October 3, 2005
Corrupt cops, venal politicians and a madman killer propel shamus Fitz Malone to the top of the wisecracking romantic-heroic PI heap in Hawke's hugely enjoyable debut thriller. It's Thanksgiving morning in New York and Fitz has stepped out for bagels and a peek at the annual parade when he spots a gunman taking aim at Mother Goose, waving from atop a winged float. Moments later seven are dead, including a cop, and a handcuffed Fitz is on the floor of a police cruiser with a bag over his head. The cops and the mayor try to keep the lid on the escalating disaster; once freed, Fitz—a failed cop and son of a former police commissioner—is hired to catch the killer who orchestrated what the press are calling the "Parade of Terror" as pieces of the deputy mayor (who's been taken hostage) begin arriving at police headquarters. A loaded backstory, compelling minor characters and clever, literate writing promise great things ahead for Hawke, who crams too much into the finale. In fact, it's hard to believe this is a first novel; it reads like number five in a series. Note to Spenser: best stay in Boston—Fitz has got the Big Apple covered.
March 6, 2006
Thanksgiving Day turns bloody when a gunman opens fire on the Macy's parade in Manhattan. PI Fritz Malone happens to witness the shooting and eventually catches the killer, but the trouble doesn't end there. A terrorist calling himself Nightmare is holding the mayor (and the city) hostage, and the parade shooter was only a hired gun. Neither the public nor the NYPD knows about Nightmare, so to keep a lid on the situation, the police commissioner discreetly hires Malone to find the villain responsible for the attacks. Michael strikes exactly the right balance between a noirish gumshoe and modern-day cop for his narrative voice. His character voices are equally impressive: he covers a wide range of accents with remarkable authenticity, whether it be Irish, Latino or African-American. Despite the abridgment, the novel's complex mystery is easy enough for listeners to follow, but the truncation of the narrative may have robbed it of some of its power and verisimilitude. Michael's first-rate performance more than makes up for that, however; he makes the role of Fritz Malone wholly his own. Simultaneous release with the Random House hardcover (Reviews, Oct. 3).