The Night Stalker: A Novel of Suspense (Jack Carpenter)

Mr. Swain has an amazing talent in characterization and storytelling. Both this series and his Tony Valentine novels are highly entertaining. I have recommended Mr. Swain to all the readers I know and none have been disapointed.

Pack a lunch before you start this book. You won't want to put it down. Jim Swain has created a character you want to identify with. Jack Carpenter and his partner/dog Buster are relentless when they are on a case. Jack proves his skill as a missing person expert by solving other cases even while on his persistant search for the grandson of a convicted serial killer. Jim Swain knows his material. His depiction of law enforcement and missing children procedures is right on the mark. Get two of these books. One for yourself, and one to share.

It's too bad that this author is not better known. I have read all his books and can't wait for the next one. He is not as well known as some of the other detective/mystery writers, but he puts out terrific reads. Don't miss this one, you won't be sorry to have read it.

James Swain's latest book is fast paced and riveting, with more twists than a roller coaster-just what you'd expect from him. Abb Grimes spent twelve years on death row for murdering eighteen women that had gone missing. Jack Carpenter helped put him there. And now Abb Grimes needs help. His grandson has been abducted and he wants Carpenter to find him. And Carpenter is good at finding missing people, especially children. He should be. He was head of the Broward County missing persons unit until he lost it with a suspect. Then he resigned in disgrace before he was fired. He now makes his living consulting with various law enforcement groups on their missing persons cases. So Carpenter takes this case on, with only four days to solve it. Except that the guy who took his job at Broward doesn't want him on the case. The FBI has already decided who the perpetrator is and is looking at him-to the exclusion of all else. And Carpenter is convinced they are both wrong. But for Carpenter it's not about the law or procedure-it's about the missing child, and he won't stop until the child's back in his mother's arms. Through the worst neighborhoods of Broward and with the help of people who believe in Carpenter and his methods, Jack battles bullies, drug dealers, and bad cops to get to the truth-and find the boy before it is too late. Armchair Interviews says: A must read.

The Night Stalker is Swain's follow-up to Midnight Rambler, and the book is really good. Ex-cop and missing person specialist Jack Carpenter is hired by a serial killer sitting on death row to find his abducted grandson, and it's non-stop action from then on. Like the previous installment, the locale is the Sodom and Gomorrah of South Florida; there are plenty of bad guys, bad cops, and great sleuthing. For anyone looking to escape the real world for a few days, this book is for you.