Title: Head Shot (Marko Zorn #2)
Author: Otho Eskin
Published on: 14 December 2021
Genre: Mystery and Thrillers | Police Procedural
Head Shot is the second book in Otho Eskin’s Marko Zorn series.
My favorite author is back with another smashing and completely mind-blowing addition to my favorite detective series.
The thing I like the most about Marko Zorn series is, Marko’s badass attitude. He doesn’t give a shit about what others think of him. Nor is he worried whether his job or life is on the line – he does not aim to please!
Head Shot begins with Marko dodging a bullet. He’s just parked his car by the road and bent down to pick up the newspaper when a bullet misses him by a centimeter. Marko manages to move away from the line of fire – but he knows the shooter is still onsite, waiting for his prey. Marko starts the burglar alarm, loud music on his car and the whole dim-dip light show in his house – waking every neighbor, their dog and its cousin in the vicinity. The cops arrive soon (Marko dialed 911 but chose to remain anonymous) and Marko says it was an ‘accident.’
He knows revealing about the shooting incident might jeopardize his life, after all Marko does some work by the side (apart form being a police detective, that is.) Nothing Dexter-ish though, no killings – Marko doesn’t like to carry firearms. But he does have expensive tastes and that can only be satisfied by doing ‘side-business.’
The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Nina Voychek, is arriving at Washington DC for a few days. The rumor is, there are plans to assassinate her on foreign soil (after failed attempts to kill her in her own country) and Marko is asked by Cyprian Voss (not a good guy!) to protect her at any cost. Soon, Marko receives another call from US Secretary of State asking to be Nina’s security detail.
Meanwhile, a famous actress named Victoria West is murdered on the opening night of her show. Vickie and Marko had a past. So, his involvement in her murder case is personal. But why would someone want to murder her?
First things first, Head Shot by Otho Eskin is a smashing, thrilling and completely engrossing and mind-blowing story. It has been a long time since I have read such a gripping thriller – a police procedural + badass detective + possible-conspiracy + political mess, oh my gosh!
Speaking of badass detective, here’s a taste of what to expect from Marko:
Marko is questioning one of the actors from Vickie’s murder scene:
“Mr. Cantwell, you’re annoying me, and I do not care to be annoyed. And I think you’re hiding something.”
“Are you calling me a liar?” Cantwell demands. “Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?”
“I’m talking to someone who’s making an ass of himself in a criminal investigation. It’s late and I’ve had a very bad day and you’re giving me a headache. “
“You should know that the district attorney of the Southern District of New York and I are close friends.”
“You should know I’m deeply unimpressed with that information.”
I love this guy! How about you? 😀
We have a little side story too – concerning Lucy Tanaka, Marko’s partner. There is another crime closely related to the Montenegro Embassy – another mystery for Marko to solve.
I was totally hooked onto the story and could not put it down until the end. The twist in the second half of the book was unexpected. Don’t get me started on the twist at the end of the story – just when Marko things he’s caught the killer red-handed! Jack Reacher and Jack Ryan, you guys better watch out – there’s a new badass in town and his name is Marko Zorn. *plays tense music in the background*
If you are looking for a unique and gripping read this Christmas, I highly recommend you to give Otho Eskin’s Head Shot a read.
P.S.: Head Shot has made it to my Best Books of 2021 list.
I received an ARC from Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
The Book Decoder 
Sounds like fun!