A gruff cop who plays by his own rules is a common crime novel protagonist. He’s not pleasant to deal with, but he will do anything necessary to solve his case, thwart a killer, prevent a disaster, etc. When a novel is centered around a common character type, it needs to be well-written and interesting enough to stand out as a crime novel worth reading. Head Shot is a crime novel worth reading.

It didn’t take me long to realize that this wasn’t the first book Eskin has written about Detective Marko Zorn, but Head Shot works as a stand-alone novel. There is just enough information about Zorn to give a new reader a clear picture of Zorn, but not so much that those who read his first book would drift off. Eskin hints at the previous story without revealing so much that a new reader would not be interested in reading that book. The only spoiler is that Zorn obviously survived whatever happened in the first book, since there’s another book in the series.

Did I want to stop ready when I realized it was book 2? No. Did I grab a copy of the first book so I could read it later? Yes. That’s the biggest compliment I can give to a book series. I didn’t even need to finish the book before I knew I wanted to read another Detective Zorn novel.

Head Shot is a messy book, which is another compliment. Someone is trying to kill Zorn. His former lover is killed, and he’s working on her case. He’s pulled from the case because he has been selected to be part of the team protecting the new Prime Minister of Montenegro while she visits Washington, DC. Add in secret Caribbean bank accounts, Hedda Gabler, a potential coup, and the five NY mob families, and there’s utter chaos.

Somehow, Eskin is able to take this giant tangle and tie it up in an intriguing bow. The characters, warts and all, are intriguing. The story is always moving forward with a clear objective that compelled me to follow it through to its end. There were tiny plot points that didn’t work for me, but they were minor ones that did not affect the overall flow of this gripping novel.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to read book 1, The Reflecting Pool.

Thank you Meryl Moss Media Group and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book. ( )

Review of eBook

Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marco Zorn finds himself investigating the murder of a world-famous actress who was once an important part of his life. At the same time, he is responsible for protecting Nina Voychek, the visiting prime minister of Montenegro, a woman targeted for assassination by her political enemies.

As Marco investigates, he comes to realize that he, too, is a target. But as the bodies begin to pile up, will Marco be able to protect the prime minister? And will he find the assassins before they find him?

Although this is the second book in the Marco Zorn series [following “The Reflecting Pool”], there is sufficient backstory for readers new to the series. Well-developed, nuanced characters and a strong sense of place anchor the telling of a tale filled with non-stop action and intrigue. The narrative, told from Marco’s point of view, begins with an attempt on the detective’s life and it isn’t long before readers discover an elusive international assassin now stalks the detective.

The quasi-locked room murder [there’s an unlocked door], the secret code, and a plethora of suspects all combine to keep the irascible detective searching for answers as he struggles to stay one step ahead of the would-be assassins and the ever-growing number of victims. The plot twists and turns as the intriguing story plays out against the backdrop of political machinations while racing toward a surprising denouement.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from the publisher ( )