Scan barcode
whimsicalyme's review
4.0
Synopsis:
In Margaret Truman's Murder on the Metro, Jon Land's first thrilling addition to the New York Times bestselling Capital Crimes series, Robert Brixton uncovers a sinister plot threatening millions of American lives!
In Margaret Truman's Murder on the Metro, Jon Land's first thrilling addition to the New York Times bestselling Capital Crimes series, Robert Brixton uncovers a sinister plot threatening millions of American lives!
b00kr3vi3ws's review
4.0
There's a terrorist attack involving a drone on an Israeli beach. American Vice President has an heart attack. A suicide bomber is spotted in a Washington metro. These three seemingly unconnected incidents happen within a span of a few days and each incident has a different person investigating it. That is until their paths cross and seemingly random incidents do not seem so random afterall. Robert Brixton has just lost his PI job with a law firm and has also foiled the metro suicide bomber's plans; only to be contacted by Secret Service's Kendra Rendine who is pretty sure that the VP's death was a foul play. It would be fair to say that Brixton has a lot on his plate and not enough answers. Once he is put in touch with Mossad's Lia Ganz, things start falling into place. How are these incidents connected? Will Brixton be able to solve the puzzle before it is too late?
I cannot believe that I did not hear about this series before! 31 books out and I finally am discovering this series. This fact though gave me an advantage - since I have not read the original series by Margaret Truman, I have nothing to compare this book and it's characters to.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
I cannot believe that I did not hear about this series before! 31 books out and I finally am discovering this series. This fact though gave me an advantage - since I have not read the original series by Margaret Truman, I have nothing to compare this book and it's characters to.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
annarella's review
5.0
This the first Capital Crimes series I read and the first by Jon Land as well.
I read that the books in this series and by this author are excellent and was happy to be able to read and review this one.
This is a mix of political and action thriller, fast paced and extremely gripping. It kept me on the edge and reading even if there was a moment when I thought I was going to stop as it was a bit too strong for me.
My warning is that if you are a cat lover and a supporter of Amnesty International it could be a bit too much for you to read about a cat used to torture prisoners by making them becoming attached to the pet and then killing in front of the prisoner.
I read this part just after having lost a pet and I thought “I can’t go on”.
I decided to continue and it was the right decision because I enjoyed the story and the characters.
I think that the author did in excellent job in deleting Lia and Brixton. They are both middle aged, they were fighters but they think they need to go back to fighting as they are personally involved in what is happening.
The secondary characters are well written and strong. I loved sister Mary Alice and Rendine but I must tell that also the villains are interesting.
The plot is tightly knitted and fast paced. There’s a lot of actions and the description of Washington political environment is interesting and vivid.
Given what happened recently you are left wondering how much of the plot is fantasy and how much could be real. It’s a disturbing thought that add layers to this story.
I want to read the other novels in Capitol Crimes series, this one is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Forge Books, Partners in Crime and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I read that the books in this series and by this author are excellent and was happy to be able to read and review this one.
This is a mix of political and action thriller, fast paced and extremely gripping. It kept me on the edge and reading even if there was a moment when I thought I was going to stop as it was a bit too strong for me.
My warning is that if you are a cat lover and a supporter of Amnesty International it could be a bit too much for you to read about a cat used to torture prisoners by making them becoming attached to the pet and then killing in front of the prisoner.
I read this part just after having lost a pet and I thought “I can’t go on”.
I decided to continue and it was the right decision because I enjoyed the story and the characters.
I think that the author did in excellent job in deleting Lia and Brixton. They are both middle aged, they were fighters but they think they need to go back to fighting as they are personally involved in what is happening.
The secondary characters are well written and strong. I loved sister Mary Alice and Rendine but I must tell that also the villains are interesting.
The plot is tightly knitted and fast paced. There’s a lot of actions and the description of Washington political environment is interesting and vivid.
Given what happened recently you are left wondering how much of the plot is fantasy and how much could be real. It’s a disturbing thought that add layers to this story.
I want to read the other novels in Capitol Crimes series, this one is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Forge Books, Partners in Crime and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
3no7's review
5.0
“Murder on the Metro” is part of the “Capital Crimes Series” originally written by Margaret Truman. Jon Land has successfully continued the politically-based thriller series with this latest installment. The plot is compelling, grounded in truth, centered in headline grabbing international politics, but extending just beyond the edge of reality, at least for now.
Land gives readers an inside look at Washington D. C., the people who live there, work there, and die there. The first-ever female vice president (Watch out Kamala) dies of a heart attack, but perhaps is it murder disguised as something else. Mackensie Smith’s law firm is downsizing. Robert Brixton, a private investigator in the greater DC area, prevents an unspeakable tragedy by a thwarting suicide bomber on the Metro. Detective Rogers is an enigma. Who is he? Who should he be? On the other side of the world, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, retired Mossad agent Lia Ganz avoids the tragedy of a drone attack on the beach. Elaborate sensory descriptions set the stage for the disaster and danger that is to come. The usual technology, including hidden cameras and drones bring all these characters together along with unlikely weapons such as a roller coaster and an actual ceiling.
“Murder on the Metro” is a non-stop thrill ride that places readers inside the treachery and action. Events that are not supposed to happen just do. I received a review copy of “Murder on the Metro” from Jon Land and Forge Books. Land has continued the magnificent tradition of “Capital Crimes,” and with so much “material” available to draw on in D.C., I am sure there will be many more compelling nstallments to come.
Land gives readers an inside look at Washington D. C., the people who live there, work there, and die there. The first-ever female vice president (Watch out Kamala) dies of a heart attack, but perhaps is it murder disguised as something else. Mackensie Smith’s law firm is downsizing. Robert Brixton, a private investigator in the greater DC area, prevents an unspeakable tragedy by a thwarting suicide bomber on the Metro. Detective Rogers is an enigma. Who is he? Who should he be? On the other side of the world, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, retired Mossad agent Lia Ganz avoids the tragedy of a drone attack on the beach. Elaborate sensory descriptions set the stage for the disaster and danger that is to come. The usual technology, including hidden cameras and drones bring all these characters together along with unlikely weapons such as a roller coaster and an actual ceiling.
“Murder on the Metro” is a non-stop thrill ride that places readers inside the treachery and action. Events that are not supposed to happen just do. I received a review copy of “Murder on the Metro” from Jon Land and Forge Books. Land has continued the magnificent tradition of “Capital Crimes,” and with so much “material” available to draw on in D.C., I am sure there will be many more compelling nstallments to come.
canada_matt's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Jon Land, Macmillan-Tor Forge, and Forge Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Having been passed the torch to continue Margaret Truman’s Capital Crimes series, Jon Land fills two pairs of very large shoes. Developing the Robert Brixton character a little more, Land is able to continue the narrative and show readers that this P.I. still has what it takes, especially when stumbling upon a massive secret that could leave many dead across the United States. Fans of the series who have accepted that Mackensie Smith has become a secondary character will likely enjoy this one, as well as any reader who enjoys an intense political thriller with a peppering of international intrigue.
Robert Brixton has spent the better part of the last five years remember his daughter and how she was killed by a suicide bomber while seated in a cafe. The pain remains wedged front and centre in his mind, though he is now able to compartmentalise it when needed. After learning from his best friend, Mackensie Smith, that his job as a P.I. is being made redundant, he wonders what the next chapter in his life might be.
While riding on the Washington Metro, Brixton noticing a woman not dressed for the weather and acting in a highly suspicious manner. Following her, Brixton is able to chase her off the train, just in time for her suicide vest to explode. Brixton’s keen senses have saved many lives and he is congratulated when interviewed by a gruff detective before being whisked away for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, in the Naval Observatory, the US vice-president is ending another day with her head of Secret Service detail. Kendra Rendine has promised to keep the VPOTUS safe at all costs, though nothing could prepare her when the second most powerful person in American politics—a woman, no less—dies suddenly of a heart attack. Rendine is stunned, moreso when she learns that there may have been some ‘help’ to ensure the medical event occurred.
Working alongside Brixton, Rendine begins exploring the truth behind the heart attack, surmising that someone has been plotting for a while. When Brixton uncovers truths behind the Metro bombing that he had not realised before, he’s stunned to see that there are ties to a meeting in the White House and a prisoner in a federal facility with no formal documentation.
All the while, a drone attack in Israel awakens a Mossad operative to a larger terrorist cell developing in Washington. Answers await, though who can be trusted is anyone’s guess. Brixton and Rendine may have some needed answers, but Mossad has never played well in the sandbox with others.
As Brixton uncovers the truth behind the bombing, the murder of VPOTUS, and a terror cell’s strike in Israel, he discovers that there is something taking place deep in the White House that no one could have predicted was taking place. It’s going to take more than a simple accusation to reveal this truth, with an election on the horizon.
Jon Land does well to pick up where his two predecessors left off. Donald Bain and Margaret Truman both honed the complex and long-running narrative of the Capital Crime series effectively, though Land does not miss a beat. He tackles the big issues and is able to spin a tale like no other, keeping series fans from bemoaning a change in style and intensity.
Robert Brixton remains at the centre of the story, a place that Donald Bain chose for him years ago. Brixton continues to struggler with the death of his daughter, as well as his search for love with a woman who does not always accept his hands-off approach. Instilled with a determination to seek answers wherever questions remain, Brixton is keen to get to the heart of the matter without thinking of himself. There is little time for backstory, though the limited development Land permits works well to solidify him as an essential part of the series and this story.
The use of strong secondary characters works well in this series, As mentioned above, one-time star, Mac Smith, has been relegated to window dressing, though he does well in his position. Kendra Rendine is a wonderful Land creation and she works well throughout the quick-pace narrative. Rendine works effectively throughout the piece, offering up some nuggets that readers will likely enjoy. She surrounds herself with a handful of other key players, each of whom brings something to the story that makes it the strong piece that readers will come to find exciting.
I often have issues when an author takes up the worl of another, particularly on the death of the series creator. When Margaret Truman passed and the torch went to Donald Bain, I worried about the strength of the series. After a little patience, I realised that while this would not be Truman 2.0, it worked and I could continue to commit to the books. Now, with Bain having passed, Jon Land is handed the reins to see what he can make of things. Neither Truman 3.0 or Bain 2.0, Land has begun to carve out his own niche and does so well. I hope he will be able to commit to keeping the series on point and not allow this to be a ‘side job’.
The story worked really well for me, combining the political and criminal elements of a decent thriller. A strong narrative pushed things together nicely and meshed some strong plots into a cohesive story that finds a way to come together at its climax. With a number of strong characters, Land keeps the reader invested in the story, offering some ties to those who laid the groundwork for the series—read: Mac Smith—without getting lost in the past. Using a mix of chapter lengths and plot perspectives, Land keeps the reader wondering and pushing on, if only to learn how the various crimes connect and what the master plan might be for those pulling all the strings. I came into this piece somewhat hesitant about what to expect, but am keen to see Jon Land’s plan for series writing, after this stellar effort.
Kudos, Mr. Land, for impressing me with your first attempt at this long and highly intriguing series. Donald Bain did well in choosing you for his successor and I am sure Margaret Truman would be equally as impressed. Keep writing and series fans will take notice!
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/murder-on-the-metro/
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
jmdigiantonio's review
4.0
I have read several of Margaret Truman's Washington D.C. series over the years, prior to her death and after with Donald Bain. I always enjoyed the inside look to D.C. and the intrigue that comes along with it. Jon Land takes over after Donald Bain's death and continues the story of Robert Brixton with a small role for Mackenzie Smith of the earlier books.
I will be the first to admit I have struggled with Jon Land's Murder She Wrote novels (I'm a HUGE fan) when he first took over. However, he has really got into his stride in the latest MSW and it also shows in Murder on the Metro. Jon Land's take on Robert Brixton and how he has evolved over the last few books reaches a climax in this novel as he faces a similar situation that took his beloved daughter Janet five years earlier. This story was non-stop and I was riveted to see how it all came together with the various characters and storylines. I'm very much looking forward to his next entry in this series and more non-stop action!
I will be the first to admit I have struggled with Jon Land's Murder She Wrote novels (I'm a HUGE fan) when he first took over. However, he has really got into his stride in the latest MSW and it also shows in Murder on the Metro. Jon Land's take on Robert Brixton and how he has evolved over the last few books reaches a climax in this novel as he faces a similar situation that took his beloved daughter Janet five years earlier. This story was non-stop and I was riveted to see how it all came together with the various characters and storylines. I'm very much looking forward to his next entry in this series and more non-stop action!
More...