Sep 13, 2026
Awesome
Wow, this was an absolutely excellent read! This is the 28th volume from the pen of Paolinelli That I have read in the last year. I have also read a couple of his contributions to anthologies. I had not read the description of this story before picking it up. I am hooked on Paolinelli’s writings and am slowing working my way through his entire back catalogue. This is a masterfully crafter crime thriller novel. This is the first in a trilogy of crime mystery novels with FBI Agent Jack Del Rio as the main character. Fresh off from time in the UK, including an extraordinary intervention with terrorist, Jack is back home in Washington and planning to spend some time with his brother on leave from the Navy. When he gets a call and has to travel that day with just his go bag. The case involves some brutal murders on a reservation. And the Leader calls in a favour from the FBI immediately. Jack is a rising star and is tasked with figuring out what is happening, and to do it quickly. Jack is paired with Navajo officer Lucy Chee. And Given full control. The case centres on the Navajo, but borders land owned by the Zuni and Hopi. Three murders take place before his arrive and they is a pause because if this new factor. But things quickly escalate again. Can Jack and Chee get to the bottom of the crimes before too many others end up dead? A section at the end of the story gives some heavy foreshadowing for the next 2 stories. ““You have a place here among the Navajo, the Hopi, and even the Zuni,” Sinquah said. “If you ever need a quiet place, a shelter from the storm, it will be here for you. We all owe you that much at least.” “What storm?” Del Rio asked, unsure of Sinquah’s meaning. “The great storm that every hero must face, sometimes more than once,” Sinquah said. “It is the way of life to test those among us that we mere mortals call hero; to see if they are truly worthy of the name.” “I’d say I just went through my test.” “No, Jack, you have not,” Sinquah said in dead earnest. “You will think me a superstitious old fool of course, but I do see that your great storm lies directly ahead on your path. I fear what it will leave behind even if you should survive it. You will know it for what it is only when it is too late to fully avoid it. When it does come, remember there is shelter here for you.” “I will,” Del Rio replied both confused and touched by the old man’s concern for him.” There is also some foreshadowing earlier with Jack’s boss and mentor. Prior to this. Jack has been groomed and trained for a lot. Expectations are high, but he is about the head into something he never expected, at least that is the feeling I am left with from these hits of what is to come. I had planned to alternate volumes in a few different of Richard’s series, but after reading this one, I am not sure I can just pick up a different series and circle back later. This story was originally published in 2015 by Oak Tree Press, then in 2016 by W&B Books, then it lander at Tuscany Bay Books in 2017 and was reprinted again in 2022. Richard is not only an author but the driving force behind Tuscany Bay Books, I have read many volumes from the Bay by a number of authors and all have been well worth the read. This is an amazing story. Great for those who love crime fiction, it would be prefect for fans of Clancy, Ludlum, Grisham and many others. The characters are well written. The plot exceedingly well crafted. And my only regret is that the series appears to have stood at 3 volumes for a long time. I cannot wait to read the next instalment. A great read I can easily recommend.
