I have to admit that the cover was the first thing that caught my eye. It's such a striking cover and together with the interesting description of the book did I feel that this is a book I just had to read.

One would think that LAPD would have much more important things to do after the earthquake than trying to find LAPD Detective Gavin Shaw. But, there is a pretty good reason for why he is needed to be found, but that is not revealed to the cops that are searching for him. However, finding the missing Shaw is turning out to be quite a challenge as they have to travel through a city filled with looters and gangs out for trouble.

I found the idea of this book interesting, and the plot felt quite refreshing new. I was curious to learn why Shaw was so important, more important than say trying to save lives instead. However, I found myself, despite enjoying the story not really warming up to all the characters in the book. Schmitty was neither that interesting nor memorable enough for my liking. And, I felt slightly detached from Schmitty and the rest of the cops plight in the city. It's hard to care for characters fate in a book if you feel that you don't get to know them that they fail to come alive.

However, there were some characters that I came to like a bit. Jenkins, Tallon, and Shaw worked for me and was the ones that I started to care for. I especially found the flashbacks to Jenkins and Shaw interesting to read. The conclusion to the book was OK, I would have liked to have been more in dark when it came to the identity of a certain character that was behind some events in the book. But, I must say that the reason for it all was not something that I had foreseen.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy reading the book. Sure, the plot was perhaps not that amazing that I had hoped for, but it was enjoyable to read and I would definitely recommend reading the book.

I want to thank Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours for providing me with a free copy for an honest review! ( )

The action starts immediately. L.A. has been hit with the BIG one, or the big 8.8 which has never been felt before in such an urban environment. Chaos abounds while all first responders leap into action. But a choice few are set aside not to aid and control the massive violence, but sent on a “Saving Private Ryan” type of adventure to find and retrieve just one man. Why? What possible use could one man be during such a huge fluster-cluck of damage and disarray? And why does it seem there are other similar missions to achieve the same rescue? The abrupt level of death and destruction ramps up over 3 days of relentless search and defensive maneuvers that will have your head spinning to the very conclusion of this surprisingly unexpected jolt of events.
An advanced copy of this book was provided for an honest review. ( )

I love the cover for Bullet in the Blue Sky and when I read about an 8.8 earthquake hitting Los Angeles and chaos reigns, I had to have it.

Terrorism, dystopia and a mystery wrapped in a conspiracy had me traveling with Schmitty and his gang searching for one man…Shaw. Why? What is so important that they will dodge gangs and thugs as they traverse an alien landscape on their mission.

There is danger at every turn, roads blocked, bridges down, fallen buildings and fires. How many will survive?

With guns blazing…They fight, plot, plan and wonder what is really going on and who’s behind it. They strive to stop total destruction, leaving some of their fallen comrades behind.

Bullet in the Blue Sky had me thinking…could…when will this happen. That was the scariest thing of all. It could be a terrorist attack or just nature letting itself be heard. Would Los Angeles become the Wild West again?

I believe in conspiracies and put nothing past people in their quest for money and power.

I received an ARC of Bullet in the Blue Sky from Bill Larkin in return for an honest review.

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I enjoy Bill Larkin’s work - his novel, DETECTIVE LESSONS, his short story, HIGHLANDS, his novella, SHADOW TRUTH, and his blog, so I was looking forward to the release of his new book BULLET IN THE BLUE SKY.
I was not disappointed. BULLET IN THE BLUE SKY was worth waiting for. It is a crime story, a thriller, a tale of terrorism, intrigue, suspense, action and violence. There are ethical and moral dilemmas and very interesting overlapping story lines.
Kevin Schmidt of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (“Schmitty’, who we met in DETECTIVE LESSONS) is part of a special team sent out to find missing LAPD Detective Gavin Shaw. This order is given after a massive earthquake has devastated most of the Los Angeles area. (The problems associated with moving about a ravished and lawless landscape is a story unto itself.)
This book was a great read with an incredible ‘sense of place’. The descriptions of the quake damage were very real; the characters; the plot points - all superb.
I was very impressed and would definitely recommend this book. ( )

Kevin “Schmitty” Schmidt is working undercover with his partner near Dodger Stadium when the earth rumbles and structures crumble. After saving who they could where they were Matta and Schmitty head back through ravaged streets to headquarters where they are soon sent off to find LAPD Detective Gavin Shaw. Six police officers, a few supplies, a city destroyed and not enough peacekeepers to keep the peace. With roads nearly destroyed, gangs acting up, uncertainty about their mission and deep misgivings the six make their way toward Shaw. Little do they know that they are not the only ones looking for this man and NOBODY looking for Shaw knows why he is so important.

Having spent many of my formative years in Southern California an earthquake is something I have experienced and everyone who lives or has lived there awaits the “big one” that will see California falling into the Pacific Ocean. An apocalypse as devastating as the one Larkin has portrayed is not one I would want to be in the middle of.

This story was action-packed, intense, intriguing and a whole lot more than a disaster novel. Politics, revenge, money, ingenuity, teamwork, comradery, good versus evil and a bit of romance all work their way into this tale that kept my attention as I read about places I grew up near and know very well.

Thank you to NetGalley, Spyglass Press and Patchwork Press-Cooperative for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. ( )