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Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Killer Weekend


Pearson, Ridley. Killer Weekend. An ARC from G.P. Putam's Sons, due to be released in July. Attorney General Elizabeth Shaler, bound and gagged with duct tape, faces a killer with a knife. Noticing an abandoned bike and a damaged wooden screen, alert young patrolman Walt Fleming investigates. He manages to save Shaler, but suffers a serious knife wound in the process.

Eight years later, Shaler returns to Sun Valley as the keynote speaker at a conference where she is expected to announce her candidacy for president. Walt Fleming, now the county sheriff, joins the FBI and Secret Service in an attempt to foil a threat on Shaler's life. The groups are not fully cooperative, and added to the difficulties, are the complications added by Patrick Cutter, the billionaire who has organized the conference.

The assassin has managed to establish a clever disguise and presence at the conference. His machinations are interesting and creative. Other complications include the murder of the wife of a wealthy and influential conference attendee, a tense relationship between Fleming and his father, and the fact that Fleming's ex-wife is sleeping with his deputy.

A fun read, the novel speeds along. Fleming's character is likable and interesting; Shaler's character, however, never seems developed. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable thriller.

Pearson, who has written a number of thrillers, is also the author of the award-winning children's novels Peter and the Starcatchers and Peter and the Shadow Thieves, both of which have been on my TBR list.

Fiction. Thriller/mystery. 2007. 323 pages.

5 comments:

  1. I love Ridley Pearson. His books are so good. Haven't had a chance to read Peter and the Shadowcatchers, yet.

    I will keep my eyes open for this!

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  2. The Peter books...I thought his name looked familiar.

    I know I said this recently, but once again, its good to have you back! I miss your daily posts!

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  3. Hi. I am one of your silent blog readers. I like your blog so much that I have nominated you for The Thinking Blogger Award.

    http://maryannemoll.blogspot.com/2007/06/it-does-pay-to-think.html

    Thank you for this blog.

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  4. Nancy - This is my first book by Ridley Pearson, but when Putnam offered to send me a copy, I jumped at it as Peter and the Starcatchers was already on my list.

    Carl - Thanks, I'm still having occasional computer difficulties and have gotten out of the habit of daily computer sessions. Trying to catch up while I can!

    Maryanne - Thank you very much. I appreciate the nomination!

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  5. Great review. I still have yet to read a Ridley Pearson novel. I don't even think I have one in my TBR collection. This one's going on my wishlist. :-)

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