I don't know why, but this seemed like a much more peaceful offering from the mother and daughter writing team that is P.J Tracy. I don't mean that it's not exciting and thrilling, it is, I suppose it comes down to the ultimate threat being from some unknown computer source. There are plenty of murders of course, but even these somehow seem more genteel (which is sort of stupid considering the methods used sometimes). I was certainly drawn in enough not to notice that I'd read almost 75% of it before even looking.
This is the 6th book in the Monkeewrench series, and I do feel that you'd be missing out on the unsaid history which litters Cold Kill if you haven't read any of the great preceding books featuring these characters. There is the assumed familiarity of Grace, Gino and Magozzi so that it seemed like I was catching up with old (slightly eccentric in some cases) friends.
The opening chapter set in 1957 sets the tone of a bigger mystery than just random murders, and the theoretical consequences of what is described there is quite disturbing. I can only hope that it is just theoretical and not an actual real possibility, because if it is maybe we should all search out a copy of In Case of Emergency, just to be on the safe side.
The developing relationships between the core characters was, as I've said, like catching up with old friends. It's good to see how these interactions are evolving, and I'm pleased to see that Grace continues to become more of a 'real' person rather than just a computer genius.
There are enough twists and turns that I was never really sure who was play for which side, and who was hiding more than they were letting on. I really enjoyed Cold Kill, it's a good, solid mystery encased in a plausible, terrifyingly realistic setting. It'll sure have you rooting for the good guys!
