The Walshes return home from their holiday trip to find a package on their front porch. When their daughter Trisha opens it, it explodes, critically injuring her. Detective Shane Murphy is assigned to the case but is having pressing problems of his own that this assignment will only add to: a cutthroat reporter will stop at nothing to make him look bad and his wife is filing for a divorce. While interviewing Mr. Walsh at the hospital, Murphy unknowingly encounters the bomber, Fred, after he causes a disturbance at the hospital and lets him go with a warning. It is not until ATF agent Stacy Landline arrives that the connection between Fred and the Walsh family is finally discovered. Now Murphy and Landou must deal with the press and copy-cat bombers as they race to stop the bomber before it is too late.

Signal 30 by James Twerell is a fast- paced novel that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the search for a killer. I was impressed by the level of details woven into the story. The characters were well developed without being overdone and the plot was believable, with ample action for even the most die-hard action junkies. The one thing I would like to see in future novels, if this becomes a series, would be a more expansive plot, where the villain isn't revealed until much later in the story. All in all, this was an enjoyable book worthy of 4/5 stars.

Reviewed on 09/21/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Jud Hanson

Signal 30 begins with a family returning home from spending time away during Christmas. The daughter finds a present outside while the family is unpacking the car. Everyone is busy, so she places it on the kitchen table, later returning and as her curiosity grows, she opens it. There is an explosion.

Who sent this bomb and why? Detective Shane Murphy was with his own family when he got the call and was assigned the case. His marriage is a little shaky as his leaving his family, especially during Christmas time is hard for his wife. She thinks he is married to his job. Murphy knows it is hard but is committed to his job and after realizing it is a young girl now in the hospital, he is determined to find the culprit.

Why was this family a target? Murphy gets some help when Stacy Landou, a Special Agent with Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is also assigned to the case. To make matters worse though, another bomb is set off but it is a different type. Is it a copycat?

Murphy has a lot on his plate and it thankful for Landou’s assistance, especially as his wife wants him out of the house. His world seems to be crumbling with his boss now really on him to solve the case and a local newspaper reporter being fed facts about the case. All of this is making it hard for Murphy to get to the truth.

This story keeps things moving, introducing some possible suspects, and you grow to like Murphy and are pulling for him as his world comes crashing down around him. There were some errors in this book that the proofreading editor missed but I encourage readers to overlook them as Terrell writes an interesting police thriller.

Reviewed on 01/26/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Janice Hidey