Book review- The Raven by Mike Nappa
Reviewed by Amanda Kai
April 1, 2020

The Raven is the second book in Mike Nappa’s “Coffey and Hill” suspense series. This story picks up about a year and a half after the “Annabel Lee” case ends. Trudi Coffey is still running her private investigations firm at a shopping center in Atlanta, and Samuel Hill now works for the Atlanta PD. It appears she’s turned down his suggestion that he return to being her partner full-time, but they do work together on cases that come up from time to time.

Like this one that’s been bugging Samuel. Rumors are floating around town about a plot with the code name “Nevermore”. No one seems to know exactly who is behind it, or what kind of terrorist attack may be planned for the city, but Samuel knows that the word “Nevermore” comes from Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, “The Raven”. Given that his ex-wife is something of an expert, he goes to her to see if she might be able to pinpoint a clue in the prose. But Trudi’s lead comes not from her vast collection of Poe’s works lining the shelves of her office, but from a young street magician she’s met recently, who goes by the name of “Raven.”

Raven narrates a third of the story from his perspective. At just 22 years old, he’s already got a messy history of underage drinking, and a tragic drunk driving accident that led him to run away from home. After that, he bounced from city to city, making a living as a thief and a “deception specialist”- his fancy word for a magician. When Trudi breaks into his apartment and rescues him from being beat up by the Ukrainian mafia, he immediately develops a huge crush on her. Despite the fact that she is ten years his senior and totally out of his league, he is determined to win her over. But first, he’s got to settle his debts with the mafia bosses.

To do that, he has to break into Mama Bliss’ Secret Stash and steal her ledger book. Mama Bliss is a 71-year old lady with a lot more secrets than the memorabilia she sells in her kitchy shop. For starters, she runs an underground gun laundering operation that helps organizations like the CIA and other government alphabet groups. But she also has ties to the same Ukranian mafia group that Raven has ticked off, and a beef with their leader-- businessman and politician Max Roman. She catches Raven breaking into her shop red-handed and offers him a job to come work for her instead.

Trudi and Samuel find out that Mama Bliss has donated an original copy of the magazine that Poe’s poem “The Raven” was first published in for an art auction and benefit dinner at which Max Roman will be speaking. Is Mama planning something big to go down at this dinner? If so, can they stop her before her plot goes into action? What is Raven’s part in all this?

Mike Nappa kept me on the edge of my seat once again as Trudi, Samuel and Raven raced against time to stop Nevermore from happening. I couldn’t put it down, not until the wee hours of the morning, as I waited with baited breath to find out the ending, which didn't disappoint!

Once again, I thought that Trudi and Sam made a kickin' team, and I'll be happy to see them again for the third installment of their series. Raven was pretty much a pain in the butt, very immature. The way he fawned over Trudi, I was like "puleeze, she is so never going to fall for you!" In the end, I think she saw him more like a kid brother though, which was nice. Mama Bliss, I wish could be in the next novel, because that lady is totally awesome. I guess I always like the sassy old lady characters (like Cousin Violet in Downton Abbey, or Connie Tucker in Young Sheldon, for example). Maybe Mike will decide to put her in a prequel someday, who knows!

If you like suspense novels, be sure to check out The Raven, and the other books in the Coffey and Hill series by Mike Nappa.

3.5 stars

The Raven was a bit of a disappointment, just because I had loved Annabel Lee SO much when I read it and I didn't feel the same way about this one. The story started off very weird. I found the character the Raven odd and it was strange being in his head for part of the book. I know he wasn't a "bad" guy, but I still didn't like being in his head.

I liked both Coffey and Hill. I do hope their relationship changes and they get back together, but I can see that they have a lot of things that happened which make that unlikely. I didn't care so much about Bliss or what was going on in her life, so the scenes with her I found boring.

The suspense was good, but I felt like it took a while to snag my attention. However, the ending was awesome! So intense and I had a hard time putting the book down.

All in all, The Raven was a book I liked. It wasn't as good as Annabel Lee and took a while to grab my attention. If there is a third book, I don't think I will be quick to read it.

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A Mr&Mrs Smith of sorts. A guy who is both prodigal and prodigy. An old woman knowing more that she shows. Pain and (maybe) forgiveness.
The perfect ingredients for thrilling and smart ride.

This is a second book in the Coffey & Hill Series, but can be read as a standalone novel (but you dont wan't to miss the goodness the first novel Annabel Lee is!).

I love this series. It is smart and sleek and I would even call it "sexy" - but not in any lascivious/carnal way or anything physical even, it is just very attractive in its capabilities and wit! Take Trudi Coffey and Sam Hill. They have all the charm of any TV golden couple, can fight and kick as if they are paid for that (and they are :)) and their sparks would heat Antarctica. But there is more about any of them - and this is what is important. Under all the swift hits and witty remarks is a lot of pain - they once were a marital couple, until the betrayal. And they still love each other, but Trudi can not trust Sam anymore. And this personal pain and (I so much hope so) slow way to healing is what brings some nourishing food for thought on the table.
Or take The Raven. A smart, playful boy with painful past, changing his ways because of a good woman (cliché, I know - but also well-hidden dream if the hearts of most women). I have such a soft spot in my heart for him. He deserves all that and more.
And Mama Bliss, living with pain because of the death of her grandson? He story is probably the most painful of all of them, because of the lack of hope. And forgiveness.

I love how Mr Nappa gets women - which is not common trait among the male writers. But I felt recognized as a woman during my reading these novels.
And I need me some Vince Camuto boots!

My only complaint is that i would love to hear Sam Hill's voice. He needs to do that or he will stay just a nice sidekick to Trudi, whose voice is known, which would be a pity.

Recommended read.

I really had a hard time getting in to this one. I just couldn't emotionally connect with the characters or the story line.