Black and White

Normally Police Procedurals are not my cup of tea; however, Dan Mahoney's BLACK and WHITE kept me riveted. This was my first (but not last by now) Brian McKenna book by Mahoney, and while I like Brian a lot, my hero and person I'd like to see more of in future books, is the tenacious, intutitive, elderly retired black policeman. I guarantee, you've never met anyone like him. They made him and threw away the mold! As you can tell, I really get into my books - good ones come alive for me - and this is a good one!There are other very unusual characters in this book that you will come to know and like (or dislike), and this is another book you will hate to put down.I started this book in the morning, took it with me for my flu shot (stood in line reading) at the Church, and stayed up all night to finish. I think you will like it!

I'd never heard of Dan Mahoney, but the title caught my attention and the back cover caught my interest. Being a retired police officer, I view with some skepticism any so-called authority on police procedures and policies. I was surprised when I found my attention riveted on the story. I truly couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to learn the outcome and the fate that awaited the bad guys. The only thing that struck me as being less than authentic was the fact that every investigator from every police agency was not only intelligent, dedicated and persevering, but a really nice guy to boot. That just doesn't happen. I will definitely buy another Dan Mahoney novel

I read about 3 or 4 books a week, most of them in this genre. This particular novel is as spell-binding and as well-written as anything I've read. It is certainly in the top two percent of the crop. A particularly gruesome crime is committed and then we are led, step-by-step, through the actual procedure of tracking down the bad guy. Fascinating stuff that could only have been done by an ex-captain of police who knows all the ins and outs from first-hand experience. A gripping read that takes you by the throat and won't let you go until the last page.

NYC Detective First Class Brian McKenna is paired with another McKenna to investigate the torture murder of the daughter of a prominent city councilman. Clues found from the first murder lead to other similar murders across the globe, and the two McKenna's work with a multitude of police departments to track down the killers. The double meaning of the title is finally revealed about half way through the plot. A few of the characters the two McKenna's come across are not as believable as the plot leads, but Brian McKenna continues to be written realistically as someone who solves crimes through hard work and gut instinct, while thoroughly understanding the intricasies of a political NYC police force. Mahoney, a former NCY police captain, is not one to sympathize with the killers in his novels, and offers the readers a straight line plot that keeps the reader interested until the final pages.

In Manhattan, the wife of New York City Council president Paul Barrone is found brutally murdered along side his political aide Arthur McMahon, son of a Virginia scion. The police department assigns the high visibility case to Detective Brian Mckenna. The brass designates Tommy Mckenna (no relation) to assist the low keyed Brian. Tommy is renowned for turning his investigations into a media circus. Tommy recognizes the modus operandi as identical to a case that has haunted him for almost two decades without resolution. The officers soon learn that their peers in other states and Puerto Rico are working on similar crimes. Through illegal means, they obtain a few clues that point towards a snuff video crew selling their vintage live action work. BLACK AND WHITE is an interesting police procedural that provides sub-genre fans with several twists. The officers are fun to watch as they struggle to find clues. Ironically, progress on the case mostly comes from a private investigator hired by Arthur's father. The sleuth has no compunctions and no legal concerns as to how he obtains information. This twist adds to the fun as the frustrated cops work hard to make little progress while their private counterpart goes underground to make quantum leaps. Dan Mahoney provides his audience with an entertaining novel that will give much pleasure to readers.Harriet Klausner