Kiss

I inadvertently got introduced to Lutz's Fred Carver stories. I'm hooked. The books are fast paced. They make you think and ponder right along with Fred as pieces of the puzzle come into focus. You'll find yourself holding your breath in suspense many times as you ride shotgun with Carver throughout the book. "The Kiss" is my third 'Carver' novel and it is my favorite. I read the last two paragraphs three times and wanted to cry each time. The ending was tragicly beautiful.

Simple and orthodox, but very nice hard-boiled detective story. The author is very good in writing; for example, he makes me feel the unbearable heat of Florida and smell the nasty odor of McGregor, an unscrupulous cop. And the "kiss of farewell" in the ending is sad and touching. I'd like to read more Fred Carver stories.

For my money John Lutz ranks high among the crop of Florida mystery writers. He does not have the high profile of the likes of Carl Hiaasen, James Hall, Edna Buchanan, Dave Barry, Elmore Leonard, Randy Wayne White, etc., but he captures the essence of Florida in wonderfully spare novels.Consider this word picture of the Central Florida heat: "On his left, the ocean rolled blue-green and too sluggish for whitecaps, as if it felt the burden of the heat and was lulled to lethergy." Anyone who spent time in Central Florida between May and October has experienced that feeling."Kiss" is a Fred Carver, PI entry. Carver, retired due to disability from the Orlando PD (shot in kneecap and needs a cane), now resides along the mid Florida East Coast. While his supporting cast is excellent, he prefers to work alone and maintain self reliance.The plot is believable, the crime feasable, the crooks a fine mixture of brains, brawn and corrupted innocents. Throw in a couple of red herrings, dogged detective work, menace from a psycho, all under the hot Florida sun and you are rewarded with an enjoyable read.