written by Tom
Piccirilli
published by Bantam
ISBN-10:
0553590847
ISBN-13:
978-0553590845
reviewed by Adam Armstrong
4.17.09
Simply fantastic.
Chase found himself orphaned at the age of ten
only to have his grifter grandfather, Johan, take him
under his wing and into a world of crime. Johan’s bloodthirsty and brutal nature
drives Chase away from his grandfather, setting out on his own life of crime.
After a few years, one of Chase’s strings is busted up by a deputy sheriff
named Lila Bodeen. Chase falls immediately in love
and gives up his life of crime to be the husband of a cop. Years later when
tragedy befalls the couple, Chase has only one person to turn to, Johan. Chase
must work with his grandfather while trying not to become him.
If you can put this novel down I’d be surprised.
From the bloody opening scene The Cold
Spot runs at a fast pace like an old Jim Thompson novel. Piccirilli really brings about characters that we can’t
help but watch whether we are cheering them (Chase) on or if they down right
scare us (Johan). The only other encounter I’ve had with Piccirilli
was some of his dark poetry in a wonderful collection that he edited entitled The
Devil’s Wine
by Cemetery Dance. Like with
You will not be disappointed: 5 out of 5