The Kennedy Connection by R.G. Belsky

Title: The Kennedy Connection 

Author: R.G. Belsky

Series: Gil Malloy, #1

Publisher: Atria Books

Release Date: August 12,  2014

Half a century after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, someone is killing people on the streets of New York City and leaving behind a bizarre calling card of that tragic day in Dallas.

In this bold and entertaining thriller from a true media insider, discredited newspaper reporter Gil Malloy breaks the story of the link between seemingly unconnected murders—a Kennedy half dollar coin found at each of the crime scenes. At the same time, a man emerges who claims to be the secret son of Lee Harvey Oswald and says he has new evidence that Oswald was innocent of the JFK killing.

Malloy, who has fallen from grace at the New York Daily News and sees this as an opportunity to redeem himself as an ace reporter, is certain there is a connection between the Oswald revelations and the NYC murders, but first he has to get someone to believe him. Convinced that the answers go all the way back to the JFK assassination more than fifty years ago, Malloy soon uncovers long-buried secrets that put his own life in danger from powerful forces who fear he’s getting too close to the truth.

Two tales of suspense fuse into an edge-of-your-seat thriller as Malloy races to stop the killer—before it’s too late.

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"Everyone matters"

I knew after reading Blonde Ice that I had to go back and read the other two books in the Gil Malloy series. I loved Blonde Ice and I was excited to begin reading The Kennedy Connection.  It took no time for me to become immersed in poor Gil's drama. Gil's is down on his luck. There is only one word that could describe his downfall: Houston. 

Houston is the prostitute Gil based a whole series of newspapers articles on. There was just one tiny problem, no one could confirm Houston existed. Gil never really met her but he knew of her through all the people he interviewed. Although morally wrong he made the decision to print the articles despite not been able to prove she was real and when he was discovered, his credibility as a newspaper reporter plummets by the time the book starts. Due to recent panic attacks, Gil is forced to see a therapist and when a cop friend asks him to investigate a shooting that happened over a decade ago, Gil feels this is a way towards recuperating some on his own dignity. However, Gil is asked to interview a man who claims to be the son of Lee Harvey Oswald and he alleges he has proof his father didn't kill JFK. Gil can't turn down this opportunity without realizing this will take his life on a collision course, one he might not be able to drag himself out of.   

Whoa... what a great way to spin of the murder of JFK! What if  Lee Harvey Oswald is not the killer or sole killer of JFK? A lot of conspiracy theories say he wasn't and R. G. Belsky takes you on a formidable ride towards a different scenario. 

It was a pleasure reading this thriller. There are so many things I liked about it. I loved Gil's relationship with his ex-wife. He was to blame for the distance he created in their relationship and later on their divorce, but he's willing to recognize his faults and remain friends with her. He told her how important she was to him. She's also the only person he truly trusts and cares for.  

What I love the most about this book is how good Gil is as an investigative reporter. Once he has a lead, he doesn't quit until he knows there is anywhere else to go with the information. 

I like that Gil had to understand that he needed help and by the end, he was willing to do whatever it took to make himself better as a friend, reporter, and altogether better human being. 

I do have to say that I missed how brilliantly sarcastic Gil can be. In The Kennedy Connection, his sarcastic personality is there but not as predominantly as in the last book.

"Death is the great equalizer"

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Blonde Ice by R.G. Belsky

Title: Blonde Ice 

Series: Gil Malloy #3

Author: R.G. Belsky

Publisher: Atria Books

Release Date: October 18, 2016 

From the author of the “thought-provoking thriller” (Jan Burke) The Kennedy Connection comes a gripping mystery featuring crime-stopper and star Daily News reporter Gil Malloy who takes on his most explosive and exciting story yet—a blonde femme fatale in New York City who is killing men for thrills.

Son of Sam. Ted Bundy. The Boston Strangler. All of these infamous serial killers who made front page news shared a common trait—they were men who killed women for a sexual thrill.

But now Gil Malloy—ace reporter for the New York Daily News—is on the trail of a different kind of serial killer who breaks all of the rules. Dubbed “Blonde Ice” by the media, she’s a sexy blonde who picks up seemingly random men at bars and clubs, has sex with them, and then brutally murders them afterwards.

Malloy—who is already in the middle of a major political story about the election of the next New York City mayor—finds himself drawn to the case by secrets from his past. As he digs deeper, he begins to suspect that there could be some kind of link between the mayoral race and the emergence of the Blonde Ice killings.

As the body count and the political stakes continue to rise, Malloy soon realizes he’s covering what could be the biggest story of his career. All he has to do is live through it.

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"A stone cold blonde fox."

Terrific!! Unputabledown!! 

I love the narrative and the pace of Blonde Ice. A perfect book to me is one which makes you forget everything else around you. This one is one of those. It grabs you from the first chapter and it won't let you go until you hit the end. 

Let me tell you a little bit about Blonde Ice. The body of a man is discovered brutally assaulted in a hotel room. There's proof this man had sex before dying but this man is not single. He's married to Victoria who used to be a famous prostitute by the name of Houston. Houston has a connection with the main character/hero Gil Malloy. In a way, she almost ruined his life, when he did a serial piece on prostitution from multiple interviews but he made it look like it was her who was giving him the information. When the truth came out, his job is threatened, his marriage ends. It takes many years for Gil to get back to the spotlight. He's currently working on the next New York Major election. Having this woman back in his life affects him in so many ways. However, the story doesn't end there. When another male body is found, the police starts feeling like they might have a female serial killer on the loose. One that targets men who cheat on their wives. All they know is that woman responsible for the murders is a stunning blonde. She's smart and she seems to be one step ahead of everyone. Gil becomes part of the case when she starts contacting him. 

I love Gil's character. He was charming, funny but he also showed his insecurities. In the past, he had made a terrible mistake that cost him his marriage but now he has a second chance at happiness. He was doing all the right things to accomplish it. He was also a very good investigator reporter. He had good instincts and he trusted them. He knew when things didn't feel right and he was willing to take the extra step to get to the bottom of the story. He had an eye for beautiful women, especially blondes. I think that made him even more worried about the case and his own future. 

One more thing, I'm in agreement with Gil in regards to his last theory.

"A true thriller killer."

After finishing it, I want to go back to read the other two book in the series. I know I read some spoilers but I think I will still enjoy them.

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs 

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.