Kelley Wilde

The Rock of BOP by Reb MacRath
Seattle BOP Mystery #3

Great addition to the series! This time Chief and his Bureau of whatever P you need (BOP) team take on a pursuit with potential payback type justice after someone they worked with meets a painful end. Insurance fraud should not be lethal but in this intense complicated situation it seems more than a bit of research and paperwork is required and who better than BOP to take it on.

What I liked:
* Chief Armstrong: former moniker DB-short for a mouthful and change, dismissed at times due to his less than intimidating stature, but oh so smart, cunning, lethal, loyal, loving, and more.
* The people that Chief works with:
- Dirk: CEO of Gestalt Insurance, wise, a mentor and leader
- Ammy: Director of Flow and Chief’s live-in-lover
- Duncan: Director of Rain, a bit broken but relatable
- Starr – Director of Reversals, Duncan’s wife, needs a change or to see a change
- Sax – very tall makeover martial arts genius pulled in from time to time for odd jobs
* Red – the man that deserves vengeance
* The plays on and with words and phrases
* References to vintage TV series and movies along with the actors that appeared in them – they reminded me of my past though I didn’t know all that were referred to.
* The way words were used to create graphic images that made me feel a part of the story
* The writing – though sometimes I would backtrack to take it all in
* The originality
* The way the characters were developed over time
* That justice/payback was achieved
* Knowing that Chief and the team will return

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that there are some crazy people out there that are just as wicked as some in this book

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars… (meer)

The Big Bopper Rises by Reb MacRath
A Seattle BOP Mystery #2

Chief Armstrong has no idea what he is getting himself into going undercover as a student at The Right School. He is pretty sure it is the only way to find out about insurance fraud the school is perpetrating but little does he realize that the school is murkier and more evil than he could ever have expected. Without technology, phone or access to the outside he is locked in with people I would NOT like to spend time with. There are twists and turns, evil people in charge, students are pitted against one another and against a nearby rival school and in the midst of this Chief, now going by DB, has to stay alive.

The nearby town is...interesting and rather scary.
His team is there for him but can’t reach him.
His girlfriend is worried about him.
His situation becomes trickier and as it becomes more treacherous I became worried for him, too.

Of course Chief Armstrong will pull through eventually...with a little help from others.
There is an operation that is a bit of a sting that is orchestrated by Chief and played out by his team – what a treat it was to read!
Chief does end up safe, with his girlfriend, earns the fat bonus and by the end of the book may have a new direction to pursue in book three of the series.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars… (meer)

The Big Bopper by Reb MacRath

The game’s afoot – and there are players aplenty as Boss MacTavin sends DB - Diogenes Baryshnikov - off to Seattle with a list of rules to follow while setting up their new office. Gestalt Insurance provides the office space, the makeover guru, another set of rules and critiques on performance as DB does his best to make Boss proud. With Duncan and Star Jackson, from the previous book, by his side DB begins to make his move as he sets up what will soon be known as Seattle BOP. Add in an unusual secretary and you have a group that is unbeatable…especially if you add in Boss and another asset or two to assist should they be needed.

This story deals with an array of issues from friendship to fraud. It requires strength not only of body but also of mind. Shedding old skin for new, superior sleuthing and savoring success all occur but not without performance anxiety, painful encounters and extraordinary growth along the way.

One statement jumped off the page, “Perception of stature is measured by spirit, not inches.” Why did it hit me so hard? Well, DB at 5’4” may be height challenged but as he learns the ropes of his new job, takes charge of his team and deals with dangerous situations he grows, not in height but in being, and then is rewarded with a new moniker – Chief Armstrong: The Big Bopper.

The writing is captivating, pithy and precise…and so are the characters and their story. This is not a tale for the faint of heart. This first book in the Seattle BOP spin-off is a wonderful addition to the Boss MacTavin collection. I have to say at this point that I look forward to reading whatever comes next as each character so far seems to have imprinted him/herself on my mind and I am not finished with them yet.

5 Stars… (meer)

Seattle Red by Reb MacRath
A Boss MacTavin Mystery #4

Boss MacTavin has evolved through the series to become what to me is a renaissance man - one who rose much as a phoenix from the ashes of the adversity he faced in book one. He is focused, witty, pithy, strong, a true friend and a man who feels compelled to “correct” wrongs. At times he and his cohorts can be violent but when they are it is all just part of a well-earned “correction”. He is a planner, a lover, a hedonist, an athlete and oh so much more.

I applaud Reb MacRath for creating this character and series. I just reread my review of the first book in this series, Southern Scotch, and realize that everything I wrote then is still true today. The writing is tight, the plot concise, the characters flawed but still perfection, the dialogue impeccable and the stories a delight though at times they deal with murder and mayhem. Boss MacTavin is a hero that could easily star in a Tarantino movie and I sometimes wonder this series has not been picked up by a producer.

I am not sure if this is the last book in this series but am happy to hear there is a spin-off to look forward to that will star DB, an intriguing character that no doubt will call on some of Boss’s crew when needed.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (meer)