The Ambassador

An Andy Roark Mystery #4

by Peter Colt

Boston, 1985. Private Investigator - and former Special Forces operative - Andy Roark knows he doesn't fit in with the regular clientele at the Harvard Club, and that's fine by him. He's at the elegant bar for one reason only: to meet with the former ambassador of Laos. Ambassador Gordon Stevenson has a job for him . . . and Roark's here to turn it down.

So what if Stevenson's been getting death threats? After what he did during the Vietnam war, the lives lost under his incompetent command, Roark's almost tempted to cheer his would-be assassin on. But then Roark finds out why he's been headhunted for the job. The FBI believe one of Roark's old army comrades is behind the threats, and only a fellow Green Beret can hunt the culprit down.

Too many of Roark's brothers in arms are dead. If he can save an old friend from making a terrible mistake, he has no choice but to set his feelings aside and take the case. But old grudges and dark secrets are at play, and Roark soon finds it's not just the ambassador's life that's in danger - it's his own.

Genres: Mystery

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2023

About the author

Peter Colt is currently a police officer in a small New England city where he has worked since 2007. He spent over twenty years in the Army reserve and was deployed to Kosovo in 2000, where he was attached to the Russian Army. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and again in 2008. He was fortunate to get to know many Vietnam vets and U.S. Army Special forces soldiers. He lived on Nantucket Island from 1973‑1986. He’s currently working on the next Andy Roark mystery.

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nailed it

This book shows real skill in character building, plot and denouement. Couldn't put it down. Dialogue, especially the repartee were very well done. Read it!

[Judy Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by Peter Colt, so I began my adventure in reading one of the Andy Roark mystery series with book number four and did not have any problem quickly feeling at home with the series. I liked what I was reading for several reasons. First, Andy Roark is a good character that the author has fleshed out well this far into the series. Second, I liked the way the plot unfolded so that the steps Roark takes to find and develop clues flows in a believable way. Third, the solution came as a surprise to me and that is exactly what I hope to find in a crime novel. The story takes place in 1985, not so long ago that it would be considered historical but far enough back in my memory that I found myself doing a spot of reminiscing about those years. And finally, I was exceedingly pleased to see that there was the bare minimum of profanity used by the characters and all of it fit into the situation where it took place. Altogether a nice surprise.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for an e-galley of this novel.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Roark is an likable character from the beginning and now four books in, flaws and all he’s still likable. He might drink to much, be short tempered and not be a good cat dad but all in all not a bad guy. When he takes on a case for the ex-Ambassador to Laos, Gordon Stevenson as a client, a man he can’t stand, a guessing game of who is threatening the man and if it could be one of Andy’s special forces buddies or a past enemy begins. FBI agent Brenda Watts makes the introduction and her relationship with Roark adds a needed friction to the story. Peter Colt has a way of writing that’s unlike anyone I’ve read, capturing wartime flashbacks and the eighties.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former Boston detective turned PI Andy Roark finds himself in the unusual position of trying to save the life of a man he does not respect because he wants to save a former colleague. Gordon Stevenson was the Ambassador to Laos during the Vietnam war and he's engendered a great deal of dislike among veterans, one of whom is out to kill him. Roark finds himself in a pickle more than once in this fast paced and at times over the top novel that has many descriptions of weapons and violence. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's the sort of book that would be perfect for travel.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid PI book, the 4th in a series, but the first that I have read. The cover claimed a similarity to the Spenser series by Robert Parker, but I didn’t see that hook.
Yes, Andy Roark is a Boston PI and former cop, but that is as far as it goes. The story line and character development is decent, but sadly there is no sidekick and the writing style is way different - no pithy one liners.

[Bob Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ex military turned PI out of Boston- hired by a snooty former ambassador to find who is threatening him and his wife- seems everyone but the PI gets shot or killed before in the bend,he kills bad woman,but not after she shoots ambassador,kills his wife earlier,kills son,they PI gets her- only bad thing was terrible ending

[Robert2481 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read all the Roark books. This is the best one.

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Roark and the Histoty Relived

Peter Colt continues to develop his anti-hero Andy Roark in this mystery thriller. Even when you think you know what’s happening around the corner, Colt twists and turns the plot to keep you jumping. A worthy and fun read that will bring me back for more.