Vapor Trail

Phil Broker #4

by Chuck Logan

No tears were shed when the hunt went cold for "The Saint" -- an elusive vigilante who earned folk hero status after fatally pumping twelve bullets into a known pedophile. Now, a year later, in the blistering heat of the hottest Minnesota summer in memory, a priest has been executed in a church confessional -- a medal of Nicholas, patron saint of children, stuffed into his mouth. The Saint may be back -- and retired law enforcement officer Phil Broker is being called into service as a favor to a friend. Only an outsider can dig deeply enough into an investigation the police seem to have no enthusiasm for -- but for Broker, it means stirring up dangerous ghosts from his own haunted past. And once he himself becomes the hunted, there will be nowhere to turn for sanctuary. Because this time the killer might be a cop ...

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Chuck Logan is an author of crime drama and veteran of the Vietnam War, who lives with his wife and daughter in Stillwater, Minnesota.

He is best known for his series of novels featuring the character Phil Broker, an ex-Minnesota police officer. Logan's novels include Hunter's Moon, Absolute Zero, Vapor Trail, Homefront, and After the Rain. Homefront is now a major motion picture starring James Franco and Jason Stratham.

Reviews

[Coleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never having read any Chuck Logan novels that I can remember, my first impression is that this author does a great job in weaving a tale. Vapor Trail involves a hard-to- find vigilante who has apparently struck yet once again. This serial killer is targeting specifically pedophiles and sex offenders.

Even having been written in 2003, the first victim for the killer / hero (?) is a priest who has been alleged to have abused a child. The killer, nicknamed the Saint, is know for stuffing a medal of Saint Nicholas in the dead victim's mouth.

A retired law enforcement officer, Phil Broker, is returned to service reluctantly but with the suggestion made to him that the killer may be a police officer. It's touch and go for Broker, but it is enjoyable to see that the police can make mistakes. I liked the book and thought the ending was a good one. I would read more books by Logan if I came across them.

[Chris Bridson · Rating 3 out of 5]

More in the vein of a murder mystery/thriller, Broker in his role as a cop is chasing a pedophile-killing vigilante. Logan can write a decent yarn and the ending is an enticing cliffhanger.

[Justinbwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems targeted at folks who feel a return to racism and misogyny is a welcome relief and a sign of solid character. There were some uncomfortable elements of racism with the characters, and allow the book depicts a world where lines can be drawn along race, there was something coarse in the prose that didn't smooth those experiences. It felt like there would be more explanation to the main character in particular that might explain some of those things, but it never came.

The ending was fairly disappointing too. I fell for a bit of misdirection later in the story that would have been more itnerestin and allowed the protagonist more agency. A solid page-turner but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complicated

I had trouble with the rhythm of this book. It was a good, complicated story, but I couldn't connect to the writing style. Full disclosure; I haven't read the first 3 books in the series, and this could impact my view.

[Phillip III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vapor Trail is a high adrenaline thriller. I have to start this review with that. Chuck Logan's books, his Phil Broker series, just gets better and better with each installment. And right now, Vapor Trail is my favorite.

After a police investigation, a pedophile is arrested. Charged. During the hearing --during what should be an open and closed case-- there is a problem. Ronald Dolman, the accused, walks free. It doesn't matter that he committed horrible crimes.

Unhappy with a lack-luster judicial system, the Saint takes matters into their own hands. This vigilante goes after Dolman. Kills him. And leaves a St. Nichols (the patron Saint for children) medallion in the vile, scumbag's mouth. The city goes wild. Everyone starts wearing Saints jerseys, and jackets, and hats. The police investigate the murder, but aren't really all that concerned with catching a suspect.

Until a few years later. A priest is murdered inside the confessional of a rickety, run down church. The St. Nicholas medallion is left in his mouth. It looks like the Saint might be back in town, back for another round. The police want to keep things hush-hush from the press, from the citizens.

Calling in a favor, Phil Broker is asked to assist on the case. Ex-cop, ex-military, Broker knows the ins and outs. Wearing a temporary badge he works at wrangling in suspended officer Harry Cantrell. Cantrell was always considered a suspect, that he could be the Saint. Never proven, Cantrell's alcoholism has hindered the man's work. Broker, maybe a guy Cantrell hates more than anyone, is sent to find his old friend.

A killer is on the loose. There are targets getting hit. Cantrell knows something about the new cases, he knows something about the Saint. The problem is he keeps alluding Broker. At any moment the press is going to catch on. Pandemonium is a given. Time is running out . . .

Vapor Trail was non-stop tension. The suspense built and built, and built. I am reserving my comments on Nina Pryce (Broker's wife) until my next review. I dislike her. . . lots!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of Absolute Zero
and Damn the Dead

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

No tears were shed when the hunt went cold for "The Saint" -- an elusive vigilante who earned folk hero status after fatally pumping twelve bullets into a known pedophile. Now, a year later, in the blistering heat of the hottest Minnesota summer in memory, a priest has been executed in a church confessional -- a medal of Nicholas, patron saint of children, stuffed into his mouth. The Saint may be back -- and retired law enforcement officer Phil Broker is being called into service as a favor to a friend. Only an outsider can dig deeply enough into an investigation the police seem to have no enthusiasm for -- but for Broker, it means stirring up dangerous ghosts from his own haunted past. And once he himself becomes the hunted, there will be nowhere to turn for sanctuary. Because this time the killer might be a cop

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought the writing was pretentious and cavalier.

There's a line when it comes to violence & sex & children, and this book really got right up to that line (sometimes crossing it, IMHO, without benefit to the plot).

The author spent an inordinate amount of time describing the weather, setting, and appearance of people, and not enough time developing the story itself.

[Jc · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot, someone is killing systematically all the suspected child molesters in this Minnesota county, is OK. Although at times it is a bit long winded. The end is quite surprising. What is odd is that the main character does practically nothing. It seems it is not one of the better books featuring Broker. Maybe I will give it another try.

[Lois Carkhuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting is Minnesota - this is always a plus for me. That aside, The characters, the story, the mystery, the twists and turns provided enough drama, humor, and surprises that I throughly enjoyed the book. I will definitely read Chuck
Logan’s work again!

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing, slow moving book. Storyline and plot are very interesting, but there seemed to be gaps sometimes. It drags and doesn't get interesting until the end. Then, it doesn't seem to solve much. The ending is abrupt. Not recommend.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. I'm not that excited about his writing style.

[Valerie Puckett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like this book. Was sorry I wasted my time when it was done.

[Josh]

good

[john nugent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

I would highly recommend this book.There are many twists and turns until the end.I can't wait to read other works by this author.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite engaging enough to read a bit everyday.

[Vesta Croy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings: child SA and murder.

The SA got me. It was gut-wrenching in a bad way. But, it had a good plot and story line. The characters were well written.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this book in a thrift shop in Minnesota. Set in Stillwater, MN I thought I would give it a try. Good story, great ending. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Cathy DuPont · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first time reading a Chuck Logan and with this being number four in a series (I didn't know it was a series) I obviously won't be reading in sequence.

The main character, Phil Broker, ex, I think, police officer is called back to duty to as a favor to assist in escorting another officer and old partner into rehab. They have a prior history which isn't all that warm and fuzzy so that's a number of events in and of itself.

Like Logan's writing and the plot was good. When the killer was identified, there was a final unexpected twist that made it even more interesting.

Not sure why I gave it three stars instead of four. It was good, ok; characters were well drawn, mostly; plot was pretty good; writing was ok, too. Just wasn't my cup of tea for some reason. Not to say I'll never read another, because I will. However, I'm not headed to the library or Amazon to pick one up. Maybe I would have liked it better had I read the first in the series, first. Maybe.

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. Something happens, the main character meanders around a bit, something else happens…pages and pages go by as plot gets left behind while the author focuses on describing in precise detail the hair and clothes and body type of every character as they're introduced…okay some detail is good but gimme a break; no one needs or keeps a photographic roster in their minds while reading.

Ending too abrupt; after a revelation which is actually no such thing as the truth was clear far far earlier, the book just stops, with no exploration of how the perpetrator successfully fooled the other characters throughout the story. We're also given blatantly conflicting information on this character's behavior without explanation. Dumb.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#4 in the Phillip Broker series. Phil is acting as a special investigator while his MP Major wife is in Europe with his daughter, in this action packed series.

Phillip Broker is called by John Eisenhower and made a special investigator while John is out of state at a funeral. A year ago a pedophile had been executed by a vigilante dubbed "The Saint", now a priest has been killed and signs point to the same killer. Alcoholic cop Harry Cantrell may be "The Saint" or have pertinent info. Wife Nina has daughter Kit dropped off in ND.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the prequal to Afteer the Rain and yes, I'm in a Minnesota rut, having read a ton of Logan and Sanford recently...this is the second to last of the Phil Broker series for me...there is something about these Logan books that suck me right in...yes, Broker and his wife are intriguing, but I think it is the secondary characters that appeal to me because of their utter "flyover-state" natures...I love 'em!!!

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

A police mystery thriller. I loved this book; I kept it in my car and read it during times that I had to wait since I hate sitting with nothing to do. This is the first time I have done that with such an exciting book, but it was a fun treat during those waiting times.

The end of the book was a shocker and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really got to know the characters. Can't wait to read more books by Chuck Logan. He is right up there with the top mystery writers!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chuck Logan knows how to write a fast paced book with a vengenance. This one tears through the hot humid Minnesota summer like one of those oversized dive bombers they have out there that they call mosquitos. And just when you think it is all over Chuck will sucker punch you and have you looking for #5 in the series. This one qualifes as a definite page turner.

[Dale Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Logan homerun. Twists and turns galore.

Logan has the knack of making his characters totally believable. Every person in this story is part and parcel like someone you know. His story Is also one that could be from anywhere and happen to anyone.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A priest has been murdered and Phil Broker must pick up the trail of a killer Called the Saint who previously escaped justice when the community stonewalled the investigation of the man's first killing due to sympathy for the killer.

[John Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think it was as strong as the previous Broker stories but it was still very entertaining. A pretty good story, good writing, not as thick a book as previous so maybe that made the story a little thinner. Good action adn adn pretty good wrap-up.

[Tamora Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Broker, solid Logan. He's moved to my shelf of books to keep for re-reading, which is a rare thing in this house.

[Judi Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one enough that I will look for more of his books. Looks like I am not gonna read them in order since looks like this is #4. Ok to stand alone.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

All I can say is that the ending is what I didn't expect. Good on the suspense. :)

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

The joys of insomnia... Not really my kind of thing. I only tried him because I had heard that he had been mentored by John Sandford who I do like.