Disturbance: An Irene Kelly Novel (Irene Kelly Mysteries (Paperback))

It is far too long for me between Jan Burke's Irene Kelly books, and "Disturbance" is a welcome event. In this novel, Irene, who is a print journalist, is worried not only about her job, but also the continued existence of the newspaper for which she works. Her worries increase when serial killer Nick Parrish, who was sentenced to life imprisonment unexpectedly escapes. Parrish's getaway starts a frenzy among his "fans", known as The Moths and is a definite threat to Irene, who narrowly avoided being one of Parrish's victims and is largely responsible for his capture. Mysterious threats against Irene and the discovery of more murder victims increase the tension for both Irene and readers. Burke alternates chapters that focus on Irene with chapters that focus on Parrish and some of his cohorts.As she does so well, Burke ends many of her chapters with sentences and situations that make it impossible for readers to put the book aside and keeps readers guessing about the nature and intent of some of the characters. Irene's detective husband, Frank, friends Ben Sheridan, Ethan Shire, and Jack, and, of course, dogs, make appearances in the novel. Burke also includes some big changes for some of the characters. She touches on the differences between news mediums and the changing ways that we get -- or don't get -- our information. All in all, what happens in this book is much more than a disturbance.Welcome back, Irene. Don't stay away so long in the future.

It's been 5 years since the terrific thriller writer Jan Burke's last Irene Kelly novel, "Kidnapped," and about a dozen years since "Bones," for which this book is the sequel. So to get an obvious question out of the way first: Should newcomers to the series read "Bones" first and should "Bones" readers whose memories have gone fuzzy now pause to revisit it? Up to you, but there's really no need as all the key background info you'll need is nicely woven into this one.When we again meet the intrepid investigative reporter and amateur sleuth, she's in the same boat with thousands of print journalists across America, living with the gnawing fear that her paper will go under and her livelihood with it. And then one day it does.Lucky for her, her young protege, Ethan, has talked his way into a job he's just created, hosting a news show on the local public radio station and Irene and Lydia have joined him there. Watching Irene get the hang of the differences between print and broadcast journalism makes a fun, if brief, diversion from all the nail biting that lies ahead--at least for those of us who've been there, done that.Unlucky for her, there's some really really really bad news coming across the wires and it's personal. Thanks to Irene's victory over him in "Bones," Nicholas Parrish, the notorious serial killer of women who looked like his mother, had been rendered "permanently" immobile by injuries suffered during his capture and had long been incarcerated "for life" in a high security prison. Now a miracle of modern surgery has fixed Parrish's paralysis and the killer's three sons and a fan club known as the "Moths" have hijacked the ambulance that was returning him from the hospital to prison. Parrish is on the loose and we all know who his number one target is. And so does she. And so does her homicide detective husband Frank.Recommendation: You may want to hang up a Do Not Disturb sign before delving into this "Disturbance."

I like Burke and look forward to her novels but...this one was a bit thin and often irritating. Old nemesis, who should be paralyzed and in custody is cured and escapes--and of course comes back for Irene. Doesnt escape to a new life or area but judges one reporter to be so important that he puts all else in jeopardy. Oh yes, nemesis just happens to have crazy, homicidal offspring that he barely knows, yet who are more than glad to assist and a web following as well. Donovan, who is supposed to be noble, sacrificing, yet navy sealish etc, just struck me as a bit weak and incapable of doing the obvious like tracing a phone call or following someone. Yet he leaves an insanely implausible trail for Frank. The supporting cast of neighbors, cops and friends wasnt used as effectively as ususal and the book just felt a bit surface or rushed or something. Anyway, this was not a fav.

Jan Burke is one of my all time favorite authors and she does not disappoint with Disturbance. We met Nicky Parrish, one of the scariest serial killers ever, in Bones. He is back with a vengeance (in more ways than one) in Disturbance.This thriller keep me on my toes and my stomach in knots throughout. I suggest not planning to read it at night if you feel as I do about Parrish. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a taunt story, with constant action. But there is always depth in the characters, a trademark of Jan Burke's writing and one of the reasons I like her books so much. Irene is no Indiana Jones and her past with Parrish weighs heavily on her. Yet, she has grown since her last encounter with him, as have her friends and family. I love to see that growth.It is always good to catch up with Irene and Frank even if Parrish is there too. While this book can be read independently of Bones, I suggest reading Bones first. You won't regret reading either Bones or Disturbance.

I liked the first Irene Kelly books a lot. This one, however, was so disappointing that I quit halfway through. It had such a farfetched concept that I could not make myself a believer. As another reviewer pointer out--why would the state fund the rehabilitation of a Hannibal Lector class serial killer, only to carelessly allow his escape? The idea that this killer had fathered several children in a long range plan to enlist their aid when they became adults is also a pretty plot device. I am done! The shark has been jumped!