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Joe Gunther #22
Tag Man
"Archer Mayor's Vermont police procedurals are the best thing going..." —New York Times Book Review
Across Brattleboro, Vermont, rich people (some with dark secrets) are waking up in their high security, alarm-equipped homes to find a Post-it note stuck to their bedside tables reading, "You're it." There is little sign of disturbance anywhere, nothing stolen (that anyone admits,) and only a bit of expensive food eaten as a signature. The Press loves the story and dubs the burglar the Tag Man.
But who is he? And what's he actually doing? In fact, he's quickly running for his life, for what he discovers in one of these houses appears to be proof of a heinous string of murders. But is it? Joe Gunther, struggling to recover from a devastating personal loss, leads his VBI team to untangle the many conflicting pieces of evidence, while the burglar himself struggles for survival in the no-man's-land between the police and the villains. With no one knowing what to believe, or who to trust, with Tag Man running for his life in a way he never imagined possible, as no one knows who's watching as they sleep, or who truly did what, the Tag Man is critically acclaimed author Archer Mayor at his very finest.
Across Brattleboro, Vermont, rich people (some with dark secrets) are waking up in their high security, alarm-equipped homes to find a Post-it note stuck to their bedside tables reading, "You're it." There is little sign of disturbance anywhere, nothing stolen (that anyone admits,) and only a bit of expensive food eaten as a signature. The Press loves the story and dubs the burglar the Tag Man.
But who is he? And what's he actually doing? In fact, he's quickly running for his life, for what he discovers in one of these houses appears to be proof of a heinous string of murders. But is it? Joe Gunther, struggling to recover from a devastating personal loss, leads his VBI team to untangle the many conflicting pieces of evidence, while the burglar himself struggles for survival in the no-man's-land between the police and the villains. With no one knowing what to believe, or who to trust, with Tag Man running for his life in a way he never imagined possible, as no one knows who's watching as they sleep, or who truly did what, the Tag Man is critically acclaimed author Archer Mayor at his very finest.
290 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2011
88 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
About the author
Archer Mayor
43 books732 followersOver the years, Archer Mayor has been photographer, teacher, historian, scholarly editor, feature writer, travel writer, lab technician, political advance man, medical illustrator, newspaper writer, history researcher, publications consultant, constable, and EMT/firefighter. He is also half Argentine, speaks two languages, and has lived in several countries on two continents.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
January 10, 2019
It's always fun to return to Vermont for a visit with Joe Gunther, the head of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation, and the rest of the cast that populates this long-running series. With the twenty-fourth volume in the series just appearing, this remains one of the best regional mystery series going.
As this book opens, Gunther is on personal leave, checking in occasionally with the rest of his team while he struggles to recover from a significant emotional blow that he suffered at the end of the preceding book. Joe is not a young man any more and through the years he's had more than his share of heartache. This latest tragedy has hit him particularly hard.
While he recovers, the city of Brattleboro is intrigued by the antics of a cat burglar who becomes known as the Tag Man. Adept at breaking and entering and at defeating the most sophisticated security systems, the Tag Man enters the homes of wealthy people and skillfully picks through their possessions, in the process deconstructing their lives for his own amusement. He apparently never takes anything of value, although at each stop he eats something out of the refrigerator. His calling card is a simple post-it note with the word "TAG" which he leaves at each scene.
To the press and to many other observers, it seems like simple fun and games. But it's not so funny to the people whose privacy is violated or to the authorities who are attempting without much success to put an end to that Tag Man's escapades. But then the Tag Man breaks into the home of a guy who rubs him the wrong way, and in this case he does walk away with something of great value to a very nasty man. Then, on his next outing, the Tag Man discovers something even more alarming, and suddenly his seemingly harmless hobby is no longer fun and games.
The Tag Man now has some very dangerous people after him, including the agents of the VBI. As the case heats up, Joe Gunther gradually emerges from his shell and ultimately takes the lead in the investigation. What follows is a dangerous game of cat and mouse that puts any number of people at risk, and as always, Archer Mayor spins a very engrossing tale. Readers who have not yet discovered this series would be well-advised to start with the earlier books, but old fans of the series will welcome this addition.
As this book opens, Gunther is on personal leave, checking in occasionally with the rest of his team while he struggles to recover from a significant emotional blow that he suffered at the end of the preceding book. Joe is not a young man any more and through the years he's had more than his share of heartache. This latest tragedy has hit him particularly hard.
While he recovers, the city of Brattleboro is intrigued by the antics of a cat burglar who becomes known as the Tag Man. Adept at breaking and entering and at defeating the most sophisticated security systems, the Tag Man enters the homes of wealthy people and skillfully picks through their possessions, in the process deconstructing their lives for his own amusement. He apparently never takes anything of value, although at each stop he eats something out of the refrigerator. His calling card is a simple post-it note with the word "TAG" which he leaves at each scene.
To the press and to many other observers, it seems like simple fun and games. But it's not so funny to the people whose privacy is violated or to the authorities who are attempting without much success to put an end to that Tag Man's escapades. But then the Tag Man breaks into the home of a guy who rubs him the wrong way, and in this case he does walk away with something of great value to a very nasty man. Then, on his next outing, the Tag Man discovers something even more alarming, and suddenly his seemingly harmless hobby is no longer fun and games.
The Tag Man now has some very dangerous people after him, including the agents of the VBI. As the case heats up, Joe Gunther gradually emerges from his shell and ultimately takes the lead in the investigation. What follows is a dangerous game of cat and mouse that puts any number of people at risk, and as always, Archer Mayor spins a very engrossing tale. Readers who have not yet discovered this series would be well-advised to start with the earlier books, but old fans of the series will welcome this addition.
September 26, 2021
I thought Disposable Man was quite good, one of the best in the series. This is possibly even better. Joe has gone through so much, yet he keeps his character, his good cheer, and his incredible intelligence in solving mysteries. Our hero is one of the greats..similar in some ways to the Scandinavian detectives created by Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo, or James Lee Burke--but no alcohol issue- which, in fact, is an improvement. Mayor has figured out how to present a somber character with a bit of a flaw, but to bring the magic out without the incumbents of addiction. The relationships..amazing. He finds his own with women of quality, even those who exceed him in ambition and cleverness, and he lets them go their own way. But this review has got to be more about the minor characters, the sullen yet occasionally sparking Willy of one arm, and Sam, who loves him, and here.. the Tag Man, a lovable, clever thief with a brilliant daughter. Vermont dark roads, heavy snow falls, dastardly evident crimes..it's all there.
October 3, 2017
“Tag Man” is part of Archer Mayor’s continuing Joe Gunther series. It is not necessary to have read any of the previous books.
Mayor created characters that we want to know, and then he brought the story to those characters, but not in the way we might expect. There is a crime spree in Brattleboro Vermont. Someone is breaking into homes, eating expensive food, and then leaving – without taking anything and without leaving a trace except for one little Post-it note “tag.” A harmless crime? Well, not entirely.
Early in the game we discover the identity of “Tag Man” because he is hiding in plain sight, and he does have a hidden agenda. Things go a little wrong for the “Tag Man” when he comes across some hidden love letters from a “victim’s” mistress. Unfortunately, he also stumbles onto something much, much worse, and that discovery puts his life and that of his daughter in jeopardy.
The characters are strong, and we support some of them despite their misdeeds; others we want brought to justice, and some we are just not sure about. Mayor intertwines these people in unusual ways as they chase one another all over Vermont. They are not who they seem to be, and all of them are on the run. Little details and clues dropped here and there kept me eagerly turning page after page, trying to fit things together.
The Vermont setting of the story is a character itself, and I followed the whole adventure on Google maps. I drove down Putney Road and over the bridge. I explored the pedestrian bridge, the food coop, and the dumpster. I even visited the Green Mountain Racetrack. I came to know the setting as well as the characters.
It is hard to believe that there are twenty-eight books in the Joe Gunther series. The stories are different and fascinating; the characters are familiar and innovative; the action is absorbing and gripping. I read the newest book Joe Gunther book, “Trace,” and I enjoyed it so much I was compelled to read more. I highly recommend the entire series. For me, two down, twenty-six to go.
Mayor created characters that we want to know, and then he brought the story to those characters, but not in the way we might expect. There is a crime spree in Brattleboro Vermont. Someone is breaking into homes, eating expensive food, and then leaving – without taking anything and without leaving a trace except for one little Post-it note “tag.” A harmless crime? Well, not entirely.
Early in the game we discover the identity of “Tag Man” because he is hiding in plain sight, and he does have a hidden agenda. Things go a little wrong for the “Tag Man” when he comes across some hidden love letters from a “victim’s” mistress. Unfortunately, he also stumbles onto something much, much worse, and that discovery puts his life and that of his daughter in jeopardy.
The characters are strong, and we support some of them despite their misdeeds; others we want brought to justice, and some we are just not sure about. Mayor intertwines these people in unusual ways as they chase one another all over Vermont. They are not who they seem to be, and all of them are on the run. Little details and clues dropped here and there kept me eagerly turning page after page, trying to fit things together.
The Vermont setting of the story is a character itself, and I followed the whole adventure on Google maps. I drove down Putney Road and over the bridge. I explored the pedestrian bridge, the food coop, and the dumpster. I even visited the Green Mountain Racetrack. I came to know the setting as well as the characters.
It is hard to believe that there are twenty-eight books in the Joe Gunther series. The stories are different and fascinating; the characters are familiar and innovative; the action is absorbing and gripping. I read the newest book Joe Gunther book, “Trace,” and I enjoyed it so much I was compelled to read more. I highly recommend the entire series. For me, two down, twenty-six to go.
November 5, 2011
First Sentence: He sat in the center of the love seat, in the darkened bedroom, settled against the soft pillows behind him.
The MacMansion set of Brattleboro, VT have experienced recent intrusions by someone who circumvents their high-end security systems, raids their pantry and fridge for fine food and leaves behind a Post-it which simply says “TAG.” Not usually one to steal, the Tag Man was so annoyed by the treatment by one victim toward his wife, Tag Man did take some papers from the desk just to let the victim know Tag Man had been there. At another house, he finds a hidden suitcase containing graphic photos and clothes of, what appears to be, murder victims. These discoveries leave the Tag Man is running for his life from both the police and other villains.
By their 22nd book, some authors start to lose the originality and sparkle to which you were originally attracted. Definitely not true with Archer Mayor. He knows how to take every element important to writing a top-notch mystery and combines it into an original plot with fascinating characters and excellent dialogue. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
From the opening sentence, Mayor creates, not just a strong sense of place, but the mood of the scene. He also, throughout the story, knows how to convey a sense of dread and suspense to the point where you find yourself holding your breath waiting to see what will happen.
The characters are very well drawn and real. New characters come to life, characters we’ve met briefly in the past are seamlessly incorporated again, and the central characters are introduced to new readers with just enough of their history so that you know who they are and where they are in their lives, even if this is the first book by Mayor you’ve read. At the same time, the central characters are not at all stagnant through the series, or even this book; they grow, develop and change as a result of events in each plot. They are people you want to know.
The plot is so well done even for all its slight quirkiness. It’s always odd to find one self cheering for one of the supposed villains, but there are enough real villains to hiss at as well.
Mayor is one of my favorite types of authors. In the approximately 300 pages, he created a story I didn’t want to stop reading one I’d started. “THE TAG MAN” is filled with great characters, excellent dialogue, great suspense scenes, and a satisfying, if somewhat unusual ending leading us to a future book but without being a traditional cliffhanger.
It was wonderful to see this book be the first of the series to reach the New York Times Best Seller List. What I can’t understand is why not all of his books have. Well done, Mr. Mayor.
THE TAG MAN (Pol Proc-Joe Gunther-Vermont-Cont) - Ex
Mayor, Archer – 22nd in series
Minotaur Books, 2011
The MacMansion set of Brattleboro, VT have experienced recent intrusions by someone who circumvents their high-end security systems, raids their pantry and fridge for fine food and leaves behind a Post-it which simply says “TAG.” Not usually one to steal, the Tag Man was so annoyed by the treatment by one victim toward his wife, Tag Man did take some papers from the desk just to let the victim know Tag Man had been there. At another house, he finds a hidden suitcase containing graphic photos and clothes of, what appears to be, murder victims. These discoveries leave the Tag Man is running for his life from both the police and other villains.
By their 22nd book, some authors start to lose the originality and sparkle to which you were originally attracted. Definitely not true with Archer Mayor. He knows how to take every element important to writing a top-notch mystery and combines it into an original plot with fascinating characters and excellent dialogue. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
From the opening sentence, Mayor creates, not just a strong sense of place, but the mood of the scene. He also, throughout the story, knows how to convey a sense of dread and suspense to the point where you find yourself holding your breath waiting to see what will happen.
The characters are very well drawn and real. New characters come to life, characters we’ve met briefly in the past are seamlessly incorporated again, and the central characters are introduced to new readers with just enough of their history so that you know who they are and where they are in their lives, even if this is the first book by Mayor you’ve read. At the same time, the central characters are not at all stagnant through the series, or even this book; they grow, develop and change as a result of events in each plot. They are people you want to know.
The plot is so well done even for all its slight quirkiness. It’s always odd to find one self cheering for one of the supposed villains, but there are enough real villains to hiss at as well.
Mayor is one of my favorite types of authors. In the approximately 300 pages, he created a story I didn’t want to stop reading one I’d started. “THE TAG MAN” is filled with great characters, excellent dialogue, great suspense scenes, and a satisfying, if somewhat unusual ending leading us to a future book but without being a traditional cliffhanger.
It was wonderful to see this book be the first of the series to reach the New York Times Best Seller List. What I can’t understand is why not all of his books have. Well done, Mr. Mayor.
THE TAG MAN (Pol Proc-Joe Gunther-Vermont-Cont) - Ex
Mayor, Archer – 22nd in series
Minotaur Books, 2011
July 1, 2015
Tag Man : My token Joe Gunther book, more interesting than most of Mayor's books. I read, or at least started most of the series, and would have awarded 4 stars to some, but on average Mayor wasn't an author to reread. Tentative about recommending to library borrowers.
February 26, 2020
This was my first Joe Gunther mystery and am now hooked!!! Love this author. Writes in an engaging manner with characters that are relatable. If you like a riveting mystery and smart procedural mystery, you’ll love this book.
October 21, 2022
This book kept my interest all the way through. What happens when a man with lots of personal issues decides to entertain himself by breaking into peoples homes, walking around their home, eating some of their expensive food, and then leaving a Post-it with the word "Tag" near their beds happens upon information he never should have seen?
Dan has some OCD issues and social awkwardness. He wants to just challenge himself with these break ins, BUT he finds something so outrageous and it scars him. Soon he has more problems than he bargained for and is running for his life.
Meanwhile Police Chief Joe Gunther is still mentally healing from his girlfriends murder and he is just getting back to work with this case.
An interesting story, 22nd in a series, about this policeman. I will look at other installments in this series and try to start at the beginning, since I liked this authors style of writing.
Dan has some OCD issues and social awkwardness. He wants to just challenge himself with these break ins, BUT he finds something so outrageous and it scars him. Soon he has more problems than he bargained for and is running for his life.
Meanwhile Police Chief Joe Gunther is still mentally healing from his girlfriends murder and he is just getting back to work with this case.
An interesting story, 22nd in a series, about this policeman. I will look at other installments in this series and try to start at the beginning, since I liked this authors style of writing.
June 7, 2014
This is one of the best police procedural series ever and Joe Gunther, Mayor’s main character, is one of the most human in all of fiction.
In this book, however, Joe takes a back seat to the other members of his VBI team – Willie, Sammie, and Lester – because he’s still reeling from a terrible personal loss. Too many authors, after putting their protagonist in this situation, have their main character shrug it off like a bruise. Mayor doesn’t. As the book progresses, Joe slowly sheds the effects of that loss and comes more to the fore. But he’s a different Joe than in earlier books. It will be interesting to see how Mayor develops him from here.
I said in a prior review that I hate these books because they are so good, I devour each one in no time at all. That was true here, although I did manage to make it last two days instead of the usual one.
I can’t wait until I can get my hands on the next book in this excellent series.
In this book, however, Joe takes a back seat to the other members of his VBI team – Willie, Sammie, and Lester – because he’s still reeling from a terrible personal loss. Too many authors, after putting their protagonist in this situation, have their main character shrug it off like a bruise. Mayor doesn’t. As the book progresses, Joe slowly sheds the effects of that loss and comes more to the fore. But he’s a different Joe than in earlier books. It will be interesting to see how Mayor develops him from here.
I said in a prior review that I hate these books because they are so good, I devour each one in no time at all. That was true here, although I did manage to make it last two days instead of the usual one.
I can’t wait until I can get my hands on the next book in this excellent series.
May 13, 2014
TAG MAN
Archer Mayor
It is so wonderful when a patron recommends a book that I really like and can share that mutual opinion. This is one of those wonderful occasions.
The Vermont Bureau of Investigation is trying to determine who is behind the puzzling tag man. The tag man breaks into rich homes and leaves a tag proving he has been there while his only crime is the expensive food he eats and then leaves. On one of his break ins he stumbles across a horrific murder, in a mob boss's home he finds a blackmail scam, that finds him and his treasured daughter in a fight for their lives.
The tag man is a compulsive but extremely likeable character and the Vermont Bureau of Investigation staff is a very strong ensemble of returning characters in his many novels.
This is an extremely intelligent mystery which is a major part of its appeal. Mr. Mayor's characters are very real, the plot is quirky but believable, and makes for a great read.
Archer Mayor
It is so wonderful when a patron recommends a book that I really like and can share that mutual opinion. This is one of those wonderful occasions.
The Vermont Bureau of Investigation is trying to determine who is behind the puzzling tag man. The tag man breaks into rich homes and leaves a tag proving he has been there while his only crime is the expensive food he eats and then leaves. On one of his break ins he stumbles across a horrific murder, in a mob boss's home he finds a blackmail scam, that finds him and his treasured daughter in a fight for their lives.
The tag man is a compulsive but extremely likeable character and the Vermont Bureau of Investigation staff is a very strong ensemble of returning characters in his many novels.
This is an extremely intelligent mystery which is a major part of its appeal. Mr. Mayor's characters are very real, the plot is quirky but believable, and makes for a great read.
March 3, 2022
This is another x Ellen Joe Gunther novel which has exceeded my expectations! This was fast paced as I like it. Multiple characters were involved and described enough that there was nothing lacking to me though others disagree. I agree each book can be read alone however; I love the storyline of the characters particularly Willy and Sammy. On to the next! :-)
January 26, 2016
This was another good one in Archer Mayor's Joe Gunther series. I finished reading the book while we were in Vermont on a mini-vacation so that made it even nicer. Archer keeps getting better and better.
July 4, 2019
As always, I enjoyed the 22nd installment of Archer Mayor's Joe Gunther series. A solid mystery with Joe taking a backseat in this one, as his character is still grieving from the events in the last book. While I always enjoy Joe being centerstage, it felt realistic that Mayor gave his character an appropriate time to get over his loss. The plot is a little more quirky but I enjoyed Mayor's creativity with this one.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
August 18, 2020
Top of my list
I have been reading the Joe Gunther novels from the beginning. At this point, he and his team are like extended family. Familiar and comforting. But Archer Mayor never fails to keep me interested. Each case is as unique and interesting as each of the characters in these books. For me they're a staple. Part of my regular life. ALWAYS at the top of my reading list. They always will be, because they're that good.
I have been reading the Joe Gunther novels from the beginning. At this point, he and his team are like extended family. Familiar and comforting. But Archer Mayor never fails to keep me interested. Each case is as unique and interesting as each of the characters in these books. For me they're a staple. Part of my regular life. ALWAYS at the top of my reading list. They always will be, because they're that good.
July 5, 2021
The Joe Gunther books by Archer Mayor are good go-to books if you want to enjoy a good adventure. And it's nice to go back to visit Joe and his colleagues, Willy, Sammy, etc.
This isn't a mystery; you learn who the Tag Man is early in the book. It's more about how Gunther and Co. figure out who he is, and then work on closing the case, which gets more complicated than just someone who enjoys breaking into people's mansions and then not stealing anything.
This isn't a mystery; you learn who the Tag Man is early in the book. It's more about how Gunther and Co. figure out who he is, and then work on closing the case, which gets more complicated than just someone who enjoys breaking into people's mansions and then not stealing anything.
January 22, 2021
This was a fun and sometimes fast paced read. My first book by this author and in the series. I didn’t really connect with the police (ie Joe and crew) but I very much enjoyed the Tag Man. Worth the read. Easy to read. By this I mean sometimes the story may be interesting but I may skim parts because of how a book is written. Not the case with this one. Clean and concise. Spare. Enjoyable.
July 9, 2021
Joe Gunther is back, after a personal tragedy strikes. (see the previous book in the series)
This was a page turner for me, suspenseful, with interesting characters. There are several things happening and they all come together in the end. I love Archer Mayor's writing style. Be sure to read right to the final sentences.
This was a page turner for me, suspenseful, with interesting characters. There are several things happening and they all come together in the end. I love Archer Mayor's writing style. Be sure to read right to the final sentences.
June 28, 2022
Love this series!
Joe Gunther is so wonderfully captivating. A real true good cop/detective. Each book is unique yet there is ongoing story line with the main cast of characters. Miss Tom Taylorson as narrator. In this one we see a return of a couple of characters from a previous story, which I enjoyed. Always enjoy reading books from this series.
Joe Gunther is so wonderfully captivating. A real true good cop/detective. Each book is unique yet there is ongoing story line with the main cast of characters. Miss Tom Taylorson as narrator. In this one we see a return of a couple of characters from a previous story, which I enjoyed. Always enjoy reading books from this series.
June 11, 2017
I have not read any of Archer Mayor books before and this was #22 in a series but I was able to read & understand easily. A very different mystery - Starts out interesting but a little slow & then the characters come alive with action - a believable plot & I liked the ending..
February 22, 2020
I’ve been listening to all of Mayors books of Joe Gunther. Being a native of Massachusetts I’m familiar with Vermont the reason for listening to these books. Tag Man has been my favorite so far. It had more then one twist.
October 4, 2021
One of the best books if not the best in the series so far. An extremely original story unveiled with humor and with empathy. Every page was enjoyable and I finished the book in a day and a half. I highly recommend it.
November 10, 2021
I have really come to enjoy these characters and watching them develop.
To be honest, the criminal plot in this one was not one of my favorites but the way it was used to move the characters along worked for me.
To be honest, the criminal plot in this one was not one of my favorites but the way it was used to move the characters along worked for me.
December 7, 2017
Another great Joe Gunther series read. We started at #1 and are up to #26 now. Can't put them down.
October 7, 2022
good idea, first two thirds were quality, but then it crashed in the last third
May 18, 2020
Excellent and intriguing case for Joe, Sam, Willie and Lester of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation. Recommended?
September 10, 2023
Not as good as some, but glad to see Joe is recovering. Still ticked off at this author.
June 9, 2022
Tag man turns out to be an informant of Willy's who has a college age daughter. He is on the spectrum, has created a not normal life for his daughter, but she's used to him and loves him. He finds photos of gruesome killings of girls from decades earlier, is appalled, but the killer figures out he's been there and goes after him, causing he and his daughter to have to leave. A rich guy had some blackmail papers stolen by the TM and hired a killer to knock him off but the killer ended up dead instead.
Across Brattleboro, Vermont, rich people (some with dark secrets) are waking up in their high security, alarm-equipped homes to find a Post-it note stuck to their bedside tables reading, "You're it." There is little sign of disturbance anywhere, nothing stolen (that anyone admits,) and only a bit of expensive food eaten as a signature. The Press loves the story and dubs the burglar the Tag Man.
But who is he? And what's he actually doing? In fact, he's quickly running for his life, for what he discovers in one of these houses appears to be proof of a heinous string of murders. But is it? Joe Gunther, struggling to recover from a devastating personal loss, leads his VBI team to untangle the many conflicting pieces of evidence, while the burglar himself struggles for survival in the no-man's-land between the police and the villains. With no one knowing what to believe, or who to trust, with Tag Man running for his life in a way he never imagined possible, as no one knows who's watching as they sleep, or who truly did what, the Tag Man is critically acclaimed author Archer Mayor at his very finest.
Across Brattleboro, Vermont, rich people (some with dark secrets) are waking up in their high security, alarm-equipped homes to find a Post-it note stuck to their bedside tables reading, "You're it." There is little sign of disturbance anywhere, nothing stolen (that anyone admits,) and only a bit of expensive food eaten as a signature. The Press loves the story and dubs the burglar the Tag Man.
But who is he? And what's he actually doing? In fact, he's quickly running for his life, for what he discovers in one of these houses appears to be proof of a heinous string of murders. But is it? Joe Gunther, struggling to recover from a devastating personal loss, leads his VBI team to untangle the many conflicting pieces of evidence, while the burglar himself struggles for survival in the no-man's-land between the police and the villains. With no one knowing what to believe, or who to trust, with Tag Man running for his life in a way he never imagined possible, as no one knows who's watching as they sleep, or who truly did what, the Tag Man is critically acclaimed author Archer Mayor at his very finest.
April 6, 2024
SPOILERS……
As this series has progressed, Mayor has changed the POV from mostly Joe Gunther to more of the main characters, and even to some of the “bad guys” in the stories. Although I dislike the cookie-cutter villain POVs which have diminished my love for this series, I DO find some of these criminal element characters interesting and don’t mind following the stories through their POV, as it adds complexity to their characters. Dan, who we met earlier in the series when he impressed Willie with his keen observational insight and hidden intellect, is one of these characters. However, we end up with two more one-dimensional villains chasing him, which once again diminishes my interest in that aspect of the storytelling.
Another thing that really bothered me about this book was the fact that he didn’t ask Willie for help when he discovered the pictures of the dead girls. I know he was worried about getting in trouble for being the Tag Man, but clearly this pales in comparison to uncovering a murderer. And we know Willie has a seemingly preternatural instinct for walking that fine line between associating with criminals but still doing things by the book. I believe there was a way that Dan could have pulled Willie into this way earlier to get his opinion on the photos, but keep his Tag Man identity known only to Willie long enough for them to figure out what was going on with the murders.
As this series has progressed, Mayor has changed the POV from mostly Joe Gunther to more of the main characters, and even to some of the “bad guys” in the stories. Although I dislike the cookie-cutter villain POVs which have diminished my love for this series, I DO find some of these criminal element characters interesting and don’t mind following the stories through their POV, as it adds complexity to their characters. Dan, who we met earlier in the series when he impressed Willie with his keen observational insight and hidden intellect, is one of these characters. However, we end up with two more one-dimensional villains chasing him, which once again diminishes my interest in that aspect of the storytelling.
Another thing that really bothered me about this book was the fact that he didn’t ask Willie for help when he discovered the pictures of the dead girls. I know he was worried about getting in trouble for being the Tag Man, but clearly this pales in comparison to uncovering a murderer. And we know Willie has a seemingly preternatural instinct for walking that fine line between associating with criminals but still doing things by the book. I believe there was a way that Dan could have pulled Willie into this way earlier to get his opinion on the photos, but keep his Tag Man identity known only to Willie long enough for them to figure out what was going on with the murders.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2022
Published 2011
It’s the compelling characters and realistic investigations that drive the often complicated plots, even the fictional VBI.
Just this year, I read the 2022 publication first and was hooked. When I catch up on old novels, it will be frustrating to have to wait for a year for them. This series became my go-to good read.
Great to see the enigmatic DAN KRAVITZ back again in this novel. He’s more than we expected and the tension builds when he becomes the suspect. He’s Willie’s long-time informant and they grew to like each other when surprised to find a common bond — they are both “different” and people “buy their act.” But is Dan hiding his life as a serial killer? Hard to believe when his only love of life is his teen daughter, Sally. Sally is the perfect daughter for this strange man — open, self-assured, very bright, compassionate and nonjudgemental. Being very well-balanced is a glowing testimony to Dan having to raise her on his own after his wife died, both of them adjusting to any accommodations he can find for them. I felt sorry for her in the novel that involved them briefly in an investigation. This novel tells us more about both of them.
It’s the compelling characters and realistic investigations that drive the often complicated plots, even the fictional VBI.
Just this year, I read the 2022 publication first and was hooked. When I catch up on old novels, it will be frustrating to have to wait for a year for them. This series became my go-to good read.
Great to see the enigmatic DAN KRAVITZ back again in this novel. He’s more than we expected and the tension builds when he becomes the suspect. He’s Willie’s long-time informant and they grew to like each other when surprised to find a common bond — they are both “different” and people “buy their act.” But is Dan hiding his life as a serial killer? Hard to believe when his only love of life is his teen daughter, Sally. Sally is the perfect daughter for this strange man — open, self-assured, very bright, compassionate and nonjudgemental. Being very well-balanced is a glowing testimony to Dan having to raise her on his own after his wife died, both of them adjusting to any accommodations he can find for them. I felt sorry for her in the novel that involved them briefly in an investigation. This novel tells us more about both of them.
April 8, 2025
Creepy cool beginning, but the author wins you over to kind of liking Dan Kravitz, so when his sticky fingers land him in unexpected double trouble, you’re cheering for him to find a way out unscathed. The plot moves quickly when the hit man arrives and the quirky side characters add color. Joe Gunther begins to recover from the tragedy of a previous book, and there is a puzzle left hanging for a future story. I liked the ending since I was fond of Dan.
June 6, 2017
This book was OK (in my opinion). I feel like if I were a fan of Archer Mayor of followed this series, I might have enjoyed it more. In all, I thought the story had an interesting premise and I enjoyed the ending, but I'm not going to race out and read more (mystery books aren't usually my thing anyway).
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