Title: Bolero
Series: A Nick Sayler Novel, #1
Author:
Joanie McDonell
Publisher:
Thomas & Mercer (March 5, 2013)
Format:
Paperback ARC
Source:
Publisher
Genre:
Thriller/Mystery
Bolero introduces Nick Sayler, the private investigator who lives aboard a
Hudson River barge with a brilliant savant, a retired psychiatrist and a stunning
Creole girl. But Sayler’s haunted by memories of the woman who took a bullet meant
for him, so his good life is belied by a bad drinking habit. Then an emergency
room doctor's desperate call about a ballerina with no memory and nothing on
her except his card, changes everything. If he can dip into his notorious past
to uncover the secret that will save the dancer, maybe he can finally save
himself.
Review:
Joanie McDonell’s Bolero introduces
tormented private detective Nick Sayler in a new modern noir series.
Written from Nick’s point of view, Bolero is very well-written. McDonell
breathes life into each character she writes. My favorite character by far was
Meriwether. He’s such a mystery, and I feel like we’ve just grazed the surface
of who he is. The dancer intrigued me, and every moment, I wanted to learn more
about her and all the characters.
McDonell excelled not only in
crafting her dialogue and characters but her descriptions. I could see the
barge turned houseboat and the various places in New York and Connecticut where
the story takes place. I wanted to learn as much about who the dancer was as
Nick and the dancer did. The ballet and dance references really added to the story.
The complex and fast-paced plot kept me guessing at every turn, and I had no
clue how it would end until the very end.
I would recommend Bolero by Joanie McDonell to readers who
like complex mysteries with a noir feel. I can’t wait to read more Nick Sayler
novels!
Five Bookworms = I loved it!
