Fury

Sometimes my loyalties get in the way of good sense. When I think G. M. Ford, I think Leo Waterman, the slightly haphazard private investigator and the crew of alcoholics that act as his assistants. A little noir, often funny, these have been one of my secret delights for many years. All of a sudden, when I wasn't looking, Ford has started a new series with a totally different main character. My first reaction is 'who the heck is this Frank Corso, and what is he doing where Leo Waterman used to be?'Corso, a newspaper writer nearly ruined by a reporting scandal, has made a new start in Seattle, writing columns and true crime books. Now a three-year-old story about a serial killer has come back to haunt him in the form of Leanne Samples, who was the main source of testimony against Walter Leroy Himes, and who now claims she lied. Himes is six days from execution and Corso wants nothing to do with the case, but fate has a way of playing tricks, and Corso finds himself digging through ancient history with the aid of Meg Dougherty, a tough lady photographer with a major tattoo problem.Everyone wants Himes dead. He is an utterly irredeemable psychotic who, if he is innocent, is only so by accident. Corso finds himself at war with all of the Seattle police department and most of city hall. Everyone has something to hide. The only way to stop Himes execution is for Corso to find the killer himself. And that is likely to make Corso as dead as the eight victims.Like a master, Ford picks you up on the first page, shakes you around until your brains rattle, slaps you into a rollercoaster seat and disconnects the brakes. Waterman fans will find that Ford has created a completely new character, fiercely private and attitude ridden. To make the break with the past complete, the pacing and style are different enough to make the reader feel that he has discovered an entirely new author. One who has no qualms about the occasional use of a two-by-four to get the reader's attention.However, this isn't a simple tough guy noir story. There is as much solid detection as there is stomach churning. Plus some fine interior views of the dirty side of Seattle and the city's not so finest. Whether you are an old fan or someone considering making the first dip, you will find this a rewarding read.

Reclusive Frank Corso, disgraced ex N.Y. Times journalist, is working as a freelance syndicated columnist for the lowly Seattle Sun. He is the only person at the newspaper Leanne Samples, star witness for the prosecution in the Walter Himes 'Trashman' serial killer case, will talk to. Leanne is now saying she lied at the trial and the police won't listen to her. She thinks if Corso writes her story, it will stop Himes's execution, which is in 6 days. At the time of the trial, Corso was widely ostracized for voicing doubts about Himes guilt.Leo Waterman makes a cameo appearance as the detective that locates Corso for Seattle Sun publisher, Natalie Van Der Horn; who pulls out her 'marker' and convinces him to write the story. He is paired with freelance photographer Meg Dougherty, who has a bizarre past of her own.The subsequent investigaion by Corso and Daugherty make for a fast and furious storyline. In order for the governor to stop the execution, they have to find the real killer; and the clock is ticking...... The are twists and turns as the story moves at breakneck speed. I couldn't read fast enough.Terrific plot, great characters. Buy it NOW!!

FURYbyG. M. FordFor six books I have read and enjoyed G. M. Ford's exploits of Seattle private investigator, Leo Waterman. Leo wasn't your ordinary breed of PI; he was unique and totally original. And so were his adventures. When FURY was released, I probably put off reading it because I felt Ford had abandoned one of my fictional heroes by creating a new character. Boy, was I wrong! This first book of a new series is even better than Ford's first six books.Actually, Leo Waterman hasn't been abandoned totally; he makes a cameo appearance at the beginning of this book. He's been hired by the publisher of the Seattle Sun to locate the recluse best selling author, "defrocked" journalist and occasional syndicated columnist for the tabloid, Frank Corso. Something has come up and the paper needs him now.That "something" just happens to the pending execution of Walter Leroy Himes, the convicted "trashman" serial killer. Six days before he's scheduled to get the needle, the prosecution's key witness it trying to tell everyone that she lied at the trial. Unfortunately, no one wants to listen to her; it seems as if everyone from the victims' families to most of the citizens of Seattle, the police and even the mayor would rather have Himes dead. Corso is the only person who thinks Himes is innocent, but he has less than six days to prove it and find the real "trashman" killer.With the help of his highly "illustrated" assistant and photographer Meg Dougherty, Corso begins racing against the clock only to discover more lies, cover-ups, corruption and even murder. FURY is a virtual race to the deadline that will leave you breathless, because in this case deadline really does mean DEAD! Ford has created a great new pair of crime solvers, as well as an outstanding new series. I can't wait for the next book in the series that is now in the works. I'll bet you won't be able to wait either.

Was this just the right book at the right time? I don't think so, but it was an enjoyable page-turner for me. The intriguing Frank Corso has enough mystery, cynicism, and dry wit to make him a delight for several books to come. The plot, dialogue, and especially the interesting cast of supporting characters are all top notch. A disaffected "tagger," a truly despicable red-neck vagrant with a nasty mouth (pun intended), and a sidekick who is tattooed from head to toe (and some very interesting places in between) make a wonderfully entertaining and compelling read. (There's a particularly memorable scene involving Frank's former fiancé and a ship's anchor that made me laugh-out-loud.)I tried Ford's Leo Waterman series and quit after the first. Why I bought "Fury" is beyond me, but I'm very glad I did. Now that I know what Leo looks like, I may go back and give that series another try. Elvis Cole he ain't, but Leo shows more promise now.

I love the Leo Waterman series. That said, it's often very difficult for a writer to break away to begin a new series. Difficult but in many cases a wise decision. Series writing is exceedingly difficult, in no small part because it's hard to maintain authorial interest in characters you've come to know--sometimes too well.So this first of the new Frank Corso series is not only a good move on Ford's part, it's a particularly fine move. Corso is a fine creation, principled, funny, reticent, intelligent and dogged. When paired up with Meg Doughery, one of the most refreshingly engaging women to appear in print in recent times, these two make for splendid entertainment.There is a good, solid story here, with multiple viewpoints all offered in a fashion that never detracts from the plot; the characters-both primary and secondary-are all fully developed and completely believable; there is much humor and a satisfying conclusion. This is a fine effort and I'll be waiting eagerly for the next Frank Corso book. Top marks and highly recommended.