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Everyone thought that eighty-four year old Pete Braga was going to live forever. He was a very influential man in San Diego, right now owning a successful car dealership. For most of his life Pete had been a fisherman and had made his fortune that way. He was still very active in the San Diego business community and hobnobbed with politicians, including the President of the United States. Pete also had his enemies. Some business associates didnšt like what he wanted to do with the fishing industry in San Diego and Petešs family was not happy that Pete was giving away very expensive gifts to his nurse, Sally Rainwater. Another enemy of Pete Braga was the McMichael family. The Bragašs and the McMichaelšs had been on bad terms with each other for fifty years. Franklin McMichael worked as a fisherman on Petešs boat in 1952. After months at sea Pete didn't pay Franklin because the take was small. Franklin became angry and argued with Pete about it. The outcome was that Pete killed Franklin. Pete was never sent to jail since the courts determined that the murder was in self defense. It was said that in retaliation, Franklin's son, Gabriel, then beat up Petešs son Victor. Now, 63 year old Victor has the mind of a ten year old. Of course Gabe always denied beating Victor. Though everyone thought that Pete would never die, neither did anyone imagine his ever being murdered, which is exactly what happened. One stormy night he was hit over the head with a fish whacker. He body was found by his nurse, Sally Rainwater. Tom McMichael, son of Gabe McMichael, grandson to Franklin McMichael the man Pete killed, was the detective assigned to the case. Itšs up to Tom to figure out who committed the murder. Was it one of Petešs business associates? Maybe it was Petešs lawyer who three times had lost papers that had to do with changes in his will. Was it the nurse, Sally Rainwater, who was found with Petešs blood all over her when the police arrived at the murder scene? Could it be someone from Petešs family? Or maybe it was one of the McMichael clan still trying to revenge Franklinšs murder. If you include every theory on who had a reason to kill Pete, then Tom himself could be a suspect. Twenty years earlier Pete used his influence on his granddaughter, Patricia, to get her to break up with her then boyfriend, Tom McMichael. T. Jefferson Parker has won many awards for his other novels like his very successful Silent Joe and his Merci Rayborn series. We now meet homicide detective, Tom McMichael, another great character. COLD PURSUIT is a wonderful story. Itšs filled with interesting characters and many good sub plots. There's the main story on Pete and his murder, but there are a few others including one with Victor, Petešs damaged 63 year old son and his trips to Mexico; Tomšs old Vice partner who is now spending some time in jail; the old story of Tomšs love interest with Petešs grand daughter Patricia and his newer relationship with Petešs nurse, Sally; and a few more. In other words, if one plot doesn't interest you there's another that will. T. Jefferson Parker once again proves that he is a terrific storyteller. COLD PURSUIT will hold your attention and keep you reading throughout the night.
Reviewed by Sharon Katz, March 2003
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