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This is the second in a new series of p.i. novels by Andy Straka, a Virginia resident who is himself a private investigator. The first in this series, titled A WITNESS ABOVE, has recently been announced a nominee for the Private Eye Writers of America's Shamus Award in the field of Best First Novel. In his second outing, private investigator Frank Pavlicek takes on a politically sensitive case and steers a straight course all the way -- in spite of any number of devious measures taken by various unpleasant people who would rather he run himself off the road, or into the ground, or over a cliff, or anything that would put him out of commission. Preferably permanently. First the bad guys get Frank put in jail (but he gets out) and then they try to kill him (but he survives) ... and all lof this is told in a straightforward, low-key, all-in-a-day's-work kind of way. It's painful when this good guy gets hurt. Maybe Frank doesn't care if he's hurting, but you do, which is what really matters in this kind of book. That, and the fact that you're not likely to guess whodunnit or why or how until the author wants you to. The case involves a missing twin named Cartwright, a young college woman whose father, a US Congressman from Virginia, may be a party in her disappearance. Frank is hired by the other twin, Cassidy. The Congressman is an all-too-believable piece of work, complete with HumVee and horse farm. Did I say the book is set in and around Charlottesville, Virginia? The setting is well drawn, with just the right amount of detail that includes one drive-by (the back way) of Monticello. Frank -- Pavlicek, if you prefer, but somehow I think of him as Frank -- is so likeable and believable that I really wish I knew this guy. If I ever needed a private detective, I'd hire him in a heartbeat. He has strong assistance once again, as in the first in this series, from retired policeman Jake Toronto. Toronto has enough mystery about him to keep unravelling for a long time, which is good, because I expect this series is going to last for a long time ... and I want to know more about Jake Toronto. I hope every book will also include the tidbits about raptors and falconry that enrich A KILLING SKY. The book's title comes from the sky's appearance at a time of day when falcons and hawks like to hunt ... and the imagery hits its mark, just as Frank's redtailed hawk, Armistead, hits hers near the wholly satisfactory end of this engaging and involving story. reviewed by Ava Day
Reviewed by Ava D. Day, June 2002
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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