"Suspect" (Putnam), by Robert Crais
Los Angeles police officer Scott James and his partner, Stephanie Anders, were searching for an all-night noodle house late one night when they ran straight into a gun battle.
Five masked men were raking a Bentley with automatic weapons, cutting the occupants to pieces. The officers jumped from their patrol car to intervene, but when the shooting was over, Stephanie lay dead in the street, and Scott was badly wounded.
On the other side of the world, Maggie, an 85-pound German shepherd trained to sniff out explosives, went on alert as an old man approached her Marine patrol. Before the dog and her handler could stop him, the man detonated a bomb he'd concealed beneath his clothing. As Maggie stood guard over her dying master, terrorists shot her.
Months later, Scott and Maggie, both hobbling from their wounds and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (yes, dogs get it, too), are united as a new team in the Los Angeles police department's K-9 platoon.
Defying their orders, they set out together to solve Stephanie's unsolved murder.
Crais, one of the masters of modern crime fiction, unwinds his plot slowly at first, devoting the first half of the book to developing the relationship between the two damaged but determined partners. But in the second half, the suspense is high and the pace blistering, culminating in an action scene as hot as anything in a "Lethal Weapon" movie.
Still, the best part of the book is the interaction between Scott and Maggie as they struggle to overcome PTSD; learn to trust, love and rely on one another; and discover that each offers the other the best chance for a new start in life.
Maggie is a strong character in her own right, with Crais even writing several chapters from her point of view. "She had ranged ahead to protect him, but now her heart soared when Scott entered the room. They were a pack. A pack of two, they were one." This risky device would be a disaster in a lesser writer's hands, but Crais, who did a lot of research about doggie behavior and psychology, pulls it off brilliantly.
The result is a story that is action-packed, deeply touching and sure to be one of the best-written and most original crime novels of the year.
___
Online:
http://robertcrais.com/
http://brucedesilva.com/
___
Bruce DeSilva, winner of the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award, is the author of "Cliff Walk" and "Rogue Island."
Most Watched on Wonderwall
Feeling Swollen
Kim Kardashian says her pregnancy lips are out of control, plus more celeb stories on 7 Wonders.
Watch Video »
Bikini Secrets
Check out Hollywood's hottest bikini bods on 7 Wonders, hosted by Tim Kash.
Watch Video »
Moving Out
Robert Pattinson has moved out of the house he shared with Kristen Stewart, plus more celeb stories on 7 Wonders.
Watch Video »
Better with age
See which stars just get better with age.
Watch Video »
Worst Looks
Check out some of Rihanna's worst wardrobe choices on 7 Wonders, hosted by Tim Kash.
Watch Video »
Twitter Attack
Find out who went after Kendall Jenner on social media on today's Celebs Gone Social ...
Watch Video »
More Wonderwall
- Twitter AttackFind out who went after Kendall Jenner on social media on today's Celebs Gone Social ...Watch Video »
- 'Fast' TalkWatch as the cast of "Fast & furious 6" talk about getting injuries while filming, getting jacked and a whole lot more.Watch Video »
- Feeling SwollenKim Kardashian says her pregnancy lips are out of control, plus more celeb stories on 7 Wonders.Watch Video »
- Party AnimalsCheck out some of Hollywood's biggest party animals.Watch Video »
- Carrie's ChangesSee how this country cutie has changed her looks over the years.Watch Video »
- Moving OutRobert Pattinson has moved out of the house he shared with Kristen Stewart, plus more celeb stories on 7 Wonders.Watch Video »
- Who Am I?Check out how Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and more stars of "Fast & Furious 6" looked when they were in high school.Watch Video »
- LovebirdsFind out what Jessica Alba and Cash Warren tweeted to each other on their fifth wedding anniversary on today's Celebs Gone Social ...Watch Video »
- Worst LooksCheck out some of Rihanna's worst wardrobe choices on 7 Wonders, hosted by Tim Kash.Watch Video »
- What's Sexy?Heidi Klum hangs with two comedy legends and shares what she finds most sexy in a man on today's Celebs Gone Social ...Watch Video »
- Sexy SecretsVictoria's Secret model Adriana Lima talks about the What's Sexy list, her model friends and more with Wonderwall.Watch Video »
- American TravelsGet the Prince's travel details on Replay hosted by Wonderwall's Kirby Kristen.Watch Video »
- Birthday GirlTori Spelling turns 40, plus more celeb stories on 7 Wonders, hosted by Tim Kash.Watch Video »
- Fashion OffendersFlorence Welch, Zoe Saldana, and Ali Larter all get an F on this week's Fashion OffendersWatch Video »
- Bikini BurnsFrom Kim Kardashian to Jessica Alba, see the worst celeb sunburns.Watch Video »
- Double TroubleFrom the Olsens to the Mowrys, see some of Hollywood's most famous twins.Watch Video »
- Roasted?Lindsay Lohan refuses to be roasted, plus more celeb stories on 7 Wonders, hosted by Tim Kash.Watch Video »
- Beach WorkoutsFrom Julianne Hough to Alessandra Ambrosio, see celebs who get their fitness on in the sand.Watch Video »
- Miley's MusicMiley Cyrus mixes music and fashion while ignoring her relationship status, on today's Celebs Gone Social.Watch Video »
- Royal AdviceSnooki gives Prince Harry some advice, plus more celeb stories on 7 Wonders, hosted by Tim Kash.Watch Video »
- Country CutiesCheck out the hottest couples in country music.Watch Video »
-
From Videos of Wonderwall
-
From MSN Entertainment
-
From MSN
Who Am I?
