Review by Slingrider 10 -- Veterans Day by J. J. Jorgens
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Slingrider 10
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Review by Slingrider 10 -- Veterans Day by J. J. Jorgens
[Following is a volunteer review of "Veterans Day" by J. J. Jorgens.]
2 out of 4 stars
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J. J. Jorgens presents the second novel in her “Mary Jane Morris Mystery Series” in this book titled Veterans Day. The heroine, 38, a former lawyer, turns private investigator - after self-analysis reveals her dislike for legal paper work, desk confinement and ingenious forms of corruption. Morris loves her dogs, single malt scotch, her beat-up Land Rover and boyfriend, Lorenzo Romolo.
Detective Morris misses an urgent cell phone call from her P.I. partner, whom she describes as a Sherlock without the violin or drugs. Arriving too late, she finds her partner dead and follows clues to discover who murdered him. In Veterans Day, Morris seeks to bring her partner’s murderer to justice against vicious odds. She seeks to expose the high level conspiracy to cheat veterans of their medical care and benefits – the conspiracy that necessitated Davy McHale’s death.
The heroine answers to a very plain, mild-sounding name, but Mary Jane does not conform to this definition. In a wild and crazy manner, she dons a disguise to date a dangerous villain, goes mud bogging in her Land Rover and night snooping in her yellow kayak. Her karate kick is deemed as high and deliberate as a James Bond. She is the opposite of mild.
A few trysts with her very handsome, fit lover border on situations to fall in love, but Mary Jane doesn’t allow her lover into her professional life – perhaps to protect him or because inclusion would wreck her concentration. However, there are obvious tender feelings for her murdered partner’s daughter and her roommate’s 12-year-old son, Jackson. She does include both children in her investigation efforts. Several remarkable veterans play a part in the conspiracy solution – thus explaining the novel’s title.
Based in DC, the author has amazing insider - lived-in city - information, clicking off street scenes, intersections and buildings at the rapid speed of familiar territory. She appears to connect with the city. The Potomac River reflects her soul – parallel in descriptions – at low tide with its garbage and high tide in its beauty.
“I looked through the venetian blinds at the moonlit Potomac, and watched the shining black current sweep dead things down to the sea. I’d seen this happen before. The water races east from Harper’s Ferry toward D.C., overflowing its banks and picking up debris along the way. When it hits Great Falls, it towers and churns showing off its muscle. Respecting no legends, it makes the Three Sisters disappear. Then it overflows Roosevelt Island, laps at the Jefferson Memorial steps, attacks the Alexandria.”
Above is a passage from Veterans Day that allows its reader to experience a novel journey and a primary reason we read.
The author deviates from her plot in places to call attention to social ills against women, Hispanics, veterans and less privileged.
Examples:
“Graft, bribery and extortion create unimaginable devastation for individuals, societies, nations and even the environment. Corruption perpetuates poverty, destroys businesses, makes a mockery of democracy, and saps people's faith in their justice system and government.
“Wherever I went, I saw competent women working for incompetent men and it made me mad. … Women like my mother at the National Geographic are usually the ones who hold things together. They give the place some humanity and clean up the messes. In exchange they get lousy pay and have to put up with males who are hopeless, egotistical, and corrupt.”
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars because of lapses in proofing.
The first half of the novel is fairly polished, but it falls apart in the second half. Perhaps, this was a rush to finish before deadline and use of a spell check only, rather than an editorial read?
Examples of errors:
“In his recordings Rodriguez’ name kept coming up. I took out my cell phone and played the voice of the Mayor. ‘That sleazy bean bandit Rodriguez? It’s not going to happen. This is a black town, and it’s always going to be a black down.’”
“What they probably had in mind was an accident. They would me follow me on the Parkway under Key Bridge and up along the cliff which is a good hundred feet above the river.”
“… and the police arrived. I can just imagine what they are going to day to the police.”
“Mine is the world famous Defender that hasn’t changed much since 1948. My uncle Klaus in Costa Rica has one.”
******
Veterans Day
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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2 out of 4 stars
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J. J. Jorgens presents the second novel in her “Mary Jane Morris Mystery Series” in this book titled Veterans Day. The heroine, 38, a former lawyer, turns private investigator - after self-analysis reveals her dislike for legal paper work, desk confinement and ingenious forms of corruption. Morris loves her dogs, single malt scotch, her beat-up Land Rover and boyfriend, Lorenzo Romolo.
Detective Morris misses an urgent cell phone call from her P.I. partner, whom she describes as a Sherlock without the violin or drugs. Arriving too late, she finds her partner dead and follows clues to discover who murdered him. In Veterans Day, Morris seeks to bring her partner’s murderer to justice against vicious odds. She seeks to expose the high level conspiracy to cheat veterans of their medical care and benefits – the conspiracy that necessitated Davy McHale’s death.
The heroine answers to a very plain, mild-sounding name, but Mary Jane does not conform to this definition. In a wild and crazy manner, she dons a disguise to date a dangerous villain, goes mud bogging in her Land Rover and night snooping in her yellow kayak. Her karate kick is deemed as high and deliberate as a James Bond. She is the opposite of mild.
A few trysts with her very handsome, fit lover border on situations to fall in love, but Mary Jane doesn’t allow her lover into her professional life – perhaps to protect him or because inclusion would wreck her concentration. However, there are obvious tender feelings for her murdered partner’s daughter and her roommate’s 12-year-old son, Jackson. She does include both children in her investigation efforts. Several remarkable veterans play a part in the conspiracy solution – thus explaining the novel’s title.
Based in DC, the author has amazing insider - lived-in city - information, clicking off street scenes, intersections and buildings at the rapid speed of familiar territory. She appears to connect with the city. The Potomac River reflects her soul – parallel in descriptions – at low tide with its garbage and high tide in its beauty.
“I looked through the venetian blinds at the moonlit Potomac, and watched the shining black current sweep dead things down to the sea. I’d seen this happen before. The water races east from Harper’s Ferry toward D.C., overflowing its banks and picking up debris along the way. When it hits Great Falls, it towers and churns showing off its muscle. Respecting no legends, it makes the Three Sisters disappear. Then it overflows Roosevelt Island, laps at the Jefferson Memorial steps, attacks the Alexandria.”
Above is a passage from Veterans Day that allows its reader to experience a novel journey and a primary reason we read.
The author deviates from her plot in places to call attention to social ills against women, Hispanics, veterans and less privileged.
Examples:
“Graft, bribery and extortion create unimaginable devastation for individuals, societies, nations and even the environment. Corruption perpetuates poverty, destroys businesses, makes a mockery of democracy, and saps people's faith in their justice system and government.
“Wherever I went, I saw competent women working for incompetent men and it made me mad. … Women like my mother at the National Geographic are usually the ones who hold things together. They give the place some humanity and clean up the messes. In exchange they get lousy pay and have to put up with males who are hopeless, egotistical, and corrupt.”
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars because of lapses in proofing.
The first half of the novel is fairly polished, but it falls apart in the second half. Perhaps, this was a rush to finish before deadline and use of a spell check only, rather than an editorial read?
Examples of errors:
“In his recordings Rodriguez’ name kept coming up. I took out my cell phone and played the voice of the Mayor. ‘That sleazy bean bandit Rodriguez? It’s not going to happen. This is a black town, and it’s always going to be a black down.’”
“What they probably had in mind was an accident. They would me follow me on the Parkway under Key Bridge and up along the cliff which is a good hundred feet above the river.”
“… and the police arrived. I can just imagine what they are going to day to the police.”
“Mine is the world famous Defender that hasn’t changed much since 1948. My uncle Klaus in Costa Rica has one.”
******
Veterans Day
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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