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Mike Connolly Mystery #2
Double Take
Since we saw him last in Sober Justice , Mike Connolly has moved on from his live-in girlfriend and he's still sober, but his law practice remains on the skids—until he's asked to represent a former police officer suspected in the bombing death of a wealthy Southern heir. Mike needs all the help he can get to solve this case that involves infidelity, drugs, money, and espionage. He finds himself unraveling a knotted case with a kind of foresight and help he hadn't even believed in before. Double Take is set in Mobile, Alabama, against a backdrop of shrimpers, strip clubs, and rowdy bars with dog-fights for entertainment. It's not gratuitous but realistic, and satisfies readers of gritty mysteries. Download the Readers' Guide.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2005
About the author
Joe Hilley
17 books385 followersI was born in Alabama and grew up on the Gulf Coast. After years of practicing law, I quit to write about people and topics that interest me.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 21, 2010
It’s round two for our hero Mike Connolly, and it’s a doozy. Mike’s challenges in Double Take, the second in Mr. Hilley’s “Mike Connolly Mystery” series, make his first case (see Sober Justice) seem fairly tame.
It’s hard to know where to begin. Let’s try here:
Mike Connolly is retained by a certain Harvey Bosarge, who is an apparent suspect in a overkill bombing that vaporized a member of a prominent local family. I say “apparent.” You could attach that descriptor to just about everybody in this crime novel, as almost nobody is who they seem to be—especially Mr. Bosarge. Caught up in an investigation that involves a half-dozen federal agencies, various local law enforcement agencies, as well as private security personnel, Mike weaves his way through a maze of intrigue and deceit that seems to have no end.
Navigating the now familiar landmarks of Mobile Bay and it surroundings, we travel into the oozing black mud of the Alabama bayou, seedy back streets hosting a variety of activities few people of scruples would choose to discuss, and even on to the French Quarter of New Orleans in all its scandalous glory. All this to track an odd-bedfellow collection of characters caught up in political corruption, drug smuggling and the sex trade. Oh, the fun just goes on!
Mike brings his own foibles to the table, much as we saw in Sober Justice. Mr. Hilley shows us a very real Mike Connolly—now sober and saved—who struggles with the demons of his past life. He takes two steps forward and slips back one—much like many of us who have emerged from a dark, pre-Christian past and have baggage to unload that, at times, seems to stick to our hands. We all understand Mike, we all sympathize with Mike, and many of us empathize with Mike.
If you like a grass-roots tale of crime and consequences—physical, moral and spiritual—Double Take is a sure bet.
Ready for round three!
It’s hard to know where to begin. Let’s try here:
Mike Connolly is retained by a certain Harvey Bosarge, who is an apparent suspect in a overkill bombing that vaporized a member of a prominent local family. I say “apparent.” You could attach that descriptor to just about everybody in this crime novel, as almost nobody is who they seem to be—especially Mr. Bosarge. Caught up in an investigation that involves a half-dozen federal agencies, various local law enforcement agencies, as well as private security personnel, Mike weaves his way through a maze of intrigue and deceit that seems to have no end.
Navigating the now familiar landmarks of Mobile Bay and it surroundings, we travel into the oozing black mud of the Alabama bayou, seedy back streets hosting a variety of activities few people of scruples would choose to discuss, and even on to the French Quarter of New Orleans in all its scandalous glory. All this to track an odd-bedfellow collection of characters caught up in political corruption, drug smuggling and the sex trade. Oh, the fun just goes on!
Mike brings his own foibles to the table, much as we saw in Sober Justice. Mr. Hilley shows us a very real Mike Connolly—now sober and saved—who struggles with the demons of his past life. He takes two steps forward and slips back one—much like many of us who have emerged from a dark, pre-Christian past and have baggage to unload that, at times, seems to stick to our hands. We all understand Mike, we all sympathize with Mike, and many of us empathize with Mike.
If you like a grass-roots tale of crime and consequences—physical, moral and spiritual—Double Take is a sure bet.
Ready for round three!
Read
March 18, 2018Since we saw him last in Sober Justice, Mike Connolly has moved on from his live-in girlfriend and he's still sober, but his law practice remains on the skids—until he's asked to represent a former police officer suspected in the bombing death of a wealthy Southern heir. Mike needs all the help he can get to solve this case that involves infidelity, drugs, money, and espionage. He finds himself unraveling a knotted case with a kind of foresight and help he hadn't even believed in before.
Love this author! His books keep you on the edge of your seat!
Love this author! His books keep you on the edge of your seat!
January 22, 2014
This second mystery starring Mike Connolly is everything you'd expect from a Christian-themed whodunit…but that's not a bad thing. It actually made for great reading, and, so far, I would recommend this series to anyone who likes sleuth stories with a touch of inspiration.
(Yes, the song "Double Take" from Austin & Ally was going through my head when I pulled this from my shelf.)
(Yes, the song "Double Take" from Austin & Ally was going through my head when I pulled this from my shelf.)
July 20, 2016
7/10
A wonderful sense of place created in this novel; the Alabama setting feels authentic. A mystery that kept me turning pages. The characters also seemed real. Enjoyable. Protagonist Mike Connolly acts a bit like the Harry Bosch character of author Michael Connelly. And the writing in both series is similar in a gripping, procedural way, avoiding plagiarism or fawning.
A wonderful sense of place created in this novel; the Alabama setting feels authentic. A mystery that kept me turning pages. The characters also seemed real. Enjoyable. Protagonist Mike Connolly acts a bit like the Harry Bosch character of author Michael Connelly. And the writing in both series is similar in a gripping, procedural way, avoiding plagiarism or fawning.
August 30, 2020
A great read! This was Joe Hilley's second novel - released in 2005, it continues the characters introduced in Sober Justice. Well-developed characters, rich setting, intriguing plot - I read it in print but it's available as an eBook also
June 8, 2020
Ok, this author is making me lose sleep. I read before going to sleep and sometimes there is just no appropriate place to stop reading!!! This one takes Mike Connelly on a ride through every kind of evil, drugs, money, infidelity, espionage and still maintain his own moral compass. One thing I am noticing as I read through Joe Hilley's books, each one has a feeling of familiarity and comfort as I finish one and start another. The plots and twists are all a little different but the characters and the locations are familiar.
August 22, 2020
This book is a follow-on to Hilley's first book, Sober Justice. Not so much a sequel as a continuation of the lives and stories of the main characters. Set along the Gulf Coast, the story takes place in and around Mobile, which is one of the oldest cities on the coast. Great setting. Great characters. Wonderful story. I really liked it and now I'm on to the third book in this series, Electric Beach.
September 14, 2020
Lots of twists and turns. Got lost a lot in keeping everyone straight. The end was confusing. Easy read. I kept reading thinking it would get better. I should have quit
November 22, 2021
I just really like Mike
A lawyer, who acts as if he's an investigator, a priest who is a counselor, a bunch of bad guys, a few loose women, a scorned ex and daughter. Throw in an elderly, fisherman type uncle who lived on the marina....and you have a good read! Goid over bad, right over wrong, and justice prevails.
A lawyer, who acts as if he's an investigator, a priest who is a counselor, a bunch of bad guys, a few loose women, a scorned ex and daughter. Throw in an elderly, fisherman type uncle who lived on the marina....and you have a good read! Goid over bad, right over wrong, and justice prevails.
March 10, 2022
Very intriguing
Storyline fits right in with the events of today's happenings. We need to pray that the Russia'Ukraine war will end soon and the Biden Admin will come to their senses and start producing our own energy to help ease inflation.
Storyline fits right in with the events of today's happenings. We need to pray that the Russia'Ukraine war will end soon and the Biden Admin will come to their senses and start producing our own energy to help ease inflation.
December 31, 2022
Started out enjoying this book but it bogged down about 2/3 through. Too many characters, ending seemed kind of thrown together and I found it unsatisfying. I can think of other potential endings that would have made more sense and been more satisfying.
February 20, 2022
Great series
You can't help but like Mike Connolly. There's two books had plenty of heart and plenty of action. The supporting characters were great too. I give it two thumbs up.
You can't help but like Mike Connolly. There's two books had plenty of heart and plenty of action. The supporting characters were great too. I give it two thumbs up.
November 25, 2022
The second book in the Mike Connolly mystery series. Entertaining characters. Great setting.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews