Drug cartels, deep, dark, painful secrets, FBI, and a long lost brother all crash together to make this action packed story that will have you addicted from the first page. This was the first book I had ever read by this author. I will be looking for more. The story started out a little slow but picked up very quickly. I highly recommend this book and this author to anyone that likes crime and suspense stories. ( )

This book was great. I truly enjoyed this read and I have started reading at a speedy pace wondering what other gems are on my to read list. ( )

You may also read my review here: http://bookbybookreview.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-in-desperation.html

First off, let me say a big THANK YOU to Rick Mofina for always publishing his book in paperback and not touching hardcover... for someone on a budget (me), it is always appreciated!

Now, I have read every one of Rick Mofina's books and have to say that the Jack Gannon series is not my favourite. It's not the character because, to be honest, all of the main characters have been reporters and they all sort of blend. That's not the issue though... it's more the plot. I am not enjoying the cross-border action.

So, I am going to break my review into two parts... the cross-border, drug cartel part and the kidnapping part.

One - underdeveloped characters, overwhelming circumstances surrounding their backgrounds and lingo that was unfamiliar to me... a lot of 'narco' and Spanish 'drug' language.

Two - great character development; although having two other novels to meet Jack definitely helps. I appreciated Cora and her story; the reason she left so many years ago and her reasons for not coming back. The relationship between Jack and Cora is one that I completely understood... you do everything you can to protect those you love. I thoroughly enjoyed all the action and drama that surrounded this aspect of the novel.

Overall, it was a good book and I will be looking for the next instalment to the Gannon series in January 2012. ( )

IN DESPERATION is #3 in Mofina's Jack Gannon series. I have reviewed the earlier ones ( VENGEANCE ROAD and THE PANIC ZONE ) but IN DESPERATION didn't grab me right at the start in quite the same way, although the snatching of Tilly is a horrifying opening hook.

The novel builds pace by adding plot element after element. Tilly's mother Cora "in desperation" contacts her long-lost brother journalist Jack Gannon who happens to be in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, working on a story about drug cartels. As it turns out, the contacts that Jack has made for this story are of great advantage in tracking down those responsible for Tilly's abduction. The story moves several times between Juarez and Phoenix Arizona where Cora and Tilly live.

As the story builds so does the tension, mainly around whether the police will find Tilly in time.

It is a novel that relies on coincidences but it is not on its own in that. ( )

Drug cartels, deep, dark, painful secrets, FBI, and a long lost brother all crash together to make this action packed story that will have you addicted from the first page. Cora Martin thought she has left her past behind her but when her daughter is kidnapped she knows that those floodgates are going to be opened. The only person she can turn to is her brother that she hasn't had contact with since she ran away at the age of eighteen. Jack Gannon is a a journalist with the World Press Alliance and is working in Mexico covering the drug wars. When he receives the email from his sister he is shocked but wastes no time to fly to her. Cora's character is a tragic mess but you would be too if your daughter has been kidnapped. Jack is very strong character and even though he has suspicions about what is going on he becomes her support throughout the ordeal. He is torn about what is happening but he needs to understand why Cora left him all those years ago and never tried to call. Mofina has written another fast-paced adventure! ( )