One reason this series works for me is that in some books detectives Kovac and Liska take center stage while in others, they are in the chorus line--so to speak.
In The Bitter Season both Kovac and Liska are featured, but Hoag splits them up. Nikki Liska has gone to the cold case squad so she can spend more time with her young sons, while Sam Kovac must break in a new partner in homicide. Each misses the comfortable relationship they have had in the past, but must adjust to their new situations.
Katherine Quinn makes a token appearance in this one, as do members of the homicide squad that are familiar from the previous novels. Hoag keeps the series fresh with the change-ups, but gives us the sense of familiarity any series reader appreciates. I like Sam's new partner and hope to see more of him in future books. And I hate having to wait for the next in the series!
Read in November; blog post scheduled for Dec. 29, 2015.
NetGalley/Penguin Group
Police Procedural. Jan. 12, 2016. Print length: 416 pages.
I have enjoyed the Tami Hoag books I have read too. As much as I enjoy following the same character(s) over the course of a series, it is nice to come across one where the protagonists change now and then, while still being a part of the same "world". It sounds like you enjoyed this one, Jenclair.
ReplyDelete:) I've tried some of her other series, but this is the one I like best. There are a few other authors who do this kind of change-up for the starring role, and it does add a sense of depth to a series. Keeps things from becoming too predictable and lets you learn more about characters who are familiar.
DeleteI haven't read any of her books but this sounds like an interesting series. I also like it that the protagonists take on centre stage from time to time. I don't think I've ever read such setting before it'll be interesting to see how it goes to me.
ReplyDeleteHoag is good at characterization and plotting, so having this other trick in her arsenal keeps the series really interesting.
DeleteI definitely need to give this author a try.
ReplyDeleteAshes to Ashes was the first in the Kovac/Liska series. I wasn't too engaged by books in the other series, but I've read everything so far in this one. :)
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