Hook (Meg Gillis Crime Novel) [Mass Market Paperback]

Things go rapidly downhill from here. Meg feels compelled to find out what is happening and why. She has been dating Sgt. Reilly of the Beverly Hills Police Department and he is not at all happy about her "investigations." He wants her to stay out of the whole situation and let the police do their job. And yet Meg feels obligated to keep goading people to find out what they know.

The underlying plot in this book is the relationship between Meg and Reilly. Both are very strong personalities, trying to somehow fit together, and both are demanding. Meg wants to be free to do what she wants, even when she knows it is reckless, and she tends to push at things to see what will happen. Reilly wants her to stay out of danger and also not make his job any harder. In a sense the two are competing, Meg wanting to prove she can take care of herself and Reilly believing she can't. In addition Meg has been married before, to a policeman killed in a drive-by shooting, and she believes Charlie would not have tried to control her so much.

At any rate, Meg pokes and prods. Several men seem to be following her around. An organization called Free Argentina and a business called Madrigala International are somehow involved. De la Pena is an Argentinean and was once something of a hero there, a member of a World Cup Champion football team. Ultimately, of course, something gives and Meg finds out more than she had bargained for.

Meg is a refreshing and novel voice. She is honest, with herself and with others, and, even though she tends to be reckless some of the time, she knows what she is doing. She is healthily paranoid, constantly aware of everything around her and especially watching for any possible dangers. Reilly and Mike are well-developed also, three dimensional and believable human beings. The rest of the characters are bit players, shadowy and somewhat vague.

The writing is what gives Meg her unique voice and makes this book so provocative to read. Songer writes in short staccato sentences, providing a sense of immediacy and sometimes urgency to the story she is telling. The reader gets caught up in the action and it carries her along willy-nilly. The story also engages emotions and passions for it is hard not to like Meg and let her take you on what can be a very frightening ride. Sometimes the writing lulls the reader to complacency and then, in the blink of an eye, Songer creates nearly unbearable suspense. There is no way a reader is going to fall asleep over this book.

In a sense the author is asking the question, into what kind of danger can a woman properly put herself in this day and age. In fact, into what kind of danger can and should any civilian put him or herself in? How reckless can a person act to help out a friend? The reader will be asking these questions of herself as she reads this book.

In addition, there is a brilliant mystery at the core of this book. I was lulled by the dangers and the musings of Meg and found myself utterly surprised at the end of the book. I was also moved by the ending. I wonder what is going to happen to Meg next. I can hardly wait to find out.

The plot evolution (no spoilers follow) depends on the relationship between Meg's partner and another person who never appears directly in the narrative. This is probably accurate police work, but it makes for slightly puzzling reading. This missing character's role is pivotal to solving the mystery. (And would have provided a nice opening to develop the primary character, too.) Again, this probably accurate for real life police work.

Meg also spends a fair amount of time running down answers that others (hint: her hunky cop Joe) find easily through official channels. I found this both funny, ironic and pointed. A big part of Meg is her conflict over NOT being a cop anymore. For me, it emphasized both her isolation and ingenuity, working around obstacles her old badge would have levelled quickly.

All this is just explication. Songer only rates a 4 compared to her own boffo 5 debut. Compared to 95% of the perky/forumulaic/yadda yadda competition, this is still a solid hit. Betcha once the self-fulfilling 2nd book curse nerves wear off, she'll turn out to be one of the stars. Good damned read. Check it out.

Meg goes to the Chaven Restaurant where she knows Rudolpho is enjoying a meal in front of plenty of witnesses. Instead of violence, Rudolph is friendly as if he has known Meg for a long time. Meg is confused because the stoic individual acts like a perfect gentleman, not an abusing husband. When Rudolpho commits suicide, Meg cannot stop herself from investigating, which earns her the displeasure of her lover police sergeant Joe Reilly and Mike. Her inquiries guide Meg to a conspiracy that could further lead to the death of her two male companions and herself.

C.J. Songer made a strong debut with her first Meg tale, BAIT. As difficult as it may seem, her second novel, HOOK, is an even better mystery. The complex story line retains an easiness that allows readers to track the investigation that suggests a real life case. Dry wit runs through the pages especially when the independent Meg clashes with the protective Reilly. Ms. Songer baits her audience with a wonderful novel that hooks the reader from start to finish.

Harriet Klausner