Review of Lion’s Rage
Posted: 16 Dec 2021, 20:40
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Lion's Rage" by Dan Blair.]
Detective Inspector Sean McClarey and Sergeant Irene Chizanga, of Scotland Yard, have seen several unusual cases of slain people recently. They were suspicious because each murderer was discovered at the scene of the crime, acting confused and insisting they did not remember anything about the deaths. They also denied knowing the victims. In each case, enough evidence was gathered to convince any court of their guilt. However, something didn’t seem right to the detectives—too many similarities existed between the various cases. The detectives began to think someone else was orchestrating the murders. Therefore, Sean called Daly Ford and beseeched her to fly to London to assist them as a secret consultant on the case.
Daly, a former FBI profiler, now owns a consulting firm called SPA, Inc., which stands for Serials, Psychos, and Aberrants, Inc. She had worked closely with Sean in a previous investigation in Los Angeles where they had brought a serial killer to justice. Daly has obtained a reputation for helping to close out difficult cases. She agreed to help Sean with the current investigation. However, the orchestrator soon realizes that they are being pursued and sets their own sights on Daly, Sean, their family, and friends.
Lion’s Rage: The Manchurian Chronicles by Dan Blair is a 347-page crime drama/thriller. This is the second book in the series having to do with Sean McClarey and Daly Ford. However, it is a standalone novel; the author provides enough information throughout the story to explain any questions that may arise. This book alludes to the brainwashing of the character in The Manchurian Candidate novel. In fact, the detectives name the suspect “The Manchurian.” Nonetheless, this story contains a unique plot that is imaginative and well planned. The author’s writing is highly descriptive, making it easy to visualize the scenes and the action taking place. He is excellent at filling the readers in on how the clues help Daly and the detectives progress from one point to the next. This attention to detail makes it easy to understand and follow. The first half of the book experiences a slow beginning as it sets the stage. A little over halfway through the book, the suspense picks up. From that point on, I found it difficult to set the book down.
The tale is narrated from the third-person point of view, from multiple perspectives. This provides us with in-depth insight into what’s going on with the various characters, including the villains. Most of their backgrounds are fully developed. However, there is a trade-off—the reader doesn’t get attached to any particular character as much this way. We don’t have the same amount of access to their fears and feelings as there would be from a first-person point of view.
As I found nothing worth taking a star off for, I am happy to award Lion’s Rage: The Manchurian Chronicles a rating of four out of four stars. I think the novel will be highly appreciated by readers who enjoy crime dramas that become quite suspenseful. Violence (although not as graphic as it could be) and occasional profanities make this book appropriate for adult readers.
******
Lion's Rage
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Detective Inspector Sean McClarey and Sergeant Irene Chizanga, of Scotland Yard, have seen several unusual cases of slain people recently. They were suspicious because each murderer was discovered at the scene of the crime, acting confused and insisting they did not remember anything about the deaths. They also denied knowing the victims. In each case, enough evidence was gathered to convince any court of their guilt. However, something didn’t seem right to the detectives—too many similarities existed between the various cases. The detectives began to think someone else was orchestrating the murders. Therefore, Sean called Daly Ford and beseeched her to fly to London to assist them as a secret consultant on the case.
Daly, a former FBI profiler, now owns a consulting firm called SPA, Inc., which stands for Serials, Psychos, and Aberrants, Inc. She had worked closely with Sean in a previous investigation in Los Angeles where they had brought a serial killer to justice. Daly has obtained a reputation for helping to close out difficult cases. She agreed to help Sean with the current investigation. However, the orchestrator soon realizes that they are being pursued and sets their own sights on Daly, Sean, their family, and friends.
Lion’s Rage: The Manchurian Chronicles by Dan Blair is a 347-page crime drama/thriller. This is the second book in the series having to do with Sean McClarey and Daly Ford. However, it is a standalone novel; the author provides enough information throughout the story to explain any questions that may arise. This book alludes to the brainwashing of the character in The Manchurian Candidate novel. In fact, the detectives name the suspect “The Manchurian.” Nonetheless, this story contains a unique plot that is imaginative and well planned. The author’s writing is highly descriptive, making it easy to visualize the scenes and the action taking place. He is excellent at filling the readers in on how the clues help Daly and the detectives progress from one point to the next. This attention to detail makes it easy to understand and follow. The first half of the book experiences a slow beginning as it sets the stage. A little over halfway through the book, the suspense picks up. From that point on, I found it difficult to set the book down.
The tale is narrated from the third-person point of view, from multiple perspectives. This provides us with in-depth insight into what’s going on with the various characters, including the villains. Most of their backgrounds are fully developed. However, there is a trade-off—the reader doesn’t get attached to any particular character as much this way. We don’t have the same amount of access to their fears and feelings as there would be from a first-person point of view.
As I found nothing worth taking a star off for, I am happy to award Lion’s Rage: The Manchurian Chronicles a rating of four out of four stars. I think the novel will be highly appreciated by readers who enjoy crime dramas that become quite suspenseful. Violence (although not as graphic as it could be) and occasional profanities make this book appropriate for adult readers.
******
Lion's Rage
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Thanks for the comments!
I loved the cover very much too! Thank you for a great review!