Virtual Book Tour for Identity Crisis by Jean Hackensmith

Welcome to my stop on the Virtual Book Tour, presented by Pump Up Your Book, for Identity Crisis by Jean Hackensmith.  Please leave a comment or question for Jean to let her know you stopped by.  You can follow the rest of her tour here. My review will post later today. 

Identity Crisis

By Jean Hackensmith

Brian Koski Detective Series, Book 2

Publisher: Inkwater Press
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Genre: Detective
Language: English
Pages: 260

ISBN: 978-1629010755
ASIN: B00K1GX712

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About the book:

When rumors of how Dan Hamilton actually died reach the Cheyenne Chief of Police, Brian Koski is forced to resign his position as captain of the Sixth Precinct and go into business for himself as a private detective.

His partner? A mahogany colored Belgian Malinois named Sinbad. A former NYPD police dog, Sinbad is vicious when need be and reliable to a fault–unless a train goes by or there’s a thunderstorm, then chances are he will turn tail and run.

Brian’s first clients are Jeff and Melody Patten. He’s an explosives expert for a local demolitions company, she’s a stay-at-home Mom. Both are devoted parents to their young daughter, Angela. The problem comes in the form of one Collin Lanaski, an unstable ex-Air Force lieutenant and Angela’s second grade teacher, who suddenly starts insisting that Angela is his daughter—the same daughter who died in a tragic car accident four years earlier. 

What does Collin base this incredible revelation on?  Dog tags and car seats.  Brian is convinced the man has suffered a psychotic break.  He’s delusional and dangerous, and it becomes the P.I.’s job to protect Angela from a madman.

ABOUT JEAN HACKENSMITH

I have been writing since the age of twenty.  (That’s 37 years and, yes, I’m disclosing my age.)  I am the proud mother of three, stepmother of two, and grandmother to twelve wonderful children.  I lost the love of my life, my husband Ron, in November of 2011 when he died in an accident at work.  He took my heart with him and, for a time, my desire to write.  Time, as they say, heals all wounds, and I have again discovered my passion for the written word.  In fact, I find it strangely comforting to delve into the intricate webs that are my character’s lives and immerse myself in their existence instead of dwelling on my own.

Next to writing, my second passion is live theater.  I founded a local community theater group back in 1992 and directed upwards of 40 shows, including three that I authored.  I also appeared on stage a few times, portraying Anna in The King and I and Miss Hannigan in Annie.  I am sad to say that the theater group closed its final curtain in 2008, but those 16 years will always hold some of my fondest memories.

My husband and I moved from Superior five years ago, seeking the serenity of country living.  We also wanted to get away from the natural air conditioning provided by Lake Superior.  We moved only 50 miles south, but the temperature can vary by 20-30 degrees.  I guess I’m a country girl at heart.  I simply love this area, even though I must now enjoy its beauty alone.  I love the solitude, the picturesque beauty of the sun rising over the water, the strangely calming effect of watching a deer graze outside your kitchen window.  Never again, will I live in the city.  I am an author, after all, and what better place to be inspired than in God’s own back yard.

WEBSITE 

A disgraced cop turned private investigator takes center stage in Jean Hackensmith’s second book in the Brian Koski Detective series, Identity Crisis.  Using characters previously established in her previous book, Checkmate, Ms. Hackensmith pushes Brian Koski’s character front and center.  Taking on two very different cases, Ms. Hackensmith keeps both the reader and her character engaged from start to finish.

Betrayed by someone he trusted, police Captain Brian Koski finds himself forced to choose between resigning, without his pension, and facing criminal prosecution for his actions during a high profile case.  Choosing to go into business for himself as a private investigator, Brian soon discovers that being self-employed is not as easy as he thought.  Things only begin to pick up after he takes on the case of a child being stalked by her teacher.  Will Brian discover that working on the other side of the law has its own perks?

While Ms. Hackensmith does a pretty good job introducing her characters; I would recommend reading the first book in the series, Checkmate, as the relationships established in that book are important at the beginning of Identity Crisis and it took me a couple of chapters to figure out who everyone was.  While Brian Koski is the main character of the book; he’s not exactly a knight in shining armor; he’s more of an antihero who does the right thing though it’s not always the legal or smart thing to do.  While it’s easy to connect with him, there were times I wanted to smack him upside the head and ask him what he could possibly have been thinking. 

The secondary characters are well developed and provide plenty of color, conflict and angst to the story.  I especially enjoyed getting to know Caryn and Zach Ryker, Brian’s friends and the primary characters in the first book, Sherry Corbin, Brian’s secretary and Sinbad, Brian’s new and unexpected canine partner.  The villains of the story are also well developed and the two mysteries are well paced and kept me guessing for quite a while. 

Will Brian’s new business venture be a success?  Will Brian be able to keep his client’s safe while solving other cases? You’ll have to read Identity Crisis to find out.  I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book in this series.

My Rating:  4 out of 5 Crowns  

FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.