Murder Off the Books

Sullivan Investigations Mystery #1

by Evelyn David

Is your tuition paid up? College finals are killers–or maybe it's just the people who count the money. A retired Irish cop and a fast-food loving Irish wolfhound search for the campus murderer while dealing with a scooter-riding senior with dreams of trenchcoat adventures, a crazed exterminator looking for his ride, and a makeup artist whose mid-life crisis isn't any the less stressful because her clients never complain. A half-million dollars has vanished and a college comptroller is dead. Mackenzie Sullivan, recently retired DC cop and newly-minted private detective, really has no interest in the murder. Mac just needs to find the embezzled money for the university's insurance company. Finding the killer is a bonus that he's not sure he wants to earn.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Bio available at http://www.evelyndavid.com

Evelyn David is the pen name of two authors.

Fiction

Zoned for Murder - e-book - novel - 3/2012

3rd Editions - e-book
Murder Off the Books - novel - 9/2011
Murder Takes the Cake - novel - 10/2011

I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries - Vol 1 (Brianna Sullivan Mysteries)- e-book - 10/2010

The Dog Days of Summer in Lottawatah - Vo1 2 (Brianna Sullivan Mysteries) - novella length e-book - 10/2010

The Holiday Spirit(s) of Lottawatah - Vol 3 (Brianna Sullivan Mysteries) - novella length e-book - 11/2010

Undying Love in Lottawatah - Vol. 4 (Brianna Sullivan Mysteries) - novella length e-book - 2/2011

A Haunting in Lottawatah - Vol.5 (Brianna Sullivan Mysteries) - novella length e-book -4/2011

Lottawatah Twister - Vol. 6 (Brianna Sullivan Mysteries) - novella length e-book - 6/2011

Missing in Lottawatah - Vol. 7 (Brianna Sullivan Mysteries) - novella length e-book - 9/2011

Good Grief in Lottawatah - Vol. 8 (Brianna Sullivan Mysteries) - novella length e-book - 11/2011

Short Stories:
Riley Come Home - e-short

Love Lessons - e-book - short story collection

Reviews

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't have a whole lot to say about this one. I picked it up at the Friends of the Library Bookstore because it's one of those academic mysteries and I have a real weakness for those. I've read some of the most godawful things just because I couldn't resist an academic setting or academic sleuth or what-have-you. This isn't quite that bad--there's a half-way decent plot in there and I might actually like the characters better if they didn't seem to be intent on irritating each other repeatedly. I have two main thoughts:

1. The Wolfhound is a better detective than Mac. If he had only paid attention to Whiskey, he would have found the police's prime suspect--not just once, but twice. Not to mention that she was much more aware of others roaming around than he was. Whiskey is also the best character in the book. Followed by J J, the secretary that Mac never knew he needed until she just showed up.

2. If the prime suspect suspect--who swears he's innocent--would have just fessed up to the police about what he'd really been doing, then we'd probably have two less corpses and those nearest and dearest to him would never have been in danger. And, sure, that's often the case in mysteries. If only so-and-so had told what they know...or whatever. But generally speaking the reasoning makes sense (of a sort) and helps drive the plot in good way. I just find Dan really annoying and had to put the book down several times because I was disgusted with his self-centered behavior and the way he treated his big sister.

Overall, there are glimmers of good characters (when they're not shouting at one another) and the plot is decent. If another in the series comes my way, I might give it a shot. ★★ and 1/2 (rounded up)

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book I thought I would be giving it a 4-5 star rating. But then as I got to the second half of the book it fell to a 1-2 star rating. The second half was slow and repetitive. And the ending was very disappointing. Since this book was written by two authors (either each took half of the book or they collaborated though the book - I don't know), I would be interested to know who wrote what.

[Una · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very confusing start and frustrating switch between story and characters in the middle of chapters, but as the story progressed (beyond the first 50 pages) it got better and better.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stopped reading after a few chapters. Not sure why, it just didn't grab me -- I wasn't sure where the author was going with two different points of view. Your results may differ.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this excellent novel in 2007 but at that time never wrote up my opinions. Now, with fresh eyes, I can honestly say that this re-read is still a five star debut novel. What a delightfully written solid mystery novel. The Authors asked me if I had read it...'Yes' with pleasure.

We have a recently licensed Private Investigator, Maczenzie Sullivan, his trusty partner, Irish Wolfhound, Whiskey as they are fully involved in a stake-out. The coincidences begin. The person being staked-out is the new office manager of Mac's best buddy, Jeff who owns a funeral parlor business. Why is this person being staked out? Because, there is a cool half a million dollars missing from the college, a man is dead, and the insurance company wants their money safe!

Does that sound direct enough? Well, its not as you quickly find out, while laughing aloud, bodies are flying, vehicles are inter-changed, crazed exterminators are out to eradicate, and even kitties are involved. The suspect, you ask? Why, the suspect, is fully championed by his family and friends. In fact that is part of the problem.

This rollicking adventure through Washington, D.C. will have you laughing, amazed at the twists and turns, caught up in the chases, stake-outs, kidnappings, and more. The deaths will startle you, yet this novel can be enjoyed by both cozy murder mystery lovers as well as more edgier fans of the genre.

This novel is available in all formats, so please give it a read, or re-read.

[Chrissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit it...I'm enough of a dog person to buy books because they deal with dogs. Of course, I also enjoy a good mystery. Murder Off the Books flung investigator Mac Sullivan and his Irish Wolfhound, Whisky, into the path of a ruthless killer trying to make good on the theft of half a million dollars while continuing to leave bodies along the trail. Despite being hired to locate the money, Sullivan is unable to separate the theft and subsequent murders, as the same suspect is sought for the crimes and Sullivan becomes involved with the one person closest to his suspect--the suspect's divorced older sister, Rachel Brenner.

I would have preferred a closer focus on Sullivan and Whisky during the course of the investigation and, I'm embarrassed to say, a little more personality for Whisky. Since Sullivan takes her everywhere, one would assume that wolfhound is his emotional support as well as companion, yet Ms. David doesn't make much of this relationship. Instead, much of the book focuses on Rachel Brenner. This focus causes her to bear the brunt of the shocks, trials, and threats...including a random incident at the end of the book that just didn't make sense. Also, dividing the book between Sullivan and Rachel made for some inconsistent pacing.

On the whole, however, I enjoyed the characters and their somewhat crazy and amusing interactions.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good start for a series. There were a couple places where you were wondering why Mac the PI didn't pick up on clues that his Irish Wolfhound was giving when at other times he seemed practically telepathic with the dog. SPOILER ALERT: For instance, when Rachel's brother was in the kitchen and Rachel broke a cup because the brother startled her. She went back into the living room and practically pushed Mac and Whiskey out the door. Whiskey was whining and looking at the kitchen door but Mac was oblivious. Yet other times he was able to figure out when Rachel was in contact with her brother or going to meet her brother but he never suspected that Dan was in the house.

I felt the book was a good solid start for the series and I look forward to reading Murder Takes the Cake.

[Jennifer Oberth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun to read! It's got humor, action, mystery, suspense, and a 125-pound dog named Whiskey. Can you ask for anything more?

The characters are well-formed and instantly likable. (Wait until you meet the scooter-riding Edger!)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an enjoyable read.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder off The books, was a face paced great read. Filled with humor,twists & turns. It was a perfect who-dun-it. I anticpate Murder takes the cake this spring!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #: 85
Title: Murder Off the Books
Author: Evelyn David
Series: Sullivan Investigations #1
Format: 288 pages, Paperback, local library
Pub Date: First published March 1, 2007
Started: 12/27/23 Ended: 12/29/23
Awards: none
Categories: 2023 Book, Mystery, Debut Novel, Author with a Pen Name, First Book in a Series
Rating: ***** five out of five stars

Mackenzie "Mac" Sullivan is a former Irish cop. Whiskey is a current Irish wolfhound. Together they're Sullivan Investigations (with a Whiskey chaser :D ). Whiskey may be the brighter one of the two.

The College Controller was found dead. Half a million dollars is missing. Sullivan Investigations has been hired to recover the money. Mac doesn't care who the killer is, now if only he could convince the killer of that. The bodies are starting to pile up. And the person of interest keeps calling his sister to tell them that he's innocent and killer is after him as well.

I enjoyed the book. The scene where Whiskey is trying to tell Mac that their suspect is in the next room is hysterical. Unfortunately, this is the only book in the series that's available in the library. Evelyn David is the pen name for Marian Borden who lives in NY and Rhonda Dossett who lives in OK. "While many fans who attend mystery conventions have now chatted with both halves of Evelyn David, Marian and Rhonda have yet to meet in person." (from their website).

[Doug Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shortly after Concordia College discovers a $500,000 discrepancy in its accounts, the college comptroller is murdered. The college's insurer hires private detective Mackenzie (Mac) Sullivan, a retired police detective, to look into the financial crime.

For both Mac and the police investigating the murder, Daniel Thayer is a primary person of interest. Thayer, who worked in the comptroller's office, has mysteriously disappeared. Mac hopes that Thayer's sister, Rachel Brenner, can help him find Thayer, but she is also having trouble locating her brother. While the hunt for Thayer proceeds, additional crimes occur.

This is a fun mystery with well-developed characters (including Mac's dog Whiskey) and a fast-moving plot.

[Sarahanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book in a series. Not a bad foundation. There are some tropes that will get old fast but also lots of potential. We'll see which way it veers in book 2.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mac Sullivan is a former cop and now a private detective. Financially he is not a huge success, in fact with no car, he borrows vehicles from his friend the entrepreneur/funeral director Jeff. Mac also has Whiskey. Whiskey is an Irish Wolfhound and she is a wonderful dog. She is smart, choosy about who becomes her friend, and will eat anything in her path.

Rachel Brenner is a new employee at the funeral home. She is divorced, has a son in college and a brother who may be an embezzler and murderer.

Mac is hired to find the stolen money, his former cop buddies are after Rachel's brother for murder. And Rachel is determined to find the guilty party because she knows her brother Dan would never do anything terrible.

Mac is pushed into hiring JJ as his secretary. She has a head that is partially shaved, she is brilliant with computers, she knows people, and she is smart as a whip. I feel pretty sure that JJ will become one of my favorite characters in a book.

The mystery is a good one and you must pay attention to find the correct path. The embezzlement scheme is very involved and the total amount missing seems to be around half a million dollars. That is definitely enough money to make murder a viable option to cover one's tracks.

This is a first in a series, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I have read other books by Evelyn David and I recommend the writing. You will find that the books have humor along with the mystery. You will also find that the plots are terrific and the characterizations are first class. The people you meet in these books are generally people you will want to get to know. And Sullivan Investigation Mysteries are books which should be in your future.

[Diane Morasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mackenzie "Mac" Sullivan is a retired DC cop. He is now a private investigator and takes his Irish Wolfhound Whiskey on many stakeouts.Mac uses the numerous vehicles his buddy Jeff has. Jeff runs the local funeral home, but on the side he has an assortment of vehicles, including a pest control van and taxis.Mac is trying to find a half-million dollars that has been embezzled.

He is employed by the insurance company, but is soon hired by some teenagers to find Dan, the person the police believe is behind the embezzlement and a murder.Mac surveys Dan's sister's house. During the stakeout, Mac and Rachel Brenner meet. After they discover another murder, Rachel isn't sure what to believe. Did her brother really murder someone? Did he pilfer the money? Is he being set up? Can Rachel and Mac solve this mystery without putting themselves and her son in jeopardy?Evelyn David pens a fast-paced, captivating read with memorable characters and a plot that does not quit. An extremely entertaining tale.

[Lynn Hallbrooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that keeps you reading and reading.

It is a combination of mystery/thriller and police procedural with just the slightest hint of a romance.

Mackenzie "Mac" Sullivan discovered he had a lot to learn about being a detective. His current case finds him needing some of the services his best friend has to offer. He also meets an interesting bunch of characters along the way. Not the least of which is the sister of the person who is suspected of embezzlement at a local college. It's his job to find out if the brother took the money so his employer, the insurance company doesn't have to pay the college. Unfortunately, there are several murders that get in the way. Is the brother the murderer covering his tracks?

This book had lots of twists, turns and surprises all the way to the end.

Warning: This book is for Mature audiences due to violence, sexual situations, and adult language.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love a fast read for a mystery, then you'll enjoy the Sullivan Investigation series by Evelyn David. Mac Sullivan is a retired cop who's now a PI and has Whiskey, his faithful Irish wolfhound. He's on the case of an embezzlement at Concordia College, when a murder's taking place at the clock tower. And all fingers points to Rachel Brenner's brother, Dan Thayer, who's in hiding and suspicious. But she believes he's innocent and being framed--so does Rachel's son Sam and his friends Carrie and Ray. Sullivan and Rachel butt heads, but together they find out the truth a bit deeper behind the college, when someone else's murdered. And more suspicion is piled up on Dan, especially when the third body pops up. In the end, it's someone they didn't expect who's real evil and behind the scheme.

[Karen Syed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Publisher's Note:

If you love a mystery that isn't full of near perfect characters that can do no wrong, you won't want to miss this debut novel. This book, the first in the Sullivan's Investigations Mystery series, is a hoot!

With a cast of characters that will leave you breathless from their reality, to a mystery that will keep you guessing, this book has something for everyone. People who love humor and people who love dogs, will especially enjoy this whodunit.

And if you don't believe me, ask the American Dog Writers Association, they awarded it a finalist position in the 2008 fiction division of their writing contest.

Murder off the Books is also being issued as a foreign language novel in Tokyo soon.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother-in-law, Marian Borden, is one half of the writing team that makes up Evelyn David. I am really impressed with this book, because it's very much of its genre, serial mysteries, a genre that I never read, yet I really enjoyed both the story and the writing. Marian gave me a copy of Agatha Christie's At Betram's Hotel and I didn't enjoy it as much as I did Murder off the Books. If this book is better than "old Aunt Agatha," what more is there to say. I am very much awaiting the arrival of Murder Takes the Cake in a few months. If you are a frequent reader of mysteries, this should definitely be on your reading list. If, like me, you aren't a frequent reader of mysteries, give this one a try.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sullivan is a retired cop, now a private detective. His partner is an Irish Wolfhound named Whiskey. He's been hired to locate the subordinate of a murdered college comptroller who might know where the money is. His investigation collides with the murder investigation. He is staking out the man's sister, recently divorced Rachel.

This is quirky with possibilities. The characters are likeable and that's what kept me reading. The narrative switches back and forth between Rachel and Sullivan mostly effectively. The mysteries are all solved.....

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot - from the retired cop/current P.I. and his Irish Wolfhound Whiskey to the constantly befuddled and bedeviled Rachel who finds herself in the middle of three murders. Her brother is the main suspect and her son and friends are determined to help clear his name. This is a wild and fun ride from beginning to end.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the backcover:

"A retired Irish Cop and a fast-food loving Irish Wolfhound search for the campus murderer while dealing with a scooter-riding senior citizen with dreams of trench coat adventures, a crazed exterminator looking for his ride, and a makeup artist whose mid-life crisis isn't any the less stressful because her clients never complain."

[TeresaFL · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Not high lit by any means, but a good solid mystery. The characters were well written and I really loved the interaction between Mac and his lovely dog Whiskey. The story was convoluted enough to keep me interested and the ending was a bit of a surprise. I hope to read more about Mac and Whiskey solving mysteries and saving the day. (And maybe even getting the girl?)

[Patricia Gligor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder Off the Books" is another wonderful Sullivan Investigations Mystery by Evelyn David and I highly recommend it.
The plot is intriguing and will keep you guessing until the very end but what I enjoyed most about the book was the cast of unique and likeable characters.
This is definitely a book - and a series - that you won't want to miss!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because I could read alittle bit, set it down and pick it up again and not have to reread to remember what was going on. The fact that it had Warrenton VA settings made it more enjoyable-I have lived in that area and still have family there.

[Jakenv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great mystery for any time of year. Characters are full of life. There is enough action to keep you intrigued. Humor always a part of this authors writing was enough but not over the top. Highly recommend for cozy mystery lovers.

[Glenn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly unusual: a cozy mystery featuring a male rather than a female. Mac Sullivan is a retired police detective who now works as a private detective. He and his dog Whiskey are trying to identify an embezzler but run up against murder along the way.

[♥BELLA♥ vidaurri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a fast paced murder mystery with a lot of plot twists and turns. with a retired irish cop and and his fast food loving irish wolf hound. trying to solve a murder at the local college.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

looking forward to the next installment!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good first book in a series. it was well written and I enjoyed it.