Midnight Rambler

If you like thrillers, this is a good choice. The plot is straight-forward. The protagonist is a sympathetic figure - a police officer fired from his job for losing control and pounding on a serial killer he arrested. Jack Carpenter, the ex-officer, is broke, separated from his wife, and living in a tiny place above a bar on the beach in south Florida. But the serial killer has a slick attorney who is getting him out of prison, based on Jack's impulsive action. And the killer is out for revenge against Jack and women who testified against him. Jack has to act quickly to save his life and the lives of the women. The fast-moving story reads smoothly, and tension keeps building to a blistering climax.

James Swain is best known for his Tony Valentine novels, set in the world of casinos and populated by grifters, cardsharps, hustlers and cheats of all descriptions. Valentine is an expert at catching these guys while describing their methods; Swain himself is a renowned sleight-of-hand magician who, like Valentine, is an expert on cons and scams. His latest book, MIDNIGHT RAMBLER, is a complete departure from his previous novels, to the extent that there is no gambling; there are cons, schemes and scams, however, and the stakes are much higher than mere money. The protagonist is an ex-cop named Jack Carpenter, who resigned from the police force after severely beating Simon Skell, aka the Midnight Rambler, a suspect in a serial killer investigation. Although Skell ultimately was convicted of one murder, Carpenter's subsequent media notoriety and his reaction to it cost him his job, family, sobriety and most significantly his self-respect. His skill at tracking abducted children, however, is such that he is still in demand when law enforcement is stuck. What is left of Carpenter's life is about to come unraveling apart when a grisly discovery threatens to capsize Skell's conviction. Everyone, including a popular radio talk show host, begins piling on him, and things only get worse as it begins to appear that Carpenter not only fabricated the evidence against Skell, but also may be more deeply involved --- and in a more chilling way --- in the murders than was originally thought. Carpenter has no choice but to revisit the evidence and uncovers a conspiracy that is more diabolical than he previously suspected, even as he himself becomes the subject of police scrutiny, and the lives of those he knows and loves hang in the balance. Swain is nothing short of marvelous here. Just to illustrate: there is one segment of MIDNIGHT RAMBLER where Carpenter is asked to assist personnel at Disney World in the investigation of what appears to be a child abduction. His account of Carpenter's step-by-step investigation --- even as the chances increase that the missing child is gone forever --- is first-rate and dead-on, and his description of Disney World and its environs will make those who have been there before feel as if they dropped right back into the park. You will also keep extra-close eyes on your young children, no matter how vigilant you may be now. And try --- just try --- to put MIDNIGHT RAMBLER down before reading it at least once. It can't be done. This is a book destined for this year's "Best Of" lists. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Jack Carpenter was once the chief investigator of the Broward County Missing Persons Unit. He went after sexual predators preying on throwaways and runaways while also trying to help the lost youngsters when he could. Eight girls that Jack assisted have disappeared; working the case leads Jack to Simon "Midnight Rambler" Skell. Melinda the prostitute insists Simon tortured her and held her prisoner. Simon was convicted of killing a hooker; although no body was found or any bodies of the missing eight. That case cost Jack his career as he was forced to resign due to using excess force; his marriage also collapsed subsequently. Skell is doing hard time, but new evidence surfaces when the victim he was convicted of killing is found in a shallow grave on her sister's land. Her pimp is accused of the homicide because he lives there; Skell is to be released and freed to go after Melinda and Jack unless the former detective can stop him first as the authorities choose to ignore his plea to keep her safe. When Melinda vanishes just after a shocking radio announcement, Jack goes after pedophile serial killers to rescue her or die trying. James Swain, known for his Tony Valentine mysteries, writes a riveting stand alone thriller starring a fascinating character; who the world believes is a washed up loser. However, Jack remains confident that he is right about Skell and sets out to affirm his theory with solid proof regardless of the danger he faces. One action scene follows another in rapid machine gun style giving readers no respite to catch one's breath. Although over the top, the vile villains and the courageous man makes for a one sitting gripping read as High Noon comes to Florida. Harriet Klausner

I have read all of James Swain's novels involving casino fraud specialist Tony Valentine and loved every one of them. When I saw that he was working on a new character in his latest novel, I was a bit concerned. I need not have been. I should have trusted Swain's talent. This book is flat out a must read thriller. I read it in a day, because I could not put the darn thing down. Jack Carpenter is the new central character. An ex-cop, he was "allowed to leave the force" after beating up a serial killer during the course of the arrest. Simon Skell was a monster who deserved the beating that he got and although it is clear that he was involved in the murder of many young women, he is convicted of only one of them. Carpenter's testimony led to his conviction. Carpenter, having headed up the missing persons divison for the Broward County Police Department, has become an abduction specialist which while not very remunerative, is the one thing he does very well. His marriage has foundered as a result of the scandal involving Skell and his life takes another turn for the worst at the beginning of the book as it appears that Skell, while undoubtedly a serial killer, did not murder the one victim he has been put in jail for. His release from jail is anticipated and Carpenter races against time and events to find hard evidence of Skell's complicity in the other murders. What he discovers is much bigger than anyone had ever suspected. Michael Connelly has said that this book moves "Like a bullet train on overdrive." That's a colorful and apt description. Captain Kirk would probably say it moves at double warp speed. It is very gratifying to see an author you already enjoy, grow further in stature and ability and Swain has certainly done that. Even better, you will find as you finish this book that there will definitly be a sequel. Hopefully, many.

Jack Carpenter is a former cop, turned abduction specialist. His last case on the force involved the "Midnight Rambler" a.k.a. Simon Skell. He got him convicted, but his methods forced his resignation - and cost him his wife. Even Jack's college-age daughter doesn't know what to think. But Carpenter is good at what he does - and ekes out a living as a consultant to police department that need his experience to recover lost children. And he does just that. Then Jack's life threatens to unravel further. The body of the Midnight Rambler's last victim is found in her prostitute sister's backyard, with her pimp's cross, clutched in her hand. Now the local radio shock jock is up in arms. Skell's wife and attorney are trying Jack in the media with his help, and more people are going missing. While the local police try to distance themselves from Jack, an FBI agent believes Jack's story - and together they begin to unearth a much greater problem than the Midnight Rambler. But getting to the truth puts everything at risk - witnesses who have stepped forward in the past are being killed or threatened, Jack's few remaining relationships are drying up, and someone's doing a great job of setting Jack up as the real Midnight Rambler! The action never stops and you'd better be prepared to keep reading once you start! Like Tony Valentine (another of Swain's great characters), you'll find yourself pulling for Jack every step of the way. Armchair Interviews says: Great to have a main character you really want to root for.