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| Midnight Rambler: A Novel of Suspense | 
 enlarge | Author: James Swain
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy Used: $3.41
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Avg. Customer Rating:  58 reviews
Sales Rank: 182831
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 7 x 1.3
ISBN: 0345475461
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780345475466
ASIN: 0345475461
Publication Date: September 25, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Explosive. Pulse-pounding. Heart-racing. From the bestselling author The Wall Street Journal hails as “one terrific writer,” Midnight Rambler is the breakout thriller of the year–a brawny, brainy novel of suspense that pairs James Swain’s trademark smooth-as-silk prose with a plot bigger and bolder than anything he’s done before.
In South Florida, Jack Carpenter is infamous. He’s the cop who busted the notorious serial killer Simon Skell–aka the Midnight Rambler–and sacrificed his badge and marriage in the process. Haunted by the Skell case, Carpenter now works as an abduction specialist in Fort Lauderdale, reuniting families with their missing children.
But the body of one of the Midnight Rambler’s victims has just been uncovered–and forensic evidence suggests Carpenter jailed the wrong man. With Skell just days away from release, the tarnished hero must reopen the case that shattered his life and the lives of eight murdered women.
As waves of heat and rain wash over the steamy streets, Carpenter races against the clock to reaffirm the case against Skell. Yet the deeper he digs, the more he starts to realize that Skell is just one piece in a terrifying puzzle of predation and murder, just one player in a shocking conspiracy that ranges across the state of Florida. And as the relentless Carpenter draws the net tighter, his enemies prepare to spring a devastating final surprise.
From the seaside bar that Jack Carpenter calls home to the glittering tourist kingdom in Orlando to the funky jungle of Coconut Grove, James Swain unleashes a wild ride into the heart of evil–with the Rolling Stones’ “Midnight Rambler” as the throbbing, terrifying soundtrack.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 53 more reviews...
 Swain Moves From Losing Casinos to Lost Children October 25, 2007
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
I first picked up a Swain novel revolving around his casino sleuth, Tony Valentine, several years ago and have read several since. I find the most interesting aspect of these Valentine novels to be the insights Swain provides into the underbelly of casino life. The rest of his work seems pedestrian and mundane to me and I began to wonder why I continued to read the series. When I read the slash page for "Midnight Rambler", I was quick to explore this new, "grittier" character and the promises of a new direction for Swain. Despite what you read in these reviews, Jack Carpenter is little more than recycled Tony Valentine in "Midnight Rambler".
In this first installment of an apparent new series, the promised grittier character that is more prone to violence and more explosive was apparently kept under wraps, or more accurately turned out to be Jack's dog, not Jack. The most exciting and interesting new character offered in this book is Jack's dog whose appearances I found myself anticipating more than Jack's. I did appreciate the insights into the realities of missing persons and lost children (statistical as well as anecdotal), and the harrowing scene in Disney World was a great case study in itself. But I felt the entire time that Tony Valentine had changed addresses and specialties.
There was a "softness" about the book and its characters in that as the mystery and conspiracy began to come into focus, the conspirators were too quick to "roll over" and take their medicine. I found a lot of character stereotyping from Jack's angry former police colleague, to Skell's groupie wife, to the fickle media, and to the child abusers themselves. There is a very readable mystery here, especially determining who the various conspirators are as things begin to unravel. But the various subplots are dealt with summarily and shallowly at times; for instance, there is little back story of why these abusers teamed up in the first place, what their interactions are, etc.
Warning disclaimer: Plot details follow for prospective readers. Similarly, the whole setup for Skell's release from prison and his intended revenge never really reaches the "payoff" the writer intended and I suspect the reader expected. The sudden demise of Skell's wife, his attorney, etc. seemed to be little more than sudden housecleaning by the author. And the author's failure to tie up all the loose ends--portending a follow up book is a device of which I have quickly grown weary.
 (4.5) "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man will be king." September 25, 2007
20 out of 27 found this review helpful
Ex-cop Jack Carpenter's damaged reputation is on the line, but even worse, his conscience won't let him give up on the case that ruined his career and cost him his marriage. Although a number of women have fallen victim to murderer-pedophile Simon Skell, only one count comes before the court, along with the corroborating testimony of a young woman held captive and tortured by the wily predator. When the body that got Skell convicted shows up in a relative's back yard, indicating another may be the killer, Skell is on the verge of being released. If that happens, he will come after Carpenter and the lone witness against him, a stripper in Ft. Lauderdale. Jack scrambles to put together a viable case and keep Skell where he belongs, a nearly impossible task considering the damage done to the witness's testimony and Jack's already tattered reputation. Piece by piece, Jack assembles an intricate case that goes beyond the usual pedophile profile.
Ever since he left the force, Carpenter has dedicated himself to finding missing children, a commitment he unfailingly pursues. While dedicated to stopping Skell, Jack takes time out to help desperate couples, offering a chilling view of the world of child exploitation. All too often, Jack must face the parents with the worst possible news, so it is a relief when he successfully completes a few rescues while dealing with Skell's uncanny manipulation of public opinion, Skell's wife and lawyer holding frequent press conferences, setting the stage for Jack's ultimate denouement. A little worse for wear, living alone with hopes of reuniting with his wife of twenty years, Carpenter is a sympathetic protagonist, the underdog mercilessly taunted by the past and the very public exposure of his mistakes. In spite of what his fellow cops believe, Jack is not a corrupt opportunist who takes advantage of helpless women, nor has he betrayed his conscience in self-interest.
Swain masterfully assembles his cast: the intrepid Jack Carpenter, his faithful dog by his side; the distrusting Ft. Lauderdale cops; the more-supportive FBI; a self-serving shock jock; a serial killer with a genius IQ and a thirst for vengeance; and a motley crew of low-life's and crooks who dwell in the shadows, child exploitation a lucrative business. Worse, they feed off the innocence of victims, a perverted brotherhood. Carpenter smashes Skell's carefully constructed house of cards, one by one, doggedly following the disparate clues to a stunning conclusion. As the action builds, the cast is propelled through a maze of back alleys and false identities, the monster at the core proving impossible to catch.
Too much is at stake, not the least of which is the only witness to Skell's sick obsession, the landscape littered with the disappeared. Revealing the ugly underbelly of a particularly heinous crime, Midnight Rambler is compelling, Jack Carpenter a man to watch, a lone wolf in pursuit of justice. From Jack's local haunts in Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando and Disney's Magic Kingdom, no action is wasted, the violence never gratuitous, law enforcement balanced with the amoral mindset of sociopathic predators, Carpenter caught in the middle of a paradigm that favors the rights of the criminal, but just crazy enough not to care. Luan Gaines/ 2007.
 One of the Year's Best!!!! October 4, 2007
11 out of 15 found this review helpful
I have read all of James Swain's novels involving casino fraud specialist Tony Valentine and loved every one of them. When I saw that he was working on a new character in his latest novel, I was a bit concerned. I need not have been. I should have trusted Swain's talent. This book is flat out a must read thriller. I read it in a day, because I could not put the darn thing down.
Jack Carpenter is the new central character. An ex-cop, he was "allowed to leave the force" after beating up a serial killer during the course of the arrest. Simon Skell was a monster who deserved the beating that he got and although it is clear that he was involved in the murder of many young women, he is convicted of only one of them. Carpenter's testimony led to his conviction.
Carpenter, having headed up the missing persons divison for the Broward County Police Department, has become an abduction specialist which while not very remunerative, is the one thing he does very well. His marriage has foundered as a result of the scandal involving Skell and his life takes another turn for the worst at the beginning of the book as it appears that Skell, while undoubtedly a serial killer, did not murder the one victim he has been put in jail for. His release from jail is anticipated and Carpenter races against time and events to find hard evidence of Skell's complicity in the other murders.
What he discovers is much bigger than anyone had ever suspected. Michael Connelly has said that this book moves "Like a bullet train on overdrive." That's a colorful and apt description. Captain Kirk would probably say it moves at double warp speed.
It is very gratifying to see an author you already enjoy, grow further in stature and ability and Swain has certainly done that. Even better, you will find as you finish this book that there will definitly be a sequel. Hopefully, many.
One of the best thrillers of the year- a fast and furious read. September 28, 2007
6 out of 10 found this review helpful
Jack Carpenter is an ex-cop in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida region now working as a specialist in abduction. He left the job as a cop after he was roundly criticized for beating up a suspect prior to the arrest. The suspect, Simon Skell, is known by the nickname of the Midnight Rambler. As a serial killer, Skell would play the Rolling Stones' MIDNIGHT RAMBLER, prior to killing women.
Now, the previously lost body of one of the victims is found in a backyard. Another suspect emerges and it looks like Skell may go free. Given that this is a case that Jack holds dear to him, he fears Skell's release will cause many more deaths including Melinda, a major witness in the case against Skell. Melinda was the only victim to escape from Skell. As Jack goes back through the evidence, he realizes that Skell may be only the tip of the iceberg with others being involved in the murders. Carpenter also realizes that he is being set up for some of the murders by these other individuals so the perpetrators can go on with their killing spree.
MIDNIGHT RAMBLER is a skillful and entertaining work that moves at a brisk and relentless pace. There are many authors plying the South Florida crime scene. What is unique about this series (I hope) is the realistic portrayal of the trade craft techniques of kidnapping investigation. Especially fascinating is the discussion of the security at Walt Disney World, as a critical sequence takes place in the Magic Kingdom. Other action is set in in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando, with all locales well depicted. MIDNIGHT RAMBLER is one of the best thrillers of the year. It is a fast fun and furious read. Highly recommended.
Not what I was hoping for January 28, 2008
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
I ordered this book after reading the reviews. I found myself plodding through it waiting to get immersed in the plot but never did. I would have preferred more character and background development. The twists and turns in the final part were a stretch for my imagination. I read so many mysteries that sometimes it is hard to find new ones. I had hoped that Mr. Swain would be a "find" but this just didn't do it for me.
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