Another A plus mystery in the Jack Daniels series. Jack is still reeling from her last brush with death so things are a little different with boyfriend Latham, partner Herb, and the new superintendent. X Partner McGlade keeps popping up in her life & there's a new threat to the city. Add in a new "hottie" FBI agent that makes Jack question her commitment to Latham and a very toxic new threat to the city. It takes all of Jack's skills to contain the threat to her city & livelihood! ( )

As other have hinted at, I can only say, I couldn't put it down even though at first I kind-of thought I might, and didn't. Instead, I spent wonderful afternoon which ended with a glass of red wine and the pleasure of a terrific read. What else can I say, except quote another great writer Kay Hooper (and I hope she will excuse me for calling on her) who says: 'Hard to balance wit, suspense, horrific violence and humor but . . . manages the feat deftly". I couldn't agree more. Today, I'm off to the store (in this case my favorite internet book store) to buy this book and maybe all of the others in the series. I've already planned the space on by bookshelves. ( )

This book wasn't without it's problems and most of those centered around the romance. The romance between Jack and Rick was an unnecessary complication that added nothing and did more harm that good. She kept going on about loving Latham and him being her fiance and it made me mad and uncomfortable to see her betrayal - regardless of how she has her epiphany of how she's sabotaging her relationship due to her own insecurities. I was actively hating Jack for the first two thirds of the book. If the plot wasn't so engaging I may have decided not to continue with the series. But, Konrath does know how to write a great crime thriller - even when the characters are stupid.

That said, the romance wasn't the only thing that let the first two thirds down. Jack and Herb are on rocky ground - Herb's being torn between his wife and the job - so he decides to move to robbery and that puts him on the outs with Jack. Which would be fine except it means Herb basically isn't present in this book. I like Herb. And the easy banter between them. It felt empty without him.

Mary, Jack's mum, is out of town - so she's not onscreen. Although her one scene is pretty great. Her letter to Jack telling her by the way, her father is really alive and kicking is killer. “Mom, I was cleaning up in your room, and I found the letter.” “Oh, don’t be upset. So I exchanged a few dirty letters with a few men. I find the written word much more erotic than pornographic movies. Though I did date this one gentleman who took me to a peep show once —” “Not that letter, Mom. The other one, with my name written on it.” My mother paused. “Oh. That letter. Did you read it? Of course you did, or you wouldn’t be calling. Unless you’re asking my permission to read the letter, to which I’ll politely answer no.” “Dad is alive?” Mom sighed, as if I was such a disappointment she couldn’t bear it. “I honestly don’t know. He might be. I really don’t care, one way or the other. Did you read the part when I wrote that you were the one good thing I did in my life? Did that make you cry? I cried when I wrote it. But, truth told, I’d been hitting the schnapps.” I rubbed my eyes. “Mom, don’t you think this is something we should have discussed before you died?” “Well, I’m not dead, and we’re discussing it right now.”

Konrath, J.A.; Kilborn, Jack. Dirty Martini - A Thriller (Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels Mysteries Book 4) (pp. 68-69). Kindle Edition. Mary is hilarious. And I love the way she messes with Jack. Latham is in hospital. Phin is nowhere to be found in this book. And Harry is a no show for 95%. Jack is kind of depressing without her cast of characters.

That said the plot was action packed and engaging. When Harry did make an appearance it was epic. His prosthetic hand - jezus. I watched peripherally as Harry tried to adjust the air-conditioning vent using his prosthesis, and snapped it right off. He pondered it for a moment, checked to see if I noticed, and then hid it under his seat.

Konrath, J.A.; Kilborn, Jack. Dirty Martini - A Thriller (Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels Mysteries Book 4) (p. 184). Kindle Edition. And Mr Friskers (the cat) didn't forget to cause trouble.

So the book starts of average and steadily climbs quality. It redeemed itself in the end but I can't ignore that two thirds had me cringing. Still - even the bad parts are well written and are solid police procedural. 4 stars. Edging on the lower side. ( )

Wow! This was a fast paced, twisted ride!

A small backstory:

Jack is back and up against another baddie who just happens to be a walking encyclopedia of all types of poisons. The bad guy has been dubbed the Chemist as he is making his way through the city of Chicago injecting poisons in all kinds of different places including restaurants.

The closer that Jack seems to get to the guy he seems to stay two steps ahead and elusive. Though when someone close to Jack becomes a target and victim, she goes into high gear to do everything in her power to capture the Chemist, but it might prove a daunting task as he has a grudge against cops or so it seems and Jack will do whatever it takes to track him down!

Thoughts:

This series just keeps getting better and better as Jack comes up against all types of criminals. This book was not really loaded with "shoot-out" action, but it still carried a wallop of psychological terror that kept me on the edge of my seat!

I just love the character Jack as she is just so full of sassy attitude and she is the go-getter type of cop that she will not rest till the case is closed. The humorous quips are still there as always which gives me chuckles here and there throughout the book. Giving this one five "Toxin Terror" stars!

For more thoughts on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/2021/07/dirty-martini-jack-daniels-mystery-... ( )

In Chicago The Chemist gas started his campaign - tampering with the food in various outlets - putting poisons into the foods. It's up to Chicago police Lieutenant Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels and her team to track down the killer.
A fast paced and enjoyable mystery with some laughs. ( )