A while ago, when first writing this blog, I reviewed The
Samaritan, Mason Cross's second outing for his hero, Carter Blake. I gave that
book three out of five stars. It wasn't that I didn't like it exactly, it was
well written, the character was likeable enough. I just didn't take with the
whole serial killer story. Serial killers to me are just a bit dull, they've
been done to death (excuse the dire pun).
But unlike others I given a lukewarm review to, the author
Mason Cross actually responded. And he was really...nice about it. Oh the
guilt! But then along came The Time to Kill (originally titled Winterlong) and
I borrowed a copy from NetGalley. But I always regretted not reading book
number 1, The Killing Season, so what to do? Well I quickly bought a copy of
book number 1 and stared reading. And wow. It was great! The whole sniper on
the rampage through America had me on the edge of my seat and while I suppose
that classifies as a serial killer it was pretty darn original in a
going-back-to-basics, none of this carving people up in exotic ways kinda thing.
When I originally reviewed book number 2 I suggested the
author make more of his hero's military past, that perhaps he have him go up
against his former comrades-in-arms. I don't want to claim credit for the plot
of The Time to Kill, perhaps it’s just a case of great minds thinking alike
(yes, I did just describe myself as a "great mind") but that's just
what Mason Cross does. The Time to Kill sees Carter Blake being hunted by his
former special forces unit who now worry that he'll prove an embarrassment, and
more to the point, that he will divulge their murkier secrets.
The Time to Kill is a roller coaster ride of tension, a
great read that touches on geo-political issues and the war on terrorism while
delivering a darn good yarn. On the basis of this and book 1 (book 2 just not
being my cup of tea, though as I say, there was nothing wrong with the writing)
Mason Cross is certainly somebody who's writing I will watch out for.
5 out of 5 stars
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