Dead or Alive

2-stars: 1-star for the tale (99% of the book), and 1-star for the ending (the other 1%). That just makes me sad as I was blown away by how great the first 3 books in the Kevin Kerney series were.

Dead of Alive is just one long, drawn-out manhunt. Due to some law enforcement cock-up, a dangerous criminal is transferred to another jail (versus Supermax prison), and he escapes. Then total chaos and mayhem ensues. Scores of people are killed and maimed. And every cop in a 14-state radius is chasing after the killer... which really isn't that hard since they are simply following a trail of death and destruction. The bad guy stays a step ahead... until making the fatal mistake. Rather boring.

I, obviously, didn't find this book all that good. show more There is a lot of filler about everyone's families and life histories and such. A lot of father and son bonding. Yawn. Occasionally interesting New Mexico geographic or historic tidbits, but they don't elevate the story in any real way. Occasionally there are lines or passages that contain the Michael McGarrity magic, but those are few and far between.

Should have just called it Manhunt. Definitely read better by McGarrity. show less

The last entry in one of my favorite crime series focuses on one escaped prisoner going on a killing spree and the manhunt that ensues. Though Kevin Kerney has retired as Santa Fe police chief and lives in London with his wife, he is pulled into events early on by the random killing of his partner in a horse-training exercise back on his ranch in New Mexico. As the killings go on he teams up with his son Clayton Istee of the Linconln County Sheriff Department. Together they track the killer through the back country.

The authenticity of the telling is sure due to the fact that Michael Garrity has been on the job himself. The story is told in no nonsense, no frills prose. It is nevertheless a gripping tale giving a vivid picture of what show more life in law enforcement is like, with all the small town politics thrown in and the impact the job has on a family life.

I'm rather sad that this is the last in the series (unless Michael Garrity decides to add to it later). I will be picking up Hard Country, which tells the story of how the Kerney family came West. Though this is not the kind of stuff I usually read, I'm fairly sure it will be worth reading. show less

I just finished reading Dead or Alive in paperback by Michael McGarrity, the 12th in The Kevin Kerney Novel series. I've read them all, over the years. As Tony Hillerman, since deceased, is quoted on the back cover, "How good it is to follow a detective created by a man who has been there and done that." Over the years, Kerney, the lead character has held numerous New Mexico law enforcement positions, which has made the series especially interesting. He is now in semi-retirement (my description) with a wife and young son.

The Kearney family is in London, where Sara is a career Army officer on her last assignment before retirement back to their New Mexico ranch. When word reaches Kevin Kearney that his ranch manager/horse business partner show more has been gunned down at the ranch, it brings him back in search of a psychotic murderer with a growing appetite for blood. He is joined in the search by his half-Apache adult son, Lieutenant Clayton Istee of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department. The chase covers broad sections of northeast New Mexico and eventually brings grueling mountain treks leading to a satisfying climax.

A western setting for the police procedural murder mystery offers all any one who like this genre could ask. It reads well, being written by someone who know of what he writes... and really enjoys it! A five star recommendation.

This review initially posted at my blog: http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/ show less

While I continue to enjoy the evolution of the Kevin Kerney series, I felt disappointed that so many interesting threads sensitively begun in this installment were dropped undeveloped. The last few pages wrapped up the basics in such a perfunctory manner that the end appeared to have been 'phoned in'.

Synopsis: Through a clerical error a murder is transferred to a minimum security prison. On the way he escapes and goes on a killing spree. Kerney and Clayton team up to get the bad guy.
Review: One long chase. We know from the start 'who done it' so the point of the book is how soon will the good guys get the bad guy. There is lots of violence in this one and several long-term characters are eliminated.