Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Bantam (2006), 528 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:With this new thriller, The New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag delivers her own message to suspense fans everywhere: Don't turn off the lights, and keep reading if you dare. From the gritty streets of Los Angeles to its most protected enclaves of prestige and power to the ruthless glamour of Hollywood, a killer stalks his prey. A killer so merciless no one in his way is safe�??not even the innocent. At the end of a long day battling street traffic, bike messenger Jace Damon has one last drop to make. But en route to delivering a package for one of L.A.'s sleaziest defense attorneys, he's nearly run down by a car, chased through back alleys, and shot at. Only the instincts acquired while growing up on the streets of L.A. allow him to escape with his life�??and with the package someone wants badly enough to kill for. Jace returns to Lenny Lowell's office only to find the cops there, the lawyer dead, and Jace himself considered the prime suspect in the savage murder. Suddenly he's on the run from both the cops and a killer, and the key to saving himself and his ten-year-old brother is the envelope he still has�??which holds a message no one wants delivered: the truth. In a city fueled by money, celebrity, and sensationalism, the murder of a bottom-feeding mouthpiece like Lenny Lowell won't make the headlines. So when detectives from the LAPD's elite robbery/homicide division show up, homicide detective Kev Parker wants to know why. Parker is on the downhill slide of a once-promising career, and he doesn't want to be reminded that he used to be one of the hotshots, working cases that made instant celebrities of everyone involved. Like the case of fading retty-boy actor Rob Cole, accused of the brutal murder of his wife, Tricia Crowne-Cole, daughter of one of the most powerful men in the city, L.A.'s latest "crime of the century." Robbery/Homicide has no reason to be looking at a dead small-time scumbag lawyer or chasing a bike messenger...unless there's something in it for them. Maybe Lenny Lowell had a connection to something big enough to be killed for. Parker begins a search for answers that will lead him to a killer�??or the end of his career. Because if there's one lesson he's learned over the years, it's that in a town built on fantasy and fame, delivering the truth ca… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member wispywillow
I really liked this one ^_^ There have been quite a few works inspired by the old saying "Don't kill the messenger who bears bad news" or whatever the original wording was. One of them is a fantasy work called, if I recall aright, The Green Rider, and I enjoyed that one a lot, too. But I digress.
My favorite part about Kill the Messenger is its characters. All the key characters--Jace, Tyler, Parker, Madame Chen, Eta--are extremely enjoyable and have their own very separate personalities. Most of the time I wanted to grab Jace and shake him and say, "Go to the police!" But Hoag gives him a very believable reason for not trusting anyone. He's scared, stubborn, and he was raised by a mother who taught him never to trust anyone. Renee Ruiz, I think her name is, is a pain in the rear, but it's fun watching Parker chew her out constantly, so that makes her character tolerable. And if I were the motherly type, I would adopt Tyler in a heartbeat.
There aren't really any surprising twists in the story--aside from a surprise criminal at the end, but in most crime stories there is a 'surprise' at the end... so knowing that a surprise is coming makes it a little less surprising, doesn't it? No worries about that, though. I just love following Parker and Jace in their thought processes, their fear and frustration. And from the statistics given on the amount of injuries bike messengers in large cities receive, I know I sure as hell would never want to be a bike messenger. So for those of you reading this who live in big cities and cross paths with bike messengers, be nice to them! ^_~
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(Quelle suprise.)My favorite part about Kill the Messenger is its characters. All the key characters--Jace, Tyler, Parker, Madame Chen, Eta--are extremely enjoyable and have their own very separate personalities. Most of the time I wanted to grab Jace and shake him and say, "Go to the police!" But Hoag gives him a very believable reason for not trusting anyone. He's scared, stubborn, and he was raised by a mother who taught him never to trust anyone. Renee Ruiz, I think her name is, is a pain in the rear, but it's fun watching Parker chew her out constantly, so that makes her character tolerable. And if I were the motherly type, I would adopt Tyler in a heartbeat.
There aren't really any surprising twists in the story--aside from a surprise criminal at the end, but in most crime stories there is a 'surprise' at the end... so knowing that a surprise is coming makes it a little less surprising, doesn't it? No worries about that, though. I just love following Parker and Jace in their thought processes, their fear and frustration. And from the statistics given on the amount of injuries bike messengers in large cities receive, I know I sure as hell would never want to be a bike messenger. So for those of you reading this who live in big cities and cross paths with bike messengers, be nice to them! ^_~
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LibraryThing member mramos
This is a fast paced page turner. It starts with the murder of a lawyer. And then follows the parrallel stories of Detective Parker, who is working the homicide. And the Damon brothers, who have not had an easy life...and it is not about to get easier. Jace Damon is the target of a blackmailer and
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is running from the police. The plot takes a number of interesting twists. It was written in such a manner, that I had no clue who was being backmailed until the the author reveals the identity in a the last few pages of the novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member theportal2002
Fantastic story, I really got behind Kevin Parker. He had a lot of style. The story kept me on edge the whole time.
LibraryThing member miyurose
I've been a fan of Tami Hoag for a while, but this book was pretty……. eh. I just didn't connect with any of the characters. Maybe it's because this book was written from the pov of the male characters. Anyway, I was disappointed.
LibraryThing member dianaleez
Tami Hoag's Kill the Messenger is a gripping read.
When Los Angeles bike messenger Jace Damon tries to make his last drop of the day for sleazy attorney Lenny Lowell, he is chased, shot at, and barely escapes with the package - and his life. Lenny isn't quite as lucky; and Jace becomes a 'person of
And Kev Parker, the detective of record, also wonders why the death of bottom feeder Lenny is of interest to LAPD's elite homicide squad.
These are interesting, well-developed characters, in life-or-death action; the story moves fast, the tension builds, and the characters become people that the reader cares about.
When Los Angeles bike messenger Jace Damon tries to make his last drop of the day for sleazy attorney Lenny Lowell, he is chased, shot at, and barely escapes with the package - and his life. Lenny isn't quite as lucky; and Jace becomes a 'person of
Show More
interest' to the police. And Kev Parker, the detective of record, also wonders why the death of bottom feeder Lenny is of interest to LAPD's elite homicide squad.
These are interesting, well-developed characters, in life-or-death action; the story moves fast, the tension builds, and the characters become people that the reader cares about.
Show Less
LibraryThing member tmbcoughlin
This was an easy read. I was immediately drawn in and sympathized with the messenger and his personal situation. I was drawn in by the characters and their decisions. Having never read a book by T.H. I was always considering which way the book would go and what twists would present themselves.
LibraryThing member SilversReviews
The poor messenger gets himself into a bind because he was making his last delivery of the day and ends up finding his client dead.
He and his brother are very poor and he tried to keep his brother safe from harm.
Someone is being blackmailed, but you don't find out until later.
It was a page
He and his brother are very poor and he tried to keep his brother safe from harm.
Someone is being blackmailed, but you don't find out until later.
It was a page
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turner...read it last summer in about a day. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jarratt
I'd read Tami Hoag years ago and remember really enjoying the book (“A Thin Dark Line”). Not so with “Kill the Messenger.” In fact, I couldn’t finish it—I just didn’t care about any of the characters.
A bicycle messenger in LA is sent by an attorney to deliver a package that ends up
Add two unlikable detectives (one who’s in training and seems like a complete idiot) and you’ve got the making for a poor novel. I hate quitting on books, but I refuse to waste my time when I’m not enjoying the story.
A bicycle messenger in LA is sent by an attorney to deliver a package that ends up
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being a vacant lot. Thinking there was a mistake, the kid starts to leave when a car starts chasing him. After getting banged up, but escaping with the package, the messenger stops by a convenient store where he runs into a cop who happens to be investigating the murder of the attorney who had the package delivered. At this point, had the messenger told the cop what had happened and handed over the package, all would be fine. Sure, he might be a suspect for a little while (since he was the last to see the lawyer alive, except for the killer). But no, the messenger is wary of cops, although Hoag really never gives us a good reason why. I really hate stories that try to make the obvious route—a simple explanation to the authorities—the crux of the story.Add two unlikable detectives (one who’s in training and seems like a complete idiot) and you’ve got the making for a poor novel. I hate quitting on books, but I refuse to waste my time when I’m not enjoying the story.
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LibraryThing member mashley
Entertaining read with bike messenger.
LibraryThing member Aarron
An intelligent plot - a good read.
LibraryThing member Carl_Alves
Kill the Messenger is a fast paced thriller with an interesting lead character, Jace, a bicycle messenger. Both Jace and his brother Tyler are well developed characters. After their mother died, Jace at age 14 strikes out on his own so that he and his brother's won't be orphans, getting an
Carl Alves - author of Two For Eternity
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apartment in Chinatown and working at a fish market. Jace is at the wrong place at the wrong time, while sending a message on his bike, someone attempts to kill him. From there, he gets embroiled in a murder investigation and has to do his best to escape the authorities and the people who are trying to kill him. The book is well written. It moves along quickly and has good characters. I've read other Tami Hoag novels that have fallen short, and this is the best of her novels I've read.Carl Alves - author of Two For Eternity
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
bike messenger in Los Angeles. I was really worried about this young boy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
LibraryThing member jmoncton
Scott Brick at his best!
LibraryThing member Pmaurer
Bike messenger is innocently involved in mystery of trying to figure out who killed his client, a scumbag lawyer. Police detective gets involved, only to discover there is a lot more involved in this. Officer is trying to bring his career back to life, while messenger is trying to hide out and
I've enjoyed other books by this author a lot more than this one. The characters never really grabbed me, but I did finish it.
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protect his kid brother. I've enjoyed other books by this author a lot more than this one. The characters never really grabbed me, but I did finish it.
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LibraryThing member redheadish
Jace is the messenger trying to make ends meet and take care of his little brother tyler after his mother passed away. When JC gets a late after hours pickup from his dispatcher, Which everyone calls ETA for (estimated Time of Arrival ) because she is always asking the messengers for their ETA so
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they call her ETA! Anyways JC last run turns into a chase and attempted murder and then later Jace is being sought for the murder of the sender of the package that he was unable to deliver due to the receiver trying to kill him, So Jace is on the run and had to leave his brother ....to try to fix the mess hes in because the police think he killed the customer sending the package! Show Less
LibraryThing member sarambarton
88 out of 100 points -- Four and a half stars
Plot -- 18 out of 20 points
The storyline has a lot of unpredictable twists and turns that kept me guessing. Behind the hard-driving actions of complicated heroes and villains lurks enough logic and plausibility to keep the high-drama story real. With so
Characters -- 19 points out of 20 points
Ms. Hoag’s characters, on first glance, seem to be so rough around the edges, profane, and living on the edge, I thought I would never be able to relate to them; but she is such a master, she draws in the reader by revealing the humanity (or lack thereof) in each. I soon found myself invested in the characters’ lives. As the good-kid-facing-tough-circumstances, Jace Damon is an unlikely hero, a survivor who just wants to look after his bright young brother and somehow rise above his mediocre lot in life. He gets help with that, thanks to big-hearted messenger dispatcher Eta, wise mentor Madame Chen, little genius Tyler, and even Kevin Parker, the cop now struggling to resurrect his law enforcement career after a big fall from grace.
Setting -- 17 points out of 20 points
The tough, sometimes unsavory world of bike messengers, sleazy lawyers, and manipulative cops who need an attitude adjustment isn’t my normal kind of read. Madame Chen’s restaurant, where Jace Damon and young Tyler find sanctuary during their life on the run, is a refreshing testament to the power of a strong-minded businesswoman determined to succeed in a dangerous corner of the city. It’s definitely a dog eat dog world there, not for the faint of heart.
Pacing -- 17 points out of 20 points
This is definitely a page-turner. Sometimes the action is non-stop, leaving the reader almost breathless. Ms. Hoag seems to pump up the adrenaline to dangerous heights at times, which seems to reflect the lifestyle and mindset of bike messengers.
Tone -- 17 points out of 20 points
The weight of this tale is definitely behind the bad behavior of several of the characters, pushing the tale forward. Twisted love, murderous intent, unethical lapses, predatory behavior, and even ruthless revenge create a very dark aura around the mystery. In the final pages, the reader finds a smidgen of hope for the innocent “lambs” among those vicious “wolves” who roam the streets. A couple of characters might escape that hellish existence, but for those left behind, the bad guys will go on being bad and the good guys will keep on struggling to stay alive.
Plot -- 18 out of 20 points
The storyline has a lot of unpredictable twists and turns that kept me guessing. Behind the hard-driving actions of complicated heroes and villains lurks enough logic and plausibility to keep the high-drama story real. With so
Show More
many characters sabotaging their own lives and wreaking havoc with others, more than one suspect seems to have motive and means to commit the crimes, even as the body count rises. That heightens the tension and makes the revelation of the murderous co-conspirator a shocking surprise.Characters -- 19 points out of 20 points
Ms. Hoag’s characters, on first glance, seem to be so rough around the edges, profane, and living on the edge, I thought I would never be able to relate to them; but she is such a master, she draws in the reader by revealing the humanity (or lack thereof) in each. I soon found myself invested in the characters’ lives. As the good-kid-facing-tough-circumstances, Jace Damon is an unlikely hero, a survivor who just wants to look after his bright young brother and somehow rise above his mediocre lot in life. He gets help with that, thanks to big-hearted messenger dispatcher Eta, wise mentor Madame Chen, little genius Tyler, and even Kevin Parker, the cop now struggling to resurrect his law enforcement career after a big fall from grace.
Setting -- 17 points out of 20 points
The tough, sometimes unsavory world of bike messengers, sleazy lawyers, and manipulative cops who need an attitude adjustment isn’t my normal kind of read. Madame Chen’s restaurant, where Jace Damon and young Tyler find sanctuary during their life on the run, is a refreshing testament to the power of a strong-minded businesswoman determined to succeed in a dangerous corner of the city. It’s definitely a dog eat dog world there, not for the faint of heart.
Pacing -- 17 points out of 20 points
This is definitely a page-turner. Sometimes the action is non-stop, leaving the reader almost breathless. Ms. Hoag seems to pump up the adrenaline to dangerous heights at times, which seems to reflect the lifestyle and mindset of bike messengers.
Tone -- 17 points out of 20 points
The weight of this tale is definitely behind the bad behavior of several of the characters, pushing the tale forward. Twisted love, murderous intent, unethical lapses, predatory behavior, and even ruthless revenge create a very dark aura around the mystery. In the final pages, the reader finds a smidgen of hope for the innocent “lambs” among those vicious “wolves” who roam the streets. A couple of characters might escape that hellish existence, but for those left behind, the bad guys will go on being bad and the good guys will keep on struggling to stay alive.
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LibraryThing member Lylee
This one is set in Los Angeles of the 2000's. A bike messenger finds himself stuck in the middle of a big problem. The characters were interesting and novel enough that they kept me turning the pages.
LibraryThing member Carol420
When Los Angeles bike messenger Jace Damon tries to make his last drop of the day for sleazy attorney Lenny Lowell, he is chased, shot at, and barely escapes with the package - and his life. Lenny isn't quite as lucky; and Jace becomes a 'person of interest' to the police. Kev Parker, the detective
These are interesting, well-developed characters, in life-or-death action; the story moves fast, the tension builds, and the characters become people that the reader cares about. Spotting the villian in this one isn't easy.
Show More
of record, also wonders why the death of bottom feeder Lenny is of interest to LAPD's elite homicide squad.These are interesting, well-developed characters, in life-or-death action; the story moves fast, the tension builds, and the characters become people that the reader cares about. Spotting the villian in this one isn't easy.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian
Jace Damon is a bicycle messenger who ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jace is raising his younger brother Tyler after the death of their mother. They live over a fish store in Chinatown thanks to the grace of Madame Chen. Jace is working 2 jobs and going to school part time. When he
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gets a call to do one last delivery on a rainy night he can't turn "Eta" down. He picks up the package at a lawyer's office and heads off to the address given. The address is an empty lot and the only thing there is a large car waiting to run him down. He barely escapes with his life and when he opens the package, he sees that it contains negatives. He later finds out the lawyer who gave him the package has been murdered. He can't go to the police because he is afraid he will be locked up and Tyler will end up in foster care, never to be seen again. A thrilling story with lots of twists. Very enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member susandennis
I'm not sure I've ever read one of Tami Hoag's books before. This one was just excellent. Unexpected and unromantic. A good story, told well.
LibraryThing member mdecroos
Really a fast and good thriller !
LibraryThing member AliceAnna
The characters felt a little wooden at times (and Ruiz is a caricature rather than a portrayal of a human being), but other than that, I thought the plot was good and the action moved right along. It was easy to root for the orphaned Jace and Tyler as they tried to navigate the situation and Parker
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as he tried to redeem himself to solve the case. A good read that doesn't require much brain power. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2004
Physical description
528 p.; 6.9 inches
ISBN
0553583581 / 9780553583588