Riddle Island An Alex McKnight Short Story by Steve Hamilton

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There are spoilers but written separately after the story review as a footnote. Please read keeping this in mind.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars

Book Blurb

FOR 45 YEARS, OVER 200 FBI AGENTS HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR JIMMY HOFFA.

ALEX MCKNIGHT HAS JUST FOUND HIM.


About the Author - Steve Hamilton

Steve Hamilton is one of only two authors to win Edgars for both Best First Novel and Best Novel. His Alex McKnight series includes two New York Times notable book, and he has either won or received multiple nominations for virtually every other crime fiction award in the business, from the Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award to the Anthony to the Barry to the Gumshoe. 

His standalone The Lock Artist made publishing history, his first book to win an Edgar for Best Novel, a CWA Steel Dagger for Best Thriller in the UK, and an Alex Award. 

His first book, A Cold Day in Paradise,1998, won the Private Eye Writers of America/St. Martin’s Press Award for Best First Mystery by an Unpublished Writer. 


Riddle Island Review

Somehow I had never read Steve's books despite my favorite genre being mysteries and thrillers. I happened to read about him and got this book last week and decided to start a run with a short story. Low investment of time and prospects of good returns. 

I have read a good amount of short stories from some very notable authors which are released periodically as compendiums and have enjoyed the collections of authors like Jeffrey Archer especially A Twist In The Tale which I had read when it released in 1988. So having read about Steve, I expected to have a good time. 


Riddle Island gave me a knockout story in 20 pages and what more can a reader ask of a book. 

Being from India, I got side stepped from the clues that the book blurb and the book's name provided and was probably why the story ending was lost to me till I checked online and the story turned out to be a belter. 

I will not spoil it for further readers by giving details but for inquisitive readers, I will put in a brief as a foot note to this document which you can read at your peril for people who may be aware of the facts. 

This is a story of missing persons, family, relationships and murder with Alex using his detective skills and more importantly following his gut instinct instead of walking away when that path was available. 

This provided me with compelling reasons to check out Alex McKnight's other adventures and I think anyone reading this piece should go ahead and try one too. 

If this short is any indication then we are in for a thrilling time. 

Loved this one. 

Recommended as a fine investment of an half hour or so depending your reading speed.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars

Recommended



Please do not forget to post your comments. I am an equal opportunity person so would love to hear your love or your hate for the review or book in any order. Please write what you did not like or whether the book was an absolute disaster for you and why.


You can also write to firstsutraindia@gmail.com


Goodreads Review here -

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5445869815


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Please do not read beyond this point if you have not yet read the book and want to read and enjoy this book. 

You could make your own research.


SPOILERS ALERT

The story befuddled me when I reached the end because being an Indian who has read much literature from American authors but definitely cannot be expected to know local news that too one which is decades old. 

The story provides 2 clues which probably should indicate to Americans the victim in this story. 

1. FOR 45 YEARS, OVER 200 FBI AGENTS HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR JIMMY HOFFA. From the book blurb.

Please check the wikipedia link to read more about Jimmy Hoffa, one of the enduring mysteries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Hoffa

2. The date mentioned in the story as the date of the disappearance of the principle character in the story - July 30, 1975. 

Type incidents in USA and search online and we get the hits as given below. 

Please go and check online.




The way Steve has linked a notorious missing persons case into this story makes for a great reading and also throws off readers from what seems for much of the story an obviously simple murder. I started reading conspiracy theories based on the story arc but the ending blindsided me, not often a book does that. 

Hope you enjoyed this book. 





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