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Third Time Not A Charm
Captain Jim Cade, Lieutenant Jaime Ontiveros and Josie Du Puy of the Phoenix P.D. Homicide unit are engaged in a life and death struggle with a group of vigilante cops.
The discovery of this group of killers is a task in itself, and the chase leads to a one by one apprehension of some of these killers and elimination of some of them within their own group. The idea of cops being vigilantes is so foreign to our psyche that it is hard to fathom. The idea, once dwelled upon by the reader for only a moment, becomes the reality of the story.
You will love Josie Du Puy, hate her perhaps, want to see more of her perhaps, think she is without doubt a truly remarkable character and you will be right. You will laugh with her, love with her, cry with her, rage with her and fight with her against the stone cold killers. She will engage you as deeply as she does Jim Cade and Jaime Ontiveros, her bosses.
The discovery of this group of killers is a task in itself, and the chase leads to a one by one apprehension of some of these killers and elimination of some of them within their own group. The idea of cops being vigilantes is so foreign to our psyche that it is hard to fathom. The idea, once dwelled upon by the reader for only a moment, becomes the reality of the story.
You will love Josie Du Puy, hate her perhaps, want to see more of her perhaps, think she is without doubt a truly remarkable character and you will be right. You will laugh with her, love with her, cry with her, rage with her and fight with her against the stone cold killers. She will engage you as deeply as she does Jim Cade and Jaime Ontiveros, her bosses.
466 pages, Paperback
First published December 17, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 30, 2022
'Third Time, Not a Charm' is the second book I've read by H. Berkeley Rourke. It is the first mystery in the 'Josie DuPuy' series and was published in 2012. Since I try to always read books in order (when part of a series), I went back a few years to catch up on this one. Let's dive into the review.
In Arizona, a group of cops from different precincts have banded together to rid the area of drug pushers and other nasty criminals. This vigilante group, while containing an understandable motive, have taken it to the umpteenth degree by not only killing people but torturing them before death. It gives new meaning to the phrase... 'if you do the crime, you do the time' ... except what happens when those responsible for capturing the criminals are the secret criminals?
Jaime, Jim, and Josie are stuck in that position. Jaime and Jim are the bosses. Josie respects them, but she's probably the strongest of them all -- both mentally and physically. In quite a number of scenes, the super cop tosses her colleagues to the floor so quickly, it ain't even funny! I do love a strong female lead, and while she shares the spotlight in this book, it's clear that she'll be the main one we want to follow. Kudos to Rourke for developing a solid protagonist with great appeal and lots of potential.
I haven't read a ton of police procedural novels, but this definitely seems to hit the mark in that regard. The author clearly knows a tremendous amount about criminal law and police processes, which easily lends an authority and intrigue to the story and its web of subplots. At times, I found myself lock step in line with the detectives, thinking and reacting like them. At others, I would never have thought about those consequences - nice job! While I wouldn't quite thrust this in the thriller category, although it arguably could be there, it has tons of suspense and mystery that draw readers in. The crimes are viscerally described. The relationships are complex. And the fallout is tremendous.
When cops are sitting around idly, discussing who to kill next, and then turn on one another... it's a great story that makes you want to keep turning the pages. Rourke creates fantastic characters and gives them a meaty tale to attack. I enjoyed it a lot and plan to read more in the series later this year.
In Arizona, a group of cops from different precincts have banded together to rid the area of drug pushers and other nasty criminals. This vigilante group, while containing an understandable motive, have taken it to the umpteenth degree by not only killing people but torturing them before death. It gives new meaning to the phrase... 'if you do the crime, you do the time' ... except what happens when those responsible for capturing the criminals are the secret criminals?
Jaime, Jim, and Josie are stuck in that position. Jaime and Jim are the bosses. Josie respects them, but she's probably the strongest of them all -- both mentally and physically. In quite a number of scenes, the super cop tosses her colleagues to the floor so quickly, it ain't even funny! I do love a strong female lead, and while she shares the spotlight in this book, it's clear that she'll be the main one we want to follow. Kudos to Rourke for developing a solid protagonist with great appeal and lots of potential.
I haven't read a ton of police procedural novels, but this definitely seems to hit the mark in that regard. The author clearly knows a tremendous amount about criminal law and police processes, which easily lends an authority and intrigue to the story and its web of subplots. At times, I found myself lock step in line with the detectives, thinking and reacting like them. At others, I would never have thought about those consequences - nice job! While I wouldn't quite thrust this in the thriller category, although it arguably could be there, it has tons of suspense and mystery that draw readers in. The crimes are viscerally described. The relationships are complex. And the fallout is tremendous.
When cops are sitting around idly, discussing who to kill next, and then turn on one another... it's a great story that makes you want to keep turning the pages. Rourke creates fantastic characters and gives them a meaty tale to attack. I enjoyed it a lot and plan to read more in the series later this year.
March 14, 2016
For me, this amazing story is about a lot more than just murder and mystery. It takes a look at what makes a killer and the influence of what we see around us. As a cop, Josie DuPuy sees a lot. When a group of murders includes a police officer, Josie already has a feeling that those behind the killings are the ones who are supposed to be on the side of the law. Several cops calling themselves The Group have turned vigilante and now Josie and her companions are on a hunt to take down The Group who doesn't seem to have a problem profiling and killing both citizens and other cops.that don't fit it to their ideal profile. This book is well written and with enough technicality to satisfy even hard core police procedure addicts. Although the book is listed as having close to 700 pages, the authors writing style makes a compelling read feel like it is too short and I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series and following Josie DuPuy, a lady cop who knows her own mind and knows how to make others listen to what she has to say.
March 20, 2016
For me, this amazing story is about a lot more than just murder and mystery. It takes a look at what makes a killer and the influence of what we see around us. As a cop, Josie DuPuy sees a lot. When a group of murders includes a police officer, Josie already has a feeling that those behind the killings are the ones who are supposed to be on the side of the law. Several cops calling themselves The Group have turned vigilante and now Josie and her companions are on a hunt to take down The Group who doesn't seem to have a problem profiling and killing both citizens and other cops.that don't fit it to their ideal profile. This book is well written and with enough technicality to satisfy even hard core police procedure addicts. Although the book is listed as having close to 700 pages, the authors writing style makes a compelling read feel like it is too short and I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series and following Josie DuPuy, a lady cop who knows her own mind and knows how to make others listen to what she has to say.
June 3, 2017
A thoroughly well written and enjoyable read. The story gathers pace quickly, where we find a vigilante group at work. We follow Josie and her colleagues in the police force as they hunt down the group, who are closer than you think. The police work is very detailed as the story gathers pace to an exciting climax. Get your copy today, you’ll be glad you did.
July 20, 2017
Pure class! Deep insights, fascinating character and a male author who puts a female as a leading protagonist. What more could one want?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews