Review by Manali_DC -- An Imperfect Crime by Fred G. Baker

[Manali_DC]

[Following is a volunteer review of "An Imperfect Crime" by Fred G. Baker.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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An Imperfect Crime by Fred G. Baker is a crime and mystery novel and the first book of the Detective Sanchez/Father Montero mystery series.

Peter Simpson, Allister Brown, and Sarah Parker are friends and aspiring novelists. They are dejected and exasperated with how difficult getting a book published seems to be! One evening, over a few drinks, they hatch a crazy plan which would ensure that their books get published! They decide to commit the 'perfect crime'! Stage a murder, plant the clues, and once the case garners enough notoriety - come forward with the truth so that no one gets convicted. Except, it does not quite go as planned, and an innocent man is convicted and executed.

The only two people not convinced about his guilt are Father Montero, the convicts' confessor, and Detective Lori Sanchez, who always felt that the crime scene was too staged. When Father Montero unofficially digs up a few suspicious clues, he ropes in Detective Sanchez and they decide to look into the case again. What follows is a thrilling mystery that takes them through a trail littered with drugs, missing persons and bodies from Phoenix to Mexico.

Father Guillermo Montero and Lori Sanchez are an unusual and interesting detective team. Father Montero wasn't always a priest. He had been a soldier and a policeman before taking his vows. The story hints at past events that led to Father Montero giving up his gun holster for a priestly collar, but never actually reveals the real reason. This sense of mystery adds to the charisma and the contradiction that is Guillermo Montero - especially when the priest handles his guns with more than a little ease during a high stakes car chase. Detective Sanchez is an energetic, conscientious, ambitious policeman who remains steady and calm even under fire. Both the main characters are well developed, memorable and likable. The bond of friendship that develops between them, as the story progresses, makes the tale more interesting and provides the lighthearted moments of the story.

This novel has one of the most exciting and gripping opening chapters that I have read, and this is what I liked most about the book. An innocent man goes to his death bewildered and wondering why his friends are not coming forward with the evidence that would prove his innocence. What follows is a page-turner of a story that leads the reader through confusing clues, unexpected twists and turns and delightful breakthroughs. The book is well written and well edited and I found no typographical errors.

The opening chapters, strangely, are also the reason why I was a little disappointed with the rest of the book. The book begins on such an exciting high note that the subsequent chapters always seem to fall a little short. The rest of the book seems to be a more tame telling of how the case unfolds. Nevertheless, it is a good and gripping plot that will keep the reader hooked till the end. I liked the way the story ended - the author did not try to tie up every loose end. He left it an 'imperfect crime'!

I give An Imperfect Crime 4 out of 4 stars and recommend it to anyone who reads and enjoys books of the crime and mystery genre. It does contain a few violent scenes and profane language and might not be suitable for children.

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An Imperfect Crime
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[Dominik_G]

Your review of An Imperfect Crime piqued my interest. What could have gone so wrong with the three friends' original plan? Thank you for the recommendation!

[Manali_DC]

Your review of An Imperfect Crime piqued my interest. What could have gone so wrong with the three friends' original plan? Thank you for the recommendation!

To plan a perfect dummy crime and then get the maximum punishment for a crime you did not commit sounds like a nightmare. This is an interesting story. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment!

[inaramid]

The premise is interesting, and I'm amused by the idea of a gun-toting priest. Sounds like a blast to read! Thanks for the recommendation.

[Mbrooks2518]

The plot is very intriguing. Great review!

[Manali_DC]

The premise is interesting, and I'm amused by the idea of a gun-toting priest. Sounds like a blast to read! Thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!

[Josephe-Anne]

Well, the book certainly has an unusual concept. I would not have expected a group of aspiring authors to stage a crime for popularity. In addition, I am intrigued by Father Montero's backstory. I wonder what led him to become a priest. Maybe he wants to atone for past deeds?

Thank you for an excellent review!

[Manali_DC]

Well, the book certainly has an unusual concept. I would not have expected a group of aspiring authors to stage a crime for popularity. In addition, I am intrigued by Father Montero's backstory. I wonder what led him to become a priest. Maybe he wants to atone for past deeds?

Thank you for an excellent review!

Father Montero, as a gun toting priest, definitely had my interest too. This seems to be one book in a series- would love to find out more about him in later books. Thanks for reading.

[Sou Hi]

This seems to be a refreshing C/T/M/H book with a well-developed plot. It also provides a good lesson that playing with fire is never safe. Nevertheless, this looks like a book I may enjoy. Thanks for your interesting review.

[Manali_DC]

This seems to be a refreshing C/T/M/H book with a well-developed plot. It also provides a good lesson that playing with fire is never safe. Nevertheless, this looks like a book I may enjoy. Thanks for your interesting review.

It was an enjoyable and interesting premise for a story. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.

[Justine Ocsebio]

What an intriguing premise! A band of aspiring authors decided to stage a crime to get published. Thanks for this review.

[Anusha Thatavarthi]

This seems like an interesting thriller. I am really intrigued. Great job with the review!

[Manali_DC]

What an intriguing premise! A band of aspiring authors decided to stage a crime to get published. Thanks for this review.

The craziest plan to get a bit of attention- or maybe not so crazy after all. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!

[Manali_DC]

This seems like an interesting thriller. I am really intrigued. Great job with the review!

Thank you for reading and leaving a comment!