Reviewed by JustJen
Title: Fresh Kill
Author: Adam Carpenter
Series: The Jimmy McSwain Files #6
Hero: Jimmy McSwain
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 276 Pages
Publisher: MLR Press
Release Date: April 11, 2019
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Jimmy McSwain returns, but the question lingers, now that he has finally solved the fifteen-year-old murder of his NYPD cop-father, Joseph, who has he become?
Busy concentrating on family issues, Jimmy hasn’t taken a new case in nearly three months, and when a call comes in from Philip Connelly, who wants proof of his wife, Myra’s, cheating, Jimmy is torn. Take the case, or say no. He rejects it, only to learn a week later that Philip has been found dead in a park on Staten Island. The police believe it was suicide, but Myra—a self-admitted adulteress—is convinced he was murdered. Jimmy agrees to take the case. But it seems his decision to rejoin the world has also affected the other areas of his life: his sister is facing a health crisis, an old friend from his father’s past has resurfaced, and his lover, Captain Francis X. Frisano, is working a difficult case in Chelsea where gay men are being attacked.
If that wasn’t enough, Jimmy is on the hunt to bring down his new nemesis, the criminal mastermind Mr. Wu-Tin. A fire at one of his warehouses stirs fear in Jimmy that the man is trying to destroy evidence of his crimes. That’s when life throws him a twist, and suddenly Jimmy feels that just as he’s hoping to find answers, new mysteries emerge about whether the path he’s on leads to a fresh start, or a fresh kill.
Review: I love me some Jimmy McSwain! His story continues with this installment picking up where the last one left off. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have much time to experience the closure solving the cold case of his father’s death before he is pulled into another case. After turning down a simple cheating spouse case and that person ends up dead, Jimmy’s spidey senses are ignited and he can’t help but accept the widow’s plea for help.
As with all things Jimmy, nothing is every very simple. He follows the clues which lead to more questions, dead bodies and a spider web of intrigue circling around with him in the middle. Much of the story is about Jimmy trying to get to the bottom of things and solve one case that quickly turns into something else entirely.
In the meantime, Jimmy is dealing with his sister’s recovery and the guilt surrounding her injuries. He is forced to reflect on life as he takes care of his new nephew which, in turn, causes him to look at his own relationship with Frisano. That’s a whole nother can of worms, as pretty much as been from the get go. Captain Frank is dealing with some things of his own, a new case involving a gay bashing has him questioning his own life as a closeted police captain. Unfortunately, it is easy to see that he and Jimmy are beginning to head in different directions. I have always liked Captain Frank, although his actions in this installment have tested those feelings big time. Luckily, Jimmy is a pretty confident, self-sufficient and comfortable in his independent ways, some of the qualities I’ve come to love about him.
Although the current case is solved, there is still trouble nipping at Jimmy’s heels. He doesn’t hesitate to make waves, as we have learned over the years with his various cases. I hope we will continue to see more of Jimmy, his family and his adventures, as I have looked forward to each and every one.
Overall Impression: I loved it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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