Ugh. I read this book because it is set in San Diego and Tijuana, and I will be traveling to that area next month. I'd hoped to get a feel for the area, in a light entertaining easy read. Well, there is nothing descriptive about either place in this novel. It could have taken place anywhere- Texas, Southern California, Mexico, Arizona. Anywhere. That was disappointing for me, since I was reading to learn about local scenery and SD neighborhoods.I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the target audience for this book is a certain type of male. The main character is an ex-Navy-seal-turned-PI who is just too dang tough to need a gun, because he can overpower armed men half his age with his bare hands and a knife, thankyouverymuch. He is apparently financially independent, lives in Hawaii- on a yacht no less- which allows him to pull up anchor and sail wherever he wants, whenever he wants. By himself, of course. No crew needed. And, financially independent Hero does not keep his dollars in US banks, of course, because he doesn't think the US gov't needs to micromanage his financial affairs. He gladly shares his opinions about the intrusiveness of state, local, and Federal gov't as he's taking care of business with the least burden to taxpayers or the ineffective legal, judicial or financial system.As if you had any doubt about love interests, attractive women constantly try to seduce this destined-to-be-a-loner of a big strapping man, but alas, turns out all they want is sex, no commitments. Ah, life is hard for rugged, independently wealthy Main Character ; ) HAHAHA! Seriously, I did not make up this plot! I can't believe I read the whole thing. *chuckle* It was entertaining enough, but I couldn't get past the thought that I might not have been the intended target audience. LOL. Macho escapism- who knew there was such a genre? Really, the only thing this guy was missing was a Ferrari. Maybe that's in the sequel.
This book was abysmal. I had previously read the author's first mystery (Diamond Head) on a vacation and it was a quick read with an over-the-top hero. Just right for a beach read. This time I was vacationing in Hawaii and the main character is based in Hawaii, so I thought why not? For one thing, detective John Caine is investigating the disappearance of a software inventor/CEO and the author obviously doesn't know anything about computers. He's also hired to find the missing husband and never actually accomplishes that feat. It's a clunky plot with a macho hero that spouts too much folksy moralisms.
