The Chill of Night

Suspense at it's Finest!

I am pleased to promote James Hayman's latest book, The Chill of Night. This is the second book by him that I have reviewed, the first being The Cutting. I will warn you though, this is NOT a Christian novel so it does have scenes and language that some of you may not like. I went into reading this book knowing that so if you know ahead of time, then you can be quite pleased with a book like this! It's an awesome suspense novel that quickly draws the reader in. If we could erase the language, it would be one I would feel comfortable recommending to everyone!

Hayman uses tremendous detail and skill when creating his suspense novels. McCabe's character is one that truly could be real. Hayman pulls the reader into the middle of psychological twists and turns as they follow McCabe on his heart-pumping, sweat poring, edge-of-your-seat crime solving. The Chill of Night will send chills up your spine and thrills through your veins as you try to keep up with the twists and mystery!

If you love edge-of-your seat, riveting, gripping 4 star (I don't feel comfortable giving it 5 star on account of the heavy language but I feel it deserves 4 because of the AWESOME suspense!) suspense, then definitely read this book! It's suspense at it's finest with fast-rising, crime writer Hayman!

*Thank you to PUYB promotions for providing me with my review copy*

New Author James Hayman Does it Again - The Chill of Night

From his success with his first thriller, The Cutting, Jim Hayman now brings us a riveting, knuckle-cracking second thriller, The Chill of Night. We meet Lainie, a ladder-climbing legal firm associate, giving her sexual favors to a partner in the firm in hopes of an early promotion to that lofty status. Soon, Lainie turns up stone-dead & frozen solid & stuffed in the trunk of her BMW. Meet Mike McCabe, former NY cop, now a detective with the Portland PD. Quickly, the medical examiner determines the cause of immediate death as pithing (when you read the novel, you'll find out just what that is). They also discover a mysterious biblical quotation on the body & cocaine in the car. Soon we meet Abby, a young woman with mental health issues who lives on Hart Island across from the city. She watches neighbor's summer houses in the off-season. She is too good at her job, which she takes seriously -- she witnesses the murder, but no one will believe her. She is frightened and goes into hiding. McCabe surfaces several potential killers, and there is a lot of suspense trying to find Abby and make her feel safe. As in all good riveting thrillers, there are several murder suspects, all with possible motive. This "who-done-it" has a surprise ending that rivals the surprise endings of other more established thriller writers. You will not want to put the book down.

Death Visits Portland

Mike McCabe, Hayman's memorable former NYU film student now detective juggles death, his divorce, and teenaged daugther when a sexy lawyer with a soft spot is found dead by a most novel method. Portland provides the real background for this story which sears to the end.

Bridget's Review

Abby is a paranoid schizophrenic who is currently on medication. When she sees a naked man strike a woman with a knife, she takes off to the police station. The cops can't help but ask themselves if it really happened or if the witness is delusional. Having a mentally ill person as a witness will hinder the decision of a jury, so they have her carted off to the hospital.

Determined to solve this case, Detective McCabe tries to find the killer while keeping an eye on Abby. She may be crazy but she may also be in danger. Can he put the puzzle pieces together and capture the murderer before he strikes again?

I loved this book! James is such a talented writer. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading. Two thumbs up!

entertaining wintry Maine police procedural

In Maine at the Portland Fish Exchange, an abandoned car contains a naked corpse. Portland PD Detectives Michael McCabe and Maggie Savage lead the investigation into the homicide of young attorney Lanie Goff. A piece of paper stating: "Amos. 9:10" is left with the frozen body; Michael knows that means sinners must be punished.

On nearby Harts Island paranoid schizophrenic Abby Quinn hears voices in her head; her psychiatrist prescribes medicine to help her. She works at the Legion bar, which she closed early. That is how she saw the naked man use a blade to puncture a nude woman's neck. Stunned she runs to the local Portland PD station where she wakes up Bowman the cop on duty. He assumes she was having one of her hallucinations so he offers to take her to the hospital instead. Now four days later, McCabe heads to Harts Island to interview a witness that the local cop did not believe so a jury would be even less likely to do so. McCabe knows that if he fails to find the culprit Death will occur again as the killer believes the Lord has sanctioned his or her quest.

This is an entertaining wintry Maine police procedural with a strong likable lead cop whose personal issues somewhat intrude on his investigation as little things he cannot help doing like comparing the victim to his ex-wife. That family intrusion and his "probable cause" to open the car trunk enhance the inquiry with realism. McCabe (see The Cutting) and the unique refreshing witness Abby make for a fine whodunit in a frozen locale only detracted by an avenging serial killer who is stereotypical of the subgenre.

Harriet Klausner

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No text was provided for this review.