Heather’s Bookshelf: Rats in a Maze
Author: Peter Bailey
Released: 09/21/2020
Genre: Cop drama/Sci-Fi Thriller
“Jacob’s almost-smile vanished as he slid the briefing sheet back across the desk.
It’s not as simple as it looks. There’s some weird s—- with this one.
Ray slapped the page down like an annoying insect.
It’s still a traffic accident.”
“Rats in a Maze” follows Ray Fisher, a NYC detective assigned a case that seems straight forward on the surface. He and his partner, Brad, soon realize that things are not what they seem. Ray finds himself thrown into a mystery that reveals a whole new world to him. Will he choose to run away from it or will he embrace it?
Ray and Brad investigate the car accident, leading them down a path they could have never imagined. Along the way, they encounter a mysterious and very rich couple - the Sorensons. It is after this interview that things begin to spiral out of control for the detectives.
The development and background of Ray is done in a way that makes him endearing but also obviously flawed. His interactions with those around him, and especially the progression of his relationship with Brad, are believable and intriguing. You want to root for him as he finds himself in one dangerous situation after another.
The other great thing about this story is the transition from a gritty crime drama to a sci-fi mystery novel. The combination really lends itself well to both facilitate the character development and also the intrigue and desire to keep reading.
Fair Warning: Sexual situations, murder, and adult language
Overall, I really enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book. The development of Ray’s character, his partnership with Brad and the transition from a crime novel to something different was intriguing and well paced. The way that the author seamlessly transitioned from a cop drama to a sci-fi mystery made this story something different in a great way. The ancillary characters of Brad and Jessica were also complimentary and interesting in their own ways. However, the last third of the book seemed like a completely different novel. It was disjointed and unfinished and it left me wanting something different - something more.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
This well developed cop drama with a sci-fi twist kept me turning the page, but a disjointed ending left me disappointed.
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