The Raven
Mike Nappa

Book Summary: As part of his regular street performance, a deception specialist who goes by the name The Raven picks his audience's pockets while they watch. It's harmless fun--until he decides to keep the spare wallet a city councilman doesn't seem to miss, hoping for a few extra bucks. When he finds not money but compromising photos of the councilman and his "personal assistants," The Raven hatches a plan to blackmail the man. However, he quickly finds himself in over his head with the Ukrainian Mafia and mired in a life-threatening plot code-named, “Nevermore." Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill must scramble to sort out the clues--and their complicated feelings for each other--to rescue The Raven and save hundreds of lives from a wildcard bent on revenge.

Review: I really wanted to see a fast paced novel like the first one, but for me that did not happen. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline was interesting, but it was not as engaging for me. Trudi and Sam were interesting. I found ‘Nevermore’ to be unexciting. It was the big mystery. Unlike the previous book the shift between events lacked the excitement that Annabel Lee had. The reoccurring theme of Edgar Allen Poe was interesting, however in this book it seemed to be more forced. I did find Raven to be a character of good depth and even the villains were well written with very human characteristic which made the end sad. I did find the characters were so realistic is why I am looking forward to the next book.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Revell for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. ( )

Wow! That is the one word I can use to describe Mike Nappa’s novel, The Raven. I thought his debut novel, Annabel Lee, was great, and it was. But The Raven is over-the-top good! Am I gushing? Maybe. But for those who love a fast-paced suspense with twisting plots (yes plots), this one hits all the right buttons. #2 in the Coffey & Hill series earns another very highly recommended rating from me.

Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill, ex’s with lots of unresolved baggage, are back in Atlanta working their respective cases. She’s a PI and he’s now a police detective after a stint with the CIA. Both are focused on finding the truth and when they stumble upon a mysterious plot, their radar goes up. Just what is Nevermore and what does it bode for the city of Atlanta? Along the way, they are met with Ukrainian mobsters, gangbangers and a small time deception specialist named the Raven. The clues are there, but they don’t add up to a complete picture. But that won’t stop Trudi and Samuel from digging even when their own lives are at stake.

The Raven is suspense fiction at its best. Using both first and third person perspectives, the reader is slowly let into the very complicated goings on. You never can be sure of just whom to trust. Some of the bad guys are very, very bad and have sadistic streaks. While others are just sort of bad — there may or may not be consciences behind their facades. And who knows who the good guys are, except for Trudi and Samuel. Gun-running, gang activity and political campaigns are all part of the plot making this novel’s setting of Hotlanta very apt. My oldest son lives in Atlanta and it was fun visiting familiar places throughout the novel. Characters are as complex as the plot line. You will love Mama Bliss, the 70+ year old woman who is both maternal and calculating. And the title character, the Raven, is an exasperating anti-hero that you will cheer for in the end. None of the characters, good and bad, are without flaws, a realism I very much appreciated. There is a deep spiritual theme that runs throughout the novel. Revenge and bitterness are contrasted with forgiveness and grace, and the characters must choose which they will live and die by. Trudi and Samuel have lots of seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their relationship. The last scene in the book shows just what they may be up against in the future.

A bit gritty, a bit gasp-inducing, and a lot good — that’s The Raven.

Very Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Revell for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Title: The Raven (Coffey & Hill #2)
Author: Mike Nappa
Pages: 432
Year: 2016
Publisher: Revell
My rating is 3 stars.
Trudi Coffey has a case to work on with her ex-husband, Samuel Hill. He is now a detective with the Atlanta PD and has arrested a gang member who mentions a nebulous nefarious event known as Nevermore. The gangbanger knows nothing more, but Samuel feels compelled to investigate what could be a potential terrorist threat to Atlanta. He makes contact with an old acquaintance, Mama Bliss, who knows everything about a portion of the city as well as keeps many secrets. He asks her to put out feelers about this Nevermore plot. After a few days, she tells him it must be a hoax as everyone she has asked has never heard of it. Samuel and Trudi both feel in their guts that there is something more going on, but are stymied on how to proceed.
Meanwhile, Trudi has a new admirer, The Raven. He is a street magician; make that deception specialist, who picks pockets sometimes to pay his rent. He steals the wallet of a powerful politician and learns what it means to feel real pain. He thinks Trudi is gorgeous, but she thinks he is too young for her. She tries to advise him to get help from Samuel, but that doesn’t happen. The Raven stumbles across Nevermore, discovers what it is and how it is to be carried out.
After reading the first novel in this series, Annabel Lee, and absolutely loving it, I was eager to read book two. However, this second book didn’t live up to my expectations. There wasn’t near the action in book two that there was in book one. Trudi and Samuel are almost afterthoughts; their mystery solving skills aren’t really shown. There is some slight mention of faith in regards to Trudi, but Samuel claims to be an agnostic. I hope in future books in this series the faith avenue is explored more. I did like the development in the relationship between Trudi and Samuel. Overall, I just didn’t get connected to this story. I do plan to continue reading the series as sometimes a particular book just doesn’t fit a particular reader at certain time in his/her life. I’m eager to read book three in the series as this author does write well. If I could rate this with half stars, I would rate it 3.5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

This is such a great book that it will interest a variety of readers. It has some mystery, crime, suspense, relationships, and more. Do you ever get tired of flat characters? THE RAVEN does NOT have flat characters. We see good in those who might be very bad, and faults in the characters we love . . . such as the Raven.
The Raven is a magician; no, he prefers the title of deception specialist. He is such a likeable character, but he has gotten himself into a mess during his street antics when he picks one man’s pocket but uncovers more than he bargained for. This puts him right in the midst of a dirty politician and those involved with his dealings. He also, however, has met mighty fine private investigator Trudi Coffey and her X, Samuel Hill who have a lead about a plot called “Nevermore.”
It’s a thriller, and even though it is book 2, it read great as a stand alone. It is written so masterfully, I know book 1 and 3 need to be read. Napa knows how to develop a story, add some twists, and keep a person reading long past bedtime!
Great cover, great book, and I’m so glad to have read my first book by Mike Nappa. I can’t wait to share it with readers looking for a good book. I received the book from the publisher and this is my honest review. ( )