Esta noche digo adiós

Lincoln Perry #1

by Michael Koryta, Sergio Lledó Rando (Translator)

Cuando aparece el cadáver del investigador privado Wayne Weston en su casa en lo que parece ser un suicidio, y su mujer y su hija de cinco años desaparecen sin dejar rastro, Lincoln Perry y su compañero son contratados por el padre de Weston para limpiar el nombre de su hijo. Descubrirán rápidamente que el caso tiene raíces más profundas y oscuras de lo que pretende la prensa y el FBI: ciertos rumores de extorsión y de deudas en las apuestas, extraños vínculos profesionales con el magnate de la zona y un grupo de rusos conectados con el crimen.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense

360 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Michael Koryta (pronounced Ko-ree-ta) is a New York Times-bestselling author whose work has been lauded by Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Lisa Unger, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, and David Baldacci, among many others, and has been translated into more than 20 languages. His books have won or been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar® Award, Shamus Award, and many others.

Michael worked as a private investigator and newspaper reporter. His first novel, the Edgar-nominated Tonight I Said Goodbye, was accepted for publication when he was 20 years old.

Michael has written for the screen in both feature film and television. Those Who Wish Me Dead was released in 2021, starring Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Tyler Perry, Jon Bernthal and Aidan Gillen, directed by Taylor Sheridan.

He also writes bestselling supernatural thrillers under the pen name Scott Carson.

Michael was raised in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

He lives in Camden, Maine, and Bloomington, home of the undefeated national champion Indiana Hoosiers football team, a fact that still strikes him as surreal.

Reviews

[Metodi Markov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Добър дебют за Майкъл Корита, хареса ми историята.

Малко се е овъртолил с руската мафия, но пък май няма западен писател, който би се справил по-добре. 😉

Главният му герой - Линкълн Пери, е симпатичен и достоверно изграден персонаж. Партньорът му Джо също.

Написана е на приятен английски, подходящ за изучаващи езика.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this library book. The author wrote it when he was only 20 years old. It won the PWA(Private Eye Writers) award for a debut novel. The book opens with Lincoln Perry, 1/2 of a private investigation company having a conversation with John Weston. John wants to hire them to find out what happened to his son, Wayne, dead from an apparent suicide. He was found dead in a wealthy Cleveland, Ohio suburb. His daughter in law and granddaughter have disappeared. He wants answers and gives Lincoln a two thousand dollar retainer, which his company needs badly as they are in debt. When they start to investigate, they find a much bigger and more dangerous case than they suspected. The Russian mob, the FBI and local police are involved. There is homage paid to Dashiell Hammett's "Maltese Falcon" in that one of the characters claims to be in love with Wayne Weston's widow. He is an ex partner to Wayne Weston in their Private eye company. He offers to help with the investigation. Shades of Sam Spade!! There are some twists and turns in the plot, but I did suspect who the hidden bad folks were.
Some quotes: "The silence was a heavy thing. The house seemed to hold a sense of a family;..."
"There was a VCR built into the television,..." 2004 book, already has an anachronism.
I read this book in 2 days, very hard to put down.
This book will count for Ohio in my US state challenge.

[Marisol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un novela policiaca, una pareja de investigadores 🕵🏻, donde Lincoln Perry es el protagonista y su compañero Joe Pritchard un mero apoyo con pocas apariciones; y un misterio encarnado en el aparente suicidio de un detective privado llamado Wayne Weston, además de la desaparición de su pequeña hija y su atractiva esposa.


La historia es entretenida, sobre todo porque el misterio está blindado en un principio sin fisuras.

Pero existen varios escollos que se me fueron presentando y no puedo dejar de mencionarlos.

Se supone que la policía está involucrada así como el FBI en la investigación, pero resulta que no hicieron las indagaciones básicas……… Perry empieza a encontrar rastros e indicios a manos llenas, y la policía no se entero de nada 😇…….

Ya cuando la historia avanza y se empieza a resolver el misterio, te das cuenta que hace agua por todos lados, en serio pueden desaparecer personas implicadas directamente y no ser buscadas, sobre todo cuando dejaron rastros y más rastros.

Existe una idea enquistada en la trama de parecerse a las historias policiacas de los 40’s, 50’s, es decir están los elementos, un detective atractivo, peligro, mucho peligro y una mujer hermosa, pero nunca se siente real, no hay complejidad en los personajes, los diálogos son demasiado acartonados, el ambiente se siente falso.

Los malos son súper malos y se dan a manos llenas, pero Perry es un súper hombre que los contrarresta con su ingenio y valentía, es como un Rambo pero sin metralladora y sin bandana.

Al final todo se resuelve por arte de magia.

Además es una novela dubitativa, que se queda en medio, cuando quiere se presentan modernidades tecnológicas y cuando quiere se regresa a la época de la incomunicación y donde las personas no eran grabadas en las calles.

Entretenida si es, pero no hay mas allá, aún cuando el libro lo busca desesperadamente, es como una persona insegura buscando a cada momento que le digan que si es bueno, que si vale la pena, etc.

Si existiera un libro wannabe, sería este.

[✨Susan✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This who done it was paced very well which helped me to get to know the main characters personalities as the mystery unfolded. What started out as one investigation ended up turning into many different ones that kept our investigators twisting and turning.

There was a little bit of everything: the mob, police corruption, murder, a damsel in distress and a child that pulls on the heart strings. Perry and Pritchard, the main detectives make a good pairing and the narration was done just right for these two fairly rugged men.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable start to a new (for me) series. I like the characters, the writing style and a good, multi-layered plot. I'll definitely seek out more of Koryta's works.

[Denisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 Lincoln Perry y Joe Pritchard son unos ex-policías que se dedican a la investigación. Un día John Weston los contrata para esclarecer la muerte de su hijo y la desaparición de su nieta y su nuera.

En el transcurso de la investigación aparecen nuevos elementos tanto sorprendentes como peligrosos.

Tenía tiempo que no leía un thriller donde los protagonistas son investigadores. Me gustaron los personajes, la ambientación y la manera tan sencilla de la narración.

Algo que me gustó es que el libro se desarrolla en la ciudad de Cleveland del estado de Ohio. Un lugar que fui hace unos años y del cual tengo muy buenos recuerdos.

En general, el libro me gustó y más sabiendo que el autor lo escribió con tan solo 20 años de edad, mostrando su talento para este tipo de género.

[LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

TONIGHT I SAID GOODBYE (Private Investigators-US-Cont) – Ex
Koryta, Michael – 1st in series
Thomas Dunne Books, 2004 – Hardcover
Private investigators Lincoln Perry and Joe Pritchard have been hired by John Weston to provide that his son, also a private investigator, did not commit suicide and to locate his missing daughter-in-law and granddaughter. With the help of journalist Amy Ambrose, the case involves them with one of the city's wealthiest citizens, the FBI and the Russian mafia.
*** Michael Koryta admits he is a huge fan of Dennis Lehane, which does show in his writing. Koryta is 22 years old, which does not show. The difference is, rather than the psychopathic sidekick, this is a pair of ex-cops, one young who was fired, and his mentor partner who retired. They are a great team. There is good sense of place, excellent dialogue and escalating tension with a twist at the end. This is an excellent debut and a very good read.

[Chrisl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recall being impressed by this, and wanting to read more of Michael's world ... after a few more, I came to not want to try his stories again, ... a violence and bleakness aversion.

[MM Suarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A dead detective, a missing family, Russian thugs, and one of the city’s richest,” I said eventually. “A compelling little mess, isn’t it?”

I agree with the "little mess" part of the statement but compelling this novel is not. I have read multiple books by the author and I liked some of them, others not so much, this one falls in the meh group.

Private Investigators Lincoln Perry and Joe Pritchard are ok even if the bantering between the two gets a little too cutesy at times. It is just the improbable plot I could not get behind, and some of the scenes between Perry and the "not so grieving widow" Julie Weston were not only unbelievable but downright cringey. Korita is a pretty good writer but the story just never felt real or plausible, specially the ending. Not terrible but probably not the series for me.

[Aniket · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an exceptionally well written and fast paced book which I enjoyed thoroughly. Michael Koryta has easily climbed up the charts of the authors I genuinely like even though I'm yet to read his other novels. There were enough twists and turns to keep me from putting it down. The characters were interesting, I instantly liked Joe. I kept trying to guess what was going to happen next but the book proved me wrong everytime. Highly unpredictable! And there was lot of action for the action junkies like myself. The thrill and adrenaline rush while the hotel scene was unparalleled. The plot was attractive and complex. I'd say that it's an amazing book and I'd recommend it to every crime, thriller, or mystery fans.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written, engaging debut novel. I wasn't sure which characters to trust until very nearly the end of the book.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read three of this author's more recent novels in the horror/supernatural genre and have enjoyed them quite a bit. So I was somewhat disappointed in this novel, the author's first. He has grown as a writer since then, and even though this book was not bad, I would not call it good. The banter between the two partners seemed forced, and I did not get a good sense of how they meshed together as a team. The situations that they found themselves in did not seem realistic. I was especially surprised at the easy out the author took on how Julie was found. How convenient! And I especially did not like how the book ended. I could not understand how Lincoln could not be repulsed by Julie after learning that she was the one who killed her husband, and in cold blood, not self defense. After that, after he let her go, I did not care one whit about him. I truly doubt that I will read another in the series, though I will continue to read the author's other books in the genre he seems to excel in.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this is the author's first book. That's why I gave it 2 stars - because There is potential for improvement.

A couple of minor irritants: Glocks don't have safeties that are engaged or released; and, those devices that hold bullets are called "magazines", not "clips".

Major complaint: some of the ludicrous, laughable, unbelievable plot lines. For example, one of the detectives is sitting in a hotel hot tub, and the woman he's been searching for *just happens* to get in the hot tub with him!?

Even more implausible, how likely is it for a woman - any woman - to casually slip into a hot tub with a complete stranger late at night in a hotel? Totally implausible and quite ridiculous.


A

[Maureen DeLuca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent read. In the Cleveland suburb of West Olmsted, John Weston hires private investigators Lincoln Perry and Joe Pritchard to learn who killed his son Wayne and what happened to his missing daughter-in-law Julie and five year old granddaughter Betsy. The police suspect a murder-suicide though they have not found Julie or Betsy. From there the story just gets better and better. From a multi billionaire , the Russian Mob and all the twists and turns to finally figure out...what the HECK is going on here and why? A great read- will definitely read the next in this series (This being the first in the Lincoln Perry series)

[Gatorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable crime thriller from Koryta, this one the first in the Lincoln Perry series. Well-written with interesting characters, including the two lead PI's, and funny when it needs to be. The story moves along at a brisk pace and, while the relevations aren't exactly shocking, they are satisfying and fit within the story. If you like crime noir, you will likely enjoy this book. Highly recommended.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entretenida. Realmente asombra pensar que Michael Koryta escribió esta novela con tan sólo 20 años. De lectura sencilla pero con los giros de un buen policial. Mantiene la intriga. Recomendable.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I'm tempted to give this book five stars. It is an exciting suspenseful book with interesting characters. P.I.s Lincoln Perry and Joe Prichard, a former Cleveland police detectives are hired to investigate the apparent suicide of a fellow P.I., Wayne Weston, and his missing wife and ten-year-old daughter. In course they encounter Russian mafia and close calls. The story is told by Perry, and I like his light, humorous dialogue. What is amazing is that Koryta wrote the book when he was only twenty. I want to try others in the series. A GRs friend told me that get more violent; so I may not like them. Will have to see, but I highly recommend this book for mystery lovers.

[Curlyhair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new author for me and pleased I chose him. I really enjoyed this from the beginning. It was a good easy enough read, the main characters were favourable and it was a decent story (some things I did guess however).

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately even Scott Brick's excellent narration could not salvage this badly plotted mess. There were so many holes in the plot I gave up trying to solve the mystery and basically spent the second half of the book trying to guess what stupid thing the protagonist would do next.

There's a good long list of bad choices and even worse plotting. Here are a few:

1. Talk about how you don't trust someone but at the same time, let him in on your secret plans.

2. Figure out that the FBI guy is dirty, but then use land lines to have important conversations. (For some reason, this one never came back to bite them.)

3. While hiding from the bad guys, leave a kid unattended in a hotel room to go down for a bit of fun in the hot tub.

4. Play hide and go seek with a kid when you know bad guys are looking for her.

5. Continue to use a rental car that police are looking for in at least two states.

6. Be on the run and in hiding, yet don't have your bags packed and ready to go.

7. Forget the most important piece of evidence there is and have to go back for it.

8. Try to throw off your pursuers by driving to another city, but then take the most direct route there is back to where the bad guys are expecting you. Never could figure that one out!



I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Oh yeah. I almost forgot. There was a "twist" at the end. Too bad that by the time it came, I could not have cared less what happened to any of these pathetic characters.

[Atilio Frasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiene de todo: un detective cínico y su compañero, humor negro, chicos malos (la mafia rusa), hombres poderosos y malos, agentes de policía de dudosa credibilidad, una mujer bonita en problemas y peligrosa, una periodista (también bonita) y leal a sus amigos, un romance y un misterio que va encerrando varios misterios más.

A parte, ¿cómo negarme a leer un libro cuyo primer párrafo es: “La última vez que John Weston vio a su hijo con vida fue una helada tarde de la primera semana de marzo en la que, mientras ambos charlaban a la entrada del garaje, su nieta hacía un muñeco de nieve. Antes de marcharse, le dio una paternal palmadita en el hombro y prometió que volverían a verse pronto. Y así fue. Menos de cuarenta y ocho horas más tarde, lo vio muerto, tendido en una camilla con una bala de pequeño calibre en la cabeza. John se ahorró el horror de ver a su nieta en un estado parecido, pero la razón de ello apenas podía consolarlo. La niña de cinco años, Betsy Weston, y su madre habían desaparecido.”?

(Si bien en Goodreads encontré el libro por la misma editorial (Sudamericana es un sello del grupo editorial Random House) y la misma cantidad de páginas, la tapa del mío me gusta más.)

[Marleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected much more from my first Michael Koryta mystery, if I’m being honest. “Tonight I Said Goodbye” feels almost like an out-dated book. For a young writer I expected more originality, more unique plot-twisting, more depth.
On the plus side, I liked the main characters, the 2 ex-cops turned PI very much. Both Lincoln Perry and Joe Pritchard have a well defined personality, and are likeable and honorable men. Both from different generations, and it’s great to see how they respect each other and get along so well (with wit and humour). Where I felt the story falling short was in the plotting and in the clichés, especially the cliché of the bereaved widow who was missing or presumed dead, but was actually hiding in plain sight in another state. Julie Weston was depicted as a caricature. She was extremely one dimensional it was laughable. Furthermore I saw through her crocodile tears and falseness a mile away.
In the witty PI genre, this is far from being excellent or original, like for instance a Elvis Cole story - in my opinion. So, I’m not sure if I ever will read another book in this series.

[Rob Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 star debut from Koryta that heralded his arrival in fine fashion. All the classic elements of a good detective story are here. The wisecracking PIs, the case that turns complicated quickly, the mounting danger as they find themselves in over their head with the wealthy and powerful.

Other than a couple of twists the reader will see coming this is a surprising ride that keeps you guessing until the end. While not quite at the level of Lehane's Kenzie/Genarro novels, Tonight I Said Goodbye should appeal to fans of modern, character driven detective thrillers.

[Scott Rhee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent debut novel from a Cleveland native, Michael Koryta's "Tonight I Said Goodbye" is the first in a series of detective novels starring his private eye partners Perry and Pritchard. This one deals with the murder of a private eye, the disappearance of the victim's wife and daughter, and the Russian mob in Cleveland. It's a suspenseful read with some pretty good plot twists throughout. Recommended for fans of Les Roberts (another mystery writer who uses Cleveland as a setting), Harlan Coben, and Robert Parker.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a first book by a 21-year old man this book isn't bad...just typical for a PI-novel-with-bad-people-and-a-twist toward the end.....Mr Koryta could write a decent plot without devolving into random fucking (oy!)...but the book, while very page-turning, wasn't any better than most books of the genre....I have yet to read any other of his books (they are languishing on a shelf in the upstairs bathroom) so won't condemn Koryta yet...amen

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

Private detectives
Man dead, wife, daughter missing
Russian mob involved

Exciting thriller
Good characters, twist at end
Liked it quite a bit

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow but enjoyable.

[John Bastin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An investigator is found dead in his home, an apparent suicide. His wife and daughter are missing. This begins an intense thriller involving the search for the killer and the apparent victims. In the midst there is gambling, gun running, illegal money transfers and all manner of corruption. The tale keeps you locked to the story until the final resolution. Well worth reading.

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I understood this was the author’s first book. It’s hard to believe it was one of the best books I’ve read this year. I’m now getting other of Koryta’s books from the library and hoping they are as good.

[Maddie Heathcott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely enjoyed the book. It was a bit predictable at times, and the story felt slightly cliché, but it still managed to surprise me at the end with a plot twist I never saw coming. It was my first time in a long time reading a true mystery novel and now I low key want to read more mystery👀

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and reasonable amount of action but I didn't develop any particular fondness for the detective. Probably won't read any more in this series.