Owen Thomas presents a striking new detective in Message in a Bullet, the opening novel in the Raymond Mackey Mystery series. Raymond “Mack” Mackey is a former Chicago PD homicide detective whose world has fallen apart after the devastating loss of his wife, Marlo, and his sudden, unexplained dismissal from the police department after being exposed as a traitor. Mack is trying to rebuild his life as a novelist, but suffers from writer’s block. Mack is soon pulled into another investigation that is far more dangerous and intricate than what he has expected.
An ordinary inquiry deepens into a suspenseful and multifaceted mystery filled with deception, violence, and ethical uncertainty. As Mack pieces together the clues, he is forced to face uncomfortable revelations about both the case and his past. Mack was diagnosed with depersonalization-derealization disorder, and this condition causes him to perceive his life from an almost observer-like perspective. This distinctive trait enriches the story and provides readers with a revealing glimpse into his internal conflicts.
Thomas’s writing style demonstrates a strong command of atmosphere through vivid and controlled descriptions and his prose highlights the background. Mack’s emotional state and the intensity of each event is realistic and draws the reader fully in to experience the events. The novel was written at a measured pace and allows enough time to process an event before moving on. The tension builds up as the narrative moves forward and will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Mack is an authentic and intriguing protagonist. He is not perfect and has many flaws. His practical way of solving problems makes him easy to connect with. The supporting characters each have a unique and specific role in advancing the mystery. Their background made it easy to understand them. The dialogue is crisp and clear, effectively shaping the character arcs and plot development. Familiar and the new traditional detective fiction is woven through the plot with a contemporary storytelling style. The mystery is excellently crafted, with many twists and turns and a rewarding resolution, while clearly setting the stage for future books in the series.
Quill says: Message in a Bullet is a confident and compelling debut that delivers a tightly paced mystery, a strong central character, and a classic detective tone with modern sensibilities. Readers will be eager to follow Mack into his next investigation.
For more information about Message in a Bullet, please visit the author's website at: owenthomasliterary.com/
