“An excellent quick mystery.” “An engaging tale of pursuit.” “Britt writes tight prose.”– Amazon Readers
In this fast-paced prequel to the 3-book Eli Quinn detective mystery series, Quinn tests the physical and mental skills that later define him as a private eye.
A silent shooter kills Eli Quinn’s wife at a public rally, in a scene captured on video in broad daylight, then vanishes. The case goes cold until Quinn’s colleague, investigative reporter Samantha Marcos, suggests they team up to solve the seemingly random murder. Quinn and Sam embark on a months-long investigation that leads to a harrowing chase through a fog-shrouded forest as Quinn and his K-9 companion, Solo, hunt down the elusive killer.
Once you’ve met Eli Quinn in this brief prequel, you’ll want to read the three novels in the series:
CLOSURE: “Fascinating characters, hard-edged action … Catapults the series off to a great start.” – BestsellersWorld
DRONE: “Quinn’s second case reads as if it were written by a master reaching the height of his craft. – Foreword Clarion Reviews
FIRST KILL: “Jam-packed with thrilling fight scenes, witty banter, and well-worn characters” – IndieReader
"This is a good tense thriller, and it kept me reading to the end."
Reviewer: Reader for Bookangel.
Eli Quinn and his ex-police dog Solo are tracking a criminal through the wild country of Murder Mountain. He’s not after justice, or bringing someone in. He’s out to kill the man who killed his wife.
The story’s chapters alternate between the present and the cat-and-mouse game on the mountainside and the past with Eli following the trail of evidence that eventually brings him to the mountain. The pace is fast, and the plot holds together well, with characters mentioned in the present falling into place as the flashbacks progress.
There’s a strong supporting cast, with several characters set up to be series regulars, and Samantha Marcos coming across as a standout even in her brief appearance. One thing I really enjoyed was the way Eli slowly comes out of his grief and becomes more able to function as the investigation goes on and he finds he might be able to do something.
I also liked the fact the author admitted upfront he’d played with the geography slightly – since he pointed it out I don’t have to and it won’t take readers out of the story.
This is a good tense thriller, a grief-stricken P.I. hunting a killer with no obvious motive, and it kept me reading to the end. If you are thinking about reading the Eli Quinn series, I’d say this is a good place to start, especially if you can pick it up free. It sets the scene, introduces the characters, and proves the author can keep you on the edge of your seat! Rating:4
