Reviewer Janet Walker: Janet is the author of Colour To Die For, first of the Fee Weston Mystery Series. Janet lives in Australia and when she is not writing about P.I. Fee Weston's fight for truth, justice and a livable cash flow, she writes articles for magazines and fund raises for Australia's wildlife carers - heroes of the bush. For more about Janet and Fee visit Janet's WEBSITE
ISBN: 98-0-9773787-8-4
Follow Here To Purchase The Cop With the Pink Pistol
Author: Gray Basnight
ISBN: 98-0-9773787-8-4
Detective Donna Prima, the main character in Gray Basnight’s novel, The Cop With The Pink Pistol has an ego bigger than Texas. A woman in a man’s world; the NYPD, she can mix it with the guys any day of the week – call her ‘Prima Donna’ and retribution is swift and pretty unpleasant. Although it’s a definite no to makeup, shopping and other female pursuits, Donna is like all us gals – wouldn’t say no to a lifestyle which included Mr. Right and maybe a child or two.
The story opens with Donna, recently demoted to a desk job due to breaking NYPD’s rules, attending what should be a routine apartment burglary. Wouldn’t you know it? The guy burgled, Conner, a soap actor from Tupelo Miss. has always really, really wanted to be a detective. He’s been conducting a surveillance of the liquor store across the road and is convinced something’s going down that’s not only illegal but could possibly involve murder. Aside from Conner’s obsession with the building opposite; he’s smart, funny and all-round gorgeous. Donna adds him to her Mr. Right shortlist and her interest piqued by his detailed account of the comings and goings in the liquor store, enlists Connor as her secret investigative partner.
This is Gray Basnight’s
debut novel after spending thirty years as a radio reporter in New
York City. I haven’t been to New York but the author’s
description of café menus had me salivating – yum, like to go on a
‘food’ tour of New York districts with Mr. Basnight. His writing
style reflects his previous radio experience; tight, graphic and
straight to the point. My only complaints were the sometimes over use
of foreign words as exclamations and the occasional lengthy dialogue
between Donna and Conner which stopped the action. The plot though,
generally speaking, moves along at a cracking pace and is peopled
with unusual characters and exciting situations.
I haven’t come across
‘SmartCars’ in Australia but the author has convinced me of their
versatility; as Donna and Conner’s vehicle of choice they are
transported through the expertly interleaved plot points by these
dinkie little motor vehicles. Donna’s quest to quit her desk job
and be reinstated as a working detective, involves her in the
activities of a dangerous drug ring and a gig with the FBI who are
investigating the theft of uranium from a nuclear power plant.
Assistant, Conner’s day job on the soapie ‘Vampire Love Nest’
is outlined in detail – didn’t know he-vampires and she-vampires
could be so much fun.
There is romance and lots of twists and turns in the plot before Pink Pistol Lady (Donna) and Vampire Man (Conner) make sure the bad guys get their comeuppance and life returns to whatever normal is for a female NYPD detective and the star of a television Vampire soapie. If you like the spunky, funny, female detective genre then you won’t be disappointed in The Cop With The Pink Pistol; it’s exciting and a lot of fun.