Robert J. Defendi

After reading an ARC of J. Carson Black’s upcoming HARD RETURN, (#2 Cyril Landry thriller), was so intrigued with the characters had to purchase and read (#1 Cyril Landry), THE SHOP.

THE SHOP opens with an assassination in Aspen, Colorado of well- known actress and pop star, Brienne cross. The assassin, Cyril Landry, former SEAL, a member of a black ops unit, THE SHOP, operating within a private security firm and used by the powerful government for missions, outside the law. Landry loves his family and is devoted to them yet he is a killer (the reason I loved him in Hard Return) and he turns against The Shop.

There is also another story going on, in a motel on the gulf coast of Florida, with a dead police chief and detective Jolie Burke is assigned to the case. (loved Jolie in Hard Return). The investigation leads to a string of homicides involving higher powers which brings her in contact with Landry, and a past she has blocked out.

The tension and suspense builds with the subplots, with twists and turns at every corner with power, coverup, conspiracy, and corruption, for an intriguing and complex crime thriller. Black has a way developing her characters and connecting all the pieces of the story, seamlessly. I fell in love with Black’s writing after HARD RETURN- If you enjoyed THE SHOP, you will devour HARD RETURN.

Jolie is a dynamic character and is very different from Laundry (cop/killer); however, I hope we will see more of this duo in #3. Laundry is highly skilled, edgy, and confident, yet there is a different side to him, which draws you in. Incredible writing by Black, brilliant!

A Must Read Thriller Series, you do not want to miss!

http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/959723/the-shop
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