Don't Look Twice

Gross is super! I picked up this title at Costco today:$4.49 + NC tax.

I'd have to say that I'm a new fan after reading my first Andrew Gross novel. "Don't Look Twice" is the second novel with Greenwich police lieutenant, Ty Hauck (the first novel being "The Dark Tide"). The novel starts off with a bang as divorced dad Ty is at a gas station with his young teen daughter and witnesses a murder. As he becomes embroiled in the investigation to find the killer of the victim he is surprised to find that the victim is a federal prosecutor and the case does not seem to be at all what you believe at first. I dare not tell you too much about the plot, so I don't give any of the surprises away, but Mr. Gross is a deft story teller with a fast moving plot with lots of twists and turns (but not too many that you lose the story line). The characters are interesting, well written, and the book kept me up late as I couldn't wait to read what would happen next. As many know, Andrew Gross has co-authored many books with James Patterson, who is another favorite author of mine. The styles are similar with fast paced action at every turn. For fans of Patterson and those in this genre such as Jonathan Kellerman and Harlen Coben, I would say you have a new author to follow. For me, I have already picked up the first book and will look for more of Mr. Grosses titles in the future.

Andre Gross is a genius in this genre, he may be a co-author with James Patterson, but he is an amazing talent in his own right. Don't Look Twice is our second novel starring Detective Ty Hauck, who is every one's answer to who a cop should be, intelligent, honest, brave and fearless. The characters are so well developed that even as many twists and turns the plot takes you know where you are at all times. I've seen no one write as well as Andrew Gross, his descriptions let you visualize the whole novel and his dialogue is incredible. This read had me sitting on the edge of my seat biting my nails from front cover to back. It's a first rate crime/detective/mystery novel that's sure to be a best seller!!

This author who has co-written several books with James Patterson has, in my opinion, become a better writer than Patterson. This newest book of Andrew's is a page-turner that I really hated to put down. Ty Hauck, a Lieutenant in the Hartford, Connecticut Police Force, returns in this action packed and twisting story. His daughter, Jessie, who Hauck saw occasionally since his divorce, was with him when they went inside a convenience store to pick up some snacks. As they were in the line to checkout bullets started coming from outside the store breaking the glass windows, everything in the store, and also hit some of the customers as they dove for shelter. It was a bloody mess that left one man dead who turned out to be a federal prosecutor. Hauck did all he could to help others but his daughter came first. She had Hauck had slight wounds. This started a huge case that involved local, district, state, and federal law enforcement and crime figures from all these areas too. The involvement got so deep and personal for Hauck that he didn't know who to trust even on his own police force. His brother, Warren, with whom he had not been connected with for some years, also got into the act. The action description of the above scene will get your heart beating fast; Gross's writing is that good. Hauck had a good view of the shooter and the truck he shot from but nothing showed up in the files. The owner of the store had not seen much but he was as helpful as possible with the customers and the police. When a connection seemed apparent to several other deaths in the region, the hunt expanded and deepened. The casino on the Indian land and its employees and management seemed too connected but Ty's boss warned him off saying it would be too dangerous to get into the casino operations and all the people involved with it. Ty would not take that for an answer and placed himself in harms way, as usual. When the federal prosecutor was suspected of taking money from the casino, his wife became even more upset because she knew her husband and knew he could not be involved in such schemes. Many in the area that came forward with information of events during or after the shoot-up was either threatened or disappeared. Despite Hauck's warnings not to dig too deep in this case, he was not the kind of man that could not do the work he was capable of and he dug and got deeper in the case and deeper in danger. Annie, a restaurant owner that was harassed by seemingly the same area troublemakers, became friendly with Hauck over time. She was another person that the police had to try to protect. I think I have given you enough about this tremendous story that you feel you MUST go out and purchase it. Believe me you will not be disappointed. Andrew Gross, please keep these stories coming. You have a talent that many well known long experienced authors do not have.

Here we go, a novel with a complex and interesting plot that the author lays out and explains in a reasonable length of time. Too many novels are painful exercises in inordinate detail and background that make you think you should be taking notes to remember it all. You get into it quickly, the story is compelling, there is entertainment and, sadly, an end. Does this mean the book is "light" or cheats you with too few words? No, it means it is good and fun to read, exciting and you don't want to put it down just because you have an obligation or it is late. It takes skill to lay down a complex plot and situation that doesn't get in the way of the story. Gross does this very well, with a refreshing ease and clarity. Very impressive and recommended for anyone who wants a little fun in their reading while still being engaged in the subject. My wife, a native Spanish speaker, found errors in the Spanish. She always does(roll-eyes emoticon). The errors were confined to the first half of the book for some reason. Still, she loved it and also recommends five stars.