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Carter Ross Mystery #2
Eyes of the Innocent
Carter Ross, the sometimes-dashing investigative reporter for the Newark Eagle-Examiner, is back, and reporting on the latest tragedy to befall Newark, New Jersey, a fast-moving house fire that kills two boys.
With the help of the paper’s newest intern, a bubbly blonde known as “Sweet Thang,†Carter finds the victims’ mother, Akilah Harris, who spins a tale of woe about a mortgage rate reset that forced her to work two jobs and leave her young boys without child care. Carter turns in a front-page feature, but soon discovers Akilah isn’t what she seems. And neither is the fire.
When Newark councilman Windy Byers is reported missing, it launches Carter into the sordid world of urban house-flipping and Jersey-style political corruption. With his usual mix of humor, compassion, and street smarts, Carter is soon calling on some of his friends—gay Cuban sidekick Tommy Hernandez, T-shirt-selling buddy Tee Jamison, and on-and-off girlfriend Tina Thompson—for help in tracking down the shadowy figure behind it all.
Brad Parks’s debut, Faces of the Gone, won the Shamus Award and Nero Award for Best American Mystery. It was heralded as an engaging mix of Harlan Coben and Janet Evanovich. Now Parks solidifies his place as one of the brightest new talents in crime fiction with this authentic, entertaining thriller.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
66 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Brad Parks
24 books776 followersInternational bestseller author Brad Parks is the only writer to have won the Shamus, Nero, and Lefty Awards, three of American crime fiction's most prestigious prizes. His books have been translated into 16 languages and have earned starred reviews from every major pre-publication journal.
A father of two and a husband of one, Brad is a slow runner and an even slower swimmer. He's grateful for his readers, because otherwise he'd just be a guy who has a lot of conversations with himself in his own head.
For more information -- or to sign up for the newsletter written by his impertinent interns -- visit his website at www.bradparksbooks.com.
To find Brad on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/Brad_Parks.
And for Facebook: www.facebook.com/BradParksBooks.
A father of two and a husband of one, Brad is a slow runner and an even slower swimmer. He's grateful for his readers, because otherwise he'd just be a guy who has a lot of conversations with himself in his own head.
For more information -- or to sign up for the newsletter written by his impertinent interns -- visit his website at www.bradparksbooks.com.
To find Brad on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/Brad_Parks.
And for Facebook: www.facebook.com/BradParksBooks.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
December 11, 2014
Excellent Second Effort - 3.5 Stars
Posted to The Literary Lawyer
The wise cracking, ultra white WASP who loves pleated slacks is back. He is once again surrounded with a gang of colorful characters from Tommy, the gay Cuban (former) intern to "sweet thang" the young blond intern with ties to the papers and the ability to make a mean loaf of banana bread. While the plot lacked the finesse of the first novel, Eyes of the Innocent is an occasionally humorous crime thriller for any fan of Investigative Journalism.
Plot summary
Investigative Journalist Carter Ross is tasked with writing a story surrounding an apartment fire that took the lives of two young boys. Carter learns that the mother of the two boys was not present at the time of the fire and the underage boys were left to fend for themselves as their mom worked two jobs. Across town a parallel storyline develops as a prominent city councillor goes missing without a trace. The stories collide as Carter follows a trail of deception, murder, bribery, sub-prime mortgages and shady business men.
The Good
5 Stars for Style
Brad Parks employs a entertaining writing style that interposes humour with human tragedy and thrills. While it wasn't as humorous as his first installment, the author used many humorous quips as well as developing a string of entertaining and colorful characters. The characters keep you smiling while teetering dangerously on the edge of becoming caricatures. As he often exploits stereotypes in humorous ways, I can imagine this could become tiresome five books into the series.
Human Interest Story with every Novel
Brad Parks writes a journalism story with a journalists eyes. Within his novels he provides an interesting look at the victims of crime. He presents them as normal people often times with their own problems, demons and histories. Its as if the reader is watching the unfolding of a human interest story within the context of the novel as a whole. Additionally, the author deal with some of the issues that these characters would deal with. In this novel there is a look a predatory mortgages and the unregulated house flipping industry. This serves to provide a human background to the stories and provide a sense of realism.
The Bad
These Evils Geniuses Aren't So Smart
If there is one thing the author could improve its the quality of his bad guys. On one hand, the bad guys are portrayed as real people. We get to know the bad guys with short chapters that give us some background and show us how they became what they are. My issue is that these bad guys aren't nearly as smart as they made out to be. They are often involved in schemes with obvious holes that are bound to suck them in and destroy them. Realistically, there are few evil geniuses in the world but in the last two novels (but especially this one) they come off as a bit dumb in the way they clearly overreach. In this novel, the bad guy wasn't nearly as interesting. We knew he was in the background but he had little involvement in the story until the end. Fortunately the rest of the story was interesting.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this installment featured a weaker plot. While the author repeated some of the plot devices from his award winning first novel, they were not used with the same effectiveness. Fortunately, the dialogue continues to be top notch, the characters entertaining and the actually investigation realistic. While a tad disappointing after the stellar first book, I will most definitely be reading the next installment.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2.5
There is significant sexual tension between a few characters. There is a "tweet" that implies the desire for sexual activity and a scene in which two characters prepare to have sex but ultimately back off. None of this is graphic in nature.
Language - 2.5
All use of adult language is mild in nature. There is some mild profanity but overall the languge is appropriate for most ages.
Violence - 2.5
There is no graphic violence. There is investigation of a crime in which children have died in a fire, a gun related murder, a nail gun related murder and a scene where a character has their arm forcefully broken. There is less violence than the average crime novel.
Posted to The Literary Lawyer
The wise cracking, ultra white WASP who loves pleated slacks is back. He is once again surrounded with a gang of colorful characters from Tommy, the gay Cuban (former) intern to "sweet thang" the young blond intern with ties to the papers and the ability to make a mean loaf of banana bread. While the plot lacked the finesse of the first novel, Eyes of the Innocent is an occasionally humorous crime thriller for any fan of Investigative Journalism.
Plot summary
Investigative Journalist Carter Ross is tasked with writing a story surrounding an apartment fire that took the lives of two young boys. Carter learns that the mother of the two boys was not present at the time of the fire and the underage boys were left to fend for themselves as their mom worked two jobs. Across town a parallel storyline develops as a prominent city councillor goes missing without a trace. The stories collide as Carter follows a trail of deception, murder, bribery, sub-prime mortgages and shady business men.
The Good
5 Stars for Style
Brad Parks employs a entertaining writing style that interposes humour with human tragedy and thrills. While it wasn't as humorous as his first installment, the author used many humorous quips as well as developing a string of entertaining and colorful characters. The characters keep you smiling while teetering dangerously on the edge of becoming caricatures. As he often exploits stereotypes in humorous ways, I can imagine this could become tiresome five books into the series.
Human Interest Story with every Novel
Brad Parks writes a journalism story with a journalists eyes. Within his novels he provides an interesting look at the victims of crime. He presents them as normal people often times with their own problems, demons and histories. Its as if the reader is watching the unfolding of a human interest story within the context of the novel as a whole. Additionally, the author deal with some of the issues that these characters would deal with. In this novel there is a look a predatory mortgages and the unregulated house flipping industry. This serves to provide a human background to the stories and provide a sense of realism.
The Bad
These Evils Geniuses Aren't So Smart
If there is one thing the author could improve its the quality of his bad guys. On one hand, the bad guys are portrayed as real people. We get to know the bad guys with short chapters that give us some background and show us how they became what they are. My issue is that these bad guys aren't nearly as smart as they made out to be. They are often involved in schemes with obvious holes that are bound to suck them in and destroy them. Realistically, there are few evil geniuses in the world but in the last two novels (but especially this one) they come off as a bit dumb in the way they clearly overreach. In this novel, the bad guy wasn't nearly as interesting. We knew he was in the background but he had little involvement in the story until the end. Fortunately the rest of the story was interesting.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this installment featured a weaker plot. While the author repeated some of the plot devices from his award winning first novel, they were not used with the same effectiveness. Fortunately, the dialogue continues to be top notch, the characters entertaining and the actually investigation realistic. While a tad disappointing after the stellar first book, I will most definitely be reading the next installment.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2.5
There is significant sexual tension between a few characters. There is a "tweet" that implies the desire for sexual activity and a scene in which two characters prepare to have sex but ultimately back off. None of this is graphic in nature.
Language - 2.5
All use of adult language is mild in nature. There is some mild profanity but overall the languge is appropriate for most ages.
Violence - 2.5
There is no graphic violence. There is investigation of a crime in which children have died in a fire, a gun related murder, a nail gun related murder and a scene where a character has their arm forcefully broken. There is less violence than the average crime novel.
July 1, 2013
3.75 stars rounded up
The stereotype of bubbly-ditzy-twenty-year-old-blonde -- who got into the newspaper business because of her "Daddy" was so, SO VERY annoying!! Plus the blonde girl was called SWEET THANG the whole way through! My patience was running low every single time she talked. I thought the characterizations were worse than Faces of the Gone.
Having said that, the mystery was actually better. It started with a burned house that claimed two boys of Akilah Harris. Then it turned out that Akilah was not as innocent as she seemed. Then there was a slightly complicated connection between the burned house, a missing councilman, and house-flipping business. So the mystery definitely engaged me until the very end.
In addition, I felt that Carter Ross actually did some digging and investigating this time, rather than just by stroke of luck. He put on his thinking cap, finding ways to find clues about the missing councilman and what it had to do with Akilah's burned house. I enjoyed that part.
So, in conclusion, I loved it a mystery -- but it definitely did not win my votes for likeable characters. I seriously hope that Sweet Thang disappeared in the next book. I just couldn't stand her (nor the stereotyping).
The stereotype of bubbly-ditzy-twenty-year-old-blonde -- who got into the newspaper business because of her "Daddy" was so, SO VERY annoying!! Plus the blonde girl was called SWEET THANG the whole way through! My patience was running low every single time she talked. I thought the characterizations were worse than Faces of the Gone.
Having said that, the mystery was actually better. It started with a burned house that claimed two boys of Akilah Harris. Then it turned out that Akilah was not as innocent as she seemed. Then there was a slightly complicated connection between the burned house, a missing councilman, and house-flipping business. So the mystery definitely engaged me until the very end.
In addition, I felt that Carter Ross actually did some digging and investigating this time, rather than just by stroke of luck. He put on his thinking cap, finding ways to find clues about the missing councilman and what it had to do with Akilah's burned house. I enjoyed that part.
So, in conclusion, I loved it a mystery -- but it definitely did not win my votes for likeable characters. I seriously hope that Sweet Thang disappeared in the next book. I just couldn't stand her (nor the stereotyping).
April 22, 2016
PROTAGONIST: Carter Ross, investigative reporter
SETTING: Newark, NJ
SERIES: #3 of 2
RATING: 3.5
Carter Ross is an investigative reporter for the Newark Eagle-Examiner. Although he’s one of the best writers in the office, his assignments are often at the whim of the owner. When a major fire occurs in which two young boys are killed, he’s told to focus on writing about space heaters, although that appliance had no part in the situation. Accompanied by an attractive young intern he is mentoring, Lauren “Sweet Thang” McMillan, they interview the boys’ mother. The story she tells them wipes all thoughts of space heaters out of the picture. But that story turns out to be nowhere near the truth.
Their initial investigation into the fire turns into a search for a missing councilman and a review of mortgage practices in Newark. It turns out that Sweet Thang has a natural ability to make an interviewee feel comfortable enough to share their most intimate secrets. It was interesting to see the differences among the boys’ mother, her mother and her sister, each of whom represent a different strata of Newark society.
One of the major strengths of the first book in the series, FACES OF THE GONE, was the depiction of Newark. I didn’t get nearly as much of a sense of place in EYES. However, Parks does a good job in developing Carter Ross; his own background as a reporter enables him to write convincingly of what is involved in that career. Ross is a character who is easy to like; he has a self-deprecating sense of humor that lightens what could be the grim nature of the job. Some of the other characters weren’t quite as well portrayed. The paper’s editor, Tina Thompson, is desperate to become pregnant and has selected Carter as the impregnator—that thread really didn’t hold up too well for a second book. And to nickname a competent female reporter “Sweet Thang” seemed somehow demeaning to her and her talents, even if she was at times a bit of an airhead.
EYES OF THE INNOCENT is a solid sophomore effort. Although I preferred the first book, I did enjoy EYES quite a bit and am look forward to seeing where Parks will take Carter in the third book of the series, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR.
SETTING: Newark, NJ
SERIES: #3 of 2
RATING: 3.5
Carter Ross is an investigative reporter for the Newark Eagle-Examiner. Although he’s one of the best writers in the office, his assignments are often at the whim of the owner. When a major fire occurs in which two young boys are killed, he’s told to focus on writing about space heaters, although that appliance had no part in the situation. Accompanied by an attractive young intern he is mentoring, Lauren “Sweet Thang” McMillan, they interview the boys’ mother. The story she tells them wipes all thoughts of space heaters out of the picture. But that story turns out to be nowhere near the truth.
Their initial investigation into the fire turns into a search for a missing councilman and a review of mortgage practices in Newark. It turns out that Sweet Thang has a natural ability to make an interviewee feel comfortable enough to share their most intimate secrets. It was interesting to see the differences among the boys’ mother, her mother and her sister, each of whom represent a different strata of Newark society.
One of the major strengths of the first book in the series, FACES OF THE GONE, was the depiction of Newark. I didn’t get nearly as much of a sense of place in EYES. However, Parks does a good job in developing Carter Ross; his own background as a reporter enables him to write convincingly of what is involved in that career. Ross is a character who is easy to like; he has a self-deprecating sense of humor that lightens what could be the grim nature of the job. Some of the other characters weren’t quite as well portrayed. The paper’s editor, Tina Thompson, is desperate to become pregnant and has selected Carter as the impregnator—that thread really didn’t hold up too well for a second book. And to nickname a competent female reporter “Sweet Thang” seemed somehow demeaning to her and her talents, even if she was at times a bit of an airhead.
EYES OF THE INNOCENT is a solid sophomore effort. Although I preferred the first book, I did enjoy EYES quite a bit and am look forward to seeing where Parks will take Carter in the third book of the series, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR.
May 29, 2014
Totally enjoyed this 2nd Carter Ross mystery. Carter Ross is an investigative reporter with a local newspaper and once again gets in deep while investigating a fire that burns down a house with two small children in it. The mystery starts with his interview of the mom of the two little boys and it goes downhill from there. A local politician goes missing and is found dead, the paperwork for the burned down house can't be found at the courthouse, the mom of the two little boys disappears...it's a fast paced book. The cast of characters from book #1 (Sweet Thang, Tommy, etc.) are back and the book is a great read.
May 13, 2011
The central character, Carter Ross, is a Preppy reporter for the Newark Eagle-Examiner. You can't help but fall in love with him: his humble attitude, ethical approach to life, and "Knight in Shining Armor" attitude all contribute to that! I met Brad Parks last year when he rescued our Friends of the Library by filling in as our Weekend with a Writer speaker @ practically the last minute! Brad is so charming, and his writing is so good, it's difficult not to see the similarities between Brad and Carter Ross! I have loved both of Brad's books thus far, and can't wait for the next one!
November 3, 2017
I wonder what it would be like if Carter ever met Stephanie Plum?
August 11, 2016
Many have written a short synopsis of the book already so I want to write what I like about this series. First of all, it is at times laugh out loud funny. Ross Carter is an investigative reporter for a Newark newspaper and his take on daily things is humorous and refreshing. However, he shows himself to be a thoughtful and compassionate person. He doesn't take himself too seriously but does his job very well. When many people would think their job is done, he keeps investigating when something doesn't see right.
Another thing I realized as I was reading, Ross being an investigating reporter is refreshing after reading so many detective books. At one time when he was in a dangerous situation all he had for defense were fingernail clippers. Of course, he didn't try to use them but had mentioned he didn't carry a gun being that he was a reporter not a policeman.
The newspaper co-workers to his boss who doesn't use vowels when he talks are interesting, unique characters who you want to read about in the upcoming books. Carter Ross is a likable compassionate and funny person who would be fun to know. I should mention also that it was a visual book for me from the descriptions in the book. I could see Maury's Pawn Shop and the neighborhoods of Newark. I could see Sweet Thang (an intern) chatting away to people and baking banana bread. It was a fun read.
Back
Another thing I realized as I was reading, Ross being an investigating reporter is refreshing after reading so many detective books. At one time when he was in a dangerous situation all he had for defense were fingernail clippers. Of course, he didn't try to use them but had mentioned he didn't carry a gun being that he was a reporter not a policeman.
The newspaper co-workers to his boss who doesn't use vowels when he talks are interesting, unique characters who you want to read about in the upcoming books. Carter Ross is a likable compassionate and funny person who would be fun to know. I should mention also that it was a visual book for me from the descriptions in the book. I could see Maury's Pawn Shop and the neighborhoods of Newark. I could see Sweet Thang (an intern) chatting away to people and baking banana bread. It was a fun read.
Back
May 25, 2020
Despite several caveats, I liked Carter Ross #1 and gave it 4 stars so I tried Carter Ross #2 but I just couldn't handle the writing so I dnf'd it. The issues I had in book #1 were even worse in #2. The issues being that everything was just too cute, every single character was just too cliché, a lot of the one-liners and even conversations were just too glib. The whole thing was just overly sweet and too treacly.
Spoilers: I mean, you have your Sweet Thang Southern intern, your gay sharp dressing intern, outside tough editor, friendly tough on the outside, sugar on the inside hoodlum. Basically everyone was a walking talking cliché. I dnf'd at 45%, that was all I could stomach.
Spoilers: I mean, you have your Sweet Thang Southern intern, your gay sharp dressing intern, outside tough editor, friendly tough on the outside, sugar on the inside hoodlum. Basically everyone was a walking talking cliché. I dnf'd at 45%, that was all I could stomach.
September 15, 2019
another relevant topic for a theme in this one. (Mortgages, housing & house-flipping)
had some humor which comes out in the dialogue b/w Carter & his co-workers.
since i'm doing this series out of order, i already know what happens with some of the characters referenced in the story so it was interesting to see "where they started" as it were.
FYI: while it's best to do a series in order, it's not necessary with this one.
had some humor which comes out in the dialogue b/w Carter & his co-workers.
since i'm doing this series out of order, i already know what happens with some of the characters referenced in the story so it was interesting to see "where they started" as it were.
FYI: while it's best to do a series in order, it's not necessary with this one.
April 13, 2021
#2 in the Carter Ross series. This 2011 series entry by author Brad Parks is a fine addition to the series. I was introduced to the series in 2015 and enjoyed the series debut, I can't explain how I let 6 years go by without checking out the sequel. I think it stood up just fine to its award winning predecessor and I'll make it a point to read the 3rd in the series without such an unseemly hiatus. An investigative reporter who faithfully conveys the gritty urban feel of Newark, NJ.
After a house fire kills two young brothers in a rundown Newark, N.J., neighborhood, Carter Ross of the Newark Eagle-Examiner gets the word to write yet another story about the dangers of space heaters. To complicate a routine assignment, Carter must take beautiful, spacey intern Lauren McMillan (aka "Sweet Thang") to the scene of the tragedy. In a tense confrontation with Akilah Harris, the mother of the two boys, Lauren displays an unexpected talent for getting her to talk. Akilah's hard-luck story could be front-page news if true, but when it begins to fall apart and then dovetails with the disappearance of veteran council member Wendell "Windy" A. Byers Jr., things get hot quickly.
After a house fire kills two young brothers in a rundown Newark, N.J., neighborhood, Carter Ross of the Newark Eagle-Examiner gets the word to write yet another story about the dangers of space heaters. To complicate a routine assignment, Carter must take beautiful, spacey intern Lauren McMillan (aka "Sweet Thang") to the scene of the tragedy. In a tense confrontation with Akilah Harris, the mother of the two boys, Lauren displays an unexpected talent for getting her to talk. Akilah's hard-luck story could be front-page news if true, but when it begins to fall apart and then dovetails with the disappearance of veteran council member Wendell "Windy" A. Byers Jr., things get hot quickly.
May 29, 2023
Brad Parks hit another out of the park. Enjoyed the book and new character sweet thing. Book begins with a fire that trapped two young children. And the consequence of the mother leaving them at home locked inside so she could work her second job. Enjoyed the story and of course Carter Ross
March 15, 2019
Read the first one years ago and kind of forgot about the series.
July 7, 2017
Definitely liked this book! Main character, Carter Ross, is a newspaper reporter for a large
Newark newspaper and ends up working on a story relating to the death of a city councilman.
Colorful characters, good plot. Need to get the rest of the Carter Ross books in my library so
I can read them all. As a former journalist may be slightly biased, but who doesn't like a good mystery set in Jersey?!
Newark newspaper and ends up working on a story relating to the death of a city councilman.
Colorful characters, good plot. Need to get the rest of the Carter Ross books in my library so
I can read them all. As a former journalist may be slightly biased, but who doesn't like a good mystery set in Jersey?!
February 11, 2016
I found Brad Parks' third Carter Ross book, The Girl Next Door, such a wonderful blend of mystery, humor, heart, and character that I went back to the beginning of the series so I wouldn't miss a thing. It's taking me entirely too long to catch up, but I'm enjoying every page that Parks writes.
Interpersed throughout the book are a few short chapters told from the bad guy's point of view, and although they're not entirely necessary, they do show readers just what Ross is up against. We also get a real feel for working in a newsroom, with an editor who's perfected speech without the use of vowels (should I worry that I seem able to understand the man so easily?), and a boss who has a thing about space heaters. The one and only thing about this series that I can do without is the presence of another editor, Tina, whose biological clock has convinced her that Carter is the one-and-only sperm donor for her. Her behavior has gotten very old, very quickly, and I'm secretly hoping her clock implodes.
One of the things I love best about this series is Carter Ross's heart. As he looks at a photograph and into the eyes of two little dead boys, he knows he's going to do whatever it takes to find justice for them-- even if he is armed only with a pair of nail clippers. Carter Ross treats everyone he meets with respect, and that has to have a great deal to do with the stories he manages to root out.
It is so much fun to watch Carter, Sweet Thang, and fellow reporter Tommy piece all the clues to this mystery together. Sweet Thang (perhaps I should call her by her name, Lauren!) isn't the bubble-headed, bodacious bimbo that everyone thinks she is, and she actually shows quite a bit of potential as a reporter. In the midst of heart-warming moments, laugh-out-loud funny lines,
and downright scary scenes, we also get to learn quite a bit about corruption in the real estate market. If I didn't already have a house bought and paid for, I'd almost be tempted to live in a lean-to out in the woods rather than buy a house now....
There must be something in the water in New Jersey because that state has turned out some mighty fine writers with just the right combination of smarts, compassion, and humor that keep me coming back for all their books. You want a name or two? Chris Grabenstein. Jeff Cohen. Harlan Coben. And never, ever forget Brad Parks. If you don't already, you're going to love Carter Ross as much as I do.
Interpersed throughout the book are a few short chapters told from the bad guy's point of view, and although they're not entirely necessary, they do show readers just what Ross is up against. We also get a real feel for working in a newsroom, with an editor who's perfected speech without the use of vowels (should I worry that I seem able to understand the man so easily?), and a boss who has a thing about space heaters. The one and only thing about this series that I can do without is the presence of another editor, Tina, whose biological clock has convinced her that Carter is the one-and-only sperm donor for her. Her behavior has gotten very old, very quickly, and I'm secretly hoping her clock implodes.
One of the things I love best about this series is Carter Ross's heart. As he looks at a photograph and into the eyes of two little dead boys, he knows he's going to do whatever it takes to find justice for them-- even if he is armed only with a pair of nail clippers. Carter Ross treats everyone he meets with respect, and that has to have a great deal to do with the stories he manages to root out.
It is so much fun to watch Carter, Sweet Thang, and fellow reporter Tommy piece all the clues to this mystery together. Sweet Thang (perhaps I should call her by her name, Lauren!) isn't the bubble-headed, bodacious bimbo that everyone thinks she is, and she actually shows quite a bit of potential as a reporter. In the midst of heart-warming moments, laugh-out-loud funny lines,
and downright scary scenes, we also get to learn quite a bit about corruption in the real estate market. If I didn't already have a house bought and paid for, I'd almost be tempted to live in a lean-to out in the woods rather than buy a house now....
There must be something in the water in New Jersey because that state has turned out some mighty fine writers with just the right combination of smarts, compassion, and humor that keep me coming back for all their books. You want a name or two? Chris Grabenstein. Jeff Cohen. Harlan Coben. And never, ever forget Brad Parks. If you don't already, you're going to love Carter Ross as much as I do.
November 19, 2019
Not only was this a disappointing follow up to his (much better) debut, it left me feeling like a dirty ageist old man.
The plotline didn't seem as tight and believable as 'Faces of the Gone', with much less detail provided on the baddies. It seemed to be glossed over in favour of objectifying the hot young 'Sweet Thang', who cannot seem to be referred to without sexualising and/or infantilising her.
She is introduced as a 'shapely twenty-two-year-old blonde' whose 'wholesomeness... put unwholesome thoughts in my head', while 'treating [Carter] to a view down her scoop-necked top'. Further descriptions of Sweet Thang are 'lots of creamy, perfect, youthful skin', as Carter 'couldn't help but admire her tight little ass'. When she gets dressed, Carter has to 'pretend like [he] didn't notice how nicely it clung to her'.
She's also described as a 'silly girl', who 'started bouncing up and down in her chair like a third grader who has been told she must wait ... before going to the bathroom'. This continues on throughout the entire book, and it felt entirely unnecessary and distasteful.
Carter's main love interest is, shockingly enough, 5 years older than him. We know this because it is referred to, lest we forget, with descriptions such as 'a-too-hot-for-her-age thirty-eight-year old'. She's a single dimensional character, an older career woman whose biological clock is ticking. She continually threatens/entices Carter with her demands to be impregnated, while Carter plays the bumbling, good-intentioned and harmless, helplessly desirable man.
All in all, it was trashy enough to have put me off Brad Parks' writing.
The plotline didn't seem as tight and believable as 'Faces of the Gone', with much less detail provided on the baddies. It seemed to be glossed over in favour of objectifying the hot young 'Sweet Thang', who cannot seem to be referred to without sexualising and/or infantilising her.
She is introduced as a 'shapely twenty-two-year-old blonde' whose 'wholesomeness... put unwholesome thoughts in my head', while 'treating [Carter] to a view down her scoop-necked top'. Further descriptions of Sweet Thang are 'lots of creamy, perfect, youthful skin', as Carter 'couldn't help but admire her tight little ass'. When she gets dressed, Carter has to 'pretend like [he] didn't notice how nicely it clung to her'.
She's also described as a 'silly girl', who 'started bouncing up and down in her chair like a third grader who has been told she must wait ... before going to the bathroom'. This continues on throughout the entire book, and it felt entirely unnecessary and distasteful.
Carter's main love interest is, shockingly enough, 5 years older than him. We know this because it is referred to, lest we forget, with descriptions such as 'a-too-hot-for-her-age thirty-eight-year old'. She's a single dimensional character, an older career woman whose biological clock is ticking. She continually threatens/entices Carter with her demands to be impregnated, while Carter plays the bumbling, good-intentioned and harmless, helplessly desirable man.
All in all, it was trashy enough to have put me off Brad Parks' writing.
July 11, 2012
I think I read this book because some New Jersey magazine recommended it. The story takes place in Newark and the author used to be a reporter in Jersey. For a guy who used to be a reporter writing about a guy who is a reporter, you'd think that this book would be spotless when it comes to punctuation and spelling errors. Not so. Don't have your main character get huffy about a grammar error if you can't fix the errors in your story. I'm a stickler about errors in books, especially because it seems like sloppy editing is all book publishers do these days. But I digress...
The story is pretty interesting. A woman's house burns down, killing her two young boys who were trapped inside. But is the woman telling the truth? Was the fire an accident or arson? And what is up with the missing city councilman? Are these two incidents connected? It kept me guessing through to the end, however, I probably wasn't thinking that hard about it because I was so distracted by how annoying some of the characters (mainly the female characters) were. Sweet Thang, real name Lauren, is a pretty young intern who flirts her way into getting information and whines and has a Jersey City apartment that her rich daddy paid for. Then there's Tina who (I didn't read the first book in this series, so I don't really know much of the background) apparently wants the main character, Carter Ross, to sleep with her so she can get pregnant. Uhm, okay? Can we get some normal female characters, please?
There were also lots of cliches, the kind you'd expect to read in a mystery novel such as this.
The story is pretty interesting. A woman's house burns down, killing her two young boys who were trapped inside. But is the woman telling the truth? Was the fire an accident or arson? And what is up with the missing city councilman? Are these two incidents connected? It kept me guessing through to the end, however, I probably wasn't thinking that hard about it because I was so distracted by how annoying some of the characters (mainly the female characters) were. Sweet Thang, real name Lauren, is a pretty young intern who flirts her way into getting information and whines and has a Jersey City apartment that her rich daddy paid for. Then there's Tina who (I didn't read the first book in this series, so I don't really know much of the background) apparently wants the main character, Carter Ross, to sleep with her so she can get pregnant. Uhm, okay? Can we get some normal female characters, please?
There were also lots of cliches, the kind you'd expect to read in a mystery novel such as this.
August 31, 2011
Investigative reporter, Carter Ross is back. Carter writes for the Newark Eagle –Examiner. Carter’s boss wants Carter to write about the dangers of space heaters, after a house fire that killed two young boys. Carter is being paired with the newest intern, Lauren McMillan aka Sweet Thang.
Akilah Harris is the boys’ mother. At first glance she seems like a devastated mother but there is more to Akilah than meets the eye. Carter would have brushed Akilah off but when councilman, Windy Byers goes missing, Carter’s investigative instincts kick in.
It is not often that when I read a book I am in agreement with the press on their praises about an author or book. In this case they have it right. When I first read Faces of the Gone, I knew Mr. Parks was someone to be watching. It is easy to see why Carter is considered the best in the business. He is tough as nails and has a cynical way about him that I like. Of course living in Newark, I would expect nothing less. Carter and Sweet Thang actually made a good pair. They meshed well together. It is amazing what Carter will do to get a story. I found all the characters intriguing. The story line was fast paced. Eyes of the Innocent will blow you away! This book will have you falling in love with mystery/suspense thrillers all over again.
Akilah Harris is the boys’ mother. At first glance she seems like a devastated mother but there is more to Akilah than meets the eye. Carter would have brushed Akilah off but when councilman, Windy Byers goes missing, Carter’s investigative instincts kick in.
It is not often that when I read a book I am in agreement with the press on their praises about an author or book. In this case they have it right. When I first read Faces of the Gone, I knew Mr. Parks was someone to be watching. It is easy to see why Carter is considered the best in the business. He is tough as nails and has a cynical way about him that I like. Of course living in Newark, I would expect nothing less. Carter and Sweet Thang actually made a good pair. They meshed well together. It is amazing what Carter will do to get a story. I found all the characters intriguing. The story line was fast paced. Eyes of the Innocent will blow you away! This book will have you falling in love with mystery/suspense thrillers all over again.
June 18, 2015
Brad Parks delivers a character as funny as Stephanie Plum. Carter Ross, investigative reporter at the Newark Eagle-Examiner, shows up at a house fire where two boys died. At first he thinks this is a tragedy, two kids home alone, single mother working to put food on the table. He meets the boys' mother who should be a professional storyteller for all the lies she weaves.
When Ross is assigned a perky, blond intern nicknamed Sweet Thang, he hands her a research project to check out whether or not the woman's story is true. It unravels just before the paper is to go to press with the heart-tugging story. Ross tries to stop it, because Sweet Thang has uncovered some of the woman's lies.
The story underlying the lies becomes so delicious that Ross can't stop investigating. Add the disappearance of a city councilman, rumors of corruption in house flipping and downright hilarious political corruption and you have a book that will keep you turning pages until the last one. And then you'll want more.
To be transparent, I know Brad Parks. I know he's funny, profane, zany -- just like his main character. So, is Carter Ross really a thinly disguised Brad Parks? You'll have to ask him. My money is on "yes."
When Ross is assigned a perky, blond intern nicknamed Sweet Thang, he hands her a research project to check out whether or not the woman's story is true. It unravels just before the paper is to go to press with the heart-tugging story. Ross tries to stop it, because Sweet Thang has uncovered some of the woman's lies.
The story underlying the lies becomes so delicious that Ross can't stop investigating. Add the disappearance of a city councilman, rumors of corruption in house flipping and downright hilarious political corruption and you have a book that will keep you turning pages until the last one. And then you'll want more.
To be transparent, I know Brad Parks. I know he's funny, profane, zany -- just like his main character. So, is Carter Ross really a thinly disguised Brad Parks? You'll have to ask him. My money is on "yes."
April 5, 2012
I discovered Brad Parks when I won a copy of The Girl Next Door: A Mystery in a goodreads giveaway. I really enjoyed it. Once I figured out it was the third book in a series, I got my hands on the first two. The first book in the series, Faces of the Gone, was a bit of a disappointment, but Eyes of the Innocent almost matches The Girl Next Door: A Mystery. It is fast paced and entertaining. The mystery is nothing special but the characters Parks develops are fun even though most of the are almost cardboard cutout stereotypes. I can't put my finger on what brings these characters to life, but Parks pulls it off. It is a fun read.
August 19, 2024
Eloquently written straight through the end of the credits. This was my introduction to the author after finding this book in the mystery section of the local library 📚. What a find! Turns out he’s written a number of books so we’ll be getting better acquainted as summer turns into Fall. Nice that another of my favorite authors, Michael Connelly, also enjoyed this book 📕.
The story involves a reporter for a newspaper in Newark, New Jersey, Carter Ross, who is tasked with working with an exuberant (think bubbly with word salad) intern who’s been nicknamed Sweet Thang! In the course of investigating a fire that claimed the life of two young boys, Carter and Sweet Thing stumble face first into the proverbial hornet 🐝 nest. Pure entertainment on every page 📃.
The story involves a reporter for a newspaper in Newark, New Jersey, Carter Ross, who is tasked with working with an exuberant (think bubbly with word salad) intern who’s been nicknamed Sweet Thang! In the course of investigating a fire that claimed the life of two young boys, Carter and Sweet Thing stumble face first into the proverbial hornet 🐝 nest. Pure entertainment on every page 📃.
January 24, 2022
If you can ignore the male dominance that is exhibited throughout the book, the story is fine. It didn't grab me and hold my interest. It didn't make me wonder what was going to happen but it was good enough for me to want to finish it. The constant male superior attitude was just too hard to ignore and I won't be reading another in the series. There are only so many times I can bear having a man call a woman "Sweet Thing" or the sexual relationship Carter Ross has with his boss.
June 9, 2025
DNF.
I enjoyed the first book. I liked the writing style, and enjoyed the mystery. My complaint was that the author has a habit of choosing stereotypical characters, and then reminding us of their stereotype every single scene with them. I swear he never mentioned Tommy without mentioning something gay about him. Like every. Single. Time. This book was no better about the stereotypes.
Carter Ross is very attracted to a woman in this book that he mentions time and again is too young for him.
She is 22. He is around 33.
She’s naive, big blue eyes, perfect boobs, blonde hair, and a perfect good girl. She’s an idiot. Notice how I didn’t have to mention the author of this book is male, you can tell just by that description. She’s so fucking dumb, I finally decided it was degrading to myself as a woman to finish the book. I stopped right after Carter couldn’t help but admire her”tight little ass”. Not sure why I didn’t stop after he noticed she had soft hands and could’t help but imagine her hand “on other places on his body” ewwwwww it wouldn’t be so nasty if they hadn’t made her this gullible blonde who acts like a child. And if Carter hadn’t mentioned how she was so young so many times.
Gave it two stars instead of one, because I liked the mystery part.
I enjoyed the first book. I liked the writing style, and enjoyed the mystery. My complaint was that the author has a habit of choosing stereotypical characters, and then reminding us of their stereotype every single scene with them. I swear he never mentioned Tommy without mentioning something gay about him. Like every. Single. Time. This book was no better about the stereotypes.
Carter Ross is very attracted to a woman in this book that he mentions time and again is too young for him.
She is 22. He is around 33.
She’s naive, big blue eyes, perfect boobs, blonde hair, and a perfect good girl. She’s an idiot. Notice how I didn’t have to mention the author of this book is male, you can tell just by that description. She’s so fucking dumb, I finally decided it was degrading to myself as a woman to finish the book. I stopped right after Carter couldn’t help but admire her”tight little ass”. Not sure why I didn’t stop after he noticed she had soft hands and could’t help but imagine her hand “on other places on his body” ewwwwww it wouldn’t be so nasty if they hadn’t made her this gullible blonde who acts like a child. And if Carter hadn’t mentioned how she was so young so many times.
Gave it two stars instead of one, because I liked the mystery part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2024
Parks’ second offering in his investigative reporter series featuring Carter Ross has the Newark Eagle-Examiner journalist assigned to write a follow-up story concerning a tragic fire that claimed the lives of two children. Annoyingly, his editor not only wants the story to be about space heaters, but has also assigned the intern Lauren to join him in his investigation. The Vanderbilt graduate has been given the nickname ‘Sweet Thang’ [which I found annoying on so many levels]. However, it is Lauren who gets Akilah Harris to talk to them when they visit the scene of the fire.
The other major story that the paper is following is the murder of Councilman Wendell ‘Windy’ Byers. Ross is quickly reassigned to that story and it eventually proves to be related to the house fire. There are twists along the way and Carter finds that there are dangerous forces that he and Lauren must contend with. Enjoy!
The other major story that the paper is following is the murder of Councilman Wendell ‘Windy’ Byers. Ross is quickly reassigned to that story and it eventually proves to be related to the house fire. There are twists along the way and Carter finds that there are dangerous forces that he and Lauren must contend with. Enjoy!
January 15, 2020
I enjoyed Brad Park's storyline, however, not as much as Faces of the Gone. I wished he would have kept the dynamic trio of Carter, Tina, and Tommy as a much tighter team. They were present, but not central to the storyline. I was completely over Sweet Thang and her character. She was overly done and frankly, annoying to follow. I also can't stand the nickname. I would have understood Barbie and having her real name Barbara. But Lauren to Sweet Thang and she is white? It's just not believable. She acts like a 10-year-old in the storyline and had a Southern charm about her, but was depicted as coming from Jersey City. I grew up in Jersey City and lived near the waterfront such as this young lady. No matter what part of Jersey City you are from, there is still an element of street smarts. I'm hoping she is gone in The Girl Next Door.
June 8, 2017
I really enjoy reporter protagonists.
I have met this author at Left Coast Crime events and cannot stop myself from picturing him as Carter Ross.
The voice of Carter is a delight. He throws in funny observations which I just cannot stop guffawing about.
This episode was about the arson of a house with two little boys inside. The investigation also uncovered a city Councilman with wandering sexual appetite and a disreputable local entrepreneur who rehabs and flips houses which include balloon mortgages and other dastardly deeds.
Carter also has to deal with a well connected female intern at work, who decides he is the best thing since sliced bread. His other workers also provide a great deal of diversity and talent.
I borrowed a copy of this from the public library.
I have met this author at Left Coast Crime events and cannot stop myself from picturing him as Carter Ross.
The voice of Carter is a delight. He throws in funny observations which I just cannot stop guffawing about.
This episode was about the arson of a house with two little boys inside. The investigation also uncovered a city Councilman with wandering sexual appetite and a disreputable local entrepreneur who rehabs and flips houses which include balloon mortgages and other dastardly deeds.
Carter also has to deal with a well connected female intern at work, who decides he is the best thing since sliced bread. His other workers also provide a great deal of diversity and talent.
I borrowed a copy of this from the public library.
March 13, 2018
I read SAY NOTHING and loved it so much I thought I would read more Brad Parks -- so I read THE PLAYER because it was the only one on the shelf in the library. Didn't like it a lot, but got 4 more of the Carter Ross series checked out. Just finished EYES OF THE INNOCENT. Had a hard time finishing it -- so many characters, some good, some not. An editor who may or may not be interested in Carter, an intern who is definitely interested, several more at the paper who are apparently unhinged, and on and on. The story was confusing at times, dull at other times. Perhaps I'll try THE GIRL NEXT DOOR to see if Carter Ross grows on me -- so far, not. But bear in mind, everyone else who reviewed this book seemed to love it.
August 8, 2018
Carter Ross sticks with the newspaper business even though it is falling down around him. He writes for the Newark Eagle-Examiner, doing whatever the editor tells him to do, so he heads off to write a space heater story about a burned down house that killed two little boys. What he finds is a lot bigger than that. Stuck with one of the interns, Carter takes her along and they find the homeowner in the kitchen of the burned out house. Lauren charms Akilah Harris into telling them her story: the house was owned by a city councilman who was Akilah's boyfriend. Then everything comes crashing down. Turns out the city councilman was on the grift to a Brazilian developer and a lot of people got in the way. Fast-paced and snarky, just how I like my mysteries.
February 9, 2022
The Newark, NJ newsman Ross carter, solves a somewhat mundane murder of a corrupt City Councilman who in return for campaign contributions from 'dead' constituents, offered choice real estate to a clever loser what specialized in flipping houses. The loser killed the Councilman. Carter figured it out.
The main interest here is the ever wise-cracking Carter...his clever dialogue makes this novel amusing and somewhat compelling. He also has a new alluring intern, nicknamed Sweet Thang, who keeps Carter and the readers interested and leaves the City Editor, Tiny, as yesterdays girl. I also like the banter with Tommy, the gay Cuban cub reporter, who helped Carter in solving this case.
The main interest here is the ever wise-cracking Carter...his clever dialogue makes this novel amusing and somewhat compelling. He also has a new alluring intern, nicknamed Sweet Thang, who keeps Carter and the readers interested and leaves the City Editor, Tiny, as yesterdays girl. I also like the banter with Tommy, the gay Cuban cub reporter, who helped Carter in solving this case.
February 4, 2018
I liked the first book in the series better, because of the plot, although it was interesting to read in this story about the New Jersey real estate business (to some degree, because it helps to elucidate Donald Trump's business methods). I am still very fond of reading about the investigative methods and interpersonal relations of journalist Carter Ross and his pals at a Newark daily newspaper. Having lived in Northern New Jersey as a high schooler, I also enjoy an adult perspective on what seemed like such a bucolic place when I lived there in the mid-sixties.
July 6, 2018
I found this novel, second in the series, more engrossing than the first. Two young boys left alone while their mother works two jobs are killed in a fast-moving house fire. Newark councilman Windy Byers is reported missing and is found to be involved in the case. The investigative reporter, Carter Ross, with the help of his friends, tracks down the shadowy figure behind all this. The author's humor and the unique characters he creates make this a very good read. I enjoyed the book and plan to read more by this author.
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