CRME EXPOSED, A BUCK TAYLOR NOVEL BY CHUCK MORGAN
CRIME EXPOSED, A BUCK TAYLOR NOVEL
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Crime Exposed: A Buck Taylor Novel by Chuck Morgan is the fourth entry in a riveting crime series. Buck Taylor is pulled into investigating the disappearance of a missing journalist, a case that eventually leads to murder and child pornography. The narrative starts in a very curious way, a powerful opening that piqued my sense of curiosity. We get a clear glimpse of the protagonist in the first line of the narration: “Jim McBride knew his wife was pissed... The sound of slamming doors that bombarded his ears indicated that whoever she was mad at would receive her full wrath. He was glad it wasn't him.” This strong opening already gives readers a hint of what to expect, and they are keen on discovering who Barb will turn out to be. But she disappears just after the first chapter and in a tragic kind of way that establishes the suspense and the irony that drives the narrative.
Chuck Morgan has a unique gift for plot, one that makes Crime Exposed: A Buck Taylor Novel a hard-to-put-down book. From the start, readers know what happens to Barb, but they become curious as they follow the investigation, wondering if the characters will find out what happened to her. The descriptions are filled with clarity and they offer readers great images. The prose is elegant and it captures both the emotional and psychological elements of the novel clearly while offering vivid descriptions of scenes and characters. This is a fast-paced thriller with memorable characters and a criminal investigation that is so real readers will believe it could happen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Crime Exposed is a work of exciting criminal fiction penned by author Chuck Morgan and is the fourth novel featuring Agent Buck Taylor and his investigative team. Following the events of Crime Unsolved, we find Buck ready for a new challenge despite all that he’s been through thus far. When a journalist goes missing, Buck and the team begin a series of questions, interviews and following clues which will lead them to a much bigger scandal at work. Not only is a brutal murder evidenced, but far darker and depraved practices are going on that need to be exposed and stopped as soon as possible.
Written for adults due to its language, violence, and themes of child abuse, this is a compelling and thrilling work of crime fiction which can easily be read as a stand-alone if you’re not caught up on the current series. The dialogue is suitably gritty for the context, and author Chuck Morgan has a gift for conveying so much personality from his characters just by the way that they speak. Buck Taylor presents initially as a classic hero, capable and strong-minded, but we see his weaknesses unveiled as the case challenges him, and how he relies on the bonds between his teammates to get through it. There’s also plenty of danger, revelation, and suspense to keep the action fresh, with well-placed plot moments throughout the tale. Overall, Crime Exposed marks an excellent addition to a well written series and is a highly recommended crime novel.