When Skylarks Fall

Mr. Robinson takes Joe Box, an everyday average Joe (pun intended), and makes him a hero, not by might or by some super power, but by logic and common sense. Joe is not your everyday hero, for example, Joe is a Christian, and uses his faith in his work. I read two to three books a month and I put Mr. Robinson's writing up there with any of the "big name" mystery writer's. I strongly suggest that you pick up his other books also, you won't be sorry.

When Skylarks Fall is an interesting detective type story told in first person, and done well for that style. It is second in a series (When the Last Dog Dies is 1st). I enjoyed the writing and character development in this second book. It could stand alone, as the author does explain what happened in the first book. He does this fairly effectively and without the feel of "on previous episodes" spoon feeding The main character, Joe Box is asked to look into the case of an oddball older country music star, Kitty Clark. She is quite wealthy and has real characters surrounding her. These are interesting and seem oh so true to life. In Joe's reflective style, he ponders the case and its ramifications. There are many unusual twists and turns which I enjoyed. The plot is well laid out and the reading is smooth and easy. There is some violence, but not as graphic as in the first book When the Last Dog Dies, and I appreciated the better way the author handled the violence in this book. I would have given the book 5 stars, but I did not like "the start in a life threatening crisis and then backtrack and re-build to that crisis, and then go beyond it to explain it all" format. I would have preferred a straight plot, but that is a personal preference. I will certainly be reading the next book in the Joe Box Mystery series (To Skin a Cat).

Joseph Jebstuart Box is an endearing character, battered by life but not completely broken. With typical self-effacing humor, Joe labels himself a "low end private investigator." He lives in a ratty apartment with his cat, drives an ancient Yugo, and maintains his sobriety one day at a time. When country music icon Kitty Clark hires him to investigate a stalker, Joe is shocked. How did a rich and famous singer hear of Joe Box Investigations? He's reluctant but needs the money, so agrees to her generous retainer. Our rough-around-the-edges PI soon decides he should have stayed in Cincinnati and away from Kitty Clark. His investigation leads to first a Mafia don and his son, both ruthless killers with a streak of madness, and then to revelations that could change Joe's world forever. IF he survives to tell about it. Only God's grace will get Joe out of this one intact. Joe Box is a flawed Southern gentleman, a compassionate tough guy who would make an ideal movie hero. This action thriller is highly recommended.