Frag Box

Herman Jackson #2

by Richard A. Thompson

Herman Jackson never thought his past would catch up with him, least of all via a murdered Vietnam veteran named Charlie Victor.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

250 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2009

About the author

Richard Alvin Thompson is a civil engineer who traded his transit for a laptop and now writes mysteries full time. His first book, Fiddle Game was short-listed for a Debut Dagger Award. The second in the series about bail bondsman and former bookie Herman Jackson, Frag Box, was a finalist in the Minnesota Book Awards. Big Wheat is his first stand-alone historical mystery.

Library of Congress Authorities:
Thompson, Richard A. (Richard Alvin), 1942-

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better book than the first in the series, with a more believable plot.

[Dana King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thompson is a fine example of why to go to conferences. I saw him on a panel at Bouchercon in Indianapolis, which inspired me to read Fiddle Game, which in turn impressed me enough to keep Thompson on the radar. I took way too long to get to Frag Box, but books have the endearing ability of waiting for tardy readers, so it was as good as I’d hoped it would be, though quite a bit different from its predecessor. Thompson has the ability to disappear into his writing while maintaining a style of his own, which must be damned hard to do, since so few people can do it. He’s has written two books since Frag Box; the only question for me is which to read first.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark and in some ways, sad and vicious novel of demons and their aftermaths. Herman Jackson, now a bail bond operator in St. Paul, Minnesota, after some difficulties in Detroit as a youngster, has a fairly settled life in the capital city. One of his regulars is a disturbed veteran of the Viet Nam war with the unfortunate name, Charlie Victor. Victor is the catalyst.

This novel is well-conceived and executed. It grabs you early on and maintains a relentless pace, even in its flashbacks, something not easy to do. On the surface, Herman Jackson undertakes a quixotic effort to determine why the homeless Victor is suddenly and brutally murdered on the street in broad daylight. But as the story develops we become aware that more is going on here than first perceived. A simple story line has developed tentacles and layers of intrigue and darkness. Herman Jackson requires a variety of questionably acquired skills to stay ahead of Charlie’s killers and the forces that motivate them. And as the novel continues we come to understand that the journey involves more than just a simple quest for answers.

The darkness that stalks this story is leavened by the cynical, wise-cracking voice of Mr. Jackson. His attitudes are well-founded. He’s seen and experienced enough of the venality of society’s representatives, whether they reside on the side of the dark angels or of the haloed ones. “Frag Box” is not a perfect novel, but if some of the fantasies serve the story more than reality, well, the totality is well worth a few minor lapses. Kudos to Mr. Thompson. Here’s an author definitely worth paying attention to. I look forward to Mr. Thompson’s next effort.

[Dennis Willingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery set in St Paul. Author did a good job of getting the setting and local color right. Good quick read.

[Suzanne Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this to be a well-plotted story with memorable characters. Very engaging, hard to put down.

[Ray Charbonneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe a 3. It's good, with strong images, but it's just a genre novel. Doesn't really bring anything new to the table.