The Last Call by Sheldon Siegel

First Sentence: At ten-thirty a.m. on Tuesday, December first, Judge Elizabeth McDaniel was running an hour behind schedule.

As every lawyer knows, representing a relative is a bad idea. But District Attorney Mike Daley finds this is a rule made to be broken when his nephew, Joey Dunleavy, is accused of killing a cop behind the family-named bar he manages. Joey is covered in Corcoran’s blood and a knife engraved with Joey’s name is found next to the body. When Joey is charged with first-degree murder, Mike and his PI brother Pete must find the real killer to clear Joey of the charges.

Siegel begins with a courtroom scene imbued with humor. This serves to introduce the protagonists as well as the author's use of Mike's internal dialogue. While some may find the inclusion of the latter to be distracting, it provides an honest look at the steps of the legal process. With Siegel's use of realistic dialogue, one always learns aspects of the law from his books. The author's summary of the characters is helpful to new readers and a nice reminder to followers of the series.

The author's love of San Francisco is apparent and presents an accurate picture of it being a town of multi-generational families, made of up neighborhoods and great places to eat. For the foodies, there's a temptation to make a list and eat their way around the City. And for locals, it's fun to see mentions of places one has been and learn of new places to go. The one thing of which one may be assured is the accuracy of Siegel's geographic representations. Although Mike's family plays a significant role, it is nicely balanced and doesn't overwhelm the plot. Even so, there is a wonderfully emotional scene toward the end and a nod to the impending pandemic.

The plot is interesting and informative. There is the usual frustration with the police and the realization that their rush to convict is politically motivated, rather than ensuring they have the real killer. The information as to what it takes for Mike to go from working for the DA's office to handling Joey's case pro bono is fascinating. The investigation is laid out step-by-step and filled with unique, fully-developed characters. The sense of working against the clock effectively heightens the suspense, and the twists are effective.

Last Call is a very good legal mystery without all the oft-times histrionics of other writers. Far from making it dull, the accurate depictions of an investigation and trial provide plenty of interest and excitement.

LAST CALL – VG+
LegalMyst-Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez-San Francisco-Contemp
Siegel, Sheldon – 13^th in series
Sheldon M. Siegel, Inc., Jan 2022, 306 pp.

Blood Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff

First Sentence:  Twenty-five years have passed since a savage killer terrorized California, massacring three ordinary families before disappearing without a trace. 

FBI Agent Matthew Roarke is conflicted.  As a child, Cara Lindstrom, was the only survivor of her family's massacre by a man known as The Reaper. Now, twenty-five years later, Cara kills those who prey on innocent girls. Knowing why she kills doesn't help; Roarke knows he must arrest her. After learning of the recent murder of a family with details very similar, too similar to that of Cara's family.  Could The Reaper be back?  Or has he been killing all along?

Sokoloff creates an excellent sense of place. Wherever Roarke is, one is right beside him. There is a tiny element of the supernatural in the plot, but more as an element of racing against the clock.  An effective dream sequence plays a part, as does the author's evocative descriptions—"Dawn is a curious shade of gray; the fog drifting outside the window above her is so thick it is nearly impossible to tell the time of day." 

The characters of Roarke and Cara support the theme of the moon; light versus dark.  Part of Cara's appeal is that there is something mercurial about her.  There is the sense of her being tuned in to an uncommon knowledge of the world.  One isn't certain as to whom they should support; Roarke on the side of the law, or Cara, knowing her past and present.  Although the story is told with alternating points of view between the two, it works well.  

The author brings Roake's team to life while providing a connection back to the series' first book, "The Huntress." Then there is Agent Epp, an interesting character perceptive of both Roarke and Cara.

Sokoloff creates effective and perfectly timed plot twists, constantly building the suspense.  On one hand, she thinks through the logic of situations, putting the pieces together. On the other, it is the forensics and following the clues, especially seeing what others should have seen, that gives genuine power to the story. Amazing the things to be learned.

"Blood Moon" is an exciting read and a wonderful addition to the "Huntress" saga.  Start at the beginning and prepare to become addicted.

BLOOD MOON – VG
PolProc-Agent Matthew Roarke-CA/Nev-Contemp
Sokoloff, Alexandra – 2nd in series
Thomas & Mercer, Feb 2015, 313 pp.

Top Reads of 2021

These are the books that made my list of Top Reads for 2021 with links to my full review:

C.J. Box - DARK SKY
Ann Cleeves - THE DARKEST EVENING
Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny - STATE OF TERROR
M.W. Craven - DEAD GROUND 
M.W. Craven - THE PUPPET SHOW 
Ashley Gardner - THE CUSTOM HOUSE MURDERS
Dennis Lehane -THE DROP 
Donna Leon - TRANSIENT DESIRES 
Andrew Mayne - BLACK CORAL
Chris Nickson - TO THE DARK
Sheldon Siegel - FINAL OUT 

There is also my group of HONORABLE MENTIONS; books I found close to excellent, but for one or two quibbles.  They are:

C.J. Cooke - THE NESTING
Charles Finch - AN EXTRAVAGANT DEATH
Kerry Greenwood - DEATH IN DAYLESFORD
David Housewright - WHAT DOESN'T KILL US 
Alexandria Sokoloff - HUNTRESS MOON
C.J. Tudor - THE BURNING GIRLS

May 2022 be a year of good books and good health.
Happy Reading,
LJ