Cold Pursuit
by T. Jefferson Parker
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Homicide cop Tom McMichael is on the rotation when an 84-year-old city patriarch named Pete Braga is found bludgeoned to death. Not good news, especially since the Irish McMichaels and Portuguese Bragas share a violent family history dating back three generations. Years ago Braga shot McMichael's grandfather in a dispute over a paycheck; soon thereafter Braga's son was severely beaten behind a waterfront bar - legend has it that it was an act of revenge by McMichael's father. McMichael must show more put aside the old family blood feud, and find the truth about Pete Braga's death. Braga's beautiful nurse is a suspect - she says she stepped out for some firewood, but key evidence suggests otherwise. The investigation soon expands to include Braga's business, his family, the Catholic diocese, a multimillion dollar Indian casino, a prostitute, a cop, and, of course, the McMichael family. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I usually like T. Parker's work, but this one I couldn't relate to. Quite disjointed as well as pointless--maybe if he'd had been setting this up as a series it would have worked, but for a one-off, it was lacking too many important details. The one worthwhile aspect of reading this was T. Parker's excellent ability of detailing the locale. I could visualize the San Diego that McMicheal was a part of. Those cold , windy, rainy days were a refreshing respite for this reader who was suffering through a hundred plus heat wave.
Mystery featuring homicide detective Tom McMichael. McMichael catches the case when elderly Pete Braga is found beaten to death in his home. The twist: many years ago Braga had shot McMichael's grandfather in a dispute, and then McMichael's father was accused of beating Braga's son so badly that he ended up brain-damaged and has the mind of a ten-year-old. Family feud anyone? Many people suspect McMichael of not doing his job because the murder may seem like just desserts.
The first suspect is Sally Rainwater, who had been Braga's home nurse. Word got around that Braga had become very fond of Sally and was showering her with presents and even considering putting her in his will. This turn of events did not sit well with the show more grandchildren, especially Patricia, who had done much for Braga and believed Sally was a gold digger.
McMichael developed a different feeling about Sally. One that a homicide detective on a case should not be having. When word got out that McMichael may have compromised the investigation he found himself on the carpet. But when the investigation again led to Sally, McMichael knew he had to lead the search of her home, that he could not avoid contact with her. Based on what was found she was arrested. Sally did not take this well and McMichael believes he has lost her.
Some things did not sit well with detective McMichael, understandably. He doesn't want to wrap the case yet, and continues his investigation. And what does he find??
A decent detective story, good enough characters, kept me reading. show less
The first suspect is Sally Rainwater, who had been Braga's home nurse. Word got around that Braga had become very fond of Sally and was showering her with presents and even considering putting her in his will. This turn of events did not sit well with the show more grandchildren, especially Patricia, who had done much for Braga and believed Sally was a gold digger.
McMichael developed a different feeling about Sally. One that a homicide detective on a case should not be having. When word got out that McMichael may have compromised the investigation he found himself on the carpet. But when the investigation again led to Sally, McMichael knew he had to lead the search of her home, that he could not avoid contact with her. Based on what was found she was arrested. Sally did not take this well and McMichael believes he has lost her.
Some things did not sit well with detective McMichael, understandably. He doesn't want to wrap the case yet, and continues his investigation. And what does he find??
A decent detective story, good enough characters, kept me reading. show less
Amerikaanse thriller met een wat naïef hoofdpersonage én een ietwat ongeloofwaardige achtervolging op het einde.
Oct 18, 2008Dutch
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45+ Works 7,400 Members
Novelist T. Jefferson Parker was born in Los Angeles, California in 1953. He earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, in 1976, and initially worked as a reporter for a weekly newspaper. While writing for the Daily Pilot, he won three Orange County Press Club Awards. His first novel, Laguna Heat, was made show more into an HBO movie starring Harry Hamlin, Jason Robards and Rip Torn. His other works include The Triggerman's Dance, Where Serpents Lie, The Blue Hour, Red Light, and Cold Pursuit. Silent Joe and California Girl won the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2002 and 2005 respectively. Silent Joe also received the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller. When not working on his books, Parker spends his time with his family, hiking, hunting and fishing, and playing tennis. He enjoys diving, snorkeling, and travel. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Original title
- Cold Pursuit
- Original publication date
- 2003
- People/Characters
- Thomas McMichael; Sally Rainwater; Pete Braga; Patricia Braga
- Important places
- San Diego, California, USA
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Statistics
- Members
- 351
- Popularity
- 89,041
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.66)
- Languages
- 5 — Czech, Dutch, English, Finnish, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 31
- ASINs
- 2



























































