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Fairhaven
Retired cop Jake Mosby wants a quiet, simple life selling old books in an inherited bookstore, but serial killer Charlie Fairhaven is running around Skagit County. There's a grandson no one wants, an old flame rekindled and endless complications.Ken Coffman is the master of unique characterizations and Fairhaven delivers a rich reading experience.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2011
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About the author
Ken Coffman
25 books4 followersKen Coffman is a Field Applications Engineer, writer, publisher and bad guitar player currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 1, 2012
Ken Coffman's Fairhaven (ISBN: 978-0982773420) is a loving homage to the works of Charles Willeford, specifically the Hoke Mosely series (Miami Blues, Sideswipe, et cetera). The title plays off "The Grimhaven Manuscript" which I described in "Madness in the 20th Century" as:
An early draft for the second book in the Moseley series, New Hope for the Dead, is commonly known as "The Grimhaven Manuscript." Herein we witness Hoke burnt-out from his job as a homicide detective. He begins a quest for "absolutely nothing" and determines that this may best be attained through killing off his ex-wife and two daughters. Needless to say, Willeford's publisher refused the draft. The second (and successful) stab at the sequel, stands as not only the best of the Moseley books but of Willeford's oeuvre.
The Fairhaven of Coffman's title is Charlie Fairhaven, a rest home nursing assistant who finds too much pleasure in euthanizing patients around the Pacific Northwest. Curmudgeonly retired cop Jake Mosby (not to be confused with Hoke Mosely) gets reluctantly involved in the case when one of the customers at his decrepit bookstore dumps it in his lap.
Initially I was afraid that Mosby's grandson, Nort, would become a precocious source of comic relief a la Grandma Mazur from the Stephanie Plum books. Fortunately, Coffman handles Nort and all of the other oddball characters of Fairhaven well. Likewise, Coffman could have made Fairhaven more of a jokey send-up of Willeford. Instead, his references to Willeford's work are brief, appropriate, and appreciated.
Coffman excels at taught, compelling storytelling and has crafted a must-read for mystery enthusiasts, especially Willeford fans.
An early draft for the second book in the Moseley series, New Hope for the Dead, is commonly known as "The Grimhaven Manuscript." Herein we witness Hoke burnt-out from his job as a homicide detective. He begins a quest for "absolutely nothing" and determines that this may best be attained through killing off his ex-wife and two daughters. Needless to say, Willeford's publisher refused the draft. The second (and successful) stab at the sequel, stands as not only the best of the Moseley books but of Willeford's oeuvre.
The Fairhaven of Coffman's title is Charlie Fairhaven, a rest home nursing assistant who finds too much pleasure in euthanizing patients around the Pacific Northwest. Curmudgeonly retired cop Jake Mosby (not to be confused with Hoke Mosely) gets reluctantly involved in the case when one of the customers at his decrepit bookstore dumps it in his lap.
Initially I was afraid that Mosby's grandson, Nort, would become a precocious source of comic relief a la Grandma Mazur from the Stephanie Plum books. Fortunately, Coffman handles Nort and all of the other oddball characters of Fairhaven well. Likewise, Coffman could have made Fairhaven more of a jokey send-up of Willeford. Instead, his references to Willeford's work are brief, appropriate, and appreciated.
Coffman excels at taught, compelling storytelling and has crafted a must-read for mystery enthusiasts, especially Willeford fans.
November 15, 2012
This story begins in Skagit County, Washington state, where 66 year old Jake Mosby a retired police detective is informed of his father's death and his inheritance . Jake is stubborn, he does not want the money or house but he does keep the used book store. His daughter sends his grandson Nort to live with him. Eleanor Bradley a resident in the Peaceful Meadows Assisted Living Facility approaches Jake wanting him to investigate some deaths at the home. Thus ensues the investigation and the chase of Charlie Fairhaven.
This was fine story with likable and realistic characters. I would highly recommend this book. Thanks to Net Galley and Stairway Press.
This was fine story with likable and realistic characters. I would highly recommend this book. Thanks to Net Galley and Stairway Press.
August 22, 2011
I had great hopes for this book about a retired detective searching for a psychopathic serial killer. The characters were great and the story line was too for a good part of the book but it just fell apart. There were numerous typo's but I am sure the editors will fix that before this book goes to print. I would have liked to see a little more explaining why the killer turned out this way. This could have been a great thriller ;(
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews