The Equalizer (1)

by Midge Bubany

Deputy Investigator Cal Sheehan tackles the first homicide investigation of his career: a shocking double murder in an outstate Minnesota county park. In the mix of the tale, Cal is distracted by his dysfunctional family and two aggressive women trying to manipulate their way into his life. But Cal is unaware of just how manipulating both women areand to what extent they will each go to get what they want.

Genres: Mystery

282 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

About the author

Midge is the author of the Cal Sheehan mysteries published by North Star Press of St. Cloud: The Equalizer, (2014), Silver's Bones (2015), and Crow Wing Dead (2016) Love 'Em or Leave 'Em Dead (2017)). She has short stories in two anthologies: Dark Side of the Loon - Where History Meets Mystery and Cooked to Death -Hell for the Holidays. She has a BS degree in education from Minnesota State University and a social science major from the University of California, Irvine. She has taught in Minnesota and California. Midge continues to study writing with the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis and has educated herself in police proceedures through several resources including attending the eight week Orono Citizens Police Academy and the six weeks Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Citizens' Academy. Midge lives with her husband in the Minneapolis Metro area.

Reviews

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young County Deputy Sheriff Cal Sheehan is reveling in his recent ascension to the title of deputy investigator. Now he needs a serious crime to work on. Alas, his day does not begin well. While responding to the call to investigate the discovery of a body at a local park, he is rear-ended at a stoplight in town. The impact puts his small vehicle directly in the path of a heavier auto which proceeds to T-bone Cal, putting his transportation in wrecking candidacy. The acquisition of a new vehicle, plays a useful element in the novel.
This is Ms. Brubany’s debut novel and if it is successful, as this reviewer hopes it will be, this cast of small-town characters and mystery readers will be in for some fraught and enjoyable times.
Central to the story is Cal Sheehan, young, horny, attractive bright and alert to nuances of mannerism during suspect and witness interviews. His efforts to find the truth and the necessary evidence to solve this interesting multiple-murder are worth watching. The writing is first rate and characters and settings are well developed. If a sojourn to Las Vegas seems a bit beyond the pale, well, those scenes are nicely handled and the conclusion of the tale is logical and satisfying.

[Hadley Barrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, in my experience, crime fiction can make a girl restless – just tell me what happens already! I am not sure if this phenomenon has anything to do with what I am sure is my woeful inability to be an actual detective. Or maybe it’s just because my kids only let me read for 5 minutes at a time. Regardless, I’m usually just totally confused and uninterested by the time I finish a mystery murder.

But the Equalizer was different. There were reminders and hints to help me keep things straight. A combination of intriguing clues and interesting sub-plots to deliver a nice tension. I still couldn’t wait to solve the case but I didn’t resent the words that stood between me and the back cover.By the end I was totally hooked. And totally invested in finding out if I was right about the killer.

I can’t wait for the next in the series!

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this was an experienced writer, I’d give it three stars.

This is Bubany’s first book, so she gets four instead. As a mystery, it’s serviceable. I did figure out who the killer was halfway through the novel; given the basic plot, it really couldn’t have been anyone else.

If I had written this, I’d be pretty damn proud. I always thought that a mystery would be difficult to write.

One thing: I really hope she gets a proofreader. I found at least six spelling and grammar errors, e.g.:

Dying was spelled “dyeing” once.
There was talk about getting DNA off of a wad of gun.
There was one place where the dialogue went something like, “If anyone do it, she could,” omitting the word “can.”

(Now that I’m writing for a living, that part of me that notices these things is even harder to turn off.)

If she was editing/proofreading her own work, I totally get it. When you’ve gone over a passage over and over, mistakes are easy to miss. If you want writing free of errors, a fresh set of eyes is essential.

[Jeff DeZellar · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting author Midge Bubany, I decided to give her first book, "The Equalizer", a try. I loved it! The central character and narrator, detective Cal Sheehan, is very human and likable. I could relate to him. The murder mystery is well written, fast paced, and has lots of twists and turns. The writing shows a familiarity with law enforcement, which makes it ring true. I recommend this book to mystery fans, and people who just like a good story.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This crime fiction kept me guessing throughout. Cal is not only solving his first homicide, he has being chased by not one by two women. I don't read many crime stories, but this one keep me wanting to turn the pages to find out what happened next.

[Michael Magnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course better then the movie, as all my books are on audio, good listen.

[Daniel Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting novel with many plot twists. Midge is a very nice lady and put together a good read. I would recommend this book to people who like John Sandford type of stories.

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deputy Investigator Cal Sheehan tackles the first homicide investigation of his career: a shocking double murder in an outstate Minnesota county park. In the mix of the tale, Cal is distracted by his dysfunctional family and two aggressive women trying to manipulate their way into his life. But Cal is unaware of just how manipulating both women areand to what extent they will each go to get what they want.

[ELDEE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read of the four published.
I enjoyed reading another local Minn. writer.
My problem at first was remembering who was who.
It kept me very entertained with an interesting plot.
Neatness obsession of Cal Sheehan was different!

[David Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good twist at the end to keep you interested. Many characters to keep track of throughout the novel. Will check out her second novel.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deputy Sheriff Cal Sheehan has gotten his big break in now assigned as Deputy Investigator. He gets his first case and it all goes from there. It's a decent first book,as far as a mystery/crime thriller/detective novel. The main character is likeable enough. The story went well too.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the story , good plot, nice twists. always love to support a local author. Hopefully she can get a better publisher that can proofread copy before they go to print as the typos and grammatical errors detracted from the book in many places.