Author Michael Mucci’s second Chris DeAngelo series book is just as addictive as the first. Highly recommended.
A Season to Die series starts as every good crime novel should – with a murder. Just as Sheriff DeAngelo is recovering from the shock of learning that his close friends are vigilante killers, another high-profile homicide occurs in what used to be the sleepy town of Macon. The deceased was the wife of high profile Senator, Steven Mills, who is campaigning to be the next governor of Pennsylvania.
DeAngelo quickly learns that the Mills’ marriage was not one of wedded bliss and harmony. Beneath the veneer of being a good political wife, the late Mrs. Mills led a complex life indeed. Adding to the intrigue, the newly-appointed sheriff is under pressure from the mayor, who is not happy with Macon’s growing reputation for violent crime. With the major standing to gain politically with Senator Mills out of the governor’s race, she can’t be ruled out as a suspect.
Against a backdrop of political maneuvering and dubious business enterprises, Mucci further develops DeAngelo as a sympathetic, likable figure – a regular guy and reluctant sheriff. He seems at times conflicted by his longstanding relationships with the people in the town that he grew up in and his duty to do the right thing. As in the first book, the town itself is full of quirky, fascinating characters you'll fall in love with.
If you didn’t catch A Season to Kill, that shouldn’t stop you from starting with this second book. A Season to Die needs no prequel, and is an excellent read in its own right.
Best Thrillers (BestThrillers.com)
Michael Mucci writes another 'edge of your seat, can’t possibly put the book down' murder mystery in A Season to Die. Just when they thought things were settling down, Chris DeAngelo and his deputies are called back into action. In two short months since taking office, Sheriff Chris DeAngelo has endured a maelstrom of murder and mayhem. Macon, PA was supposed to be a quiet town; instead the neighbors are ruthless, feeling justified in taking the law into their own hands. After the murder of a prominent politician’s wife, the serene community turns into a war zone, and it is DeAngelo’s job to discover who the enemy is? One death after another, are they somehow related? Pressured by the mayor and the locals, DeAngelo investigates. Connecting the dots, following the evidence, building a case, Sheriff Chris DeAngelo does his duty against a relentless foe.
Michael Mucci’s adventuresome spirit and world explorations certainly have contributed to his gift of storytelling. A Season to Die is full of thrills and spills, murder and mystery! Growing up a small town in PA, Mucci has a clear understanding of the people and surroundings of Pennsylvania. Using his first hand knowledge, he gradually lures the reader into the narrative’s community setting. A Season to Kill follows the steps taken in a criminal investigation. The story elements are well balanced; however, the characterization takes center stage. The novel is written in first person, therefore the reader is aware of the main character’s thoughts and internal dialogue. Often his actions and his thoughts are not always the same; one must keep up appearances. However, seeing the inside and the outside of the protagonist gives insight into his evolving character.
Mucci keeps the canvas of the setting fresh by including the weather descriptions, and the dangerous, cold and snowy road conditions add suspense. In addition, the inclusions of dates and lapses of time pace the action. A Season to Die is full of twists and turns as it reaches its climactic “whodunit” conclusion. Mucci wraps up the loose ends well, but the last words reveal that there is more to come for Sheriff Chris DeAngelo of Macon, PA. “When duty calls, you respond.”
5 our of 5 Stars
