The Coldest Mile-Tom Piccirilli

The Coldest Mile
Tom Piccirilli
Bantam, Feb 24 2009, $
ISBN: 9780553590852

Chase’s mom was murdered in a cold case unsolved and soon afterward his father committed suicide. His grandfather Jonah, a murderous con artist raised young Chase, mentoring the lad in a life of crime. Chase became a getaway driver until he met, fell in love with, and married cop Lila. After her death, he learned his grandfather sired a daughter currently two years old Kylie.

With Lila competing with Jonah for “talking” time inside his head, Chase believes he must rescue his two years old half-aunt from her father; who is his grandfather. He believes grandpa killed his mom years ago. Knowing he will need money to accomplish his goal, with the help of a friend, he obtains work as a chauffeur to the dysfunctional Langan crime family whose patriarch is dying. He plans to steal from a mob that has seen its better days. After he takes their money, the next stop is a confrontation with Jonah.

THE COLDEST MILE feels more like two novellas with part one involving Chase’s time up the Hudson with the Langan mob and part two involving his search for his grandfather and his infant half-aunt. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action whether it is with the hero shaking down the pathetic mob in New York or his inquiries in Florida. Though the exciting plot especially with the Langan family takes longer than necessary before reaching the anticipated reunion, fans will enjoy Chase’s latest escapades (see THE COLD SPOT) knowing an even arctic colder tale should follow.

Harriet Klausner