Killer thrillers are not my typical read but I love devouring this series! Darcia Helle creates compelling characters who take down bad guys in realistic story lines.
In No Justice, book one of the Michael Sykora series, Michael avenges his wife's murder by hiring hit-man Sean to take out the murderer. Michael and Sean form an unlikely friendship, and soon Michael also makes the world safer by killing pedophiles and other unsavory characters.
And there are quite a few unsavories in this story for Michael and Sean to kill. A little girl has gone missing, and creepy guys have her. Sean's girlfriend, Maria, helps trap the first creep. Sean then tortures the creep in order to infiltrate the widespread child pornography network. Meanwhile, Michael and his girlfriend, Nicki, try to find out if Nicki's former prostitute friend has a heart of gold or a heart of stone.
The characters are so well-drawn, like Sean's clever use of niacin to mimic poison, Michael devouring Mint Milano cookies, and Nicki loving animals (including her little purse dog, Cassie.)
Michael considered going home to catch a few hours' sleep, but he knew sleep was about as likely as finding an elephant in his living room. Maybe less likely, given Nicki's love of animals. Just last week she'd tried to talk him into adopting a goat.
Nicki adds much-needed levity to Michael's brooding nature:
Cassie scampered over and Nicki scooped her up. Michael had to look twice to be sure he wasn't seeing things. "You painted her nails?"
"We had a little girl time this morning while you were out swimming," Nicki said. She held her hand out next to the dog's paw. "See? We match!"
Michael couldn't help but laugh. "You've lost your mind."
Sean's girlfriend, Maria, is a newer character I haven't gotten to know well, but she is a good match for Sean. I like how Nicki and Maria are kickbutt in their own way--a great complement for their men.
Despite the dark content, the future is light and hopeful for the two couples:
"Breakfast is ready," Michael said.
Nicki jumped a little. "How long have you been watching me?"
"Years."
She rolled her eyes. "I don't know if I can handle this sappy stuff from you."
"It wasn't sappy. It was stalkerish."
She slinked over and kissed him on the lips. "Stalkerish works."
Yep. Stalkerish and killerish definitely work in these awesome books!
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Top reviews from other countries
Gareth Lewis
Fast-paced, touching on dark subject without getting grim
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2017
Vic
Love ALL her books amd this one did not let ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2017