Book Review: Shark Tank

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Shark Tank     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Tom O'Neill
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Noir   Police Procedural
Charles Justin, Jul 2004, $24.95, 336

When the call came in the middle of the night, Camden, New Jersey Detective Sergeant Joseph Macuzak felt his fifty-five years as he jokes with his wife about no time for showers for pigs. After twenty-four plus years on the force, Joseph is near retirement, but will not be coasting as James Sullivan, Attorney-at-Law, left his business card behind after executing five drug dealers.

Because of the James the vigilant link and the illegal drug connection, FBI Agent Roger Sorenson takes charge of the investigation. Their superior assigns Joseph and his long time partner, George Whitcomb, to the task force. As they search for James, the two veteran cops find their empathy lies with him rather than their pompous snot of a leader. While knowing that the confrontation between the “good” people and the “bad” dude seems imminent, Joseph and George wonder what ultimately pushed James over the edge to take the law in his own hands while also admiring the man’s courage, tenacity, and intelligence.

This exciting Noir centers on the relationships between criminals and cops. The story line is action-packed and fast-paced in a zany way yet surprisingly the characters make the tale work. Fans will enjoy looking inside the SHARK TANK where the cast operates in a feeding frenzy competition. Readers will appreciate the interplay and wit of the two aging officers, who have seen it all; empathize with James who failed as a modern day Job so took matters into his own hands (wait until you find out why); and finally readers will enjoy the “punishment” pretentious Roger receives. Tom O'Neill furbishes a wonderfully wild police procedural.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner