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beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy this book. The grittiness of the murder case was what drew me in. Also, the fact that this story was drawn from a true crime murder in the 1990s known as the Princeton Place murders was fascinating. Not that the murders are great but I always like to see where an author's imagination goes to when they write a story based on real life facts. Which I thought by the way Mr. Tucker did a good job of writing this book. HIs background as a journalist helped. He got all of the important details down. Which I never once was like "Ok, so what is missing or when am I going to get to the good part".
My issue was that while the beginning of the story was good, it kind of slowed down in the middle but picked up again by the end. I liked Sully and do look forward to reading more books featuring him. I just hope that all of the secondary characters get more interesting. Again this book was a nice showing for a new crime series.
My issue was that while the beginning of the story was good, it kind of slowed down in the middle but picked up again by the end. I liked Sully and do look forward to reading more books featuring him. I just hope that all of the secondary characters get more interesting. Again this book was a nice showing for a new crime series.
saazhar's review against another edition
5.0
now that is how you write a murder mystery. take that, [a:Kathy Reichs|26372|Kathy Reichs|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1407166867p2/26372.jpg]
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
A special thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Viking and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Neely Tucker draws heavily on his two decades reporting on crime and conflict from around the globe to create Sully Carter, and this exciting new crime thriller series from Washington DC reporter. THE WAYS OF THE DEAD, is a wickedly entertaining, fast-paced, and suspenseful debut novel of— race, crime, corrupt law, and the power of the media.
Sarah Reese, is the white teenage daughter of a prominent and powerful judge, and is found murdered behind a convenience store in Washington, DC. Three young black guys are fingered for the murder; however, as it goes, not the real murders.
Sully, Mississippi southern veteran reporter, is covering the case. He is also former Bosnian war correspondent and suffers from PTSD, alcoholism, and rage— an investigative reporter, he still knows how to go behind enemy lines. From shady backstreets, Sully pursues the truth about the murders, against all odds and pressure from officials, his boss at the paper, the editors, cops and locals.
I loved this tough street smart journalist on his motorcycle, as he uncovers this mystery where violence and corruption lives on the back dark streets of Washington, DC.
Inspired by the real life 1990’s Princeton Place murders, THE WAYS OF THE DEAD, is a novel and series all crime enthusiasts and investigative reporters will devour!
Tucker’s passion and knowledge of the storyline and his journalism career of twenty-five years, with fourteen spent at The Washington Post-- reflective throughout the pages for a kick-ass novel, and will have readers anxiously awaiting the next book in this suspense series! Well done.
JDCMustReadBooks
You will want to read MURDER D.C. (Sully Carter #2) Coming 6/30/15. 5 Stars
Neely Tucker draws heavily on his two decades reporting on crime and conflict from around the globe to create Sully Carter, and this exciting new crime thriller series from Washington DC reporter. THE WAYS OF THE DEAD, is a wickedly entertaining, fast-paced, and suspenseful debut novel of— race, crime, corrupt law, and the power of the media.
Sarah Reese, is the white teenage daughter of a prominent and powerful judge, and is found murdered behind a convenience store in Washington, DC. Three young black guys are fingered for the murder; however, as it goes, not the real murders.
Sully, Mississippi southern veteran reporter, is covering the case. He is also former Bosnian war correspondent and suffers from PTSD, alcoholism, and rage— an investigative reporter, he still knows how to go behind enemy lines. From shady backstreets, Sully pursues the truth about the murders, against all odds and pressure from officials, his boss at the paper, the editors, cops and locals.
I loved this tough street smart journalist on his motorcycle, as he uncovers this mystery where violence and corruption lives on the back dark streets of Washington, DC.
Inspired by the real life 1990’s Princeton Place murders, THE WAYS OF THE DEAD, is a novel and series all crime enthusiasts and investigative reporters will devour!
Tucker’s passion and knowledge of the storyline and his journalism career of twenty-five years, with fourteen spent at The Washington Post-- reflective throughout the pages for a kick-ass novel, and will have readers anxiously awaiting the next book in this suspense series! Well done.
JDCMustReadBooks
You will want to read MURDER D.C. (Sully Carter #2) Coming 6/30/15. 5 Stars
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out Kritters Ramblings for the full review
Fiction based on truth gets me every time! Neely Tucker takes the true story of murders that occurred in DC and weaves them into a fictional tale. Sully, a journalist who has recently returned from war reporting is thrust back into city dramatics with the murder of a high ranking official's daughter. Although her murder looks isolated, Sully believes that it is one in a string and is out to prove it.
The plot was perfect and the characters were fantastically portrayed. Sully interacted with the professionals at his paper and the characters on the street with ease and I felt the truth in it. I loved his myriad of sources and meeting them and getting not only the information for the murders, but to learn about them was fantastic.
Fiction based on truth gets me every time! Neely Tucker takes the true story of murders that occurred in DC and weaves them into a fictional tale. Sully, a journalist who has recently returned from war reporting is thrust back into city dramatics with the murder of a high ranking official's daughter. Although her murder looks isolated, Sully believes that it is one in a string and is out to prove it.
The plot was perfect and the characters were fantastically portrayed. Sully interacted with the professionals at his paper and the characters on the street with ease and I felt the truth in it. I loved his myriad of sources and meeting them and getting not only the information for the murders, but to learn about them was fantastic.
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
Despite a few first novel flaws, I really enjoyed this book about a former foreign correspondent who is working on the Metro section of the Washington Post in 1999. The DC setting was well done, many of the characters were unique, and I really got caught up in the plot. I am usually partial to series about crime solving journalists and will definitely continue on with this series.
veronica87's review against another edition
5.0
Sully Carter is a former war correspondent who now works for the local paper in Washington DC. He carries scars, both physical and emotional, from his work in a war ravaged Bosnia and he makes no bones about his use of alcohol to get through his days. He has few personal attachments, and the ones he has are starting to fray at the edges, and even fewer personal interests. What he does have, however, is a strong penchant for the truth. When the daughter of a prominent judge is murdered and the developing theories and news stories don't add up, Sully's instincts kick in as he leads the reader on a news trail that back tracks and twists in on itself more than once.
I really, really enjoyed this book. It has a sympathetic male protagonist who is both flawed and head strong but not so much that it would keep you from rooting for him (or wanting to befriend him). The look into the world of newspaper journalism was interesting and seeing as how the book is set in the late 1990s despite being published in 2014 makes the relevancy of print news more believable. The story was well paced and suspenseful. The last third or so was especially so because just when I thought the story was going to zig it zagged. And then it did it again! I'm definitely signing up for more breaking news with Sully Carter.
I really, really enjoyed this book. It has a sympathetic male protagonist who is both flawed and head strong but not so much that it would keep you from rooting for him (or wanting to befriend him). The look into the world of newspaper journalism was interesting and seeing as how the book is set in the late 1990s despite being published in 2014 makes the relevancy of print news more believable. The story was well paced and suspenseful. The last third or so was especially so because just when I thought the story was going to zig it zagged. And then it did it again! I'm definitely signing up for more breaking news with Sully Carter.
scknitter's review against another edition
4.0
Scarred and battered, investigative- reporter Sully Carter pounds the beat for his story, fighting politicians, the police and his own newspaper, looking for the truth. He wants to write about several missing women and a prostitute recently found dead, who are all from a gritty area of DC. But, not until a judge’s daughter is found dead nearby, does his newspaper or the MPD even care about those other crimes. Twists and turns, and a surprise ending leave a great opening for the next installment!
taylakaye's review
5.0
First, full disclosure - I know Neely professionally (and on social media) and am a fan of his. Both on a basic human "he's a nice guy" level and of his work for the Post.
That said, I'd love this book even if I'd never heard of the guy. It's a tightly paced, smart mystery that provides insight into two worlds I know well enough to care if they'd been misrepresented: D.C. and journalism.
Tucker nails both - his protagonist, Sully Carter is a reporter who is good at his job to the point it's taking over his life. He's dedicated, smart and doesn't mess around. He also drinks, a lot.
The D.C. of the turn of the century is rendered perfectly and remains relevant and pitch perfect today.
Highly recommend to fans of Tana French.
That said, I'd love this book even if I'd never heard of the guy. It's a tightly paced, smart mystery that provides insight into two worlds I know well enough to care if they'd been misrepresented: D.C. and journalism.
Tucker nails both - his protagonist, Sully Carter is a reporter who is good at his job to the point it's taking over his life. He's dedicated, smart and doesn't mess around. He also drinks, a lot.
The D.C. of the turn of the century is rendered perfectly and remains relevant and pitch perfect today.
Highly recommend to fans of Tana French.
chinacatsun76's review
5.0
ARC kindly provided by Viking Adult. Review originally published at Reading lark: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-ways-of-dead.html
Lately I've been slogging through a handful of books because I had to and not because I wanted to, but it seems that a compelling and well-written mystery/crime novel was exactly what I needed to get me out of that slump, because I finished The Ways of the Dead in less than 24 hours. Do you have any idea how long it's been since I finished a book in a single day? Trust me when I tell you it's been a LONG time. And trust me when I tell you that while Neely Tucker's novel may contain the occasional crime/mystery novel trope, the story is unique and vividly imagined with true twists and turns that the reader does not see coming until the moment the protagonist does -- which is EXACTLY how crime fiction should read.
From the start, the book puts you in the center of the less-than-desirous Washington D.C. neighborhood where Sarah Reece, the teenage daughter of a prominent federal judge, is murdered. Although the brief scene where the central crime is committed is only a few pages long, Tucker manages to make Sarah an interesting character with secrets to hide and someone the reader cares about avenging. Once we meet Sully Carter, our narrator and an investigative journalist, it's obvious Tucker's ability to create multidimensional characters isn't by chance.
Sully is a flawed, almost Bryonic hero of sorts; he has his own set of morals and what he considers right and wrong may not match yours exactly (or even a little), but he stays true to those ideals. The fact that he is a reporter and not a member of law enforcement comes in handy when less-than-legal means are necessary to discover information. His wit is wry and his drinking problem is, well, a problem. His previous life spent as a war reporter was troubled, and Tucker manages to make the flashbacks to explain Sully's past fit seamlessly into the main narrative of Sully's hunt for Sarah's murderer. I hate to make comparisons, especially because this novel is nothing like J.D. Robb's In Death series, but Sully reminds me of a wonderful hybrid of Dallas (for her wit, passion, and commitment) and Roarke (for his manliness and disdain for the status quo).
Without giving too much away, I will say the plot twists are both fantastic and believable. The Ways of the Dead is not a mystery where you realize things are coming chapters before they finally happen, but instead reads like you are next to Sully, discovering things at the same moment as he is, unwrapping the crimes and neighborhood one piece of evidence at a time. The mystery of who killed Sarah Reese is the catalyst for Sully's investigation, but this novel takes twists and turns that make it more than just a formula mystery novel. Highly recommend!
Lately I've been slogging through a handful of books because I had to and not because I wanted to, but it seems that a compelling and well-written mystery/crime novel was exactly what I needed to get me out of that slump, because I finished The Ways of the Dead in less than 24 hours. Do you have any idea how long it's been since I finished a book in a single day? Trust me when I tell you it's been a LONG time. And trust me when I tell you that while Neely Tucker's novel may contain the occasional crime/mystery novel trope, the story is unique and vividly imagined with true twists and turns that the reader does not see coming until the moment the protagonist does -- which is EXACTLY how crime fiction should read.
From the start, the book puts you in the center of the less-than-desirous Washington D.C. neighborhood where Sarah Reece, the teenage daughter of a prominent federal judge, is murdered. Although the brief scene where the central crime is committed is only a few pages long, Tucker manages to make Sarah an interesting character with secrets to hide and someone the reader cares about avenging. Once we meet Sully Carter, our narrator and an investigative journalist, it's obvious Tucker's ability to create multidimensional characters isn't by chance.
Sully is a flawed, almost Bryonic hero of sorts; he has his own set of morals and what he considers right and wrong may not match yours exactly (or even a little), but he stays true to those ideals. The fact that he is a reporter and not a member of law enforcement comes in handy when less-than-legal means are necessary to discover information. His wit is wry and his drinking problem is, well, a problem. His previous life spent as a war reporter was troubled, and Tucker manages to make the flashbacks to explain Sully's past fit seamlessly into the main narrative of Sully's hunt for Sarah's murderer. I hate to make comparisons, especially because this novel is nothing like J.D. Robb's In Death series, but Sully reminds me of a wonderful hybrid of Dallas (for her wit, passion, and commitment) and Roarke (for his manliness and disdain for the status quo).
Without giving too much away, I will say the plot twists are both fantastic and believable. The Ways of the Dead is not a mystery where you realize things are coming chapters before they finally happen, but instead reads like you are next to Sully, discovering things at the same moment as he is, unwrapping the crimes and neighborhood one piece of evidence at a time. The mystery of who killed Sarah Reese is the catalyst for Sully's investigation, but this novel takes twists and turns that make it more than just a formula mystery novel. Highly recommend!
specificwonderland's review
4.0
reminded me a lot of the wire. sully the McNulty, sly the stringer bell of this operation. I dug it. the ending wasn't a complete surprise and seemed to be trying a little to hard but I have to see I want to go on the next hunt w sully.