D. Daniel Judson

This was a hard book to get into. The back history of the main character Mac is gradually filled as the story progresses, sometimes it feels like coming in half way through the conversation. The Rose of the title is hardly in the first half the book, and the Chief of Police isn't very prominent either.

The synopsis of this story suggests something far more dynamic than is actually delivered. A lot of the time Mac is too drunk or too depressed by events, to see things that are right in front him or to figure out soon enough when he's being manipulated. I worked out Roses' secret quite easily once the relevant character had been introduced.
I can't say I enjoyed this book, and I did start skipping through some of the violent scenes where Mac was either beating someone to a pulp or getting beaten himself. But I was intrigued enough to finish it. But I won't be reading the sequels.… (more)