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Cherry Beach Express: A Steve Nastos Mystery
A police detective is accused of murder in this novel that “delivers on all action, courtroom drama … and a show-stopping climax.” ― The Hamilton Spectator Until recently, Steve Nastos was a respected Toronto detective and a member of the sexual assault unit. Now he’s in custody, accused of killing his young daughter’s dentist after learning of the man’s unspeakable crimes against children. Freed on bail, he has one to track down the actual killer, in a town where laws are simply guidelines and law enforcement agents adhere to their own moral relativism. Held back by a recovering alcoholic lawyer, a rogue cop, and a two-faced judge, Nastos has the cards stacked against him. Then his estranged but still beloved wife inadvertently becomes involved in the case, and the stakes become even higher. He has to protect his family ― but first he must save himself.
- GenresMystery
244 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 30, 2011
WOW! As an avid reader of mystery/suspense novels, I find myself able to identify the murderer within 3 or 4 chapters. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this is not the case with Cherry Beach Express! Upon discovering the twist, I actually let out a yell! (and scared my cats in the process!). Loved the story, loved the characters, and loved how the author had no predictable twists and turns in multiple story lines. A fantastic read from start to finish and I cannot WAIT until the 2nd book in the series is published. Mr.Cain has my loyalty from here on in. BUY THIS BOOK! You won't regret it.
January 14, 2022
Good Story
This was part police procedural, with a courtroom drama sprinkled in to resolve it. The story moved along at a steady pace. This was a clean read . No fowl language. I really liked this book a lot.
This was part police procedural, with a courtroom drama sprinkled in to resolve it. The story moved along at a steady pace. This was a clean read . No fowl language. I really liked this book a lot.
January 2, 2018
Really liked the main character, a guy who was in jail for a crime he didn't commit. When he gets out he tries to find the person responsible and put his life back together, well written.
January 16, 2011
Detective Nastos, Sexual Crime Unit, is in trouble. He’s being accused of murdering his daughter’s dentist. The motive itself, it appears, is quite self-explanatory: the man has “committed an unspeakable crime against his daughter”. He was uncooperative with the policy investigations and is furthermore, unwilling to be forthright with his defence lawyer. At least, for now, he has decided to investigate this crime on his own.
At first, his freedom was doubtful but by a stroke of luck, he was freed on bail under the custody of his lawyer, Kevin Carscadden. Having to be babysat all day with only 2 hours of personal business time and a curfew to stick to, he is restricted in his ability to investigate matter by himself. Unfortunately, whilst there are those who wished him well, there are many more who wished him ill, who will do whatever they can to ‘prove’ his guilt and to be rid of him for good.
A rough but good at heart detective, a recovering alcoholic, a couple of dirty cops, a corrupt DA, a Russian mafia boss, a sassy PA, and loads of more of interesting characters, I’d say it’s worth a read just for the variety of the characters.
It was a quick and easy read for me although at first I found it a little bit hard with the going back and forth in time in alternating chapters (eg. 6 months ago, today, 6 months ago, today, 2 months ago ...) to set out the background. However, after a little bit, the story pretty much stuck to ‘today’ and was well paced (not too fast and not too slow).
I loved Ms Hopkins, Carscadden’s PA and whilst there are some subtle hints as to her background and some particular assistance she provided him in the previous case which enabled him to win, she does not feature very much in the novel but I really wished that there’s more of her!
What really touched me though (maybe I was just in a really mushy mood) was the father-daughter relationship and interaction:
‘”That I would do anything to protect her, that I would do anything for her... I just held her and this feeling came over me. I felt this connection when I saw her little face... I would do anything for her. I had doubted my ability to have the instinct but I guess it’s in all of us just waiting to come out.” Nastos wanted to have her with him now, to smell her skin...’
I couldn’t find much info on the author but I wonder if he has a daughter of his own...
The book ends with a real clever twist at the end. I would never have guessed! And was definitely led astray with the false lead.
At first, his freedom was doubtful but by a stroke of luck, he was freed on bail under the custody of his lawyer, Kevin Carscadden. Having to be babysat all day with only 2 hours of personal business time and a curfew to stick to, he is restricted in his ability to investigate matter by himself. Unfortunately, whilst there are those who wished him well, there are many more who wished him ill, who will do whatever they can to ‘prove’ his guilt and to be rid of him for good.
A rough but good at heart detective, a recovering alcoholic, a couple of dirty cops, a corrupt DA, a Russian mafia boss, a sassy PA, and loads of more of interesting characters, I’d say it’s worth a read just for the variety of the characters.
It was a quick and easy read for me although at first I found it a little bit hard with the going back and forth in time in alternating chapters (eg. 6 months ago, today, 6 months ago, today, 2 months ago ...) to set out the background. However, after a little bit, the story pretty much stuck to ‘today’ and was well paced (not too fast and not too slow).
I loved Ms Hopkins, Carscadden’s PA and whilst there are some subtle hints as to her background and some particular assistance she provided him in the previous case which enabled him to win, she does not feature very much in the novel but I really wished that there’s more of her!
What really touched me though (maybe I was just in a really mushy mood) was the father-daughter relationship and interaction:
‘”That I would do anything to protect her, that I would do anything for her... I just held her and this feeling came over me. I felt this connection when I saw her little face... I would do anything for her. I had doubted my ability to have the instinct but I guess it’s in all of us just waiting to come out.” Nastos wanted to have her with him now, to smell her skin...’
I couldn’t find much info on the author but I wonder if he has a daughter of his own...
The book ends with a real clever twist at the end. I would never have guessed! And was definitely led astray with the false lead.
May 8, 2011
Just released last week, Cherry Beach Express is a fast-moving, unpredictable mystery thriller from debut novelist R. D. Cain. As a Canadian, it was great to read a novel set in Canada in this case Toronto. Detective Steve Nastos is an officer on Toronto Sexual Assaults Unit. In the course of investigating another crime, he discovers that his young daughter's dentist has been sexually assaulting his young clients. When the dentist is found dead at Cherry Beach shortly afterward Nastos, who is known for his rough treatment of sexual predators, is the main suspect. Detective Nastos' riveting trial is followed in the book. The character development of the other characters in the story from Nastos' attorney to the prosecuting attorney to the judge and Nastos' family is incredibly well done and very believable. The surprise ending is very believable.
I highly recommend this debut novel from R.D. Cain.
I highly recommend this debut novel from R.D. Cain.
December 2, 2012
I read this book because my husband works with the author. It is your typical fluffy mystery; someone is murdered, accused vehemently denies he did it, spends entire novel trying to prove his innocence and hitting all kinds of road blocks along the way. I didn't hate it, but you could tell that it was the author's first novel and I can appreciate how he tried to incorporate an air of surprise and mystery, but unfortunately I saw what was coming almost from the beginning.
November 4, 2012
Great book. It is about Steve Nastos, a detective with the sexual crimes unit. He has been accused of murder of the dentist who abused his daughter. He goes through a trial with his boss and some of the attorney's office against him although he is innocent. I goes through what he goes through and the surprise ending at the end.
September 24, 2011
This is a fast-paced courtroom/cop drama. It was nice to see the Toronto and Canadian legal system references. Generic, but with good characterization and dialogue. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.
March 30, 2011
The best book money can buy.
July 30, 2011
Good read. Solid plot and characters. I look forward to reading more by Mr. Cain.
October 23, 2012
Entertaining and well-paced crime thriller effectively set in Toronto's gritty underside.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews