I'm at a great risk of repeating myself, but I'm not the slightest ashamed about this. Gerard Cappa has given us proof that great writers are not just the ones who have their works on the top of the bestsellers lists. Cappa's writing style is awesome, and, repeating myself, "Gerard Cappa has an excellent and a very direct writing style. His directness is no impediment to developing great, full of tense moments". And in this second book, he's even better.
I loved the main plot, the characters' plots, the element behind every part's titles, the scenario (I really want to visit Lisbon), the history behind the book's titles. And I loved the Brazilian characteres, especially Yasmin, like many Brazilians had to leave our beautiful country to try to be happy.
What? Do you want more? Go read the book! Right now!
Con Maknazpy is back in another fast-paced intricate thriller, Black Boat Dancing, by author Gerard Cappa. Having thoroughly enjoyed Cappa's first book featuring Con, I awaited the second with anticipation but some apprehension that he might not live up to the expectations raised by the first novel. Fear not! Black Boat Dancing picks up the Con Maknazpy story and charges full steam ahead into a maze of cross, double cross and triple cross by various assorted characters we meet along the way.
When this novel opens, Con and Ferdia are languishing in New York doing odd jobs for Irish bar owner Jack Gallogly. Con's wife Rose has left him, taken his son Con and is living with Jack. Young Con is suffering from seizures or fits similar to the fits of rage that sometimes take possession of Con senior. A figure from the past, Cora, US government agent, reappears and refers Con to a shrink, a Dr. Blake. Con, with Ferdia's connivance, is persuaded to take on another assignment for Cora's agency, in return for which he is promised that Blake will provide medical and counselling services to his son.
Con and Ferdia's mission is to go to Lisbon and track down computer genius George Oliver who appears to have fled the coop with some inside info on US financial support of Middle East terrorists. Upon their arrival in Lisbon they are plunged into a maze of intricate machinations involving Oliver, the Russian mafia and some Chinese who are in Lisbon with a computer genius of their own, a young man named Zheng. Add to this mix a former Brazilian femme fatale, Yasmin, who is working in a nightclub and would dearly like to escape to America with her two children.
Shake this mix and you get a high-powered, pulse raising race through Lisbon from one close call to another.
Who will emerge from the mayhem with the dirt on the Americans and the ability to siphon millions from banks around the world? Can they save Con's "bacon"?
Disclaimer: an ARC of this novel was provided to me by the author.
There are no good guys, and you never know which bad guys are showing up next. I thought this was going to be easier to follow than the first Maknazpy thriller, and it was for a while. Really like Cappa's writing. Reminds me of James Lee Burke. I admit that I got lost a few times, but just kept plugging along and caught up with the story again. Will we ever get to know Rose??
Lots of thoughts still going round in my head about this one.
I will keep reading Cappa's books.
As with Blood From a Shadow (the first Con Maknazpy title), I found this book to be filled with in-depth research and well-written. The book is action-packed and quickly engages the reader. Readers who have read the first book receive a nice payoff in this second book by finding out more about Maknazpy's demons and backstory.
As with the first book in the series, the body count is high in Black Boat Dancing. Based on the characters and plotlines involved (international intrigue revolving around cyber- and organized crime), tough, the bodycount probably needs to be high.
The book portrays a rich variety of well-developed characters. My personal favorite was Cora (Maknazpy's psychologically abusive handler) and George (the nominal objective of Maknazpy's mission). The author includes in the story a detailed breakdown of international crime utilizing the internet and much insight into developing Sino-American global rivalry.
The narrative follows Maknazpy around the world, from Hell's Kitchen in New York City to Portugal, with numerous historical references drawn from around the world.
I thought the book had a great ending. For readers who like thrillers with much action, politics, and crime, Black Boat Dancing should make for a worthwhile read.
