Book Review: Rusty Nail

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Rusty Nail     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
J. A. Konrath
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Serial Killer
Series: Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels # 3
Hyperion, 2006, 292 pps.

Rusty Nail as described by the author is 1 oz Scotch and 1 oz Drambuie that should go down pretty smooth. Most people think of a rusty nail as something to be avoided since stepping on one can cause a lot of pain as well as infection. Rusty nails are used in this book but not in a manner that any sane person could imagine.

Lt. Jack Daniels is back and her life is already like 40 miles of bad road. Her mother is in a coma and has been since a vicious killer got into Jack’s apartment in a previous book and attacked Jack’s mother. Her lover Latham is no longer her lover and the fault lies with Jack. When she refused to move in with him he went his own way and has now perhaps found a new love. Jack’s partner Herb is getting ready for a medical procedure and is not in top form. Even Jack’s cat still hates her.

Jack is in her office cleaning up some paperwork when a package is delivered to her. It turns out to be videotape but not one that you would want to see. The tape was made while a woman was being tortured and killed. This reminds Jack and Herb of the murders committed by Charles Kork a/k/a The Gingerbread Man. This was not to be the last video delivered to Jack and the victims all have some connection to Jack and to Charles Kork.

Jack is having to work the case pretty much on her own and you won’t want to put the book down until after you’ve read the dramatic climax.

I highly recommend Rusty Nail. If you haven’t read Bloody Mary and Whiskey Sour try all three – the books – not the drinks-at least don’t mix them.

Pat Reid - RAM

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