Hermit's Peak

We love all Jack Reacher books

July was Kevin Kerney month. I read all six of his novels and every single one was a keeper with Hermit's Peak being the best. The writing is superb, the characters believable, and the dialogue is without peer. I have to admit I am biased. I worked in Santa Fe, lived in Albuquerque, and know some of the people that received the author's acknowledgements. But wait, that is a good thing because I know what he is writing is real, the places are real, and the cases have a basis in fact. I believe this author has the staying power that some others lack. Good reading and good fun.

This is McGarrity's best! I would rate Tularosa as a four, good for a first book, but then he gets better with each subsequent book. His description of New Mexico is so accurate it takes me back to that wonderful state. His knowledge of police procedures mixed with his mastery of imagination, makes for a very interesting story.It was time that Kerney have more romance in his life, and he gets that as well as a couple of mysteries to solve. Great!!If you like J.A. Jance's Joanna Brady, then you will like McGarrity's Kerney.

Michael McGarrity has a wonderful writing style. The pages just fly by. He sets scenes in the beautiful New Mexico landscape that place you there. His books have all lived up to the high standard set with his initial novel, "Tularosa"...no easy trick. His pacing really works...it was like eating peanuts...I had to read "just one more" passage before putting it down.The characters are realistic, well defined and simply a great mix. The protagonist, Kevin Kerney, is unique in the cop/mystery genre in that he is pretty normal. He is not the prototypical flawed man who must ovcercome a myriad of personal demons. A limp resulting from a bullet to the kneecap is his only eccentricity. Kerney is a top cop, but also an excellent manager of people. His staff responds not only to his abilities, but also to the respect he shows all with whom he works. With all his field experience, he has seen it all and is hard to fool. He gets the job the right way and is easy to cheer for.His romantic interest returns, but her sidebar does nothing to detract from the whodunit aspect. She is a strong character, a good addition and we will see more of her.Mr. McGarrity has crafted a strong series with characters that stand out, all placed in a most atmospheric setting. I think he and the Kevin Kerney series are understated and underappreciated gems. He deserves more acclaim and recognition. He was suggested to me with these words: "if you enjoy Michael Connelly, McGarrity is for you." I do and he is.Do not miss this sereis.

McGarrity's low-key Kerney character is a friendly sort in a hard profession. This is a story of place and people, rather than precise timing. The mystery gradually widens and draws interesting characters into the building story. Having lived in New Mexico for a few years a while back, I like how well McGarrity takes me into the dusty rural corners, the many empty places, the immense vistas. He evokes the Southwest as well as Hillerman, but mostly in the eastern ranching rather than western desert half of the state. He writes as clearly as the mountain air.

Michael McGarrity's Hermit's Peak is another winner in the Kevin Kerney series. The action, the procedure, the description of place are all first rate. My one quarrel with McGarrity in this novel- please Michael, go easy on the feminine dialogue, it's NOT your strong point! Apart from that, this novel is a winner, easily one of the top ten I have read this year, and part of a series that I hope continues.