Hidden in Plain View

Darryl Billups #2

by Blair S. Walker

Sleuthing Baltimore newspaperman Darryl Billups is enjoying a recent promotion to management and an upswing in his personal life when he gets caught up in the investigation of the brutal murders of young African-American professionals found nude in their bathtubs. October publication.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Fiction

Audio Cassette

First published April 6, 1999

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book as one of the Kindle daily deals. After reading it, I can see why it ended up in the bargain bin. The characters were one demensional and the plot was very simplistic.

[Mark S Zinsli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good detective story

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baltimore homicide detective, Phillip Garner, is puzzled by the recent string of murders. He calls his friend, Darryl Billips, reporter for The Herald, to get his feed back. Darryl, who was recently named editor, was eager to from behind the desk and back on the streets. In Hidden In Plain View, author Blair S. Walker gives readers a reporters view of crime solving/reporting.

Walker's story began with all the makings of a great thriller but it sort of fizzled half way through. The characters were predictable and the mystery was easily solved within the first 80 pages. I enjoyed the story despite it lack of excitement. I would rate this as a 2 1/2 but bumped it up to three for home town appeal.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the only book I have read by Walker. It made me think of the exploitation movies made in the '70's and '80's. Darryl Billups, the protagonist, is a Baltimore Reporter who has successfully investigated and reported on murders in the past. Young urban professional African-Americans are being murdered by an unknown assailant who leaves no traces or obvious method of death, but who does leave a Confederate Flag sticker on the forehead of each victim. Billups investigates. There is a lot of gratuitous sex and there are moments of great clarity in the novel, but also moments of great convolution.

[Rachel Groves · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Tense, engaging and utterly unpredictable"? Three qualities I haven't found from this book. It's not bad. It's just not that good either. I thought having crime mystery with a journalist would give a great new angle but it sort of plods along. The shorthand style the author uses to move across time and places should make it pacey and interesting but just kind of annoys me almost as though there's bits missing. And I did find the first third predictable. I just couldn't be bothered to finish it so definately not engaging or tense either. I also felt a bit shortchanged that what seemed like a new book was actually copyrighted 1999.

[Ginney Etherton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a while to get used to the present-tense first-person narrative of the protagonist, but it worked. He used credible street language, too, which was ok but was almost too clean at times. The sweet-talk between the protagonist and his honey didn't work for me.
The story line was what kept me reading. It has a good plot, and I liked how he switched the voices for different chapters.
I would read another of Walker's mysteries.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is awful! I really wish I didn't have to give it any stars. Poorly written. Racist. Just awful. I am glad this was a free book on Kindle and I didn't waste any money on it. The only reason I finished the book was because I was curious as to who the killer was and why they killed. Even the reason for that was lame and not explored. I wish I had the time back that I wasted reading this.

[Ginney Etherton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was lined up on my Kindle to-read list, but I realized as I'd got into it that I'd read it before. Still, it engaged me enough to skim through it again. Unlike other reviewers, I got used to the jargon and writing style. The relatively mild tension and suspense works here.

[Murvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good plot, a can't put down book. I'll be on the search for more of Mr. Walker's books.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am betting this was the author's first book. Had potential, but was weighed down w/preposterous twists and coincidences.

[Iliana · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light but entertaining read

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this years ago. I Love a good mystery.

[Rosemary]

don't bother! bad language!

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story was flat, boring and tiresome. The characters were one dimensional at best. I also found the writing style to be poor, almost jerky and ashamed of itself. Definitely not worth the read.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable detective story. Nothing ground breaking, but well paced, well written. Perfect beach or airplane novel.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not get past terminology

[Amanda Gorry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about a journalist investigating a serial killer - I was just disappointed with the ending which seemed a bit abrupt thought there was an explanation

[Kenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Nice plot.

[Sandy Hilger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply A fun mystery.

[Hung Chue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took me more than a year to finish it...not a bit of a thriller at all!