Cold Hit: A Shane Scully Novel [Kindle Edition]

I really, really like this book! Moreover there's a LOT to like about this new Shane Scully outing from Mr. Cannell, and at the top of the list is that these novels keep getting better both in art, depth, complexity, and subject matter. It is worth noting that Mr. Cannell is continually improving his already noteworthy writing abilities, particularly when it seems that, sadly, many writers seem content to let past successes prop up less than worthy current releases. Mr. Cannell rises above formulaic repetition and simple rehashing of his past novels by writing with an intelligence and fierce electricity that is refreshing, but also by working in new and relevant ideas and then following these ideas to their natural conclusions. No easy task, but Cannell transcends past efforts with an easy panache and grace.

Scully, a LAPD detective, is maturing into a very interesting and realistic character doing his best in a constantly evolving world of red tape, personal conflicts, bureacratic indifference and short-sightedness, and now, really scary federal powers of investigation that can neutralize local law enforcement and even persecute such local representation. This novel works on all levels; it is gritty and tough, with writing that paints setting and ambiance using words just as a master artist would lovingly brush details on canvas in oil, adds in a big dash of action, moral and ethical dilemmas, plenty of dead bodies, and helps us realize, map, and confront the dark side of the sweeping new federal powers enacted after 9/11. The misuse of these powers can be truly frightening as illustrated in this book, calling to mind harrowing recollections of the Gestapo or Orwell's 1984. This book, far more than most of the genre, will make you sit back and think, then pause, then think even harder. Go grab this one as soon as you can; this novel deserves some buzz, both own it's own merits and for the scary and thought-provoking abuse of power that it details. Then (sigh) we'll all just have to sit around and wait for the next installment in the Scully series.

I consider the Rockford Files one of the best TV shows ever. A lot of that is due to its star, James Garner, but credit also needs to go to Stephen J. Cannell, who created and helped write the series. Cannell is responsible for a lot of other TV shows (including Hunter, Wiseguy and the A-Team), but of late he has been more focused on mystery writing. Based on my fondness for his TV work, I should be inclined to enjoy his books, but they actually rate from just above average to barely adequate; if these were graded in school, the best would be a B. Cold Hit gets a C-minus, or put in Amazon terms, barely three stars.

Cold Hit is around the sixth book in the Shane Scully series (admittedly, I have only read three or four of them). In this volume, Scully is lead investigator in the hunt for a serial killer known for cutting off the fingers of his victims (hence hindering investigation). As the story opens, a new body has been found, but Scully suspects a copycat due to certain distinctions from previous crimes. Unfortunately, he is getting nowhere and the FBI is being called in to take over. In addition to this, Scully's partner is going off the deep end with increasingly risky (and drunken) behavior.

Although Scully is cast into a subordinate position, he still comes up with some important clues that indicate the involvement of some Russians. This stirs up a whole nest of problems, with the result that Scully winds up locking horns with Homeland Security people; in such a battle, the odds are really against Scully, since the Feds are willing to use all sorts of secretive, Patriot Act allowed acts to enforce their will.

Ominously, the gravest perils that Scully faces are not from the killer but rather from the government figures. The serial killer (and the supposed copycat) are rather remote figures (until the end of the book), but the danger that looms over Scully is the possibility that he is constantly being monitored and may suddenly be arrested and held without charges or representation, and it may all be legal.

Cannell's rather effective indictment of the Patriot Act (and related laws) and the extremes it can allow in the name of national security is watered down by the fact that the story itself is not all that well written. While some of the cliched and rather shallow characters (for example, the arrogant FBI agent who takes over and dismisses the input of the local cops) may fit well in a standard TV crime drama, they are lacking in a novel. The plot itself is rather standard, although there is one decently clever twist towards the end. What I kept thinking of is Michael Connelly's far superior Harry Bosch stories that are also police procedurals involving an L.A. homicide detective: this book falls far short of that standard. Cannell's competent enough to keep this from being a truly bad book, but he can't make it good either. This book should only be read if you're a Cannell fan; otherwise, you're better off with some other author such as Connelly.

In spy story novels the James Bond or other good guy character often goes through the story leaving dead bodies all over the place. Then the spies move on with never a thought for what's left behind.

In murder mysteries you have a detective who applies all kinds of deduction, logic, forensics and so on to catching a killer. And if you have a lot of bodies then you have a serial killer and you put a whole task force together to go find the guy.

In this case Shane Scully with the LAPD is the detective, working on a serial killer case. There are all the usual kind of problems with the press, the chief of police, partner. But then the FBI, and the CIA, and the KGB (there's no KGB any more, the Colonel works to get ballets and other cultural activities from Russia to the US) start showing up.

This book is a fun read. Interesting characters working on an interesting plot. Great literature, of course not. An nice little twist on the standard murder mystery, absolutely.