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Jimmy "Soldier" Riley Mysteries #1
The Big Goodbye
Someone is following Lauren Lewis.
She ducks into the office of PI, Jimmy “Soldier” Riley, not to hire him, but to find out if he’s the one following her. Back when they were lovers he told her if he ever decided to, she’d never know he was there.
It’s 1940’s Panama City, Florida. The world is at war, and the growing panhandle paradise is doing its part. Tyndall Field is training pilots. Wainwright Shipyard is building battleships. The Naval Section Base is protecting vessels in the Gulf. The Dixie Sherman Hotel is hosting celebrities such as Clark Gable. Harry Lewis, a wealthy banker, is running for mayor, unaware his wife is running for her life.
With a secret to hide and a husband running for mayor in a city exploding and expanding like no other time in history, Lauren doesn’t want trouble, but she’s about to get a double-barrel full of it. Only one man can help her, and though it might destroy him, he doesn’t mind. Better to die than be the walking wounded.
The story of a guy, a girl, and a gun, The Big Goodbye is Florida Noir at its finest.
She ducks into the office of PI, Jimmy “Soldier” Riley, not to hire him, but to find out if he’s the one following her. Back when they were lovers he told her if he ever decided to, she’d never know he was there.
It’s 1940’s Panama City, Florida. The world is at war, and the growing panhandle paradise is doing its part. Tyndall Field is training pilots. Wainwright Shipyard is building battleships. The Naval Section Base is protecting vessels in the Gulf. The Dixie Sherman Hotel is hosting celebrities such as Clark Gable. Harry Lewis, a wealthy banker, is running for mayor, unaware his wife is running for her life.
With a secret to hide and a husband running for mayor in a city exploding and expanding like no other time in history, Lauren doesn’t want trouble, but she’s about to get a double-barrel full of it. Only one man can help her, and though it might destroy him, he doesn’t mind. Better to die than be the walking wounded.
The story of a guy, a girl, and a gun, The Big Goodbye is Florida Noir at its finest.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2011
325 people are currently reading
916 people want to read
About the author
Michael Lister
184 books233 followersNew York Times bestselling and award-winning novelist Michael Lister is a native Floridian best known for his literary suspense thrillers as well as his two ongoing mystery series, the prison chaplain John Jordan "Blood" series and the hard-boiled, 1940s noir Jimmy "Soldier" Riley Series, and the post-apocalypic suspense thriller Cataclysmos.
Visit www.michaellister.com for more information, or follow his youtube channel - Writing and Life at https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelL...
The Florida Book Review says that "Vintage Michael Lister is poetic prose, exquisitely set scenes, characters who are damaged and faulty" and Michael Koryta says, “If you like crime writing with depth, suspense, and sterling prose, you should be reading Michael Lister," while Publisher's Weekly adds, “Lister’s hard-edged prose ranks with the best of contemporary noir fiction.”
Michael grew up in North Florida near the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola River in a small town world famous for tupelo honey.
Truly a regional writer, North Florida is his beat.
Captivated by story since childhood, Michael has a love for language and narrative inspired by the Southern storytelling tradition that captured his imagination and became such a source of meaning and inspiration. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology with an emphasis on myth and narrative.
In the early 90s, Michael became the youngest chaplain within the Florida Department of Corrections. For nearly a decade, he served as a contract, staff, then senior chaplain at three different facilities in the Panhandle of Florida—a unique experience that led to his first novel, 1997’s critically acclaimed, POWER IN THE BLOOD. It was the first in a series of popular and celebrated novels featuring ex-cop turned prison chaplain, John Jordan. Subsequent books in the series include BLOOD OF THE LAMB, FLESH AND BLOOD, THE BODY AND THE BLOOD, BLOOD SACRIFICE, and RIVERS TO BLOOD, and each takes readers through the electronically locked gates of the chain-link fences, beneath the looping razor wire glinting in the sun, and into the strange world of Potter Correctional Institution, Florida’s toughest maximum security prison. Of the John Jordan series, Michael Connelly says “Michael Lister may be the author of the most unique series running in mystery fiction. It crackles with tension and authenticity,” while Julia Spencer-Fleming adds “Michael Lister writes one of the most ambitious and unusual crime fiction series going. See what crime fiction is capable of.”
Michael also writes historical hard-boiled thrillers, such as THE BIG GOODBYE, THE BIG BEYOND, and THE BIG HELLO featuring Jimmy "Soldier" Riley, a PI in Panama City during World War II. Ace Atkins calls the "Soldier" series "tough and violent with snappy dialogue and great atmosphere . . . a suspenseful, romantic and historic ride."
Michael Lister won his first Florida Book Award for his literary novel, DOUBLE EXPOSURE, a book, according to the Panama City News Herald, that “is lyrical and literary, written in a sparse but evocative prose reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy.” It is a contemplation of life and death, art and meaning, set deep in the swamps of the Apalachicola River, a thriller about a wildlife photographer whose camera traps capture a crime, that shows the beauty and danger of the Panhandle paradise.
His second Florida Book Award was for his fifth John Jordan novel BLOOD SACRIFICE.
Visit www.michaellister.com for more information, or follow his youtube channel - Writing and Life at https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelL...
The Florida Book Review says that "Vintage Michael Lister is poetic prose, exquisitely set scenes, characters who are damaged and faulty" and Michael Koryta says, “If you like crime writing with depth, suspense, and sterling prose, you should be reading Michael Lister," while Publisher's Weekly adds, “Lister’s hard-edged prose ranks with the best of contemporary noir fiction.”
Michael grew up in North Florida near the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola River in a small town world famous for tupelo honey.
Truly a regional writer, North Florida is his beat.
Captivated by story since childhood, Michael has a love for language and narrative inspired by the Southern storytelling tradition that captured his imagination and became such a source of meaning and inspiration. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology with an emphasis on myth and narrative.
In the early 90s, Michael became the youngest chaplain within the Florida Department of Corrections. For nearly a decade, he served as a contract, staff, then senior chaplain at three different facilities in the Panhandle of Florida—a unique experience that led to his first novel, 1997’s critically acclaimed, POWER IN THE BLOOD. It was the first in a series of popular and celebrated novels featuring ex-cop turned prison chaplain, John Jordan. Subsequent books in the series include BLOOD OF THE LAMB, FLESH AND BLOOD, THE BODY AND THE BLOOD, BLOOD SACRIFICE, and RIVERS TO BLOOD, and each takes readers through the electronically locked gates of the chain-link fences, beneath the looping razor wire glinting in the sun, and into the strange world of Potter Correctional Institution, Florida’s toughest maximum security prison. Of the John Jordan series, Michael Connelly says “Michael Lister may be the author of the most unique series running in mystery fiction. It crackles with tension and authenticity,” while Julia Spencer-Fleming adds “Michael Lister writes one of the most ambitious and unusual crime fiction series going. See what crime fiction is capable of.”
Michael also writes historical hard-boiled thrillers, such as THE BIG GOODBYE, THE BIG BEYOND, and THE BIG HELLO featuring Jimmy "Soldier" Riley, a PI in Panama City during World War II. Ace Atkins calls the "Soldier" series "tough and violent with snappy dialogue and great atmosphere . . . a suspenseful, romantic and historic ride."
Michael Lister won his first Florida Book Award for his literary novel, DOUBLE EXPOSURE, a book, according to the Panama City News Herald, that “is lyrical and literary, written in a sparse but evocative prose reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy.” It is a contemplation of life and death, art and meaning, set deep in the swamps of the Apalachicola River, a thriller about a wildlife photographer whose camera traps capture a crime, that shows the beauty and danger of the Panhandle paradise.
His second Florida Book Award was for his fifth John Jordan novel BLOOD SACRIFICE.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 23, 2017
Intriguing story involving World War II era characters
Wonderful depiction of a time when rationing was a daily thing, with coupons for gas,cigarettes an even clothes. The story revolves around a former policeman, now a PI, and his intense love for a married woman. The woman,Lauren is in an unconventional marriage with a man much older than herself,but she feels indebted to him and does love him.
This author has such a way with words, I have read many of his books and enjoy the prose very much! The characters he introduces us to are whole,well described and easy to form an opinion about! The twists and sharp turns keep us from being able to know what will happen,as the intense scenes and actions of the different characters keep us turning pages and gasping for breath.
Not a type of book I would generally read, but I am so entertained by Mr. Lister's writing that I have just purchased the second book in this series!!
Wonderful depiction of a time when rationing was a daily thing, with coupons for gas,cigarettes an even clothes. The story revolves around a former policeman, now a PI, and his intense love for a married woman. The woman,Lauren is in an unconventional marriage with a man much older than herself,but she feels indebted to him and does love him.
This author has such a way with words, I have read many of his books and enjoy the prose very much! The characters he introduces us to are whole,well described and easy to form an opinion about! The twists and sharp turns keep us from being able to know what will happen,as the intense scenes and actions of the different characters keep us turning pages and gasping for breath.
Not a type of book I would generally read, but I am so entertained by Mr. Lister's writing that I have just purchased the second book in this series!!
August 22, 2015
Lister did a great job of bringing mid-WWII America to life via the small details like rationing coupons that were part and parcel of that era.
But I caught three mistakes that really jumped out at me because he had done such a great job:
1/ At one point in the book, Jimmy calls a car a new Pontiac. Since auto manufacturing stopped in February 1942 so factories could convert to war production, there were no ‘new’ cars in the fall of 1943 when the book is set.
2/ Jimmy ‘punches’ in a phone number. He couldn’t have done that since all phones in 1943 were dial phones.
3/ Lister calls the scarf Lauren has tied around her hair a do-rag. While it was common for blacks of that era to wear them (usually fashioned from stockings), the term did not come into common usage until the 1990’s.
Lister has mastered time-appropriate dialog and narrative without overloading either with the slang typical of noir books written in the 40s. He delivers the corruption and double-dealings and twists that form the core of those novels as well as any of the masters of the genre did.
Lister also did a good job with his main character, Jimmy Riley, giving us real insight into his thoughts and feelings without belaboring them. He fell a little short in this department on Jimmy’s partner, Ray Parker, and other primary characters. I never really got a clear handle on them.
I want to read more of these books.
But I caught three mistakes that really jumped out at me because he had done such a great job:
1/ At one point in the book, Jimmy calls a car a new Pontiac. Since auto manufacturing stopped in February 1942 so factories could convert to war production, there were no ‘new’ cars in the fall of 1943 when the book is set.
2/ Jimmy ‘punches’ in a phone number. He couldn’t have done that since all phones in 1943 were dial phones.
3/ Lister calls the scarf Lauren has tied around her hair a do-rag. While it was common for blacks of that era to wear them (usually fashioned from stockings), the term did not come into common usage until the 1990’s.
Lister has mastered time-appropriate dialog and narrative without overloading either with the slang typical of noir books written in the 40s. He delivers the corruption and double-dealings and twists that form the core of those novels as well as any of the masters of the genre did.
Lister also did a good job with his main character, Jimmy Riley, giving us real insight into his thoughts and feelings without belaboring them. He fell a little short in this department on Jimmy’s partner, Ray Parker, and other primary characters. I never really got a clear handle on them.
I want to read more of these books.
August 8, 2011
Jimmy “Soldier” Riley is a one-armed Private Investigator in Panama City, Florida and the time is 1943. Jimmy is in a partnership with Ray Parker, a former Pinkerton detective. July is a cute little gal that works for the agency.
Ray and Jimmy have a lot going on and things are jumping in Panama City. When Lauren Lewis walks into the office Jimmy isn’t sure how to handle it. July wanted to send her in to see Ray but Jimmy insisted he could handle it. Lauren was married to Harry Lewis who was a leader in the city and getting ready to run for office. Jimmy and Lauren had an affair that was over now but just seeing Lauren made Jimmy remember every moment of the affair.
Lauren thinks someone is following her and wants to know if it is Jimmy. Jimmy denies that he is following her but senses that she is in danger. Jimmy decides whether Lauren likes it or not he is determined to protect her.
Protecting Lauren is easier said than done. Part of the time, he can’t even find her. Soon bodies start turning up and Jimmy is facing danger every step of the way. Jimmy has to call in help from his friends before he eventually is able to locate Lauren and attempt to get her to safety.
The story is puzzling as well as exciting. I figured out exactly what was going on with Lauren about half a dozen times. None of my ideas were correct. The ending was a shocker and I went back and reread some of the book and even though I knew what was going to happen I still couldn’t see it coming. A great book.
If you like exciting detective novels don’t miss this one.
Ray and Jimmy have a lot going on and things are jumping in Panama City. When Lauren Lewis walks into the office Jimmy isn’t sure how to handle it. July wanted to send her in to see Ray but Jimmy insisted he could handle it. Lauren was married to Harry Lewis who was a leader in the city and getting ready to run for office. Jimmy and Lauren had an affair that was over now but just seeing Lauren made Jimmy remember every moment of the affair.
Lauren thinks someone is following her and wants to know if it is Jimmy. Jimmy denies that he is following her but senses that she is in danger. Jimmy decides whether Lauren likes it or not he is determined to protect her.
Protecting Lauren is easier said than done. Part of the time, he can’t even find her. Soon bodies start turning up and Jimmy is facing danger every step of the way. Jimmy has to call in help from his friends before he eventually is able to locate Lauren and attempt to get her to safety.
The story is puzzling as well as exciting. I figured out exactly what was going on with Lauren about half a dozen times. None of my ideas were correct. The ending was a shocker and I went back and reread some of the book and even though I knew what was going to happen I still couldn’t see it coming. A great book.
If you like exciting detective novels don’t miss this one.
November 16, 2011
I read this crime novel because I noticed, seeing it on a library new book shelf, that it is set in Panama City, Florida, in the 1940s. An itinerant Air Force brat, I spent six months in that Gulf Coast beach town as an eighth-grader. While Lister’s references to places I remember -- Tyndall Field, St. Andrews Bay, etc. -- propelled me through the book, I found it disappointing. The author, a former prison chaplain, has penned in “Goodbye” a combination of hackneyed noir dialogue, violence, salacious behavior and god-squadding (one of the main characters undergoes a religious awakening). The result is peculiar, but not terribly interesting.
January 19, 2018
It was...okay. I'm a huge fan of hard-boiled and the premise and the character seems right, but stuff is oddly...out of place. It's clear Lister's done his historical research and I quite like the Florida setting, but for a hard-boiled guy, Riley sure does seem a lot more like a lost Boomer than a Greatest Generation type. In short, he whines a lot. And he has daddy issues he displaces onto Ray, his partner, with predictable effects.
The female characters are beyond flat--each can be described in one simple sentence, with no depth.
The mysteries are decent--it's the last person you'd expect in each of the narrative threads, but some of the reveals seem a bit abrupt, like they hadn't been plotted out in advance. I'm sure there's a bunch of set up here that might pay off in later novels--exactly what happened to cost Jimmy his arm, etc, and I'm patient with that, but these are sudden jarring reveals of stuff.
And now...a spoiler.
Because this really sticks in my craw.
We find out our protagonist has an STD, which he gave to Lauren. We find this out as a surprise to us, but it wasn't a surprise to Jimmy. And this opens a whole host of awkward questions--did he know he had the clap when he slept with her, which would make him a pretty high caliber scumbag to knowingly endanger her? Did he find out later and just vengefully decide not to tell her? There's literally no way that this plot twist does not diminish Jimmy in my mind. I don't expect my hard boiled protags to be saints, but I do expect them not to be asses. The hard boiled concept RELIES on the protagonist having a tungsten strong moral code, and there's no way I can spin that reveal that doesn't turn his morals into wet kleenex.
The female characters are beyond flat--each can be described in one simple sentence, with no depth.
The mysteries are decent--it's the last person you'd expect in each of the narrative threads, but some of the reveals seem a bit abrupt, like they hadn't been plotted out in advance. I'm sure there's a bunch of set up here that might pay off in later novels--exactly what happened to cost Jimmy his arm, etc, and I'm patient with that, but these are sudden jarring reveals of stuff.
And now...a spoiler.
Because this really sticks in my craw.
We find out our protagonist has an STD, which he gave to Lauren. We find this out as a surprise to us, but it wasn't a surprise to Jimmy. And this opens a whole host of awkward questions--did he know he had the clap when he slept with her, which would make him a pretty high caliber scumbag to knowingly endanger her? Did he find out later and just vengefully decide not to tell her? There's literally no way that this plot twist does not diminish Jimmy in my mind. I don't expect my hard boiled protags to be saints, but I do expect them not to be asses. The hard boiled concept RELIES on the protagonist having a tungsten strong moral code, and there's no way I can spin that reveal that doesn't turn his morals into wet kleenex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2017
As someone who grew up in the Florida panhandle and likes mysteries, this book set in WWII-era Panama City should have been right up my alley, but it fell way short. It had a handful of moments and a sprinkling of some witty lines, but overall was quite forgettable.
One reason that isn't limited to this specific book may be that, like so much of historical fiction, throwback hard-boiled detective mysteries are difficult for an author to sound authentic in narrative and dialog. One thing your canon authors (Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Ross MacDonald, Robert B Parker, even Dennis Lehane) have in common is that they are usually contemporary story tellers. Chandler wasn't imitating a '30s and '40s style because he was tapping into his own society. It was relevant and at least seemed genuine. A 2011 author writing about a detective 70 years in the past has a hard task not sounding like a parody.
One reason that isn't limited to this specific book may be that, like so much of historical fiction, throwback hard-boiled detective mysteries are difficult for an author to sound authentic in narrative and dialog. One thing your canon authors (Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Ross MacDonald, Robert B Parker, even Dennis Lehane) have in common is that they are usually contemporary story tellers. Chandler wasn't imitating a '30s and '40s style because he was tapping into his own society. It was relevant and at least seemed genuine. A 2011 author writing about a detective 70 years in the past has a hard task not sounding like a parody.
July 21, 2013
What attracted me to this book was the noir genre and the Panama City, FL setting. As a resident of the Panhandle for 16 years, I found that even though it was set some 70 years ago, the sense of place is still there. The noir at times felt a bit overdone, a bit too much of the movie-style tough-guy dialogue. And Jimmy's angst over his lost love felt a bit overdone at times as well. But despite those quibbles there was a good story overall, with a couple of surprising twists, and I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series.
December 27, 2021
Entertaining and thoroughly engrossing with a clear and professional narration. Another good read from an enjoyable author. 👍🏼 2021
Author Chaplain John Jordan novels, this is a dark one. Hope his others are not as sad. No graphics but some reference to sex, cussing, violence. tts-enabled. 2014
Author Chaplain John Jordan novels, this is a dark one. Hope his others are not as sad. No graphics but some reference to sex, cussing, violence. tts-enabled. 2014
August 6, 2017
Awesome Story
I admit that I usually have a better idea of the story line. The Who, what, when, where, and why. This book is one of the rare times that I was wrong about everything. I lift my glass to you, author, and look forward to the next time I meet you.
I admit that I usually have a better idea of the story line. The Who, what, when, where, and why. This book is one of the rare times that I was wrong about everything. I lift my glass to you, author, and look forward to the next time I meet you.
November 7, 2017
Jimmy Riley is an early 1920's Panama City, Florida former cop, who is now a tough, take nothing from anybody attitude, private detective since he lost his right arm. Everyone calls him "Soldier" as they assume he lost it during the war. In all actuality he lost it because of a gunshot wound that happened while he was recovering from a breakup with another man's wife who never loved her husband, but owe's him everything including her life. She re-opens old wound and brings Jimmy back into her life when she walks into his office to find out if he is the one who has been following her. She has become mixed up in with some not so very nice people, and now both of their lives are in danger.
This was a well written story, lots of action and drama, the normal threats, and fights. Police and politicians who work both sides of the law, and plenty of deaths. It also has the requisite hero feeling he has to save the damsel in distress that he used to be in love with, and probably still is needed for a good Noir styled book. It has good character development, and a good plot line.
This is Michael Lister's first Noir novel. All in all it is a good story that I liked well enough, but it seemed to be lacking something that I just can't put my finger on. Hopefully the next story will correct that.
This was a well written story, lots of action and drama, the normal threats, and fights. Police and politicians who work both sides of the law, and plenty of deaths. It also has the requisite hero feeling he has to save the damsel in distress that he used to be in love with, and probably still is needed for a good Noir styled book. It has good character development, and a good plot line.
This is Michael Lister's first Noir novel. All in all it is a good story that I liked well enough, but it seemed to be lacking something that I just can't put my finger on. Hopefully the next story will correct that.
July 4, 2019
I liked the first 3/4 of this noir WWII story, but then it turned me off. Jimmy's ex-lover is in trouble, but she won't tell him the truth of what is going on. He still loves her, but she is still married. Her older husband is trying to run for mayor and bad guys abound. People are getting killed and nobody can figure it out.
Because Lauren won't hire Jimmy, even though he is a private detective , he doesn't have many facts to go on. But he knows she is scared and worried, and so is her husband, in his own way.
So without much to go on, it is also hard for the reader to figure out the mystery. When it was revealed at the very end, I didn't like it very much. On the plus side, the author did a good job with the historical details of the 1940's; the gas rationing, the racism, the greed and corruption (oh, guess that wasn't just back then!!).
Because Lauren won't hire Jimmy, even though he is a private detective , he doesn't have many facts to go on. But he knows she is scared and worried, and so is her husband, in his own way.
So without much to go on, it is also hard for the reader to figure out the mystery. When it was revealed at the very end, I didn't like it very much. On the plus side, the author did a good job with the historical details of the 1940's; the gas rationing, the racism, the greed and corruption (oh, guess that wasn't just back then!!).
November 18, 2022
Weird Story and Awful Ending
I thought a historical noir detective novel sounded fun, but this turned out to be such a weird book. The overall story worked well enough: a mystery with multiple bodies, politics, blackmail, and a love story. I was intrigued initially by the one-armed PI. But Riley is obsessed with a woman, and she has an odd and implausible reason not to be with him. He's also the worst judge of character ever. I might not have rated this as low as I have had the book finished well, but the ending has to be one of the worst I've ever read. Honestly, I'm shocked the author turned this into a series. I'd never read another book by him.
I thought a historical noir detective novel sounded fun, but this turned out to be such a weird book. The overall story worked well enough: a mystery with multiple bodies, politics, blackmail, and a love story. I was intrigued initially by the one-armed PI. But Riley is obsessed with a woman, and she has an odd and implausible reason not to be with him. He's also the worst judge of character ever. I might not have rated this as low as I have had the book finished well, but the ending has to be one of the worst I've ever read. Honestly, I'm shocked the author turned this into a series. I'd never read another book by him.
December 12, 2024
This is the kind of book that I think of when people talk about noir. In the 1940s Florida panhandle a PI with a complicated love life gets more complicated. There is amazing dialogue, tremendous work by author Michael Lister creating atmosphere, and some great character work. The book makes you think this is a simple by the books mystery but things take a turn. The end had me shook. This is the first book I've read by Lister but not the last. Overall, an incredible piece of crime fiction.
April 13, 2025
A well-written mystery. The time period setting felt authentic. As I read I pictured the action as a black and white movie with iconic actors of yesteryear.
One anachronism that jolted me was having the MC “punch in the number” to place a phone call. Phones were rotary dial then. I’m not even positive that direct calls could be placed in 1942.
This is a fine point, but it doesn’t ring true to me that a married woman could repeatedly have lunch alone with a man that was not her husband, without having swift consequences via the community.
One anachronism that jolted me was having the MC “punch in the number” to place a phone call. Phones were rotary dial then. I’m not even positive that direct calls could be placed in 1942.
This is a fine point, but it doesn’t ring true to me that a married woman could repeatedly have lunch alone with a man that was not her husband, without having swift consequences via the community.
December 9, 2021
A private eye with personal issues, Jimmy is still in love with Lauren, the woman who broke his heart the day that he lost his right arm in the line of duty (as a police officer). This one is a bit erratic as he tries to figure out who is following the lovely Lauren.the end leaves us hanging…did they live? Stay tunes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2023
Great book!
Jimmy, former cop and now a PI, runs into a woman, Lauren, from his past. Lauren is the one who got away, the one he thinks about every day, wondering what went wrong with them, only to find himself along with Lauren, involved in several murder mysteries. This is an excellent book, 1 of 5 in this series. I highly recommend reading these books.
Jimmy, former cop and now a PI, runs into a woman, Lauren, from his past. Lauren is the one who got away, the one he thinks about every day, wondering what went wrong with them, only to find himself along with Lauren, involved in several murder mysteries. This is an excellent book, 1 of 5 in this series. I highly recommend reading these books.
July 23, 2017
I love you goodbye
This is a very intriguing novel. The characters are complex , troubled and sincere. I did not see the ending coming and was surprised. Very good story. Thank you and looking forward to the next novel.
This is a very intriguing novel. The characters are complex , troubled and sincere. I did not see the ending coming and was surprised. Very good story. Thank you and looking forward to the next novel.
November 21, 2021
Love conquers murder and political corruption.
A true noir book. A love affair provides information for blackmail of a politician. Murder is followed by kidnapping, before all is solved.
Really enjoyed this book.
A true noir book. A love affair provides information for blackmail of a politician. Murder is followed by kidnapping, before all is solved.
Really enjoyed this book.
December 8, 2021
Cheesy! This author takes ideas from other stories like a hunger man grabbing food off a buffet. I Identified themes from ‘I, The Jury’, ‘Out of Africa’ & ‘The Sun Also Rises’. Even these great tales can’t save this book!
April 21, 2022
This is an old school Noir story done well
When private eye Jimmy Reily's old flame walks into his office
trouble ain't far behind in this twisty tale of love, corruption and loyalty
in my imagination I pictured it in black and white
where it fit right in
When private eye Jimmy Reily's old flame walks into his office
trouble ain't far behind in this twisty tale of love, corruption and loyalty
in my imagination I pictured it in black and white
where it fit right in
July 22, 2017
More rambling love story than mystery.
July 18, 2019
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
March 15, 2020
A fascinating account of the creation of one of my Top 5 films of all time, Chinatown.
August 9, 2021
It didn't catch me until I was a bit into the book. I liked the ending, I had guessed part of it but a couple surprises.
November 19, 2021
Well done I have found a new writer to read. Lister puts together a great mystery with grity well defined characters that are easy to like. The plot keeps you guessing until the end.
November 25, 2021
Poor editing makes this story hard to follow at times. Grammar, spelling errors abound. Cliff hanger ending.
December 5, 2021
Very intriguing story. Who is following Lauren? Who is killing people? Why are they leaving clues that it was PI Jimmy Riley?
It's a dark story that keeps the reader guessing. Great mystery
It's a dark story that keeps the reader guessing. Great mystery
December 8, 2021
Loved it!
I loved the story, the genre and the characters. If you like old time mystery you will like this book.
I loved the story, the genre and the characters. If you like old time mystery you will like this book.
December 11, 2021
3.5 rounded up because audiobook narrator added punch to the story. Probably 3 if I read it.
February 10, 2022
A pretty third mystery
This is pretty good, not great, but good. It's rather predictable and the ending was weak. For part line of five, it's a good lead in.
This is pretty good, not great, but good. It's rather predictable and the ending was weak. For part line of five, it's a good lead in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews