BOOK REVIEW: THE SONS OF JUDE by BRANDT DODSON

THE SONS OF JUDE

by

BRANDT DODSON

 About the Book . . . 

Saint Jude is the patron saint of lost causes – and police officers. When Chicago detectives Frank Campello and Andy Polanski are assigned to investigate the murder of Trina Martinez it seems like an ordinary homicide. An unfortunate young girl in the wrong place at the wrong time has been brutally murdered. But their investigation is halted by a wall of silence, a wall erected by powerful interests that will render their inquiry a lost cause. Then they enlist the support of reporter Christy Lee – and come under immediate fire. Polanski is arrested. Campello threatened. Christy is attacked. It’s the case that every cop gets. The one that changes his life. The one where justice is elusive and the hunter becomes the hunted. Frank Campello and Andy Polanski are The Sons of Jude. 

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 About the Author . . . 

Brandt was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, which he would later choose as the setting for his Colton Parker Mystery series. Although he discovered in grade school that he wanted to be a writer, it would be another twenty-one years before he would put pen to paper.

 

“I knew in fifth grade that I wanted to be a writer. Our teacher had given each of us a photograph which we were to use as inspiration for a short story. The particular photo I was given was of several young men playing handball in New York City. I don’t remember all of the particulars of the story now, but I do remember the thrill that writing it gave me.”

In high school, Brandt’s English teacher uncovered his growing desire and encouraged him by saying:

“If you don’t write, you’ll regret it the rest of your life.”

Later, while in college, one of Brandt’s professors would echo that teacher’s comment.

“But life intervened and I found myself working at a variety of jobs. I worked in the toy department of a local department store and fried chicken for a local fast food outlet. Over the course of the next several years I finished my college degree and worked for the Indianapolis office of the FBI, and served for eight years as a Naval Officer in the United States Naval Reserve. I also obtained my doctorate in Podiatric Medicine, and after completion of my surgical residency, opened my own practice. But I never forgot my first love. I wanted to write.”

During his early years in practice, Brandt began reading the work of Dean Koontz.

“I discovered Dean’s book, The Bad Place, and was completely blown away by his craftsmanship. I read something like 13 or 14 of his back list over the following  two weeks. It wasn’t long after that I began to write and submit in earnest.”

Still, it would be another twelve years before Brandt was able to secure the publishing contract he so desperately desired.acc

“I began by writing the type of fiction that I enjoyed; I wrote edgy crime thrillers that were laced with liberal amounts of suspense. Over the years, I’ve begun to write increasingly more complex work by using broader canvases and themes."

Since securing his first contract, Brandt has continued to pen the type of stories that inspired him to write when he was a boy, and that have entertained his legions of readers.

“I love to write, and as long as others love to read, I plan on being around for a long time to come.”

© 2012 BRANDT DODSON

 Reader Review . . . 

Chicago PD is in trouble.   Andy Polanski has done the unthinkable; he accused two other members of the department of planting evidence on a suspect.  Now, no one wants to work with him.  Frank Campello is assigned to partner with him against his will, but when they begin to work together to find a young woman's murderer, they discover just how deep the conspiracy goes.

For everyone who ever read and loved Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series, good news!  Brandt Dodson is the successor to McBain.  Set in Chicago, this is a gritty, realistic police thriller with, as the back cover so eloquently puts it, "an ethical twist".  It's good.  It isn't "bang 'em over the heads with a Bible" religious, but it is clean enough that your teenagers can read it. But don't start reading this on a night when you need to go to bed; you won't be able to put it down until the end.  Seriously.

5 stars

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Kregel Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Kregel Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

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Wear the old coat and buy the new book. - Austin Phelps