Hello everyone. Today I am reviewing Threshold by G.M. Ford for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): Acclaimed for his best-selling books featuring P.I. Leo Waterman, Ford introduces readers to a new, yet equally unorthodox hero in Threshold ; embattled Detective Sergeant Mickey Dolan. Still smarting from the very public breakup of his marriage and facing conduct complaints for the use of excessive force, Dolan is at the end of his rope – and possibly at the end of his career – when he catches a case that just might turn things around: the disappearance of the wife and daughters of a powerful city councilman.
While investigating, Dolan meets Eve Pressman and her remarkable daughter, Grace. Gifted with the ability to bring people out of comas, Grace is reluctant to be thrust into the public eye but determined to help those in need. Eve and Grace may know where Councilman Royster’s family is and the terrible truth that sent the three of them into hiding in the first place. Now Dolan faces the toughest choice of his career: Is he still a good cop if he has to do the wrong thing?
My review: G.M. Ford is the author of a series of books featuring Leo Waterman, as well as a series featuring Frank Corso. I went into this particular book not having read any of Ford’s previous books and I plan to remedy that very soon. Threshold is excellent; a skillfully paced story that will keep you engaged to the very end.
Ford has a gift for characterization; everyone, from Mickey Dolan on down to the most minor of characters, is richly detailed. He also has a gift for writing place/setting. I could see the streets of this unnamed city; I could visualize the buildings, the alleyways, the dangerous parts of town. His words create a vivid and fully realized world.
The story itself is extremely compelling: a cop needing a case to sink his teeth into, along with more than a little redemption, a young woman who is ‘different’ and endowed with gifts most people aren’t willing to accept or acknowledge, the battle between those with power and money and connections and those who are caught in the crosshairs. And in the end, Dolan must face his demons and make a difficult choice – one which will propel the plot to its conclusion.
Ford knows how to tell a story. He knows how to grab the reader. And you will be grabbed. I promise.
I really liked this book. I know this phrase is overused, but I truly ‘couldn’t put it down.’ As soon as I reached the final page, I found myself thinking how wonderful it was that Ford has written so many other books….I’m thinking the Leo Waterman series will be my next choice for reading matter.
I loved Mickey Dolan and I hope this stand-alone novel is the start of another series for Ford.
About the author: G.M. Ford broke onto the mystery scene with Who in Hell is Wanda Fuca?, a gin-soaked tome featuring Seattle private investigator Leo Waterman. The six-book Leo Waterman series was nominated for several awards, including the Shamus, the Anthony, and the Lefty. In 2001, Ford launched a new series featuring disgraced reporter Frank Corso and his goth assistant, Meg Dougherty. In 2011, after a twelve-year hiatus, he decided to write a new Leo Waterman novel, Thicker Than Water, which Thomas & Mercer promptly bought. His eighth Leo Waterman book, Chump Change, followed in 2014. Ford lives and works in Seattle, and is married to the beautiful and talented mystery author, Skye Kathleen Moody.
Good news! One of you will win a copy of Threshold. Just leave a comment on this post before Thursday evening.
There’s a new post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.
Happy Monday.
I love reading mysteries and especially love getting recommendations for books/authors who are new to me. I’m looking forward to making Mr. Ford’s acquaintance.
Would love to win it so I can read it
I love your author recommendations. I’ve not read Mr Ford before but will add him to my list! I may check out the Leo Waterman series also!
hugs,
Linda
Good to learn about another new author from you. I will be looking into this book and his others.
Thank you for the review and the chance to try for this give away.
Mickey Dolan sounds like an interesting character…guess I’ll be adding him to my TBR list! ;)
Always love reviews of books by ‘new to me’ authors. This one sounds good!
This sounds very intriguing, Claudia. Can’t wait to read it. xo Laura
Thanks for this great post and fascinating giveaway which interests me very much.
Could I be so lucky as to win a good mystery again?
Claudia, This sounds like a good book. Doris
I have not read any books by this author. This sounds like a good read. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.
This book sounds wonderful! Thank you for the opportunity to win it:)
I Love mysteries! Thanks for introducing me to a new author (and his wife).
To my knowledge, I have not read anything by Mr. Ford. After reading this review, I will be on the lookout for his books. I would love to win this book and have it be the beginning of a new mystery author collection. Thank you for the chance.
I love your book reviews Claudia…they are always spot on. I was hoping that you would be doing another just the other day…and here it is.
Jen
Sounds like another winner..
Hi Claudia, I followed some of your previous recommendations and discovered wonderful new (to me) authors, so I’d love to read this one. I have (literally) thousands of books. A few years ago we had a bookcase built , floor to ceiling the entire length of our living room wall. It’s (over) full and we have 7 other freestanding bookcases scattered throughout the house. and then there are my craft books….Help! Luckily my husband loves reading too, and often buys a book for me when he’s out shopping. I am disabled so I don’t get out much, but this morning after a doctor’s appointment we called in at our local butcher’s shop and while DH was buying meat I rootled through the bookstand (yes, the butcher sells books too…It’s that kind of village lol) and I selected two…Miss Garnet’s Angel by Sally Vickers and The End Of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas. I’m longing to get started on them, but I’m in the middle of making lace hearts for a swap. Oh dear. Retirement is soooo busy. Blessings
I have read several of GM Ford’s books. They are very good.
Threshold is not at the library. I ordered an older book of Ford’s. Look forward to trying it out.
Still haven’t committed to a Mystery as of yet. This one does sound like a good read! I’m in! :-)
Looks like a good read. I love mysteries!
Claudia,
Sounds like a good read! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Susan
Your reviews always make the books come to life. Sounds like a wonderful mystery.
Sounds interesting-put me in for it.
Okay, I love to read so I’m going to enter again. Thanks for the chance to win a book that sounds really good.
You may turn me into a mystery fan yet.
I would love to read a good mystery. Thanks for providing the opportunity to win a copy.
I haven’t been much into mysteries lately, but maybe this could be a good start. I love your book reviews; you are so thorough and descriptive so, of course, the book sounds intriguing! I don’t like breaking into a series but it sounds like this is the actual start, hopefully, of a new series, so it’s good to get on the ground floor, so to speak. Thanks for sharing the review and for wanting any of us to have a copy of the book! If I won the giveaway, I’d be sure to read the book and report back.
I’ll throw my name in the pot. Sounds interesting.
As always you write a compelling review of the books you read. I did already win one book and that was fun. Thanks again for your blog and your book reviews. I truly have found a lot of new authors and continued my love of reading.
This sounds like a great book. I am always looking for new series. Something about books of a series. Please put me in for the drawing.
I love it when a book grabs me and just won’t let go!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.
I have read all of Ford’s Waterman and Corso books, and loved them. As Claudia pointed out, Mr. Ford is BRILLIANT at describing the settings and characters in his books. All his heroes are slightly flawed but very loveable, and I feel as if I am sharing their thought processes.
I’m about half way through Threshold, so I don’t need to “win” the book, but I encourage everyone to read his Waterman and Corso series’!
I have never read anything by this author. This book sounds like what I look for in books. You always giver the best reviews. Thank you for this one. I will check this author out.