CJ Floyd has retired from bail bonding and bounty hunting, and opened a collectibles store, but clearly - this is not the life for him! This was my first introduction to the work of Robert Greer and I enjoyed it quite a lot.

I enjoyed this book, though it is not something I would normally find myself purchasing. I found it as an interesting look back at the history of our country and found the modern day hunt for the riches intriguing.

I would definitely consider reading other books by Robert Greer in the series. ( )

C.J. Floyd is trying to leave his years as a bail bondsman behind and to get his new life as an antique and Western collectibles dealer going. But when he's sold a stolen book, by a young man who is murdered soon after, his past skills connect with his current life, as he hunts for a killer, and the story behind a rare photograph. Good story, could have been tighter, a bit too much going on. Interesting perspective on African Americans in the Old (and current) West. Fascinating historical bits and lots of interesting insights on collectors and dealers. ( )

Robert Greer, a surgical pathologist and author, offers up a mystery that revolves around a missing daguerreotype worth a million dollars, stolen books, and a tough black detective caught between his former life as a bail bondsman and his new life as a dealer in antiques and collectibles. CJ Floyd's struggling business seems to have taken a turn for the better when a young Nicaraguan sells him two valuable books, but the young man's murder soon shows Floyd that it's not going to be that easy. Complicating the investigation is an old enemy stalking Floyd, not to mention his fiancee's fear that Floyd may be returning to his dangerous former profession. The colorful cast of characters includes an unlikeable cop, two homeless Vietnam vets, a retired mob boss, an eccentric millionaire, and various other denizens of Denver. Eventually, after another murder, the culprit is identified, but there are plenty of issues unresolved to generate interest for the next book in the series. Floyd is conflicted and likable as a main character and the narrative moves along quite briskly, with only a few jarring notes. The Fourth Perspective is a satisfying mystery for the most part.

This book had a lot of potential, enough to make me go to the library to see if they had the first book of the series, but I did not love it. I like that it deals with American history. I liked it that the main character was African-American and lived in the Western US, but not on the coast. Greer is not a great writer, but he can tell a good story. If I saw another book in the series at the bookstore I might pick it up. Good summer reading. ( )