South by Southeast-A Tennyson Hardwick Novel by Blair Underwood | Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes
First, let me preface this review by saying, I
seriously enjoyed this novel – it was told the way a thriller should be told – it
made me yearn to see it on the big screen. And it didn’t hurt one bit that I envisioned
the author, seductively-handsome actor Blair Underwood in the role of the protagonist,
Tennyson Hardwick.
Licentious super-sleuth Tennyson Hardwick is back
in what looks to be his most compelling case to date. South by Southeast the fourth
installment in this award-winning mystery series proves to be a great addition
to the already note-worthy series and as a stand-alone thriller. It starts off as a smooth comfortable tale of
an ex-gigolo, part-time actor - who’s lost his drive and perhaps his box office
appeal. However, early on in the story
there are hints that promise and deliver an entertaining read like no other -
as this tale captures and moves the reader’s attention on an excursion from LA
to South Beach and back, at the same time Tennyson becomes engrossed in the
murder investigation of several prostitutes no one seems to care about.
Tennyson Hardwick is juggling quite a few issues
in his personal life - dealing with his feisty soon-to-be-adopted teenage
daughter, repairing old wounds with his father, and battling with the feelings
he still has for his ex-girlfriend – with so much going on, he hardly has
enough time to deal with his ailing acting career.
After Tennyson lands a role in a zombie flick
directed by Oscar nominated director, Gustavo Escobar, his professional life gets a needed jolt of
adrenalin and things seemingly start to look up for Ten. But his less-than-spectacular come-back is
marred when Tennyson finds himself thrust back into his detective role after
the body of his daughter's old friend Maria, a working girl from Los Angeles
washes ashore.
As Tennyson tries to make sense of the case he
gets caught up in a cat and mouse game of wits with the psychotic killer.
Tennyson's world is unexpectedly turned upside down when the murder gets
personal by taking the life of someone close to him. Hardwick takes a vow to track down and rid
the world of the heartless serial killer, but in doing so, he discovers the
horror has really just begun. Vengeance
is the killer's fuel and an undiscovered secret is the motive. The question is,
has Tennyson underestimated his delirious demented opponent and will he survive
long enough to prevent the reign of terror that is planned for Chela, April,
and anyone else close to him?
This skillfully crafted suspenseful page-turner
is expertly narrated in both 1st person and 3rd person POV which the writers blend
seamlessly together. The authors take
readers on an unforgettable journey and along the way introduce them to some of
the most believable well-rounded, yet colorful characters imaginable.
Characters they are able to relate to, root for, and even detest: Fallen hero,
Tennyson Hardwick; Chela - a rebellious teenager with a sorted past; April – the
ex-girlfriend that’s trying to tame Ten; Ten's dad, Richard Hardwick - a
retired LAPD Captain; Gustavo Escobar- the over-the-top director; Maria - a
working girl, who mysteriously drowns; Raphael - a high-end pimp with too many
resources, Mother - an aging madam with close ties to Ten and Chela, Mouse Girl
- an annoying working girl, too naïve to know better, Lt. Rodrick Nelson – determine to arrest Ten
for murder; Lydia Hernandez – a detective that stalls the investigation, and a few others.
South by Southeast is for a reading audience that enjoys a great mystery thriller that offers
an entertaining read. It is a remarkably
consuming heart-thumping knuckle-wrenching thriller, which can easily become
the avid reader's new favorite novel.
I would highly recommend Blair Underwood's
novels, he and his co-writers, Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes have done such
a terrific job of bringing some incredibly vivid characters to life who help to
tell the most intriguing stories in the Tennyson Hardwick series. The series includes: Casaenegra, In The Night
of the Heat, From Cape Town with Love, and the latest, South by Southeast
on sale 9/18/12.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey
5 comments:
Great review! Thanks so much for posting...and for not revealing any spoilers! :)
Great review! Thanks so much for posting...and for not revealing any spoilers! :)
Great review! Thanks so much for posting...and for not revealing any spoilers! :)
Great review! Thanks so much for posting...and for not revealing any spoilers! :)
Tananarive, It was a great read! Which made it easy to write a good review. I'd gotten carried away sharing what I'd read, it was a little difficult not revealing any spoilers. :)
I truly hope the Tennyson Hardwick series is made into movies - Blair was looking for suggestions for projects he could do for NBC [I think that's the right network], well that's my suggestion.
Thanks for stopping by and do know you're more than welcome to come back anytime.
Post a Comment