Books4Tomorrow: REVIEW: "PHOTO FINISH"

Monday, August 27, 2012

REVIEW: "PHOTO FINISH" - by Terry Ambrose

“PHOTO FINISH”

by Terry Ambrose

REVIEWED BY: Ellen Fritz

OVERVIEW

Wilson McKenna’s newest tenant is hot, gives great hugs, and just saw a dead body being thrown from a plane. McKenna’s not one to get involved in other people’s problems, especially those of a woman half his age, but before he knows it he’s volunteered to find the plane and its owner—and found more trouble than he’s ever seen in his life. He’s uncovered an island drug ring, pissed off a sociopath, and set himself up as the victim in a beautiful woman’s con that could cost him his life.
If only trouble didn’t have such great legs.

REVIEW

If you are looking for a thrilling but relaxing and humorously written book, “Photo Finish” is the perfect book for you. Not only does it have a cleverly constructed plot, it also boasts a colorful cast of brilliantly realistic characters. For a very pleasant and refreshing change, the main character, Wilson McKenna, is not a young, drop-dead gorgeous hunk but an older man. Said older man does however still have a very healthy appetite for attractive females - an appetite that very nearly gets him killed. When the elderly and rather deaf Meyer Herschel joins McKenna in the investigation, the stage is set for a very entertaining story. Oh, and let's not forget the ancestors who appear in the dreams of several characters to have their wise say in the matter.

Despite the seriousness of murder and drug running, I smiled and giggled my way through this book. Although the unraveling of the whole mystery seems somewhat passive during the first two thirds of the book, the humorous, witty narration more than makes up for lack of action. When the pace picks up in the last few chapters however, the nerve wrecking suspense and constant action had me biting my nails and cheering for the good guys.

Descriptions of nature and local Hawaiian legend and culture make this book an interesting and exciting read for the arm chair traveler as well as those who like a relaxing, light hearted mystery. Add to all this that the book is neatly written and well edited and I happily give Photo Finish 5 stars. Let's hope that we'll soon see more books by this highly gifted author.