Book Review: Ghosts and Shadows by H. Max Hiller

Rating: 5 Stars

Be prepared for a thrilling ride. H. Max Hiller expertly weaves his way in storytelling, thrilling readers and immersing them in a complex web of mystery, then slowly uncovering each puzzle to set up a climactic ending.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, despite it being a lengthy book. There was never a dull moment. I like how the author starts off with a simple arson crime, but slowly reveals that a much bigger plot is in the cards, played by people in much more powerful positions. Just when you think the case couldn't get much bigger, the author reveals another revelation that builds up the story further. Simply great writing.

I gathered this is the third book involving Detective Cooter Holland, but I did not feel lost at all. All characters were introduced properly and it wasn't difficult picking up the character backgrounds and where they stand in the story.

As for the characters, I'm really impressed with the lead character, for which the author has displayed his full expertise in the field of crime and investigation. Truthfully, I wouldn't mind a little more romantic spin in the story, whether for the lead characters or for a secondary character, to deflect the seriousness of the story a little bit. But since the 4 main leads already have respective pairs from the very beginning, it is understandable not to focus on this.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable, no-nonsense, action packed read. If you like police/detective investigation type of story, a complex plot and an explosive ending, get this one. You won't be disappointed for sure.

About the Book

Series: Detective "Cadillac" Holland Mystery Series (Book 3)
Genre: Mystery and Thriller

The oath Detective Cooter “Cadillac” Holland swore to defend his home against foreign and domestic enemies is put to the test when evil men from both sides of the border start a war on the eve of Mardi Gras, an election, and the first Super Bowl in Saints’ history. Detective Holland's cases tend to involve a number of unanticipated consequences and his latest case is certainly no exception. An arson investigation uncovers a shadowy operation that has resurrected the blueprints for the classified operation that nearly got Detective Holland killed in Iraq, and now threatens to expose the detective's darkest secrets. When Detective Holland’s friends and family are also put at risk, he is forced to call upon the skills and mind-set learned as a Special Forces and Intelligence operative to keep the peace between local heroin dealers and a violent Mexican drug cartel, outsmart a defense contractor, and take on a loose-cannon Federal official willing to create a bloodbath to cover the tracks of a deal gone bad when New Orleans can least afford it.