While I had read several Nelson DeMille novels before and enjoyed them I had not read any of his John Corey novels until I read his short story "The Book Case" a week or so ago and then decided to give "Plum Island" a try.

John Corey is a fascinating character. Smart, funny, irritating everything you want in a hard boiled detective or action hero. That part of the book really works.

The story of a murder investigation that Corey gets dragged into because he knew the victims for a brief time is ultimately a compelling mystery and the resolution is satisfying. There are parts in the middle that drag a bit and a long sequence early in the book that goes on and on with little payoff.

At the end of the book though I am looking forward to reading the next novel about John Corey.