Title:  Russian Roulette, A Hannibal Jones Thriller

Author:  Austin S. Camacho

Genre:  Mystery Thriller

Publisher:  Intrigue Publishing

ISBN-10: 0979478847

ISBN-13: 978-0979478840

Paperback: 264 pages

Price: PB $10.17;  Kindle Price : $9.99

Blurb: 

Washington D.C.'s professional troubleshooter, Hannibal Jones, is enraged when he is forced to take a case at gunpoint. His client is a Russian assassin who will kill Hannibal's beloved, Cindy Santiago, if Hannibal refuses to help him. With no choice, Hannibal agrees to investigate the smooth, wealthy Algerian who has stolen the heart of the woman his new client loves. At first the case looks simple - what woman would not choose a rich African businessman over a professional killer? His view changes when evidence surfaces connecting the Algerian to Russian mob money and the apparent suicide of the girl's father several years earlier. Further investigation reveals that the Algerian may not be who he says he is. Then more deaths follow, closing in on the Algerian and the girl. At first working only to protect Cindy's life, Hannibal is soon chasing the truth for its own sake and must fight his way through past lies, present jealousies and the Red Mafiya to learn the real reason that death is stalking the couple. Hannibal peels the Algerian's history like an onion, each layer revealing a false identity. His search for the truth leads to a dramatic shootout on Roosevelt Island, side-by-side with his murderous client.

Review:

This is a fast paced, twisting mystery!  If you like the Alex Cross series you will like this series as well!  In addition to reading Alex Cross books, I have listened to some on tape and I could just hear this story in my head with the same narrator and intensity!

The writing is tight and crisp with a tone perfect for a private investigator mystery.   In addition to the solid mystery, the author does a wonderful job with background descriptions including details of the smells and sights surrounding Hannibal.

Hannibal Jones is a tough, black PI in Washington D.C.  He has earned a reputation that even a Russian assassin is willing to respect… in his own way.  The Russian assassin “hires” Hannibal at gunpoint and with threats to kill his girlfriend, Cindy.  The Russian wants Hannibal to learn the background and true financial status of a wealthy Algerian businessman who has taken up with the woman the Russian loves.  As Hannibal delves into the case he discovers that the Algerian appears to have connections to Russian mafia and possibly to the death of the girl’s father.  When Hannibal steps up the investigation, more deaths occur and Hannibal discovers that the Algerian isn’t the only person who isn’t who he claims to be but there are other characters that have double identities.  There are plenty of characters to keep tabs on while Hannibal tries to figure out who the killer is, how everyone is connected, and who might be double crossing the double crossers!  And the Russian’s love interest may be innocent or may be involved up to her pretty neck!  The investigation culminates in a chase and major shoot out with Hannibal and the Russian backing each other up.

This was my first Hannibal Jones read but won't be my last.  Although it is part of a series I found it was fine to jump into this book.  Reading earlier stories might flesh out the relationships between Hannibal and Cindy and some of the other work related friends but I didn’t feel I was missing anything.  It was a very good PI mystery thriller!

Reviewed by: MarthaE

WRDF Review