This is the second book in the series and it is a much slower book with a lot of introspection one the part of the main character Gus Murphy. Sadly this drags the book and thrill down. It is only the last quarter of the book that things really take off, and both stories that are going on get fully fleshed out and the resolution is a favorable one. ( )

This past weekend I read Where It Hurts and What You Break and not only are they extremely involved stories with several cogs and moving parts, but they serve to get you thinking about a number of issues that you are currently seeing in the evening news. If I learned anything from reading this book, it is that I need to brush up on my history and current events. My favorite part about reading, even if it’s fiction, is the knowledge you pick up as part of the story. So much of this story piqued my interest when it came to cultures and places I know very little about. . I look forward to when I don’t have a tower of books awaiting to be read so that I can do some of my own research. Which also segues into why this is yet another book that you shouldn’t read if you’re hungry. Coleman is constantly describing delicious, regional fare, whether it be pizza or fast food wings, in addition to the constant stream of coffee that had me craving my cuppa joe, even in the middle of the night. I was a huge fan of the supporting cast, people so intricately described that I can vividly conjure them up in my imagination; Slava is definitely my favorite. I’ll be honest, though, the main character is not my favorite person. His brusqueness and bitterness are a huge turnoff for me, and finishing these books was like coming out of a constant depression. However, I believe that is the point. The author is very successful in getting across Gus’s state of mind, which is what makes Reed Farrel Coleman an excellent storyteller and why I enjoyed these books. ( )

I heard good things about the author and even though I didn't love his first book, I decided to give him another chance. I felt the book was too long, too convoluted, too meandering. I think I'll give his next books a miss.

I didn't love this one as much as the last. Maybe because it was a little darker and depressing. Still excellently written, although I found myself wanting to shout at Gus Murphy, main character/retired cop gone "private"/hotel shuttle van driver, on multiple occasions because he was missing be obvious clues right in front of him. While having just covered how smart a cop he was can would have made a great detective. But put me down for the next in the series, I'll be back. ( )

Man I really wanted to like this book and I'm not quite sure why I didn't just love it. The writing is above average, The plot involving Russians and bad guys from Vietnam is compelling. The characters are all interesting and almost 3 dimensional. There was just something that was missing. I will say its a fine book for passing an afternoon and if you're not careful you'll learn something, but it's just not quite there. ( )