Kill the Messenger    by Tami Hoag Order:  USA  Can Bantam, 2006 (2004) Hardcover, Paperback, Audio, CD, e-Book Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Prolific writer Tami Hoag delves into the life of a bike messenger on the streets of L.A. in Kill the Messenger. Young Jace is on his last run of the day when he runs into a snag – his client has been beaten to death! Living a trifle less than a legal life himself, he tries to back away from the crime only to be pursued by someone he believes is the murderer. Enter Kev Parker –a demoted and disgraced police detective. When the police investigation centers on the messenger, Parker is skeptical. His own inquiries turn up a multi-faceted case but his life style works against him. Some of Hoag's characters – the baddies – seem chillingly real. The cops prove corrupt – surprise, surprise. Parker is a complex loner whom you would like to know. Fast-paced Kill the Messenger is action-packed, a real page-turner. A shocker of a climax wraps up a really good read. Hoag's subsequent release – Prior Bad Acts – brings her total of novels to an even dozen. I have not yet read her twelfth, but soon shall. I hope she plans to make the count at least a baker's dozen. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews