Ashes to Ashes

This book was first published twenty years ago. I still remember the opening scene because not only is it our introduction Kate, but it tells us at the core who Kate is. Hoag is brilliant in showing and not telling who the characters are. Kate is still one of my favorite characters of Hoag and everything I would want my kid to be when they grow up (if I ever decide to get around to having someone else have one (laugh)).

The other character I love just as much is Sam Kovac. If you want a tired, but still cares detective with a wise cracking mouth: Sam is your cop. I think he is just awesome.
Hoag plants plenty of red herrings and twists. Oddly enough even though I remembered the beginning very well, I actually forgot who the killer was. (laugh) I did not see it, though I kind of did see one betrayal but I think that is more because I am a cynical person more than anything.

There is a dash of romance that has a history. It is a nice break from the crazy killings and the politics of police work. Hoag brings both into its imperfect glare. This is why I love Hoag so much. Hoag does not allow the story to be perfect because life is not - especially police work.

Ashes is a great introduction to the Kovac and Liska series. It is available everywhere and in all formats.

I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #ebooksforall

Thrillers and I, we are falling out of friendship with each other. Sigh.

I enjoyed this thriller set in Minneapolis. The story kept me guessing right up to the end and I liked the character interactions.

Ashes to Ashes was my first Tami Hoag book, and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. If you are a fan of Jeffery Deaver, James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, etc., you'll love this book. The plot was excellent, with enough twists and turns to keep me reading until 3am. The identity of the killer was a total surprise to this veteran thriller reader. Once you read it, you'll be hooked on the author's books.

While I've read a few Tami Hoag books I've kind had a hit or miss sort of luck with them. I bought a bunch of her books after I read the first one I really liked, but then I read the one I didn't like and I wasn't too excited to start any other one.

But after years of sitting on my shelf I've decided to finally give them another shot. And I was pleasantly surprised. Much better than the not so great one I read, but I didn't quite get into it the way I did the first one!

It was really long. And for why, I'm not entirely sure. There were moments that dragged on, musings that seemed to muse for too long. But it was interesting enough to keep me entertained until the end. I have the next book Dust to Dust which features Kovac & Liska who were a little more than background characters in Ashes to Ashes.

And while it was interesting it was slightly predictable. I knew who the killer was and I figured out the connection between the killer and the witness, but still there were a few surprises that I won't spoil for you. All in all it was a good read!