Killer Waves: A Lewis Cole Mystery

Lewis Cole is back for a fourth adventure in "Killer Waves" and the series just keeps getting better and better. As this novel opens, late one night, Lewis awakens and eventually notices the pulsed flashes of blue and red lights through the trees just across from his home. The scene in question is a State Park located adjacent to his small beach home in Tyler Beach, New Hampshire.Lewis, who used to be a research analyst in the "Puzzle Palace" (Pentagon) until a horrible day several years ago, never can leave things completely alone. Driven by a need to know what is going on, he walks over and finds local police as well as a couple of EMT's standing around a car in the Park parking lot. His press pass for the "Shoreline" (a regional magazine) allows him some access to the scene as well as the fact that in small towns everyone knows just about everyone else. However, his view of the person who died of a gunshot to the head while sitting in the rental car is abruptly ended when carloads of what appear to be government agents arrive. While they and their leader refuse to identify themselves, they have no problem throwing their considerable weight around at everyone.Soon, Lewis detects the strong stench of yet another governmental cover-up and decides to leave things well enough alone. Because of his past, the last thing he wants is to rise to the attention of any governmental agency but that hope was gone as soon as they arrived at the initial crime scene. Showing even less finesse, the agents soon storm Lewis' home and he is extorted into helping the agents with their case. His forced cooperation leads Lewis into a deeper and deeper maze of murder, deceit, and counter espionage with links to World War Two. This time, not only is he in danger, but everyone he holds dear.Once again, Author Brendan Dubois shows the complex plotting, deep character development, as well as just plain superior wring that led his work to be nominated three times in the past for the prestigious "Edgar Award' as well as winning numerous other awards. This novel, like the three preceding it of this engrossing series, is full of complicated characters in complex situations. His writing (which some have mistakenly compared to Travis McGee) reflects a unique depth and understanding of the human spirit. His stories constantly elude the reader with numerous plot twists and changes to the very last page along with some humor along the way.This is the fourth novel of the Lewis Cole series and they really should be read in order because of the extensive back-story preceding the novels as well as character development issues. Details are revealed in this novel regarding earlier works and each novel takes place in a specific sequence-either a few weeks or a few months after the preceding novel. The novels in order are "Dead Sand," "Black Tide" and "Shattered Shell."This novel, as are the other ones in the series, is proof that there are many good novels and authors that never make the

This book is a real page turner and the scary thing is that the premise of the story is based on fact. Missing Nazi uranium. If you enjoy a good spy story than I highly recommend this book.

I am beginning to believe that the same person is behind the spate of ugly reviews lately emanating from Publishers Weekly. Certainly, it's a shock every time to finish reading an enjoyable book and come to the site to post a review only to discover yet another nasty attack by a PW reviewer. Given that I come to the table with my critical faculties intact, a long-term knowledge of what goes into the writing of a book, and a healthy respect for the effort, I'm at a loss to comprehend why anyone would be so negative about this book.Bottom line: I stayed up until after 3 a.m. this morning to finish this latest entry in the Lewis Cole series. That should say it all. Bad books don't keep you up long past your bedtime. And food, as well as roads taken, are a staple of most mysteries. That said, Killer Waves is compellingly readable, with a particularly well-fleshed cast of characters (most notably Keith Emerson--a touchingly rendered portrait of a man driven to self-hatred by well-founded fear.)While the PW reviewer may have found the core thesis of this book far-fetched, I guess he neglected to read the author's note at the back of the book citing the true facts upon which he based his narrative. Truth, indeed, can be far stranger than fiction.Cole's capitulation in the face of governmental coercion--literally stripping him of every last thing he owns --is very believable. They want his help; he says no. They'll force him to help. Works for me. And given his background as, in essence, a Pentagon researcher, Lewis doggedly goes forward, snapping and barking at his "masters" every so often in a viable depiction of man who'll do what he has to do but won't stand on his hind legs and do tricks for bisquits.There is a most surprising twist at the climax of the book. I thought I saw this one coming but the author had a double whammy planned; one that is very nicely executed. In all, a diverting book with some interesting historical facts. And, finally, there is something heartfelt and believable in Cole's tracking of the space shuttle Endeavour. Once again, ignore that PW review and get this book. It's well-worth reading.Recommended.

Near his Tyler Beach, New Hampshire home, retired Department of Defense research analyst (at least that is the title of the job description) Lewis Cole finds a murdered corpse in a nearby state park wildlife preserve parking lot. Though curious, the freelance writer has no plans to follow up on the homicide. However, the next day Feds arrive warning Lewis to stay out of their investigation though they do provide him with a lot of information about the victim.Surprised by their approach and knowing how a Fed acts from experience, Lewis does a bit of digging and quickly learns that his visitors showed him fake Ids and that a deadly mob is involved. Lewis is revisited by an assortment of characters. Some demand he solve the case threatening to destroy his financial standing including his retirement pension while others threaten to kill him if he continues to make inquiries. Lewis trusts no one and feels he has no choice but to investigate. However, he plans to do it his style.KILLER WAVES, the latest Cole thriller is an exciting who-done-it that never quite seems real though readers will enjoy Lewis' investigation. The story line is fun yet feels slightly off kilter requiring a stretch as to why anyone wants Lewis involved. Still Cole is a strong protagonists and Brendan DuBois' fans will enjoy his latest escapade, but feel it falls a bit short of THE SHATTERED SHELL.Harriet Klausner