Now, I know that many people don't notice these things, but my appreciation of a novel is affected by the number of typos and missing or repeated words in a book. I had high hopes for this novel, being a huge fan of the show. However, I found myself stumbling repeatedly as I read because of such errors. The novel has the feel of a script for the show, making me think that one of the writers on the show is the actual author. It's a fun story that had me reading it to the end, but the overall quality pales in comparison to the television series.

Book 1 in the Nikki Heat series When I learned there was a novel on the market by Richard Castle, one of my favourite TV characters/ program, curiosity got the best of me. It appears this is creative engineering, a marketing ploy, an ingenious coup to make us believe the TV character Richard Castle is also a published writer. Who the author really is, is another mystery, judging by the writing style, my guess is that Castle’s poker buddies (well-known writers) who make guest appearances in some TV episodes have a strong influence behind the hit series. The novel is entertaining and fun to read. The plotting is basic, creating a run of the mill crime story with some twists here and there. The narration is simple, short and sweet and the dialogue is similar to the characters on the TV show. The book’s main characters have different names, Jameson Rook (Richard Castle), is the fictional award winning writer/reporter suffering from a dry period. With the help of his political connections, he is given the opportunity to shadow Nikki Heat (Kate Beckett) and her team of NYPD detectives, hoping to gain ideas for a new book. Nikki is far more aggressive in her relationships and deals with the continual presence of Rook in a different manner than her TV counterpart Kate but the other characters play similar roles, the exception is Alexis, Castle’s daughter, who has yet to make an appearance. As you can see, while reading this novel, I found it hard not to make comparisons with the TV program, it was easier to visualize the characters, and they really came alive in my mind. The story “Heat Wave” is based around the investigation into the murder of real estate magnate, Matthew Starr, whose body was found at the base of his penthouse apartment. Detective Heat and her shadow (Rook) are assigned the case and as in the TV show, he constantly second guesses her observations adding humour by teasing her along the way…. Readers should get a kick out of this novel, I did. It may not measure up to best but after watching and enjoying the TV show it is hard not to like.

While I am a fan of the TV show, was v-e-r-y disappointed in this book. And this was due largely to the publisher's poor presentation - badly bound pb format (printing ran into spine, causing words to be truncated!); and, horrors, 1.5 point print! I found myself pulling out a magnifying glass. I have the HB of the 2nd in the series, but my disappointment in this one has caused me to put it back on the TBRs. BTW this was my 3rd attempt at reading Heat Wave.

I am a fan of the Castle TV show and I simply had to buy the novel. I was disapointed. It was a hard time keeping Rook and Castle as two seperate people. The story was flat, the caracters poorly developped and I was annoyed by the end of it. The only reason I would by the next novel, is because I am a collector.

Unfortunately brutal. Wanted to throw the book across the room by page 10. Finally did by page 26. Little character development, no reason to like the characters, and the plot might as well be one of the episodes, except unfunny. Obviously written by a hack who threw it together in a few weeks. SAVE YOUR MONEY.

The show Castle is my favorite tv show so just had to read the book. I have to say I had a hard time wrapping my head around the characters, kept seeing Castle and Beckett as the characters. Although I guess that's good cause then it was more fun to read cause I love those two. I agree if you don't watch the tv show it wouldn't be as good but still a good murder mystery. I hope there are more in the future.

I am a fan of the tv show Castle. It is a guilty pleasure. I read this book on a flight, on a whim. I enjoyed it. Another guilty pleasure. It isn't particularly well written, and it unfolds in much the same formulaic way as the tv show, but it was fun! Recall the episode where Beckett is reading this book on the sly .... well, it's good to know what that hype was about! I would avoid this book if you don't watch/enjoy the tv show. But if you are a fan of the show, you will be a fan of this book - and read it on the sly - because it is a bit of a guilty pleasure .........

Once my fandom shaped heart imploded from delight in reading this book I realized something. Non-Castle fans probably wouldn't enjoy this as much as I did. I loved the characters because I both love the show and know the history of how and why this book came to fruition. If you don't watch ABC's "Castle" my gut tells me that you wouldn't be giving this book such a high rating. Not because the book itself wasn't readable or enjoyable but because unless you're a fan it wouldn't be memorable. This book is different than most tv tie-ins. The general tie-in takes the actual characters and works a plot around them. For example in Keith DeCandido's "Nevermore" (a Supernatural tie-in) you've got the Winchester brothers on a hunt. You probably wouldn't pick it up unless you are a "Supernatural" fan. Whereas "Heat Wave" is about fictional-fictional (head hurt yet?) characters. Theoretically you wouldn't have to watch the show to read this book, though to truly enjoy this read it'd probably be a good idea. My favorite part of this book is that we got "Rook" and "Nikki" finally together, which is something I really hope in another season or two we do finally get. I loved the way they played off each other and their characters are very tangible in book form. I'd be quite happy if we got more of these as the seasons continue. If you've watched even one or two episodes of "Castle" or if you are simply a fan of Nathan Fillion you'll probably enjoy this book. However, if you are addicted to Nathan Fillion and "Castle" you be bouncing about deliriously happy while reading this.