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Matt Davis Mysteries #3
Twice Bitten: A Matt Davis Mystery
While in prison, Ron Trentweiler, a petty thief, is befriended by an itinerant preacher and gets “religion.” Upon his release, he founds a small, storefront Pentecostal-style church in his native, rural Alabama. Enter Winona Stepp, a visitor at one of his services who seems to know all about "Brother Ron," as he has taken to calling himself, yet insists upon keeping her past to herself. Things go smoothly for the pair, that is until Winona suggests using venomous snakes in their "act" and all hell breaks loose. Eventually, they make their way north into Matt’s "backyard," where things take a murderous twist. What secrets are hiding in Winona’s closet? Is Brother Ron exactly who he appears to be? Is he a religious convert or just a con man? These and other questions confront Chief of Police, Matt Davis, along with the usual cast of characters in the new Matt Davis Mystery, TWICE BITTEN, as he once more comes face to face with murder in the sleepy village of Roscoe, NY.
Twice Bitten is the third in the Matt Davis Mystery Series. The first two are: As The Twig Is Bent and Opening Day. All are available in Kindle and paperback.
Twice Bitten is the third in the Matt Davis Mystery Series. The first two are: As The Twig Is Bent and Opening Day. All are available in Kindle and paperback.
344 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 29, 2012
Joe Perrone Jr is one of the few authors I’ve read who successfully combines first and third person narration in a single novel. The effect is fascinating. While protagonist and narrator Matt Davis polices his upstate New York fishing village and investigates murder, the reader pieces together events from the past in search of a connection. The connections are always satisfying when they arise, and the author’s perfect timing ensure’s no feeling of being cheated in getting ahead of good police work.
Attitudes are well-balanced in this novel too. The protagonist is a staunch Republican and expresses his own point of view when politics arise, as, in small town policing, they’re bound to do. But the author never alienates readers who points of view might differ. Small town life is frequently contrasted with the streets of New York where Matt Davis used to work (see the first of this series, As the Twig is Bent). And Matt’s personal and professional lives are carefully held in balance as his wife becomes ill. Her treatment and Matt’s response are very realistically portrayed.
Plus there’s the contrast between police work and fly-fishing. I’ve never done either, but they both feel equally real at the hand of this novelist. Combining low-key grittiness, authentic police procedures, and comfortable characters, Twice Bitten simultaneously transports, intrigues and informs the reader. Just watch out for those snakes.
Disclosure: I’d already read earlier books from this series and was lucky enough to get this one on a free deal.
Attitudes are well-balanced in this novel too. The protagonist is a staunch Republican and expresses his own point of view when politics arise, as, in small town policing, they’re bound to do. But the author never alienates readers who points of view might differ. Small town life is frequently contrasted with the streets of New York where Matt Davis used to work (see the first of this series, As the Twig is Bent). And Matt’s personal and professional lives are carefully held in balance as his wife becomes ill. Her treatment and Matt’s response are very realistically portrayed.
Plus there’s the contrast between police work and fly-fishing. I’ve never done either, but they both feel equally real at the hand of this novelist. Combining low-key grittiness, authentic police procedures, and comfortable characters, Twice Bitten simultaneously transports, intrigues and informs the reader. Just watch out for those snakes.
Disclosure: I’d already read earlier books from this series and was lucky enough to get this one on a free deal.
May 25, 2020
Twice Bitten is the third book in the Matt Davis Mystery Series and is an intriguing read.
The now-familiar character of Matt Davis has personal woes with his wife's illness. This does not stop him from investigating another murder in the village of Roscoe, NY. The story is well written and engaged my interest from start to finish, with murder, a religious zealot, snakes, suspense, and intrigue.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
The now-familiar character of Matt Davis has personal woes with his wife's illness. This does not stop him from investigating another murder in the village of Roscoe, NY. The story is well written and engaged my interest from start to finish, with murder, a religious zealot, snakes, suspense, and intrigue.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
May 27, 2020
This is the 3rd book I've read written by Joe Perrone Jr; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2012
As I struggle through the text of the massive hit, FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, I've found TWICE BITTEN to offer much better material for my mind to peruse and enjoy.
First things first--TWICE BITTEN (Kindle Edition) was very well formatted. I opened up a Kindle book the other day where the Table of Contents was a little wonky (split in the middle over two pages) which kind of affected my reading experience from the onset (I have since sent a note to the author and hope she makes an updated version). I loved the little snake graphics at the start of each chapter. The editing is clean and polished too (ten or more times better than FIFTY SHADES).
I will stop mentioning FIFTY SHADES from now--it is better to focus on well-written material like TWICE BITTEN than badly-written material.
As a mystery, TWICE BITTEN was excellent in terms of both characterization, plot/pacing and setting (something which features in all of the author's mysteries). The point of view was handled very smoothly--but what I liked the most was the rich amount of detail in TWICE BITTEN. This detail and "care" with words is evident from the opening quotation:
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." --King James Version of the Bible, Mark 16: Verse 18
In can be irritating when a modern-day work references a classic or well-known text in order to look/appear to be "smarter" and contain more substance. In the case of TWICE BITTEN, that one quotation was a really suitable and apt choice. The realistic and generous descriptions of the setting really transport the reader to the location/scenes in the book. The snake handling scenes, the component about Val's medical issues (wife of Matt Davis, lead protagonist/small town "chief of police" in the story), and the depiction of "religious sects"--it makes for a really strong storyline with a "human" aspect to sustain the reader's interest (as opposed to scene after scene of "thriller" or "horror" or "action" activity, which can get flat and repetitive after a while).
Another thing I appreciated was the "real" character names the author used (as mentioned at the end of the book under "Acknowledgements")!
If you or a friend/loved one likes mysteries--please do not hesitate to check out TWICE BITTEN.
First things first--TWICE BITTEN (Kindle Edition) was very well formatted. I opened up a Kindle book the other day where the Table of Contents was a little wonky (split in the middle over two pages) which kind of affected my reading experience from the onset (I have since sent a note to the author and hope she makes an updated version). I loved the little snake graphics at the start of each chapter. The editing is clean and polished too (ten or more times better than FIFTY SHADES).
I will stop mentioning FIFTY SHADES from now--it is better to focus on well-written material like TWICE BITTEN than badly-written material.
As a mystery, TWICE BITTEN was excellent in terms of both characterization, plot/pacing and setting (something which features in all of the author's mysteries). The point of view was handled very smoothly--but what I liked the most was the rich amount of detail in TWICE BITTEN. This detail and "care" with words is evident from the opening quotation:
"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." --King James Version of the Bible, Mark 16: Verse 18
In can be irritating when a modern-day work references a classic or well-known text in order to look/appear to be "smarter" and contain more substance. In the case of TWICE BITTEN, that one quotation was a really suitable and apt choice. The realistic and generous descriptions of the setting really transport the reader to the location/scenes in the book. The snake handling scenes, the component about Val's medical issues (wife of Matt Davis, lead protagonist/small town "chief of police" in the story), and the depiction of "religious sects"--it makes for a really strong storyline with a "human" aspect to sustain the reader's interest (as opposed to scene after scene of "thriller" or "horror" or "action" activity, which can get flat and repetitive after a while).
Another thing I appreciated was the "real" character names the author used (as mentioned at the end of the book under "Acknowledgements")!
If you or a friend/loved one likes mysteries--please do not hesitate to check out TWICE BITTEN.
July 9, 2013
This is a Matt Davis mystery. I believe it’s the third in the series. I haven’t read the preceding two, but that’s not a requirement to understand and enjoy this book. It stands alone very well, thank you!
As you might expect from the cover and the title, snakes are involved, no less their venomous qualities. Don’t let these members of the cast put you off: even the most ophidiophobic of readers won’t get too spooked.
The story starts with the death of a Meth dealer: despite a list of obvious suspects for his murder, things aren’t quite adding up for Matt Davis, chief of police. Ron and Winona Trentweiler are a dysfunctional and somewhat itinerant couple who call themselves ‘preachers’, using the rather dubious practice of snake-handling and drinking strychnine in their ‘sermons’. All to demonstrate that the good Lord will protect those that believe in Him. All a load of tosh, of course, but people will blindly follow what they wish to believe, much to Ron and Winona’s financial advantage… But a string of deaths in their wake comes to the attention of Matt.
I will say that there was a little bit of predictability in this story: I did guess the identity of the murderer not long after the character was introduced, and I did guess the nature of the ending. Notwithstanding, I really enjoyed the book. I enjoyed being beside Matt Davis as he followed up his leads. I rather liked that he wasn’t a single and attractively rough-around-the-edges-from-the-job character. He was middle-aged, genial and caring, and still in love with his wife. A nice, normal man with a penchant for fly fishing. His wife’s brush with cancer was a poignant touch—even fictional characters have not-so-perfect lives.
The story is written in both first person and third person povs. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would work: but it did and it worked well. You do have to keep your wits about you just a tad, as the story jumps from time-frame to time-frame. It’s quite a pot-pourri of style ingredients, but this cake comes out of the oven perfectly baked!
Along with the author’s easy-going style, this is a very enjoyable whodunnit.
As you might expect from the cover and the title, snakes are involved, no less their venomous qualities. Don’t let these members of the cast put you off: even the most ophidiophobic of readers won’t get too spooked.
The story starts with the death of a Meth dealer: despite a list of obvious suspects for his murder, things aren’t quite adding up for Matt Davis, chief of police. Ron and Winona Trentweiler are a dysfunctional and somewhat itinerant couple who call themselves ‘preachers’, using the rather dubious practice of snake-handling and drinking strychnine in their ‘sermons’. All to demonstrate that the good Lord will protect those that believe in Him. All a load of tosh, of course, but people will blindly follow what they wish to believe, much to Ron and Winona’s financial advantage… But a string of deaths in their wake comes to the attention of Matt.
I will say that there was a little bit of predictability in this story: I did guess the identity of the murderer not long after the character was introduced, and I did guess the nature of the ending. Notwithstanding, I really enjoyed the book. I enjoyed being beside Matt Davis as he followed up his leads. I rather liked that he wasn’t a single and attractively rough-around-the-edges-from-the-job character. He was middle-aged, genial and caring, and still in love with his wife. A nice, normal man with a penchant for fly fishing. His wife’s brush with cancer was a poignant touch—even fictional characters have not-so-perfect lives.
The story is written in both first person and third person povs. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would work: but it did and it worked well. You do have to keep your wits about you just a tad, as the story jumps from time-frame to time-frame. It’s quite a pot-pourri of style ingredients, but this cake comes out of the oven perfectly baked!
Along with the author’s easy-going style, this is a very enjoyable whodunnit.
February 23, 2012
Once again Matt Davis finds himself wrapped up in a case that seems to be just beyond the reach of his small Roscoe, NY town, but once again he prevails! Justice rules - and this time it arrives not just in the form of the police. In this installment, Mr. Perrone weaves a touch of personal trauma in Matt Davis’ life with his wife’s health issues. It gives him that much more of a realistic feel, and I just loved how he hops in his Jeep to do a little chasing toward the end of the story. Okay… moving on. This tale revolves around the use of snake handling via the Pentecostal Church,and Mr. Perrone did a wonderful job in developing the Winona and Ron characters and their background. You almost feel bad for them until you begin to wonder what exactly they are up to and what is their ultimate goal. Once again I’ve found this to be a well-researched and enthralling police mystery that really had me guessing what was going to happen next. In addition to the familiar, well-known characters, Mr. Perrone introduces a few new ones, and they are just charismatic enough to keep you hoping they’ll appear again. I really enjoyed this installment. A delicious and intriguing read
July 23, 2014
An enjoyable read.
The author, Joe Perrone, Jr. again showed good characterization building with an interesting plot combining back history, this time, of the antagonists.
In this book, I like that the series hero, Matt Davis, Roscoe Police Chief, seemed to take a minor, yet important role, in the first person storytelling. I was confused as to the amount of text attributed to Val's medical, as it didn't tie-in to the story, yet good characterization for future novels. Specifically, I enjoyed the interaction between Matt and his secretary, Nancy.
I found the repetitive scientific information on snakes redundant in places. The text was laced with typos and minor grammar errors that sometimes interfered with the flow of my reading.
The main plot and subplots ran parallel through most of the book, feeling disjointed. It was obvious there had to be a connection between the Snake handlers and the murder of a drug dealer. But once these converged, I couldn't put the book down.
I can recommend this read for those that like a simple crime novel.
The author, Joe Perrone, Jr. again showed good characterization building with an interesting plot combining back history, this time, of the antagonists.
In this book, I like that the series hero, Matt Davis, Roscoe Police Chief, seemed to take a minor, yet important role, in the first person storytelling. I was confused as to the amount of text attributed to Val's medical, as it didn't tie-in to the story, yet good characterization for future novels. Specifically, I enjoyed the interaction between Matt and his secretary, Nancy.
I found the repetitive scientific information on snakes redundant in places. The text was laced with typos and minor grammar errors that sometimes interfered with the flow of my reading.
The main plot and subplots ran parallel through most of the book, feeling disjointed. It was obvious there had to be a connection between the Snake handlers and the murder of a drug dealer. But once these converged, I couldn't put the book down.
I can recommend this read for those that like a simple crime novel.
July 16, 2013
Twice Bitten
By Joe Perrone Jr.
I’m a sucker for stories about former big town cops who become small town police chiefs. In Twice Bitten Joe Perrone pulls it off with style. His hero, ex-NYPD detective Matt Davis now brings law and order to the little upstate community of Roscoe, NY.
Another reason I liked this book is because it took me to plenty of places I know. Through Sullivan, Delaware, Greene, and even Broome counties in the southern tier to a fishing holiday in Oakdale on Long Island, only a few miles from where I lived for many years.
Perrone tells his story from different points of view and shifts easily between the good and bad guy’s experiences. Likewise, he spans many years and miles, but rolls all the questions up and ties a nifty knot around characters we see as only superficially connected for most of the story.
Nicely done. And this is only one of a series.
By Joe Perrone Jr.
I’m a sucker for stories about former big town cops who become small town police chiefs. In Twice Bitten Joe Perrone pulls it off with style. His hero, ex-NYPD detective Matt Davis now brings law and order to the little upstate community of Roscoe, NY.
Another reason I liked this book is because it took me to plenty of places I know. Through Sullivan, Delaware, Greene, and even Broome counties in the southern tier to a fishing holiday in Oakdale on Long Island, only a few miles from where I lived for many years.
Perrone tells his story from different points of view and shifts easily between the good and bad guy’s experiences. Likewise, he spans many years and miles, but rolls all the questions up and ties a nifty knot around characters we see as only superficially connected for most of the story.
Nicely done. And this is only one of a series.
October 20, 2012
I enjoyed this story, which I thought moved along at a good pace and brought together well the humdrum life of a small town police department with strange occurances on their patch. I liked the fact that the detection by the police did not hinge on far fetched speculation and effectively set out believable processes without making them sound boring. The only thing that disrupted the flow for me was that some of the descriptions around fly fishing went into a little too much detail. Not being an exponent of the sport, the description in detail of various flies was lost on me. If you do like fly fishing and crime thrillers/mysteries then this book is right up your street. If you're not into fly fishing, the story is a very good one in its own right and still a worthwhile read.
February 10, 2012
Entertaining police procedural with solid characters and a good feel for the politics and problems of a very small town police department. A quick read and entertaining.
The only thing I had some trouble with was the changing point of view, from the chief of police to the criminal, some of the transitions were not as smooth or clear as they could have been.
And from a personal standpoint, I mostly skimmed the extensive descriptions of the snakes and the snake handling preachers. I'm aware of the existence of the practice as I live in KY but I don't like snakes.
The only thing I had some trouble with was the changing point of view, from the chief of police to the criminal, some of the transitions were not as smooth or clear as they could have been.
And from a personal standpoint, I mostly skimmed the extensive descriptions of the snakes and the snake handling preachers. I'm aware of the existence of the practice as I live in KY but I don't like snakes.
December 23, 2014
I really liked this book.The main plot was great,as was the storyline of the main characters family.The fact that some of it was set in towns I grew up near was icing on the cake!The narrator was wonderful.His voice was perfect for this reading.The only thing that would have been better was if the audiobook did not contain the sound of rain,if it was raining and other things like that.I found that a bit distracting.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews