by Cynthia Chow

We are so excited to have a review and giveaway of Richard Castle’s new mystery Raging Heat. And not only do we have the review, we were able to interview Richard Castle himself! Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book, along with a link to purchase the book with a portion going to help support KRL.

Raging Heat By Richard Castle
Review by Cynthia Chow

It is raining men in the sixth Nikki Heat novel “written” by Richard Castle, the ruggedly handsome mystery author of the ABC television show, Castle. To be specific, one body dropped over a thousand feet to fall through the glass Hayden Planetarium. It’s up to NYPD Detective Nikki Heat to figure out the who, how, and why of it all. What can barely be considered body parts are scattered all over the site, so Nikki doesn’t need the added distraction of missing her boyfriend Jameson Rook, an investigative journalist, on assignment in Central Africa.

Rook returns, although this makes additional complications. Nikki has just been offered a promotion that would involve travel abroad. Spotting a small jewelry box of a certain size, hidden in Rook’s belongings, generates guilt and fear, causing Nikki to snap at her team, question her future, and more importantly, doubt her ability to trust Rook.

Her detectives include Raley and Ochoa, the duo collectively nicknamed “Roach.” They are handled their own investigation just as Nikki’s leads her to Keith Gilbert, the Port Authority Commissioner and candidate for U.S. Senator. That this will be a political minefield is an understatement, considering interference by Nikki’s media-hungry captain, Wally “Iron Man” Irons. Nikki finds that her most insurmountable task will be how to repair her trust in Rook. With Hurricane Sandy hurtling toward them, Nikki must compartmentalize her feelings, rally her team and survive attacks by black ops mercenaries.

Once again this captures the sharp wit of the television show and the camaraderie and banter between detectives. This strongly plotted police procedural can stand on its own. Respect is paid to the hard working officers and detectives of the NYPD, with derision aimed at politically-minded administrators.The team is fractured more than in previous installments, but the level of emotional development remains high, ensuring mystery readers and Castle fans will continue to enjoy and follow this deftly crafted series.

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Interview with Richard Castle:

KRL: Which are the most fun to write- Derrick Storm’s amazing thrillers or the Nikki Heat detective mystery series?

Castle: Unfair! That’s like asking me to choose between pizza and Chinese food! I love them both. Do you miss no longer writing the Storm novels? I did miss it. That’s why I started again. For me, writing Derrick Storm is like visiting with an old friend…if your old friend is a heavily-armed highly-trained spy.

KRL: Detectives Ochoa and Raley are a dynamic duo who definitely deserves their own novel. Could there be a spin-off of their adventures in the future? Give them their own book?

Castle: Do you have any idea how insufferable that would make them? Most novelists say their characters speak to them. Well, Raley and Ochoa don’t just speak to me, they complain about not getting enough page space.

Richard Castle

KRL: You left Nikki Heat on the path to a new position. Do you think that she could ever adjust to working off of the streets?

Castle:Nikki is a natural born investigator. I don’t think she could ever be happy behind a desk…unless that desk was on top of a dead body that she was investigating.

KRL: You have a daughter, but Rook does not. Considering how your research and life has bled into your novels, could fatherhood be in Jameson Rook’s future?

Castle:I promised my daughter I wouldn’t base any of my characters on her, so…maybe a boy?

KRL: How could you end Raging Heat on such a cliffhanger?!?

Castle:Because I wanted you to buy the next book.

KRL: The attempt to make one of your books into a movie may have been less than you had expected. What about the possibility of a television series based on the Nikki Heat books?

Castle:A ruggedly handsome writer following a smart and sexy homicide Detective around on cases? Well, the premise is kind of a stretch but it could be fun.

KRL: So will there be wedding bells in the future for Nikki and Rook?

Castle:Keep reading. Many adventures await!

KRL: What is next for Richard Castle?

Castle:Right now? A long nap. I love being a writer.

To enter to win a copy of Raging Heat, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Heat,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 11, 2014. U.S. residents only.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews (including reviews of more of Castle’s books), book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL!