NOTE: This review covers a physical softcover book that includes the first 3 episodes of the series which are available electronically on both Kindle and Nook.
“Brooklyn Case Files” plays out like a television series. The “episodes” (another nod to the TV series concept) run concurrently and build upon each other, BUT a reader can jump in at any one of the 3 stories and enjoy it standalone. (However, due to foreshadowing and references to past events, I recommend reading in order.)
The stories are told in first person present tense, which is far from my favorite way to be told a story. Once again, however, it is designed to play towards a TV script look-and-feel, so the choice is understandable. (And I can put my personal preferences and biases aside to read the story that the writer wants to tell in the way they want to tell it.)
Each of the tales are interesting, and together tell – or rather, begin to tell – a more intense story of the DEA vs. the Russian Mob. Its greatest strength, although some may argue it's a weakness, is that no one should be considered untouchable. Good guys? Bad guys? Bystanders? There's no guarantee that they won't step into the shadows, only to reappear later. And there's no guarantee that they'll survive until the end of the page. (Which brings up a weak point – there are so many characters and relatively so few pages that it was not possible to really get to know ANY of them by the time we reached the last page.)
All in all, I found this to be a page-turner that I finished in what was for me almost a record. However, there were enough things that rubbed against my personal preferences that I cannot in good conscious give it a 5 star review.
RATING: 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4 stars where 1/2 stars are not permitted.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in return fo an honest review.