Book Review: A Good Day to Die

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

A Good Day to Die     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Simon Kernick
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Denis Milne (aka Mick [Marcus] Kane) # 4
St Martin's Minotaur Sept 2006

Denis Milne is a character readers will recognize from earlier books by Kernick. The rogue London cop has escaped prosecution with a false passport and other forged ID papers and is living in the Phillipines, operating a scuba diving excursion business and occasionally accepting a hit job commission from a mysterious overseas customer. Idly scanning British news on the Internet one day, Milne notices an article relating the death of a London cop and a small time hoodlum in the same ambush. The name of the dead officer is familiar, he was one of the cops Milne respected during his years in London. When another request for a hit job arrives, Milne realizes that man he is commissioned to kill was part of situation in London which led to the death of his friend.

Following only a few brief clues, Milne leaves for the UK, determined to avenge his friend. Not surprisingly, things in London don't go well. Almost immediately he is followed, viciously attacked, and urged to leave the country without delay. Milne's stubborn streak keeps him on the trail, however, and his former experience as a London cop comes in handy. This time his progress is aided by his rogue status. No pesky concerns for the rights of the people he questions and follows.

Kernik dishes up a large array of red herrings. When Milne finally figures out everything he needs to know, the summary of the truth arrives in a rush, quite near the end of the book. A GOOD DAY TO DIE is about as dark as it gets, and might have been improved by fewer twists and turns in the action and a more straightforward path to the solution.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM