Book #18: Raging Heat, by “Richard Castle.” Unabridged
audio.
I have read all five prior Nicky Heat novels, and have
reviewed the most recent ones here and here. I have enjoyed them all to varying
degrees, and think that the integration of the books into the TV show is an
impressive feat.
In this novel, a man falls from a great height, and
journalist Jamieson Rook takes the opportunity to spin some of his wilder
conspiracy theories. Evidence seems to point to the involvement of a rising-star
politician, but Nicki and her team of detectives debate about how strong that
evidence is. The team has a deadline to meet, as Hurricane Sandy is bearing
down on New York. The story ends up involving political contributions, unofficial
paramilitary squads, an identity theft ring, and human trafficking.
There is more character development in these novels that is
present in many detective series. Events here parallel (although not exactly)
events on the show, including the death of a long-term character, a crossroads
in the Heat/Rook relationship, and doubts about whether Heat should accept a promotion.
There is also a large amount of tension between the characters I this novel,
between Heat and Rook, as well as between Heat and her team of detectives. That
is a nice touch, and that tension was well-earned.
The only part of the novel that put me off was setting the
action during Hurricane Sandy. I love the integration of events on the
television show into the novels, but integrating events from the real world
seemed like a weird choice. I can’t put my finger on why I didn’t like that,
but … I just didn’t like that.
Source: public library
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