Splattered Blood by Micheal Draper ~ review

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Vantage Press (January 28, 2012)
• Book is available now.
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0533164699
• ISBN-13: 978-0533164691

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 2012

THE CHIEF OF INTERNAL SECURITY for New England's professional basketball team, the Highlanders, is found dead in his office, with a suicide note and conflicting evidence of foul play. Refusing to believe he would have had reason to kill himself, and frustrated with the slowness of the police force's progress on the case, Johnny's widow, Roseanne, and best friend, Randy, launch a renegade investigation of their own. Aided by Roseanne's brother Graham, a fiercely protective loose cannon, they dig up evidence that Johnny, just previous to the date of his death, was running his own undercover investigation into the drug overdose of a star player for the Highlanders. The amateur detectives find themselves mixed up with a ruthless gang of mobsters, many of whom are responsible for the drug trade-and a string of violent murders - from Washington, D.C. to Boston. When their quest takes a gruesome and deadly turn, the three wonder if they're in over their heads. A gritty tale in the vein of Dennis Lehane and Robert B. Parker, Splattered Blood keeps readers guessing,with suspense and retribution on every page.

My take on this book:

Johnny Kelly was a retired police officer who had recently started a new job as  head of security for a professional basketball team. He had been looking into some issues regarding one of the players when he is found dead in his office, with a suicide note. Of course his wife Roseanne is distraught so she calls up family friend and insurance agent Randy Larkin. Both are confident that Johnny would never have taken his own life and decide to do some investigating on their own, and are soon joined by Graham,Roseanne's brother. They become determined to find out who killed Johnny, and soon find themselves uncovering things that might put their own lives in jeopardy.  Will they be able to figure out what happened to Johnny, without coming to harm themselves?

I love a good murder mystery and this book surpasses good, it was actually great! In the opening pages we learn of a suicide, but are quickly given a few little clues that let us know that it couldn't have been a suicide, which really pulled me making me want to not only know who committed the crime but why?  The story and characters seemed very believable.I could understand the need to prove it wasn't a suicide so that Johnny's name wouldn't be tarnished.The author writes in such a way that made me feel like I was along for the ride, trying to solve the murder. A story filled with action, suspense, as well as some pretty seedy characters, along with a plot that provides several twists and turns that kept me guessing made for a great read! 
Overall this book would be perfect for anyone who enjoys a well written murder mystery.


5/5


A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, and I can honestly say it was a story that held my attention from beginning to end!