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John Corey #0.5
The Book Case
Length: 1hr 58 mins
In this compact and delightful murder mystery, New York Times bestselling suspense novelist Nelson DeMille returns to one of his most beloved characters—the hard-boiled NYPD Detective John Corey. New York City bookstore owner Otis Parker is dead, killed by a falling bookcase. A tragic accident? Corey isn’t so sure. With deadpan humor and skeptical eye, the determined detective is on the case, and everyone who has the misfortune to be connected to Parker is a suspect—the failing mystery writer in town to sign books; the beautiful young wife, and the bookstore employee who appears to be more nervous than aggrieved. In his debut Kindle Single, DeMille deftly maneuvers through the twists and turns of this fast-moving story, delivering his legion of fans yet another gripping read.
In this compact and delightful murder mystery, New York Times bestselling suspense novelist Nelson DeMille returns to one of his most beloved characters—the hard-boiled NYPD Detective John Corey. New York City bookstore owner Otis Parker is dead, killed by a falling bookcase. A tragic accident? Corey isn’t so sure. With deadpan humor and skeptical eye, the determined detective is on the case, and everyone who has the misfortune to be connected to Parker is a suspect—the failing mystery writer in town to sign books; the beautiful young wife, and the bookstore employee who appears to be more nervous than aggrieved. In his debut Kindle Single, DeMille deftly maneuvers through the twists and turns of this fast-moving story, delivering his legion of fans yet another gripping read.
2 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 1, 2011
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About the author
Nelson DeMille
262 books7,384 followersNelson Richard DeMille was an American author of action adventure and suspense novels. His novels include Plum Island, The Charm School, and The General's Daughter. DeMille also wrote under the pen names Jack Cannon, Kurt Ladner, Ellen Kay and Brad Matthews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews
February 9, 2023
The Book Case (John Corey #0.5) by Nelson DeMille
Since I have decided to dip my toe into the John Corey series, I decided to start with this Kindle Unlimited short story. Corey being described as having a deadpan humor and skeptical eye, this little story amused me. Corey is a laugh a minute in his head and that kind of silly thinking goes on in my own head, for better or worse, so I think I'll enjoy the full length books, too. I've already downloaded the first full audiobook in the series so I'll get to see how l like to spend a whole book full of Corey now.
This was a Kindle Unlimited selection.
Since I have decided to dip my toe into the John Corey series, I decided to start with this Kindle Unlimited short story. Corey being described as having a deadpan humor and skeptical eye, this little story amused me. Corey is a laugh a minute in his head and that kind of silly thinking goes on in my own head, for better or worse, so I think I'll enjoy the full length books, too. I've already downloaded the first full audiobook in the series so I'll get to see how l like to spend a whole book full of Corey now.
This was a Kindle Unlimited selection.
February 26, 2025
4 stars
shortish review for busy readers:
A delightful Bibliomystery about cocky NYPD cop John Corey, who solves the murder of a disliked bookseller crushed under a huge Victorian bookcase in under two hours.
The 1st person narration is highly amusing, and how Corey puts one and one and one together is very fun to watch. Realistic without being overplayed or cliched. I'm sure some cases are just as open-and-shut as this one to a detective with a good eye.
A surprise:
I learned that -- at least in NY -- police are are allowed to lie to suspects to get information! If the question becomes "who in the room is lying," dude...it just might be the cop. 😬
The story also included this nugget of life wisdom (slightly amended): "never sleep with anyone who has more problems than you do". If only more people took that advice...
A very fun read and a worthy Bibliomystery!
shortish review for busy readers:
A delightful Bibliomystery about cocky NYPD cop John Corey, who solves the murder of a disliked bookseller crushed under a huge Victorian bookcase in under two hours.
The 1st person narration is highly amusing, and how Corey puts one and one and one together is very fun to watch. Realistic without being overplayed or cliched. I'm sure some cases are just as open-and-shut as this one to a detective with a good eye.
A surprise:
I learned that -- at least in NY -- police are are allowed to lie to suspects to get information! If the question becomes "who in the room is lying," dude...it just might be the cop. 😬
The story also included this nugget of life wisdom (slightly amended): "never sleep with anyone who has more problems than you do". If only more people took that advice...
A very fun read and a worthy Bibliomystery!
February 11, 2012
Hello, my name is Matt and I have a bromance. DeMille's release of THE BOOK CASE brought me face to face with one of the greatest narrators I have ever come across, Scott Brick. Well worth your time and he brings John Corey's character off the page and into real life. In fact, he does that with most books he narrates.
This two hour narration shows John Corey in his early NYPD days, complete with sarcasm and the like. He is sharp witted, full of detective smarts, and really just wants to get to the root of the issue. I am not sure which I prefer more, the sarcasm or the ability to peel back the layers of the crime with such ease. Knives, guns, bombs, and candlesticks; these are all murder weapons. But death by book case... so up Corey's alley. A whodunit of the highest order.
DeMillie is the master writer and with Corey as his main prop. KUDOS to you both and bring on THE PANTHER in November.
Matt
This two hour narration shows John Corey in his early NYPD days, complete with sarcasm and the like. He is sharp witted, full of detective smarts, and really just wants to get to the root of the issue. I am not sure which I prefer more, the sarcasm or the ability to peel back the layers of the crime with such ease. Knives, guns, bombs, and candlesticks; these are all murder weapons. But death by book case... so up Corey's alley. A whodunit of the highest order.
DeMillie is the master writer and with Corey as his main prop. KUDOS to you both and bring on THE PANTHER in November.
Matt
April 8, 2024
Quite predictable and not particularly enthralling. I doubt I'd read more from this series.
May 16, 2012
A great to-the-point detective story. There is little extraneous information here -- no endless exposition sequences, no parade of red herring suspects, and no philosophizing or soul searching on the part of the detective (the only thing he wants is breakfast). It is just a clever mystery that NYPD detective John Corey solves with equal parts ingenuity and persistence.
August 13, 2020
Много добър завършек на джобния флъш роял "Мистериозно-виртуозно". Единствените герои в кримките, които могат да ми харесат повече от устатите частни детективи са чепатите им колеги полицаи. А Джон Кори, отбил се да огледа привидно нещастен случай в книжарница, е точно такъв. Разказът, воден от първо лице (много любим мой писателски похват) и изпълнен със свеж хумор пък беше допълнителен бонус. Имам само лека забележка към онзи ключов момент, довел до пробива в разпита на заподозрените, но все пак... оценка 5=
Цитатчета:
Беше по-бързо да стигна пеша, отколкото да вземам колата от участъка, така че започнах прехода през четири пресечки по Хъдсън, приведен срещу силния северен вятър, който се носеше с рев по улицата. Един ексхибиционист на ъгъла разтвори шлифера си и беше отнесен над сградата на "Уестърн Юниън. Майтап.
На дясната витрина бяха изложени съвременни автори на бестселъри като Брад Мелцър, Джеймс Патерсън, Дейвид Балдачи, Нелсън Демил и други, които изкарват повече пари от мен като пишат за онова, с което се занимавам.
От друга страна, писателите имат огромно его и ако нещо им създаде неудобства, например земетресение или терористична атака, го приемат много лично и се дразнят.
Цитатчета:
Беше по-бързо да стигна пеша, отколкото да вземам колата от участъка, така че започнах прехода през четири пресечки по Хъдсън, приведен срещу силния северен вятър, който се носеше с рев по улицата. Един ексхибиционист на ъгъла разтвори шлифера си и беше отнесен над сградата на "Уестърн Юниън. Майтап.
На дясната витрина бяха изложени съвременни автори на бестселъри като Брад Мелцър, Джеймс Патерсън, Дейвид Балдачи, Нелсън Демил и други, които изкарват повече пари от мен като пишат за онова, с което се занимавам.
От друга страна, писателите имат огромно его и ако нещо им създаде неудобства, например земетресение или терористична атака, го приемат много лично и се дразнят.
August 25, 2019
Не очаквах, обаче се оказа забавно. Но не ми допада криминалният жанр да е в толкова кратка форма.
"Бях го преценил като човек, който харесва книгите повече от хората, които ги купуват. Иначе казано, типичен собственик на книжарница."
"Бях го преценил като човек, който харесва книгите повече от хората, които ги купуват. Иначе казано, типичен собственик на книжарница."
February 15, 2017
A fun introduction to Detective John Corey - I liked him and would like to read more!
September 25, 2018
Short and sweet with no frills. Enjoyable lunch time listen with a good narrator, but nothing that is going to knock your socks off. I am OK with that. It's entertaining. Take a listen.
October 30, 2015
A good detective short based on Nelson Demille's, NYPD John Corey detective series. This was a fun, whodunit about a bookstore owner killed by one of his own bookshelves. It was interesting how ND referenced and incorporated himself as well as other famous authors into the story, and then had his detective's character comment on how he felt about each of their writing styles. A little insight into ND's favorites.
Scott Brick's voice was perfect for this rough and tumble, matter of fact character.
Scott Brick's voice was perfect for this rough and tumble, matter of fact character.
September 29, 2023
4.5*
I enjoyed this short story introducing detective John Corey. Some nice humour in it.
Will definitely read the first in the series now.
I enjoyed this short story introducing detective John Corey. Some nice humour in it.
Will definitely read the first in the series now.
August 4, 2017
I took a copy of this book as one of my 3 selections for free kindle singles via IHG hotel status this past quarter.
It wasn't until after I had started the story, that I realized that this book is actually a prequel to the series featuring this character. Those books which have John Corey as some sort of super duper internatonal crime detective don't interest me very much at all. However, I kind of liked this story set back when he was an NYPD detective. I'd definitely read another one of these if the author decided to try again.
It wasn't until after I had started the story, that I realized that this book is actually a prequel to the series featuring this character. Those books which have John Corey as some sort of super duper internatonal crime detective don't interest me very much at all. However, I kind of liked this story set back when he was an NYPD detective. I'd definitely read another one of these if the author decided to try again.
May 12, 2012
Since I "discovered" Nelson DeMille many years ago, he's become one of my favorite authors, and I've read everything he's written. So of course I pre-ordered "The Book Case" when I saw it listed as a Kindle Single.
The short story (or novelette, if you like) features John Corey, a recurring character in several of DeMille's novels. While I didn't care too much for Corey in his first appearance in Plum Island, he's grown on me, with his quick-witted sense of humor and his dogged determination to solve a case. The story in "The Book Case" predates Plum Island, at a time when Corey was still a detective with the NYPD. That was well before he met (and later married) FBI agent Kate Mayfield, also one of my favorite DeMille characters.
In "The Book Case," Detective Corey is investigating the death of bookstore owner Otis Parker. Was it an accident or was it murder? The evidence, or actually some missing evidence, convinces Corey that foul play was involved. It looked like an inside job, and there was no shortage of possible suspects, but proving his theory could be tough, considering that the suspects all appeared to have their stories straight.
This is the same John Corey who became such a marvelous character in DeMille's novels, displaying the same deadpan humor and funny asides, and his natural deductive skills that make him a great cop. "The Book Case" was a very enjoyable story, and a delight to watch John Corey at work once again.
Hopefully this won't be the last we see of NYPD Detective John Corey.
The short story (or novelette, if you like) features John Corey, a recurring character in several of DeMille's novels. While I didn't care too much for Corey in his first appearance in Plum Island, he's grown on me, with his quick-witted sense of humor and his dogged determination to solve a case. The story in "The Book Case" predates Plum Island, at a time when Corey was still a detective with the NYPD. That was well before he met (and later married) FBI agent Kate Mayfield, also one of my favorite DeMille characters.
In "The Book Case," Detective Corey is investigating the death of bookstore owner Otis Parker. Was it an accident or was it murder? The evidence, or actually some missing evidence, convinces Corey that foul play was involved. It looked like an inside job, and there was no shortage of possible suspects, but proving his theory could be tough, considering that the suspects all appeared to have their stories straight.
This is the same John Corey who became such a marvelous character in DeMille's novels, displaying the same deadpan humor and funny asides, and his natural deductive skills that make him a great cop. "The Book Case" was a very enjoyable story, and a delight to watch John Corey at work once again.
Hopefully this won't be the last we see of NYPD Detective John Corey.
August 11, 2017
I adore Nelson DeMille's writing.
This is a fun, short mystery (under 100 pages), and it's lovely!
Usually short stories like that leave me unsatisfied, but not this one. I laughed out loud quite a few times, and I didn't completely guess the ending.
DeMille's writing is what I call "tight" - very succinct, to the point, no extra adjectives. And his main character, John Corey, is fabulous.
NOTE: There's a little language at the end of this. Otherwise a pretty clean story.
This is a fun, short mystery (under 100 pages), and it's lovely!
Usually short stories like that leave me unsatisfied, but not this one. I laughed out loud quite a few times, and I didn't completely guess the ending.
DeMille's writing is what I call "tight" - very succinct, to the point, no extra adjectives. And his main character, John Corey, is fabulous.
NOTE: There's a little language at the end of this. Otherwise a pretty clean story.
March 15, 2014
A stupid short story on the Kindle. At 54 pages, it ends almost before you have time to figure out that you just read a stupid short story.
August 18, 2018
just about novella length, a prequel to the John Corey series sees him identify an apparent accident as a homicide, and solve it, all in one morning.
January 18, 2022
What do a plunger, a bookcase and a dead guy have in common? One good mystery! And it’s all in a days work for John Corey. This short story takes place time-wise while John worked as an NYPD detective, before the events that lead him to Plum Island. A fun must-read for fans of the series!
October 19, 2017
This was a lively and humorous NYPD detective murder investigation conducted at a bookstore over the breakfast hour. Short and sweet.
April 18, 2019
Another author who's name I have seen quite often but never read, so worth a look.
Its the police case surrounding an apparent accidental death in a bookstore. A bookcase falls on the owner and kills him. Hence the play on words with the tile 'The Book Case' and not 'The Bookcase'.
I really enjoyed NYPD Detective John Corey's, often humorous, internal monologue and it reminded me a lot of some Mickey Spillane or Ben Aaronovitch. Without doubt I now look forward to reading a full length novel or two by this author.
At 54 pages this is either a long short story, or a short novella. An excellent way to get a taste of Nelson DeMille's work.
Its the police case surrounding an apparent accidental death in a bookstore. A bookcase falls on the owner and kills him. Hence the play on words with the tile 'The Book Case' and not 'The Bookcase'.
I really enjoyed NYPD Detective John Corey's, often humorous, internal monologue and it reminded me a lot of some Mickey Spillane or Ben Aaronovitch. Without doubt I now look forward to reading a full length novel or two by this author.
At 54 pages this is either a long short story, or a short novella. An excellent way to get a taste of Nelson DeMille's work.
June 28, 2017
Good
Good story that keeps you hooked but it is a little predictable with the ending, that you can see coming without any twist or turns.
Good story that keeps you hooked but it is a little predictable with the ending, that you can see coming without any twist or turns.
August 1, 2017
Демил вкара неочаквано вълнение в работния ми ден, когато започнах историята за убит от паднала библиотека книжар в обедната почивка. Разказът следва детектива, заел се със случая, който методично анализира какво и как е станало, след което направо си играе със заподозрените, докато получи каквото му трябва.
Ще се забавлявам ли така, ако прекарам цяла книга с арогантния мръсник Джон Кори или ще го намразя? Шансът е 50/50. Но ще пробвам.
Ще се забавлявам ли така, ако прекарам цяла книга с арогантния мръсник Джон Кори или ще го намразя? Шансът е 50/50. Но ще пробвам.
August 7, 2023
Oh John Corey and Nelson DeMille I’ve missed you! Wish this book was longer. Might reread the whole series again. Great book!
July 10, 2024
Fun short read! I love a simple mystery. The detective reminded me of Columbo but more cynical.
August 31, 2017
NYPD Detective John Corey has been called to the appropriately named Dead End Bookstore where the store's owner has been found dead, crushed by a large bookcase. The responding officer thought something didn't look right, and Corey agrees. Now he wants to get the facts and arrest the killer before his superior officer calls back to check up on his progress.
Remembering how much my mother enjoyed DeMille's books, I thought I would sample this short story to see if there was a chance I'd enjoy his writing, too. I do. I was impressed by John Corey, for both his investigative skills and his sense of humor, and I liked the story and its pacing. I'll be back for more.
Remembering how much my mother enjoyed DeMille's books, I thought I would sample this short story to see if there was a chance I'd enjoy his writing, too. I do. I was impressed by John Corey, for both his investigative skills and his sense of humor, and I liked the story and its pacing. I'll be back for more.
March 13, 2012
Great storytelling and great wit. The best thing about these Bibliomysteries is that they give you a small taste of the author's style, which sometimes leaves you craving more.
June 5, 2017
Great page turner. Wished there were more. Really enjoy DeMille.
July 24, 2017
Always wanted to try a DeMille novel, and as much as I read, can't imagine why I haven't. So when this short story came along I took the opportunity to get acquainted. I did find the writing easy and witty, but also silly and with not enough substance for my reading palette.
This particular novella precedes a series much revered by many other GR fans of his that have written stellar reviews, so maybe one needs to know the main character and his quirky sense of humor to really appreciate this little nugget.
This particular novella precedes a series much revered by many other GR fans of his that have written stellar reviews, so maybe one needs to know the main character and his quirky sense of humor to really appreciate this little nugget.
August 29, 2017
This short story about John Corey's past had one big problem: it was much too short! I really liked the glimpse into Corey when he was early in his career investigating crime, I just wished for a full-length book.
September 11, 2017
Shortest story I've ever read
I like Nelson DeMille`s writing style. This "book" was typical and very short. Glad it was free. Not sure why he'd put this out there.
I like Nelson DeMille`s writing style. This "book" was typical and very short. Glad it was free. Not sure why he'd put this out there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews