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reneesmith's review against another edition
5.0
Love Jimmy Vega! This was an emotional & very timely read. I so appreciated how the author portrayed Jimmy's cop's heart and anguish. I found myself wondering if this case would break him, if Adele's love would stand the test, & if the author was ready to let the worst happen & move on to another series. I'm now hopeful we'll hear more from Jimmy. But in the next book, can the case can be just as harrowing yet maybe allow Jimmy and Adele to be happy for a little while?? Listened to this on my Audible app. The narrator really brings Jimmy to life. Thanks for the top notch story-telling, Ms. Chazin!
myrdyr's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5 stars. I enjoyed it. Vega was less whiny than in the last book. I liked the storyline. I found the social media vilification of Vega especially interesting. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
4.0
If not for a slight lull after the opening chapters, it would have been 5. Chazin is so very good. Her Fire novels with Georgia Skeehan (sp?) are exceptional, but I finally must agree that these Vega books are the stars of her catalogue. So many people in our country would benefit from these stories as they show the horrors undocumented immigrants face on their way here, not to mention those encountered when they finally arrive. This one tied up loose ends in Vega’s story. I can’t wait for the next ones. Suzanne, you tend to read these. Tell your publisher that a fourth Skeehan book will do just as well.
auntieg0412's review against another edition
5.0
I’m very much enjoying the Jimmy Vega series! When the story pulls me in and I feel as if I live next door to the characters, it fits my definition of a very good book. This one deserves 5 stars not just because it’s an excellent, well-written, and well-paced story, but also because the author does a wonderful job with a topic that’s very delicate in today’s world.
ceeemvee's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This book leaps very quickly into today’s headlines of police shootings and protests and seemed promising. In the dark of night, Hispanic policeman Jimmy Vega shoots and kills an unarmed Hispanic man suspected to be a participant in a home invasion. Jimmy’s professional life is instantly derailed and his personal life is instantly altered as his girlfriend is a lawyer working with a non-profit Hispanic aid group.
The story has potential, unfortunately it just didn’t hold my interest. The character development is shallow and you never feel a connection to any of them, the dialog was stilted and either stereotypical tough-cop, the infinite similes the author used were annoying at best. In addition, the storyline jumped all over. In the midst of dealing with the happenings mentioned above, he searches for his mother’s murderer, his teen-aged daughter is in the midst of a crisis about her school and later career decisions, and he also has a mid-life crisis wondering what is his life’s purpose. Throw in the political storyline of illegal immigration and it is too much, with none of it done in a satisfying manner.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
This book leaps very quickly into today’s headlines of police shootings and protests and seemed promising. In the dark of night, Hispanic policeman Jimmy Vega shoots and kills an unarmed Hispanic man suspected to be a participant in a home invasion. Jimmy’s professional life is instantly derailed and his personal life is instantly altered as his girlfriend is a lawyer working with a non-profit Hispanic aid group.
The story has potential, unfortunately it just didn’t hold my interest. The character development is shallow and you never feel a connection to any of them, the dialog was stilted and either stereotypical tough-cop, the infinite similes the author used were annoying at best. In addition, the storyline jumped all over. In the midst of dealing with the happenings mentioned above, he searches for his mother’s murderer, his teen-aged daughter is in the midst of a crisis about her school and later career decisions, and he also has a mid-life crisis wondering what is his life’s purpose. Throw in the political storyline of illegal immigration and it is too much, with none of it done in a satisfying manner.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
longtimereader's review against another edition
4.0
First I have to say, I love this cover and the title. It's super. This is my first book by this author. It seems this is the third book in this series, but it stood alone just fine! Jimmy has been through a shooting, he is an officer. He was trying to deal with a home invasion. The shooting has taken a toll on him. It's a big deal, for obvious reasons, when an officer is shot.
There is an illegal immigrant and people are way more connected than you would have thought. It's a well written story and I really liked Jimmy! He should have taken more down time after what he went through, but in a move more true to real life, he didn't. I liked this more than I expected to, and I'm off to read other book by this author.
My copy came from Net Galley. I was not required to leave a review, I have done so of my free volition. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
There is an illegal immigrant and people are way more connected than you would have thought. It's a well written story and I really liked Jimmy! He should have taken more down time after what he went through, but in a move more true to real life, he didn't. I liked this more than I expected to, and I'm off to read other book by this author.
My copy came from Net Galley. I was not required to leave a review, I have done so of my free volition. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
petra_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Following on from [b:A Blossom of Bright Light|23453127|A Blossom of Bright Light (Jimmy Vega Mystery, #2)|Suzanne Chazin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446844775s/23453127.jpg|43014927], this is the third book featuring homicide detective Jimmy Vega and this one really puts Jimmy in the spotlight. Responding to a home invasion call, Jimmy confronts a Hispanic male and ends up shooting the man. Jimmy realizes too late that the man, an undocumented immigrant, wasn't armed but was holding a photograph. Fuelled by intense media involvement and public outcry, the incident has wide-ranging consequences for Jimmy professionally and personally, as his relationships with his girlfriend, Adele, and with his daughter become strained. Adele, as the head of a center which supports immigrants, is torn between supporting Jimmy and doing what is expected of her as a community figure.
When Jimmy discovers a link between his mother's murder two years ago and the dead man, two seemingly separate cases converge and lead to an exciting finale.
[a:Suzanne Chazin|764784|Suzanne Chazin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1472697113p2/764784.jpg] has done it again! She has combined a suspenseful mystery with topical social issues in a sensitive manner and showed great psychological insight not only into the plight of undocumented immigrants but also the difficulties faced by a US born detective with Hispanic roots who constantly has to straddle two cultures/worlds. I've become very fond of Jimmy Vega over the course of these three books, and while he is a flawed character, he is also extremely likable. With complex and captivating characters and a story line that is incredibly poignant, this was another well-written book and I hope Ms. Chazin will continue with this series. All books in the series will work as a standalone but I would suggest reading them in order for the character development.
I received an ARC from NetGalley but ended up listening to the audiobook which was narrated skillfully by Thom Rivera.
When Jimmy discovers a link between his mother's murder two years ago and the dead man, two seemingly separate cases converge and lead to an exciting finale.
[a:Suzanne Chazin|764784|Suzanne Chazin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1472697113p2/764784.jpg] has done it again! She has combined a suspenseful mystery with topical social issues in a sensitive manner and showed great psychological insight not only into the plight of undocumented immigrants but also the difficulties faced by a US born detective with Hispanic roots who constantly has to straddle two cultures/worlds. I've become very fond of Jimmy Vega over the course of these three books, and while he is a flawed character, he is also extremely likable. With complex and captivating characters and a story line that is incredibly poignant, this was another well-written book and I hope Ms. Chazin will continue with this series. All books in the series will work as a standalone but I would suggest reading them in order for the character development.
I received an ARC from NetGalley but ended up listening to the audiobook which was narrated skillfully by Thom Rivera.
tonstantweader's review
2.0
No Witness But the Moon finds author Suzanne Chazin jumping into the highly polarizing waters of police shootings and public protest. Her series hero, homicide detective Jimmy Vega is just two blocks away when a home invasion call comes in. There have been many incidents recently with escalating violence and it’s quite likely this is one more. The dispatcher says shots were fired and when he arrives on the scene several minutes ahead of other police, the suspect has fled into the woods. Vega pursues, confront, and shoots the suspect who turns out to be unarmed.
What ensues is the stereotyped reaction to police shootings as perceived by the police, but with no resemblance to reality. Vega is questioned immediately which does not happen. Most police contracts stipulate at least 48 hours between the incident and questioning and Cleveland gave the man who shot 12 year-old Tamir Rice more than six months to figure out his story before questioning him. The police not only give everything to the media while shutting out Vega, they give witness statements and police reports to a political organizer who leads a national movement against police violence on the very same night of the shooting while shutting out Vega. Right, while in real life, the release of statements and videos can take days, weeks or even more than a year. More ridiculously unrealistic, there is a national hue and cry in response to the shooting of a suspect in a reported home invasion. Sorry, but the victims of police murder who have inspired national outrage were not committing home invasions, they were sitting in their car reading a book, sitting at a picnic table, shopping at Walmart, sleeping in their bed, walking home from the store, selling cigarettes, selling CDs, sitting as a passenger in a car, driving with a tail light out and having their car break down on the highway. Do you see any home invasions there?
The protesters are portrayed as a violent mob who want to kill Vega, who try to beat him to death. The movement leader is portrayed as a smug, evil opportunist who is unnecessarily and spitefully slandered in the end, particularly when she makes him an amalgam of Dr. Henry Louis Gates with his bowtie and Rev. Al Sharpton with his religious oratory. He is a movement leader perceived through the lens of white supremacy and this caricature of the movement is offensive.
This is mitigated somewhat by Chazin’s sympathy for the plight of the undocumented immigrant. She understands the reasons people come here and is on their side, while still making a point that they commit illegal acts in getting here. She knows how they are exploited by the people who smuggle them into America, but the employers who employ them and by the system that ignores the crimes against them because they only see the “crime” of their presence here.
There is, of course, more to the story than a police shooting. A second body is discovered and when Vega learns the man he shot was the super in his murdered mother’s apartment building and the one who discovered his mother and called 911, he takes his time on suspension to investigate his mother’s murder. There are clues in the text that make it possible to figure out who might be the killer and understand the motive. Enough clues that Vega seems a bit obtuse, but then, he is under pressure.
The more interesting character in this installment of the series is Adele, Vega’s lover. She is the founder of an organization providing services to immigrants and is expected to denounce and call for a grand jury investigation of the shooting. Of course, she is conflicted and through her eyes we see the only authentic response to the shooting – the trust she has for Vega in conflict with her experiences with the police and with the history of police interactions with people of color around the country.
This book makes me sad. I loved this series and feel betrayed. On the one hand, this is an interesting story that made me want to read to the end. On the other hand, the gross and insulting characterization of the people who bravely stand against police violence is so offensive and false. I just can’t really recommend a book that reinforces a false perspective on police killing of unarmed people and the response of activists. They are far more responsible and ethical than portrayed in this book. There has never been national outrage of someone killed while committing a home invasion. I doubt there ever will be and that is such an egregious slander of the movement for justice I cannot overlook it, even though I like this author and her series until this book. It’s reckless with the truth and with so many people shot for no good reason, they deserve better than this.
No Witness But the Moon will be released October 25th. I was provided an advance e-galley by the publisher through NetGalley.
http://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/no-witness-but-the-moon-by-suzanne-chazin/
What ensues is the stereotyped reaction to police shootings as perceived by the police, but with no resemblance to reality. Vega is questioned immediately which does not happen. Most police contracts stipulate at least 48 hours between the incident and questioning and Cleveland gave the man who shot 12 year-old Tamir Rice more than six months to figure out his story before questioning him. The police not only give everything to the media while shutting out Vega, they give witness statements and police reports to a political organizer who leads a national movement against police violence on the very same night of the shooting while shutting out Vega. Right, while in real life, the release of statements and videos can take days, weeks or even more than a year. More ridiculously unrealistic, there is a national hue and cry in response to the shooting of a suspect in a reported home invasion. Sorry, but the victims of police murder who have inspired national outrage were not committing home invasions, they were sitting in their car reading a book, sitting at a picnic table, shopping at Walmart, sleeping in their bed, walking home from the store, selling cigarettes, selling CDs, sitting as a passenger in a car, driving with a tail light out and having their car break down on the highway. Do you see any home invasions there?
The protesters are portrayed as a violent mob who want to kill Vega, who try to beat him to death. The movement leader is portrayed as a smug, evil opportunist who is unnecessarily and spitefully slandered in the end, particularly when she makes him an amalgam of Dr. Henry Louis Gates with his bowtie and Rev. Al Sharpton with his religious oratory. He is a movement leader perceived through the lens of white supremacy and this caricature of the movement is offensive.
This is mitigated somewhat by Chazin’s sympathy for the plight of the undocumented immigrant. She understands the reasons people come here and is on their side, while still making a point that they commit illegal acts in getting here. She knows how they are exploited by the people who smuggle them into America, but the employers who employ them and by the system that ignores the crimes against them because they only see the “crime” of their presence here.
There is, of course, more to the story than a police shooting. A second body is discovered and when Vega learns the man he shot was the super in his murdered mother’s apartment building and the one who discovered his mother and called 911, he takes his time on suspension to investigate his mother’s murder. There are clues in the text that make it possible to figure out who might be the killer and understand the motive. Enough clues that Vega seems a bit obtuse, but then, he is under pressure.
The more interesting character in this installment of the series is Adele, Vega’s lover. She is the founder of an organization providing services to immigrants and is expected to denounce and call for a grand jury investigation of the shooting. Of course, she is conflicted and through her eyes we see the only authentic response to the shooting – the trust she has for Vega in conflict with her experiences with the police and with the history of police interactions with people of color around the country.
This book makes me sad. I loved this series and feel betrayed. On the one hand, this is an interesting story that made me want to read to the end. On the other hand, the gross and insulting characterization of the people who bravely stand against police violence is so offensive and false. I just can’t really recommend a book that reinforces a false perspective on police killing of unarmed people and the response of activists. They are far more responsible and ethical than portrayed in this book. There has never been national outrage of someone killed while committing a home invasion. I doubt there ever will be and that is such an egregious slander of the movement for justice I cannot overlook it, even though I like this author and her series until this book. It’s reckless with the truth and with so many people shot for no good reason, they deserve better than this.
No Witness But the Moon will be released October 25th. I was provided an advance e-galley by the publisher through NetGalley.
http://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/no-witness-but-the-moon-by-suzanne-chazin/
chymerra's review
5.0
This is the first book I have ever read by Suzanne Chazin and I absolutely loved it. Because of the world we live in, everyone lives under a microscope, including the police. So when a police officer shoots an unarmed man, it makes national news. This story is about a police shooting. It is also about illegal immigrants, which is another hot topic in America. So combine these two hot topics and you get a story that keeps you riveted to the pages.
I liked Jimmy’s character, a lot. But I do think that him pushing off seeing the psychologist right after the shooting and not taking his friends (and Adele’s) advice about lying low was stupid. Real stupid and it made me kinda shake my head. But, he did get some good solid leads about his mother’s murder and his own impending court case.
Adele’s character was written great and I loved how torn she was on Jimmy’s shooting case. When the going got hot (pressure by the board of the local immigrant center + a TV personality who wanted her to join his cause against Jimmy), she didn’t buckle under pressure and kept her cool. Which meant distancing herself from Jimmy while investigating his case on her own.
The trio of storylines (Jimmy’s, his mother’s death and the other one….not giving it away) were tied together beautifully at the end. The twist that happened in the last chapters of the book kept me awake afterwards going “No way, not this person”. I also loved how the author resolved each storyline in a way that no one else got hurt (well Jimmy did, but you will have to read the book….lol).
How many stars will I give No Witness But the Moon? 5
Why? Like I said in my first sentence, this book takes 2 hot topics (police shootings and illegal immigrants) and skillfully tells a tale that intertwines both.
Will I reread? Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes
Age range? Adult
Why? No sex. Violence, which includes a pretty vivid description of a head being blown off at below the chin.
I liked Jimmy’s character, a lot. But I do think that him pushing off seeing the psychologist right after the shooting and not taking his friends (and Adele’s) advice about lying low was stupid. Real stupid and it made me kinda shake my head. But, he did get some good solid leads about his mother’s murder and his own impending court case.
Adele’s character was written great and I loved how torn she was on Jimmy’s shooting case. When the going got hot (pressure by the board of the local immigrant center + a TV personality who wanted her to join his cause against Jimmy), she didn’t buckle under pressure and kept her cool. Which meant distancing herself from Jimmy while investigating his case on her own.
The trio of storylines (Jimmy’s, his mother’s death and the other one….not giving it away) were tied together beautifully at the end. The twist that happened in the last chapters of the book kept me awake afterwards going “No way, not this person”. I also loved how the author resolved each storyline in a way that no one else got hurt (well Jimmy did, but you will have to read the book….lol).
How many stars will I give No Witness But the Moon? 5
Why? Like I said in my first sentence, this book takes 2 hot topics (police shootings and illegal immigrants) and skillfully tells a tale that intertwines both.
Will I reread? Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes
Age range? Adult
Why? No sex. Violence, which includes a pretty vivid description of a head being blown off at below the chin.
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