Wild Card by Michael Brandman – 5 Stars
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
ISBN: 9781464211584

As I was browsing the book offerings from NetGalley I recalled Michael Brandman as the author who very pleasingly and successfully continued Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone series. He did an excellent job with those books. So, I chose Wild Card, the third book of a new series by Mr. Brandman and was not disappointed.

Although Wild Card is the third book in the Buddy Steel series, it is fine as a stand-alone. The background information is quickly and smoothly established. There is a dual plot: one in which Buddy stands up to a billionaire who uses his wealth to manipulate the law for his own selfish and criminal reasons, and a second which is a multiple murder mystery with a surprising villain.

It is fast paced with interesting, likeable characters and witty, often amusingly sarcastic dialogue. I absolutely enjoyed this book. It is a high compliment when one yearns to read more of an author’s books -- I have already gotten the first two of this series and hope there will be a fourth.



Reviewer: Nancy