Dirty Martini (Jack Daniels #4) in Q&A with J.A. Konrath

Jul 29, 2010 Nick Kelly rated it it was amazing

Author J.A. Konrath knows exactly what he’s doing.

With three great rounds under his belt already, Konrath steps up to the tee box the way Tiger Woods does on a Sunday, and hits the longest, straightest drive anyone could expect. Dirty Martini is the fourth installment in the Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels detective series. The Chicago Homicide Detective has previously gone toe-to-toe with serial killers, psychopaths and revenge artists. This time around, she’s matching wits with a serial poisoner ca Author J.A. Konrath knows exactly what he’s doing.

With three great rounds under his belt already, Konrath steps up to the tee box the way Tiger Woods does on a Sunday, and hits the longest, straightest drive anyone could expect. Dirty Martini is the fourth installment in the Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels detective series. The Chicago Homicide Detective has previously gone toe-to-toe with serial killers, psychopaths and revenge artists. This time around, she’s matching wits with a serial poisoner calling himself The Chemist.

As the criminal begins killing civilians around the city, it’s up to Jack to find him, identify him and stop him. This time around, she’s without the help of her rotund partner, Herb Benedict, who has chosen a transfer to Robbery. Her support system is run into the ground, friends are hard to come by, and the Mayor’s Public Relations goon is proving to be a big obstacle.

Konrath has an amazing feel for how to pace a story. Dirty Martini gives you a great cyclical experience; drama and violence, a huge laugh, then a bread crumb. Down that glass and prepare for the next, each dose building to a heart-pumping conclusion.

Fans of the series will be stunned at how much the beloved heroine suffers to do what she feels is right. From cockroaches to mousetraps to an anal-retentive policeman on a scooter, there’s no stopping the hair-raising hijinx. Half the time, readers will be holding their stomachs from the nauseous events. The other half they’ll be holding their sides from laughing so hard.

The material in Dirty Martini, as in Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary and Rusty Nail before it, is deeply researched. After one read, you’d assume Konrath was writing his dissertation on chemical warfare instead of a cop novel. It’s the attention to detail, as well as the deeply rooted connection to the Windy City, that put readers right into the scenes.

Daniels’ fans will be delighted with the buffet of emotions provided by Dirty Martini, and they won’t be the only ones. Readers can enjoy this book even if it’s the first contact they have with Jack, Herb and Jack’s ex-partner Harry McGlade. The events are fast-paced. The characters are sincere (even when the craziest of happenings are surrounding them) and Jack is a dynamic and dedicated detective readers can really get behind.

Konrath has poured out another fine brew. This one is not to be missed.
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Mar 12, 2008 Patricia rated it it was amazing

Dirty Martini
J. A. Konrath
Hyperion Books, 2007, 282 pps
ISBN No. 10: 1-4023-0279-3
ISBN No. 13: 978-1-4013-0279-5

Jack Daniels is up against an unseen killer in Dirty Martini. A man that calls himself “The Chemist” is injecting poisons into almost anything he can get his hands on. He targets grocery stores, restaurants, public places and death follows wherever he goes.

Latham is getting serious and wants to get married but Jack gets called away before she can answer yes or no to his proposal.

Latham ...more

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Jun 02, 2010 Michelle Kampmeier rated it liked it

Shelves: audio, 2010

I still don't understand why she is the same age, yet again, in this book. All this bad stuff keeps happening to Jack! Every bad person who wants to commit awful crimes commits them within her jurisdiction. And then everyone is always out to kill her, if only because she's doing her job. I still like the series, but I'm starting to feel bad for Jack and her family and friends! ...more

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Feb 27, 2010 Janene rated it liked it

Shelves: thrillers, mystery, twisted

Just finished book 4 in this amazingly horrorhilarious series. I have to say that this one did have the usual LOL moments and had you thinking "how does Konrath come up with this stuff"?!...however it didn't have me on the edge of my seat like the others and I was able to set the book down. I liked the book and remain a die-hard Konrath fan, but will be going 3.5 stars on this one. ...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Riz rated it really liked it

slow start but picks up speed after the first few chapters ... once Harry McGlade was introduced, I knew I wouldn't be able to put it back down - LOVE him !! nothing beats bananna hammock ...more

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