A review of the book Half-Cut, A Police Thriller by Arnold Eslava-Grunwaldt
A complex mystery, combining exciting police action and great characters, what more could a fan of the genre look for?
A police thriller that is as clever as it is suspense; Half-Cut makes a notable entry into the growing genre of police thrillers. Author Arnold Eslava-Grunwaldt delivers on this debut novel, which is a well-orchestrated thriller that draws on intrigue, portrays sympathetic characters, and introduces readers to the central character, Detective Sergeant Hamilcar “Ham” Hitchcock, a seasoned detective. and wise of the Yonkers. New York Police.
Readers will find themselves immediately drawn into the intense world of Detective Sergeant Hitchcock when he finds himself called to the residence of Bernard “Barney” Bloemker. At first glance, it appears that Barney died of a heart attack. However, something seems out of place with the corpse when it is observed that half of its head has been shaved and bald. Barney’s unconventional haircut did not match the simple interior installed inside his apartment. The mystery continues to grow as another oddity emerges about poor Barney’s corpse. The medical examiner notices a telltale sign of arsenic poisoning indicating that a much more sinister scenario was beginning to unfold; Bloemker’s death could have been murder.
Consequently, Hamilcar Hitchcock and his team of detectives spring into action. His squad is a cordial group of diverse personalities working hard to solve the deepening puzzle of the Bloemker case. Overall not an easy case by any means, detectives struggle to advance the investigation into Barney Bloemker’s death while simultaneously managing their own infighting. Meanwhile, more “half-cut” bodies appear. Is there a connection between the deaths or is there a serial killer on the loose in Yonkers? Hitchcock and his team find themselves grappling with these questions and more with this bizarre murder case that delves into the past, but affects the present in dangerous and dramatic ways.
Overall, Half-Cut was an exciting read that I highly recommend to fans of police thrillers. I enjoyed being immersed in the unique story and watching the drama unfold as I was briefed on the inner workings of a police investigation as it clashed with human nature at its worst and best. The reflective characterizations were strong, realistic, and emotionally evocative, which helped make this book a worthy read. Overall, author Arnold Eslava-Grunwaldt told a good story and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.