Gun Play (Shooting Shrink)

By Michael Thompkins

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1563153394
• ISBN13: 9781563153396
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Pemberton Mysteries
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Mystery Readers' Delight

"Gun Play" is the first of what I hope will be a long series of mysteries featuring police psychologist Tom "Doc" Reynolds, who is on assignment with the Palm Springs, Calif., Police Department. He has been hired to provide personal, relationship and work-coaching counseling. Reynolds and his best friend, Lieutenant Brett Wade of the Palm Springs PD, are searching for a hit man who shot down Martin Jones, senior partner in a major Palm Springs CPA firm. Their search turns up a homeless young musician named Chris Parker, who may be able to identify the hit man. Said hit man is a sociopath contract killer who goes by the name of Bocca. A former Army Ranger, Bocca was hired as part of a criminal cover-up plot. Author Michael Thompkins is a psychologist and he draws on his professional expertise and experience to tell this fascinating story. He also is well-acquainted with Palm Springs and his descriptions of the area's scenic attractions and area clubs and restaurants add to the realistic aspects of the narrative. "Gun Play" is fun to read, with touches of humor, fast action and believable characters. Mystery fans will enjoy this book and eagerly look forward to future adventures of "the Shooting Shrink."

A Psychological Crime Thriller

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (11/07) "Gun Play" launches the adventures of police psychologist Tom Reynolds. Tom "Doc" Reynolds is drawn into a case with his best friend Lieutenant Brett Wade of the Palm Springs Police Department. Martin Jones, senior partner in a major Palm Springs CPA firm, is shot down by a vindictive hit man. "Doc" Reynolds is on assignment as psychologist for the Palm Springs police department. The department uses him to provide personal, relationship and work coaching sessions counseling and for their officers. Both he and Brett are working through their own nightmares of post traumatic stress syndrome, a result of Viet Nam combat. Bocca, a contract killer, is a former Army Ranger, a sociopath, and pathological pseudo-ego narcissist who needs to prove that he is better than anyone else. He was hired as a part of a corrupt cover-up plot. A young, homeless, musician Chris Parker, who wants to become the next John Lennon, becomes the center of the action when Lieutenant Wade discovers that Chris may be able to identify the hit man. Whether commenting on the music of the 60s, the alternative music of Chris Park's Band, Brett's personal arsenal, or psychological evaluations, I had the sense that Thompkins was writing with a realism derived from his own personal background, professional experience, or extensive research. His descriptive writing of the desert and mountain locales of Palm Springs was breathtaking and beautiful. References to local clubs and restaurants, added a dimension of authenticity and realism. His gourmet creations whetted the appetite and gave a sense of camaraderie as his key characters bonded together in conversation and strategy planning sessions around a meal. "Gun Play" is well written, with subtle humor, excellent reporting on crime scene procedures, and is filled with fast-moving narrative, believable characters, and entertaining, informative dialog. This is must reading for every mystery fan. I foresee the team of Dr. Tom Reynolds and Lieutenant Brett Wade, and their creator Michael Thompkins joining the ranks of best selling authors Jonathan Kellerman with Alex Delaware, and James Patterson and his ace Deputy Chief of Detectives, Alex Cross. Michael Thompkins is well on the way to raising the bar on Psychological Police Novels. "Gun Play" and "The Shooting Shrink" series will soon be a household word, discussed at every Starbucks, on the Oprah show, and on the bestseller lists.

Gun Play

A bunch of us friends share murder mystery books, raving about plots and our favorite authors. When I was told to read Gun Play, I figured I'd get to it eventually. My friend was adamant that it's a "must read". Michael Thompkins brings the reader into his book so that you feel you know and love the characters. The plot flows well, you come to love the characters because they are believable and endearing, (well, maybe not the bad guys), and you simply can't put the book down. I've been to Palm Springs, but the book makes you want to go and really experience the town and the people. I was so disappointed at the end - because it ended and I wanted it to continue forever. The best thing about this wonderful book is that more will follow.

Gun Play - GREAT !!!

I met Michael Thompkins at the street fair in Palm Springs and then purchased his book at his book signing. I am a frequent visitor to Palm Springs and it was very exciting to be able to relate to the places in the book. Great reading - hard to put down, I can't wait to read the next book !

A page turner from the get-go

I met Michael Thompkins while visiting Palm Springs and from the first page I was into the book. I would have completed it in one sitting had my plane trip back to Florida been just a little longer. You are immediately drawn into the characters and I enjoyed his writing style. I also appreciated the short chapters and I relived my visit to Palm Springs with every street and event he described.