Deadline: Stiff

J.M. Burns
Cold Tree Press (2006)
ISBN 9781583850916
Reviewed by William E. Cooper for Reader Views (1/07)


I don’t usually read mystery novels.  As a retired Chief of Police I have found many of them lack the reality of policing, the reality of what it takes to actually solve a major case.  I’ve found many of them favor the protagonist, reducing the police to essentially negative, cynical zealots who violate one civil right after another.  Even though Mr. Burns reflects some of the officers in a similar light, I found his book to be a really good mystery read, and enthusiastically recommend it.  The book is an excellent read, and I found myself staying up later than usual at night reading it. Mr. Burns is a fine writer and holds the reader’s attention throughout the book.  The near 300 pages fly by very quickly as you attempt to solve the crime.

Having read “Deadline: Stiff,” and being a person who does not easily recommend material I don’t believe in, let me safely say this is a book well worth the investment.  I also will categorically state that if Mr. Burns produces additional books of this genre, I will be in line to buy them.  Well done sir.

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