reader. I found myself convinced more than once that I'd solved it, only to be shot down by new evidence. It was fun to try to solve the mystery alongside Malick. I also liked seeing the characters from The Sleepless Nanny play such a vital part in this book. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to reading more Malick novels in the future.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been waiting for this book to grow up and become a real book (with paper) since it was announced. I'm old fashioned about some things, and books are one of the biggies. The sound and feel of the paper, smell of the binding glue, etc. I hate electronic books, so when the book arrived from Amazon, I started reading (I was at work, shhh!). I wanted to find out more about "Uncle Mike"; the little snippets in the Lexy books was not enough. He was more than enough of an interesting character to handle a full book.
The plot in this story was interesting (I loved grunge at the time - I was in graduate school, and still love some of the Seattle bands-Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, etc.). The supporting characters were varied and seemed real. Another good book from the author. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Now, if I could get the latest Lexy adventure in a real book, I'd be happy.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charter continues to entertain in the first installment of her Mike Malick series. We're familiar with Malick from the Lexy Cooper 'verse, and having a book entirely from his perspective is a refreshing and interesting change of pace.
Mike's narrative feels darker than Lexy's has. the entire novel comes from a very different place, which is as it should be, since the point of view is that of a man instead of a young woman.
Lexy and Mike are both in a darker place than the more lighthearted Lexy books, because of reasons. No spoilers.
I like Mike. He's kind of like Sam Spade meets Harry Dresden (minus the magic) meets James Bond. He has flaws. Plenty of them. But he won't let them rule him. At least not for long.
You don't need to have read Lexy to enjoy this book, but I encourage reading all the author's books. She's one of my favorites.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a loose sequel to The Sleepless Nanny and features Mike Malick from the Lexy Cooper series

When grunge star Nicky Ware is found dead in his Redmond, WA recording studio Detective Malick is assigned to solve this high profile case. The ghost of the Kurt Cobain suicide investigation and subsequent conspiracies are in the forefront of every officers' minds; they can't afford to make a mistake.

Add in an unreleased song, desperate former band members and record companies, gun control advocates, department insider leaks and an angry music critic and the case seems to spiral out of control quickly.

Warning to the sensitive Mike has a lot of casual sex, which while not detailed may offend.

[Joshua Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christa Charter's newest book is excellent. Her characters are even more interesting and entertaining then ever before. She leaves us in a great place as we prepare for Lexy number four. I applaud her for developing her characters and writing Mike's perspective so well. I hope she decides to give us more of his back story, eventually. He has the potential to be an even more engaging character then he already is. Thanks for the fun book, Christa Charter.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good not great

I have loved the Lexy Cooper series and I always liked 'Uncle' Mike as a character. So I was excited to read this book focusing on him. And although it was a good read, I didn't really like the use of the first person. It just didn't read well to me.

[Karsyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good to get a story just of Mike. I really do like him, though I still stand by saying I'd like to see him and Lexy together. Glad to finally see the thing that didn't happen, happen. Hope it goes somewhere.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down! Fun to read and full of great local flavor and clever plot twists. Didn't see that one coming. ☺☺

Looking forward to Lexa Cooper #4 as well as MM #2!

Way to go, Christa!

[Susanne Winterhawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for those of us who love Christa Charter's books. An exciting, twisty police procedural mystery with big reveals for Lexy lovers plus hints about the Sleepless Nanny.

[Marcel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It's a proper mystery novel about a musician (of the likes of Cobain) who gets murdered, and Mike Malick, a police detective is tasked with solving the murder.

It's fast paced, light hearted at the right times, serious at other times.
It does have a few disturbing themes in the book... like implied 'kind-of' incest and such, but nothing is detailed graphically.
The characters are well rounded. Though the 'leak' was a big surprise to me, and felt out of character.

This series ties in in the Lexy Cooper series by the same author, but it's set apart from it, though it takes place after the events in Griefed (Lexy Cooper Mystery #3), which do get referenced at a few times. But it's stand alone.

A very enjoyable read.

[Caedy Eries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come :D