The Reflecting Pool

Marko Zorn #1

by Otho Eskin

Murder leads to the White House

Marko Zorn, a Washington, D.C. homicide detective with expensive tastes in art, classic cars, and women, must take on extra work—not always strictly legal, often unorthodox and usually dangerous—to supplement his income—work which requires his special combination of skill and steel nerves. Although he’s adept at navigating the corridors of law enforcement and the world of criminal gangs, he’d prefer to stay home and watch old movies, enjoy his art collection, and listen to cool jazz.

When Zorn discovers the body of a Secret Service agent—a supposed drowning victim—it leads him to a domestic terrorist group with tentacles in the White House—a White House that does not want this death investigated. As the demands of his professional life escalate, Zorn’s alternate career heats up, placing him in the middle of competing D.C. crime bosses feuding over a shipment of illegal arms—making Zorn the hunted and the hunter. He needs to avoid becoming the victim as he navigates the twin forces of evil closing in on him from his legitimate job—facing down political power—and his secret side job.

Perfect for Grisham and Patterson fans

Head Shot , the next Marko Zorn novel, coming December 2021

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Adult, Crime

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2020

About the author

Before he turned to writing fiction, Otho Eskin served in the U.S. Army and in the United States Foreign Service in Washington and in Syria, Yugoslavia, Iceland and Berlin (then the capital of the German Democratic Republic) as a lawyer and diplomat. He was Vice-Chairman of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, participated in the negotiations on the International Space Station, was principal U.S. negotiator of several international agreements on seabed mining and was the U.S. representative to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. He speaks French, German, and Serbo-Croatian. He was a frequent speaker at conferences and has testified before the U.S. Congress and commissions.

Otho’s career in the Foreign Service unknowingly prepared him for thriller writing later in life as he witnessed political corruption at every strata of society. While stationed in East Berlin during the cold war, the East German intelligence service (Stasi) operating on behalf of their Soviet masters, published a book entitled “Who’s who in CIA (correct title), translated into several languages and with wide distribution. This propaganda effort listed Otho and was intended to claim that he was a U.S. spy. (He was not). This was part of East German and ultimately Soviet, disinformation campaign to make the work of U.S. Foreign Service officers serving abroad more difficult.

Otho Eskin has also written plays including: Act of God, Murder as a Fine Art, Duet, Julie, Final Analysis, Season in Hell, among others, which have been professionally produced in Washington, New York and in Europe.

Otho is married to writer Therese Keane and lives in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dramatic crime thriller, full of plot twists!

This amazing cover is so magnetizing, I had to enter the GoodReads giveaway. And I was thrilled when I won! This dramatic thriller reads like a Dick Tracy crime novel. It’s full of action...a plot to assassinate the President, a domestic terrorist group and a murder investigation keep the story moving along at a steady pace.

Marko Zorn is a sarcastic and abrasive detective, who routinely breaks the rules. I thought he was too irritating and insolent to be convincing. And how many detective drive a Jag and wear expensive suits...own their own tux and don’t carry a gun?

”What did you say your name was?” Captain Fletcher demands angrily, trying to preserve as much dignity as he can.
“Marko Zorn.”
“I’ve heard of you, Zorn!” He doesn’t make it sound like that’s a good thing.
“Then you should know to stay out of my way.”

BUT, the writing is excellent and I was entertained to the end. If this is your type of story, there are plenty of plot twists to make it worth reading. I’m with the minority on this one and just didn’t care for the writing technique and dialogue.

Thank you to GoodReads, Otho Eskin and Oceanview Publishing, for this free digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

My Rating: 3.25 ⭐️’s
Published: June 23rd 2020 by Oceanview Publishing
Pages: 352
Recommend: Yes

@OthoEskin @oceanviewpub @goodreads
#crimethriller #NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview #JustFinished

[Susan (on hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes intrigue and espionage plots are slow to build as the groundwork is laid.

Not this one.

All guns blazing both metaphorically and literally, I was hooked in from the start.

Marko Zorn, a Washington DC metro detective is our hero - or anti-hero depending on who’s asked. At times self deprecating but VERY capable, he has his ways of getting things done. While not always legal, it’s effective.

I especially enjoyed his interrogation techniques with whip sharp dialogs causing folks to reveal more than intended. If that didn't work, he employed other tactics.

There are numerous baddies - too many to list , but one notable character was Sister Grace, an underworld queen with a thug network at war. She was rumored to be at least ninety years old. I love a strong independent woman and I appreciate the author for writing her as older.

This was a really enjoyable read and I highly recommend this to those liking police procedurals and memorable characters. I hope there’s a sequel in the works!

A heartfelt thank you to Edelweiss, Otho Eskin, and Oceanview Publishing for my electronic copy.

Also thank you Pat for reading this with me!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m on a winning streak at the moment, that was hugely entertaining. It’s hard to believe this is an ‘almost’ debut. Slightly (very) rebellious cop with attitude - check. A case no one else can solve - check. A conspiracy - check. Gangsters with guns - check. Mario Zorn, our hero, is a most unusual detective in the Washington DC PD. At times he has a pretty loose interpretation of the laws he has sworn to uphold. The head of the largest local gang has him on speed dial. Yet when a murder victim is found in the Reflecting Pool at the Washington Monument he is quick to the scene. The victim, a young woman, reminds him of his dead sister and he swears then and their to find her killer.

Whoa, hold your horses Marko! This dead woman worked for the Secret Service at the White House and trying to get any information about anything pertaining to the murder is worse than trying to pull teeth from a live shark. Terms like “confidential”, “below you pay grade” and “national security” are bandied around. He has been working with Arora Lovelace (yes, really) from the FBI and they DO make some progress. But every alphabet agency in the beltway wants to shut down the investigation. Which begs the question - what are they hiding? Compounding his problems his gang connection has given him a dangerous and illegal job to do - or else! How is he supposed to get around that one? As it that’s not enough, word on the street is that someone is bringing in a large shipment of guns soon and plans to assassinate the President and take over Washington. And Zorn is still trying to find a killer.

Grab all these threads and twist them around and you have this story. Zorn’s character, with his legal ambiguity, is wonderful. His relentless approach to the investigation is almost frightening. He is like a dog at a bone and will not give up, even when ordered to from on high. What can I say - I loved this and I’m hoping there will be a sequel. There is some background to be filled in and there are a few unanswered questions although there is a resolution of sorts. Highly recommended - 4.5 stars.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otho Eskin emerges as a new writer on my radar, with a captivating crime thriller that left me wanting more. Set in Washington, D.C., the story is a mix of crime and politics, as a DC Metro Homicide detective seeks to find answers when a body is found close to the White House. Marko Zorn does his own thing, but strives to get results and ensure the criminal element are put away. While he is stonewalled during an investigation, Zorn uses all the resources at his disposal to learn more about the victim, as well as her possible involvement with a supremacist group. All the while, Zorn is given a mission by a shady individual, which will force him to put some of his police ethics aside for results. Eskin delivers with his series debut and I have the second ready to begin soon!

When called to the scene of a body found in the Reflecting Pool, DC Metro Homicide Detective Marko Zorn begins asking questions. He receives significant pushback from the start, as other branches seek to claim responsibility. However, Zorn is not ready to hand everything over, citing jurisdiction. When the victim turns out to be a member of the Secret Service, things take a definite turn and Zorn feels the squeeze once more.

While trying to investigate, Zorn discovers that there is more to the victim than meets the eye. She has loose ties to a white supremacist group, whose membership includes those within the White House. As the investigation proceeds, many try to shut it down and ensure that Zorn does not have access to what he needs. This only lights a larger fire under Zorn, as he pushes for answers.

All the while, Zorn is pushed into the middle of another investigation, this one thoroughly off the books. Someone with pull on the streets of DC is trying to make a place for a shipment of illegal arms. Zorn is told to handle it and finds himself a target for the duelling factions. He has to keep this hidden, as its discovery could ruin his life with Metro. While both situations come to a head, Zorn ha no choice but to make a play, ensuring that he will be in the crosshairs of some powerful people. A chilling story that flows quickly and proves entertaining for all involved.

I only discovered the work of Otho Eskin because I was granted early access to an ARC of the second novel in the series. Happy to discover new authors I can potentially enjoy, I rushed to get this book and see what it would be like. Eskin develops a gritty detective with a number of skeletons in his closets and a personally to boot. I was thoroughly intrigued throughout the book and cannot wait to see where this series is headed soon.

Marko Zorn is quite the complex character, tapping into some interesting personal and professional aspects throughout the novel. While there are some curious aspects to his backstory, leaving him to make questionable choices, Zorn is always ready to fight for what he feels he must in order to allow justice to prevail. His determination as a cop proves to be one of the key aspects of the plot, pushing people round to get answers and also showing off some of his more ‘interesting’ qualities. I am eager to see how he develops throughout this series, as he is certainly still an enigma to me.

Otho Eskin can certainly spin a a tale, as I have come to see here. His debut was both gritty and full of mystery, while always remembering the message it sought to make. The narrative pushed forward with ease, allowing the reader to experience some of the darker sides to Marko Zorn. With mid-length chapters, the reader is invested in the process and cannot help but push onwards to discover what awaits them in short order. A curious plot and layers of deception kept the story on point throughout and left me wanting, no, demanding more. Thankfully, I have that ARC ready to go as I explore more of the curious works of Detective Marko Zorn.

Kudos, Mr. Eskin for a wonderful debut. I am eager to see where things are headed.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uber-competent, likable yet flawed character, the first of what I hope will be a series and a plot with complexity that's easy to understand: What's not to like? By the time I was halfway through this one, I was hoping for the next.

This one begins as Marko Zorn, a detective with the Washington, D.C., Metro Police, fights over the rights to a body found in the Reflecting Pool with the city's park police. No, it's not a suicide; it's a homicide and it's ours, Marko asserts after he ruined his expensive clothing hauling the body out of the water. The park police back off, unwillingly, and there are no real clues as to what really happened except for a bracelet Marko spots in the surrounding grass.

Marko's expensive tastes couldn't happen with just a police department paycheck, and he supplements his income in other ways - sometimes not just skirting the law, but pretty much stomping it into the ground. As the murder happens, gang activity is picking up, with two members of one gang seemingly at odds with each other. The gang leader, an old woman named Sister Grace, occasionally asks Marko for help. This time, she has another job for him - but it's not one he's eager to take on (there are limits as to what he will do for money, it seems). As if all that weren't enough, his station boss shackles him to a new, squeaky clean partner - just about the last thing he wants to deal with right now.

Even worse, as his murder investigation ramps up, it becomes clear that unknown powers-that-be don't want Marko (or anyone else) digging in - powers that lead straight to the White House itself. The power struggle between the gang rivals heats up as well, fueled by a huge shipment of illegal guns that, depending on who ends up with them, could change the D.C. landscape entirely. Marko doesn't mind sticking to his own guns when it comes to the murder investigation, but if he screws up on the arms deal, it could "out" his side job - or even put him out of commission permanently. Can he pull everything off without losing everything, including his own life?

Well, you'll just have to read it to find out - and trust me, it's worth it. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-publication copy. Good job!

[Don Gerstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

While reading of this book I constantly found myself shaking my head, each time realizing that this book could have been something more than it was. Even the plot -- the only thing that helped keep me reading until the end – fell apart in a manic imitation of an over-the-top adventure flick.

The main character Marko Zorn is portrayed as a hardboiled cop, someone with the potential to even make the men cry when he questions them. Throughout the book, every encounter Zorn has with someone else (all of them with more power and pull in Washington than Zorn will ever have) turns into a win for Marko. The other characters all fall apart and bluster when they realize they cannot stop the unstoppable force (Zorn). He is repeatedly threatened yet manages to turn a deaf ear on all of them (at the same time, I am thinking a simple call to Zorn’s bosses and threatening their jobs would have had much more power). Anyway…

New Washington D.C. Police Investigator Kenneth Blake is the cliché-ridden example of a wet-behind-the-ears rookie, placed in the story for occasional humor and to make the main character look hardened and more experienced. When Officer Blake asks if the Reflecting Pool is “…that pool in the middle of the National Mall…” it is an example of the unbelievable naivety of the character. This version of a rookie policeman is not new and has been long overused in books, TV shows, and movies. We won’t even begin to question how an officer with only 18 months (fresh off probation) under his belt would be assigned to work with a homicide detective.

There is a noirish feeling that weaves its way in and out of the story, which is a positive element. When coupled with Zorn’s personality it works well, though when paired with the Blake character the book wrestles with itself as to which direction to take. The ending, while cleverly devised, fell short of believable. Author Otho Eskin presents multiple directions he could have taken this book. Unfortunately, he incorporated a little bit of all of them and the decision not to narrow the plot path weakened the book. Three stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author. The story was decent and moved at a decent pace. I thought the first 30 percent was good. The main character was ok but his partner was paper thin and not realistic. The main story had a couple of side stories going on at the same time. I think the side story that got left behind in Portland would have been the better way to go-it would have made it a very interesting book. I also got tired that every person that the main character interacted with almost lead to an argument. I understand that he wanted the main character to be a rogue and a little a little bit of a loner smart ass but it was over done. I though the second half got off track and the ending was over the top and unrealistic. I think this author has some talent but maybe needs a better editor to help stay on course. I give this one 2.3 stars. If it turns out to be a series I would likely miss the next. The book is ok you can do worse but I can not say to give it a spin.

[Donna Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reminded me a little of Bosch (the tv show since I haven't read the books). The main character is definitely complex. It was a good crime drama. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very glad that I heard about this author and series, it's the greatest surprise of the year. The Reflecting Pool by Otho Eskin is the first book about Homicide detective Marko Zorn. It's set in Washington D.C. and a lot of the story revolves around the power game there. I found this book well written with witty dialogue and hard to put down. I actually had to force myself from not reading through the night. I strongly recommend everyone to read this book and I thank @this_is_edelweiss and @oceanviewpub for letting me read this great book and of course @othoeskin for writing it.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly fabulous story. Full of great characters, and a plot that I really enjoyed. Otho Eskin has produced a wonderful piece of writing with this tense and entertaining Thriller. For me it’s the characters that make a great story, and Marko Zorn is brilliant. I like that he doesn’t care who he upsets in his need to find the killer. I’m glad I picked this up to have a read, I loved it.
Marko Zorn is a detective for the Washington DC Metropolitan Police and his current investigation is not only giving him a headache but has become extremely dangerous as well. The victim Sandra Wilcox who was discovered in the Reflecting Pool at the National Mall was no ordinary citizen, she was a Secret Service Agent that worked at the White House. Marko wants to find out who killed Sandra, but the Secret Service and other Government officials are hell bent on keeping him away. Marko also has to deal with keeping Sister Grace happy and keeping himself from getting killed by gang members trying to take control of the streets. This is without a doubt a great story, and is well worth a read. Hopefully we will see more from the Author in the future. 5/5 Star Rating.
Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for a copy of this book for an unbiased opinion.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otho Eskin shows readers the dark side of politics, domestic terrorism and gang wars in this taut, tense and suspenseful novel.

When a female secret service agent is found dead in the Reflecting Pool by the Washington Monument in Washington D.C., homicide detective Marko Zorn of D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department immediately finds himself at odds with governmental agencies which try to block his investigation of the crime. The more he investigates, the higher the government officials who try to stop him. What is the truth behind the murder, and why does the government not want this case solved? Zorn is determined to get to the truth, even at his own risk.

As if the investigation doesn't keep him busy enough, he is also wrapped into a domestic terrorism threat, and finds himself in the middle of a four-way gang power struggle. Lies, deception, betrayals, maneuvering, machinations and murder fill the pages of this well-written novel.

The only negative to this novel is that there are so many characters readers might want to keep a "cheat sheet" to remember who's who.

My thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for allowing me to read a digital copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions stated here are my own.

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nowadays it's difficult to avoid connecting current events in Society and politics to what I read in fiction. Certainly this is the case with THE REFLECTING POOL, which is the first in the new Marko Zorn series by Otto Eskin. What seems a simple homicide at Washington D.C.'s Reflecting Pool incites jurisdictional turf wars, which soon escalate to highest-level political interference. Additionally Zorn is caught between the Scylla and Charybdis of rival criminal organizations, and must eventually face the metaphorical brick wall of the end of an investigation.

[BookTrib.com]

Is there room for yet-another thriller series centered around a cynical, witty homicide detective who skirts the law and has a mysterious past? If the detective is Marko Zorn in Otho Eskin’s The Reflecting Pool (Oceanview), the answer is that you might want to make space on your bookshelf.


Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/06/d-c-dete...

[Greville Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is there not to enjoy in this? A hard talking, brash yet vulnerable hero who wisecracks and sleuths his way through a complex plot involving murder, counter terrorism and internal security.

This is a heady brew and for the most part it all comes together thanks to the plotting skills and writing ability of an author new to me who is surely going to have a bright future in this genre.

A exciting and exhilarating read and hugely enjoyable.

[Linda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reflecting Pool is one of the best debut thrillers I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot of them. Eskin is a master craftsman weaving his characters through different story lines to the point you feel you need a spreadsheet to keep them all straight. That’s the kind of novel I love to read, and The Reflecting Pool does not disappoint. Marko Zorn rivals Harry Bosch in his ability to get past the rules, and rivals Amos Decker in his determination to get justice. Marko knows how to walk a fine line between legal and not-so-legal and still get the job done. This is the first of the Marko Zorn series and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for him next. I read this book in two evenings (well into the night) and had I not gone to sleep in the middle of a paragraph on night one, I just may well have finished it in one sitting. This is a worthy read for anyone who likes thriller suspense with cops and bad guys.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through NetGalley's reading program.

This story begins with Marko Zorn being called to the Reflecting Pool because of the discovery of a body. This body will not be the only story that is detailed, but others will also be depicted which indirectly tie back to this killing. Marko works with FBI agent Arora Lovelace in pursuing the killer of the Secret Service agent. All sorts of roadblocks are placed which are preventing him from getting support from other law enforcement agencies. It even goes so far as him being directed to drop the case by high political fellows.

With grim determination Marko is determined to bring this killer to justice.

After chasing many different leads, he is finally able to get results. If you want to find out what individuals were pressing to have the investigation stopped, why national security was involved and ultimately, who the killer was, then you must read this book. You won't be disappointed. The ending is unbelievable.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for this gripping book

a sniper
a murder at the reflecting pool in washington dc
fbi , secret service and the police all involved

gangs warfare

its all going on in this book with the president and his wife under threat of an assassination and a murder its all coming to a head for marko zorn who is investigating the murder at the reflecting pool but is the killer much closer to home

this book keeps you on the edge of your seat...a few times i got a bit lost with all the characters but on the whole an enjoyable read and another author to add to my ever growing list of authors to keep an eye out for...

[T Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story, well written and very interesting and entertaining. The main character doesn't follow any rules except his own, but is basically a good guy, and I like that.

[Sheryl Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot going on. It starts off with Marko Zorn, homicide detective, getting called to the Reflecting Pool where the body of a young woman is found dead. Turns out she is a Secret Service agent. Right off the bat there is a fight for jurisdiction. So, we have the Washington, DC, police involved, the Federal Police, the Secret Service and the FBI gets involved, too, because the dead woman may have been involved in plot to kill the president. Pretty soon the Secret Service tries shutting down the DC police and the FBI, trying to keep them away from the investigation of the murder. Meanwhile, the FBI is looking for a domestic terrorist group wanting to kill the president. Marko Zorn, on the side, has dealings with gangsters and is hired to take out one of the top gangsters in the city. Zorn seems to do a lot on the side. He's one of those die-hard, tenacious investigators that keep on going in spite of having to swim upstream to solve their case. He also holds a particular charm for the ladies. Overall, this was a good book, very entertaining, with most of the book being about the nitty gritty of the investigation and all the political stuff that goes along with it. Toward the end there is a major action scene, but mostly it is Zorn being Zorn. I enjoyed the characters in the book, but I think the author could have spent more time developing some of the peripheral players. Hints are dropped here and there about who they are and how they fit in Zorn's life, but some characters were mentioned so little that when they are mentioned again, later in the book, I had a hard time remembering how they fit into the story.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like non-stop action in your thrillers, this is the book for you! Marko Zorn is a very unorthodox detective who is surprised by a woman who has drowned in the reflecting pool near the White House. Certain that it's a homicide (as who could drown easily in such shallow water?) Zorn is determined to find the killer. But his case is stymied by many things: the gangsters who control the city, a huge shipment of guns rumored to be coming, the Aryan Brotherhood, the Secret Service, and even the First Lady herself. Bet you didn't see that coming! But you never do in a good novel and this one demands a sequel as we definitely need to see more of Marko Zorn!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Ayvee Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping story!

Nice to discover this author! I thought Homicide Detective Marko Zorn was a jerk at first, but his bluntness is actually part of his charm to get people to talk. He knows how to push people's buttons to get answers that he needs. Definitely a plus for a detective investigating the death of a Secret Service agent who is being stonewalled and discouraged to pursue the investigation by none other than POTUS himself. Zorn certainly has principles, but he also has his faults which makes him a more realistic character. Am diving right in to read his next book!

[Diana Kingsbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

A police detective with a taste for bespoke suits, vintage watches, fine art, and classic European sports cars sounds like a conundrum, doesn’t it? Not easy to afford such high-ticket items on the average police salary.

Nothing about Detective Marko Zorn is quite what you’d call “average”, though, in Otho Eskin’s debut crime thriller, The Reflecting Pool… and that fact makes for a highly-compelling read.
_______________

When a woman is found facedown in the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn has questions… not the least of which is how could an obviously fit female—in the prime of her life, by the look of her—manage to drown in less than two feet of water?

Once the body has been identified as Sandra Wilcox, a Secret Service agent who’d been assigned to the First Lady’s detail, it seems that nearly every branch of the military, police, and government does its damnedest to shut down his investigation, leaving Marko with a larger question: what on earth did Ms. Wilcox get mixed up in, that has everyone scrambling so hard to keep the secret buried? Does it all boil down to politics… or was something else going on?

What no one fully appreciates about Marko, though, is the lengths he’s willing to go to, whether it’s solving a murder case in spite of what everyone is ordering (or downright threatening) him not to do… or funding his habit for luxurious possessions (mostly via a slew of decidedly-not-even-remotely-legal means, usually involving D.C.’s criminal underbelly).

One thing is certain: by the time Marko wraps up his investigation, a whole lot of things will never be the same, again.
_______________

There’s quite a bit going on in The Reflecting Pool, from Marko’s investigation (including dealings with the White House, the FBI, and a zealous terrorist, among others), to his various side gigs (which eventually intersect in highly-satisfying ways), but Eskin manages to keep things humming along briskly and all the plots straight, with no confusion for the reader (beyond the initial few pages, at least, when the various pieces are first introduced).

I quite like that Eskin doles out bits of backstory gradually, rather than forcing the reader to wade through it all at once; this approach adds a little extra mystery to Marko and his relationships. (Is Marko a likable character? Not precisely… but nor is he unlikable, either. What he is, is a multi-layered, very smart, schemer… which makes for a very interesting and often insightful detective, indeed.)

As for those myriad plot points and spinning wheels? They come together nicely in the end, with a conclusion I only partially saw coming… always a good thing, in my book.

Eskin has a winner on his freshman outing with The Reflecting Pool… and you can bet I’ll be snagging up the next Marko Zorn book he writes.
~GlamKitty

[Leane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flawed policeman done well are one of my pleasures, and Eskin’s Marko Zorn is a complex, flawed, secretive, and fool hardy (or brave) Homicide Detective in Washington D.C. who is very much a lone wolf with his own code. Eskin leaves out a lot of Zorn’s background (sometimes frustrating but promising a sequel), infers that there are some “buried” personal secrets and bodies, and paints a colorful portrait of a man who likes expensive clothes, up shelf booze, attractive women, and his lime green Ferrari who does not want a partner and dances daily with street thugs and government officials. The Story begins with an altercation with the U.S. Park Service over jurisdiction of a drowned body in the Washington Mall’s reflecting pool. Soon he is angering and frustrating the Secret Service, the FBI, a variety of criminals, and the White House as he seeks justice while finding opposition everywhere. Good procedural details, a variety of adequate to excellent secondary CHs, a slow burn Pace until the propulsive ending, crisp specific Washington descriptions of the streets, neighborhoods, seats of power, restaurants and bars. Red Flag: Graphic violence and vulgar language. Satisfactory ending but heavy with unfinished history that screams for the sequel. I was reminded of George Pelecanos, Barry Eisler, and Joseph Finder’s combination of flawed lone wolf lead, procedural precision, and government involvement and setting.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Washington D.C. police detective, Marko Zorn comes upon a woman's body floating in the reflecting pool between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, her blue eyes stare lifelessly up at him from the bottom of the pool. He can't get her out of his mind and those blue eyes haunt his entire investigation and despite being warned and threatened to stop his investigation several times, manages to solve the mystery. At the same time Marko is on the trail of the killer, a terrorist organization is plotting a major violent event and members of a notorious gang are scheming against each other over drugs, guns, territory and a girl.

Marko has a reputation for overcoming obstacles using mostly illegal means. He's a tough gritty cop who rarely caries a gun but somehow manages to confront those who do and keep living. Lots of humor and snappy dialogue characterize his interactions with everyone from the US President and his wife on down to the local tough kid who runs errands and delivers messages for the local gang. Lots of twists to the story and the ending leaves the reader not just surprised but confounded. No neat, tidy solution to this story.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marko Zorn is unlike most detectives in the Washington D.C. homicide, he doesn't try to fit in with others and follows his own rules to get the answers he is looking for. Zorn has made a lot of enemies along the way but he keeps which has him a target for criminal gangs in the cities.

Zorn finds himself investigating a woman who is suspected of drowning but the mystery surrounding her unlocks an unsettling investigation. She was Secret Service, now he finds himself wading between the political ties she had and also dealing with at from a gang member who is calling in her favors.

What a wicked web that is woven in this fast paced intense story. I thought it had a very retro vibe to this, kind of like John Wick meets Nice Guys. Zorn was intense in his actions and I liked that he does what he needs to do. Captivating read.

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

An unlikable, somewhat corrupt cop tries to solve the murder of a secret service agent drowned in The Reflecting Pool. This involves the Park Police, the FBI, the Secret Service, and Homeland Security.

Somewhat reminiscent of the 70's, where all the characters are detestable.

[DAB-E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hard to put down. It is suspenseful and has many twists and turnns with intersting characters. There were really interesting descrptions of 3 letter agencies and how they work and/or don't work well together.

Marko makes is a great character. Not sure he is part of a series, but if he is I would read more books staring him.

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heck of a tale - run to your library or local bookstore - get a copy of The Reflectiong Pool and hope there's a sequel.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reflecting pool. Lots of intrigue, strong character development for Marko. He is relentless, tough, interesting, And flawed.
Lots of interesting detail aboutWhite House, and those federal agencies, each in their own silo.
Well done, obligatory sex event, with no long-term entanglement. Set up well for a sequel

[Don Paske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-stop action. Good characters. A quick read. Bring on book #2!!