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Title: Predictable
Review: In his debut novel, Richard Aleas shows that he has learned his craft - he knows how to write the formula. Now what he needs to do is create more interesting characters and break up the formula enough to surprise his readers. The protagonist, John Blake, is a bit boring. He hasn't grown much emotionally in the ten years since he graduated from high school (for example, he's never had a serious relationship in all that time; he's still mooning for his high school sweetheart.) The ex-sweetheart, Miranda, apparently decided to ditch her plans to become a doctor and went on the road as a stripper instead because...(hint: it's not because she's deep.)The surprise twist in the plot has been done in other mysteries and it's a great device, but it's not much of a surprise here (everyone in my book club guessed it.)All in all, I'd characterize this book as "workmanlike." All the right elements are there, they've just been done better by more experienced writers.
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