The Fiercest Enemy

I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy of The Fiercest Enemy, the nine novel to feature Indiana detectives Jack Murphy and Liddell “Bigfoot” Blanchard.

A new computer program suggests that five deaths in rural Indiana written off as suicide or misadventure may actually be murders. As part of an FBI task force Jack and Bigfoot are sent to investigate, treading on the toes of local law enforcement and causing things to heat up.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Fiercest Enemy which is an absorbing read with likeable protagonists and an easy humour in their dialogue. I always enjoy spending time with these two and this is another entertaining addition to the series. The novel is told from the investigative point of view so the reader knows what they know. I like this approach best as it allows me to speculate and get involved in the novel. I wouldn’t say that the plot is the most original ever conceived but Mr Reed puts him own spin on it and manages to include several unexpected twists, well, they caught me unawares.

The plot, however, is not my main reason for reading this series. I really like the tone of the novels. There is a bit of everything with action, investigation, humour, cynicism and even domestic issues. It has the ring of authenticity and experience that is difficult for many authors to replicate. I particularly like the glee with which the police detectives flourish their FBI credentials and the disparagement that accompanies it.

Jack and Bigfoot are best buddies as well as being crime fighting partners. They have an easy relationship full of dark humour and childish insults. It leads their adversaries to underestimate them as they are dedicated, if unorthodox, investigators. Jack is perhaps wilder in temperament but his responses in danger are carefully calibrated. It makes for an exhilarating read.

The Fiercest Enemy is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

It's always fun to send time with Jack and Liddell! And this time they have more than their usual set of challenges....investigating whether or not 5 suspicious deaths are suicide or something else. The fact that the author has real world experience as a former investigator allows for a plot line that always rings true and has more depth. Lots of twists in this outing and an end that was a surprise which I always appreciate. This is a series that just gets better and better. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review.

A unique and gripping premise, this book takes you on a wild ride inside the mind of a diabolical killer...one who ends up hitting a bit too close to home. Eye-opening twists keep you engrossed in the story for hours on end, and culminates with a satisfying conclusion. Recommended.

**My sincere thanks to the author and publisher for providing a copy free of charge through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**

The Fiercest Enemy is the ninth novel in the Jack Murphy series by author Rick Reed. It was also my first foray into this series, which means I now have to read the first eight books.

No previous knowledge of the series is required to enjoy this story. Rick Reed does a good job at giving us enough information about Jack Murphy and his partner, Liddell Blanchard, their current occupation (detectives on loan to a FBI task force against unsolved serial and organized crime), and the state of their personal lives. Along the pages, some previous cases are even referenced so we know what these two have been up to so far (and are even more coerced into buying the previous entries).

Angelina Garcia, computer whiz consulting for the task force, has developed a new algorithm to detect serial patterns. Testing it randomly on unsolved murders and missing persons in Indiana, she uncovered several seemingly connected deaths, some ruled accidental at the time of investigation. This brings Murphy and Blanchard to two little mining towns sharing juridictions over a lake from which several bodies have been recovered, including a new one on the very day of their arrival.

All victims have in common the fact they were quite unsavory characters but, as Harry Bosch often states in his own series : « Everybody counts or nobody counts »

Soon enough, a shadowy vagrant character appears to be the main suspect. However, Jack Murphy has doubts about his involvement in the serial deaths, and so does the reader, thanks to events witnessed in the opening chapter.

The book is well crafted, and gives that vibe of authenticity that comes from authors who have been cops themselves, or have done extensive field research (Author Rick Reed is a former detective). Murder is always serious business but humor is omnipresent in the book, mainly stemming from the interactions between Murphy and his partner who constantly act as an old couple. All characters are well defined, each with a personality of their own, and the same can be said about the locales described, helping to immerse the reader in the story.

As we follow the detectives and the local police gather clues about the aforementioned vagrant, and about the victims, we can play the guessing game. And, if we pay enough attention, we can figure out what really happened a few paragraphs before the author let us know Jack Murphy has figured it out himself. This reinforce the feeling of authenticity. No miracle clue, happy coincidence, or godsent informer in this story. All cards are on the table.

Most thrillers would end there with an explosive confrontation, but Jack Murphy is a detective who leaves no stone unturned when it comes to building an airtight case. Do not worry, though. There is an explosive final confrontation, but not before all plot points have been neatly resolved, and a few side twists have been thrown our way.

If you have read my review that far, it must appear obvious I have greatly enjoyed that book. I’m flabbergasted at having never heard of this series before, and I certainly won’t miss future installments.

Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.