Chicago Blues

The authors police background certainly lends considerable authenticity to this interesting novel. There are many unusual twists in the story that keep the reader absorbed in the various plots. The book really picks up steam as you progress. Reggie develops into a fascinating character.

Hugh Holton has created an excellent Chicago based story that weaves in at least 3 main story lines with at least 3 more sub stories. I currently live in the windy city and it was fun to read the street locations, etc. and know that they did in fact exist and were accurate in their descriptions. I am usually not a fan of the author that tells the story by jumping from one character's view to another character's view but in this case it really works. You understand the psyche of the story teller of the moment and Hugh does an excellent job of tying one lead in to another. In other words you are never left hanging as to why he went from one point of view to another. That's usually where the some author's go wrong when trying to tell a story from multiple viewpoints.If I had a complaint, mind you this is real small, it's that I would have liked a few more pages devoted to the cop Larry Cole. I suspect Hugh didn't give him more pages because he himself is a cop.You'll find yourself sympathizing with Reggie,one of the main characters, his upbringing with his grandmother and uncle Ernst and then what the FBI does to him when all he wanted to be was a law abiding cop. Even though Hugh is busy telling you the story straight out you keep second guessing him and you end up surprised in the end. Although Hugh can be forgiven his slight digression of giving away who Reggie's father was so early in the book.Speaking as one who is easily bored I have to say at every opportunity I had I would pick up this book to read it and managed to finish it in a couple of days. I can't wait to get to his other books.

In Chicago Blues, Hugh Holton weaves an intricate tale of murder and mayheml in the Windy City, and abroad. With as many as 5 plots being simultaneously told, he keeps you on the edge of your seat. The Characters are so real you can actually hear, see, and smell them, you will be through with this book before you know it. If words were music, his book would be a melody to your eyes!!! Finally someone has been able to harness my attention. Thank you Mr. Holton

Hugh Holton is a Chicago police officer who uses a vivid imagination and a good sense of story telling to weave some pretty different mysteries set in a realistic Chicago background. While it is generally helpful to have read Presumed Dead and Windy City, it is not a requirement. One of the most intriguing characters on the side of law and order is the Master of Deception and Disguise. Read the book and see what I mean. Larry Cole is truly at his best in this book. I look forward to reading Hugh's next.