Good Morning, Killer

Ms. Smith's novel is a major work of crime fiction that goes way beyond the typical genre novel. Here you'll find deep characterization, a strong sense of place, powerful narrative drive and a compelling psycho-moral drama...qualities one finds only in the very best crime novels. Moreover, her heroine is a fascinatingly complex character. "Good Morning, Killer" is a huge achievement for this author, a fitting follow-up to her brilliant "North Of Montana" published a decade ago. Kudos to the author!

Those who saw the movies "Chicago" or "Birdcage" know that Christine Baranski is one terrific actress - versatile and appealing. Thus, it comes as no surprise that she gives one terrific reading of April Smith's follow-up to her highly popular thriller "North Of Montana" (1994). Los Angeles based FBI agent Ana Grey returns - she's as tough and savvy as ever. Ambitious? Of course. Irreverent? Always. With a story taken from today's front pages a 15-year-old girl has vanished. She was last seen at a mall close to her Santa Monica home. What happened? Was she abducted or did she choose to disappear? Granted, the girl had problems and she was hanging out at the Third Street Promenade, a tourist and entertainment mecca. Local police are on the job, but if it's kidnaping that's a federal offense. Enter Ana Grey. It doesn't take Ana too long to discover that other girls may also be in peril. A psychopathic killer may be roaming the streets. Ana places herself in jeopardy in order to track this sadistic murderer. Chalk one more hit up for April Smith and Christine Baranski! - Gail Cooke

I can't add anything to all the positive reviews, but I am glad I made a rule for myself not to read the blurbs on the book jackets! The writer for this summary gave away plot points almost right up to the end. I guess if you're in a hurry, you could just read the last fifty pages. I for one am tired of blurb writers who destroy suspense for readers.

While working the same bank robbery dubbed "Mission Impossible", FBI special agent Ana Gray and Santa Monica Detective Andrew Berringer fell in love. Their relationship has endured past the case but it hits a rocky patch when they work another case together, one when Ana is the lead and Andrew's boss.Fifteen-year-old Juliana Meyer-Murphy was abducted at a shopping mall and the kidnapper called her parents twice before he let her go. She was raped and tortured but is strong enough to give the police the description of her attacker. Using other evidence they accumulate, Ana is ready to make an arrest but the suspect gets away. Instead the police arrest Ana for attempted murder.She is off the case and out on bail, hoping that when she comes to trial the jury will believe her plea of self-defense. While on suspension, she keeps up with the kidnapping case from her sources within the department and ends up risking her life and her freedom to be the one to take Juliana's rapist down.GOOD MORNING, KILLER the sequel to NORTH OF MONTANA is an exciting police procedural that pushes the envelope between victim and perpetrator. April Smith has a smooth, lyrical style of writing and if a crime thriller can be labeled literary, this is the perfect example. The protagonist is someone who lives in a world of gray and it shows in her personal and professional life, which makes her a fascinating character, one the audience would like to understand better.Harriet Klausner

As I was making my way through the alphabet (A is for...) I kept looking for other intriguing female characters in mysteries and thrillers. One of the few really good ones was Ana Grey, the FBI agent heroine of "North of Montana." How I hoped that Ana would become a series, and now, at long last, the second Ana Grey novel, "Good Morning, Killer." My only regret is that I read this book avidly, finishing it the weekend I bought it. Now I'll have to wait for the third installment! At least April Smith is the kind of excellent writer that you can re-read, getting more nuances as well as reacquainting yourself with a wonderful fictional character...so I'm sure I'll read this one over, as I did "North of Montana." I guess because April Smith wrote episodes of Lou Grant, Cagney and Lacey and Chicago Hope, when she decided to turn her attention to novels she made sure to make them visual and fast-paced...without skipping on quality or characters you can really believe in.Each Ana Grey book so far stands on its own...so if you want to start right here with Good Morning, Killer, you'll enjoy it. And if you like good mysteries, I'm sure you'll pick up the earlier book right after you finish this. I hope the April Smith shelf becomes as large as my Sue Grafton collection...more Ana Grey!!