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Beach Strip
"I’d rather laugh in bad taste than cry in good taste." That’s how Josie Marshall deals with the death of her detective husband, Gabe, found naked outside their home on the beach with a bullet in his brain. Everyone calls it suicide. Josie knows it isn’t . . . but fears it could be. After all, she had provided Gabe with a motive. The clues are so strong that even Josie begins to believe Gabe shot himself. But when a horrific slaying occurs literally at her feet, she knows Gabe was murdered, and her determination to prove it carries her toward dark corners of the beach strip and exposes the darker sides of its residents. Fending off her fears with humour and outrage, she encounters a drug-crazed drifter, an organized-crime boss with romance on his mind, a woman with a murderous past and a pervert who’s been frequenting her garden shed. When a chance remark leads Josie to the astonishing truth of Gabe’s death, her story takes a shocking turn that no one could have seen coming.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 20, 2012
This book kept me interested from the first page! It had lots of twists and turns that had you guessing and continuing to turn pages to find out how, what, and why!! I will check out other books by John Lawrence Reynolds!! !
August 4, 2013
It was a quick easy read, one of the better books chosen by my book club. I liked reading about places near where I live I think that made the story a little more interesting.
February 19, 2014
This book was a chore to read. I can't quite believe I persevered to the end but if truth must be told I also did a lot of skimming.
Josie Marshall is an idiot and a most unlikeable protagonist at best. She's not witty -- she's just an abrasive "dumb broad": one of those north-end types that you recognize on many street corners in many cities: rising from the ashes of their working class roots, they somehow manage to inveigle themselves, with bland charm, into what they perceive is a middle class "lifestyle" -- and they fail miserably. All Reynolds's characters are throwbacks -- they re-invent triteness and triviality -- which is mistaken as a stand-in for street smarts and street creds. Hackneyed. Banal. Commonplace. On it goes. Hey! Don't blame me. Reynolds created her; created them. Blame him. (Don't shoot the messenger.)
This is so full of cliches I'd have to invent a whole new cliche to cinch it and I'm at a loss for words.
The novel goes something like this: Josie goes home to find her husband of 5 years is dead in the bushes (yes, literally in the bushes.) He is naked and it appears that he committed suicide. Then, we have 200 pages of Josie saying, "He didn't commit suicide." and the cops responding, "Yes he did."
"No, he didn't."
"Yes, he did."
"No, he didn't."
"Yes he did!"
"NO, he didn't!!!!"
"Yes, you dumb bitch, he DID!!!"
"Oh, wait, ... looks like he didn't. Looks like it was his partner, after all. Ooops. Sorry."
Can you get any more predictable than that?
If you think I'm kidding, or if you don't believe me at all, give it a go yourself. You'll be sorry you did. Unless you like Dashiell Hammett. Quite frankly, I need a toilet bowl in near proximity when I read Hammett to puke out anything I might ingest, but there are many who love him, I understand.
I gave this a very high rating of 2 stars because Reynolds is a good writer. If he would only step away from his Hammett-wannabe persona and write good detective fiction, he would blaze a trail of glory. Heck, he'd be more popular than Dan Brown -- because Reynolds can actually write!
Josie Marshall is an idiot and a most unlikeable protagonist at best. She's not witty -- she's just an abrasive "dumb broad": one of those north-end types that you recognize on many street corners in many cities: rising from the ashes of their working class roots, they somehow manage to inveigle themselves, with bland charm, into what they perceive is a middle class "lifestyle" -- and they fail miserably. All Reynolds's characters are throwbacks -- they re-invent triteness and triviality -- which is mistaken as a stand-in for street smarts and street creds. Hackneyed. Banal. Commonplace. On it goes. Hey! Don't blame me. Reynolds created her; created them. Blame him. (Don't shoot the messenger.)
This is so full of cliches I'd have to invent a whole new cliche to cinch it and I'm at a loss for words.
The novel goes something like this: Josie goes home to find her husband of 5 years is dead in the bushes (yes, literally in the bushes.) He is naked and it appears that he committed suicide. Then, we have 200 pages of Josie saying, "He didn't commit suicide." and the cops responding, "Yes he did."
"No, he didn't."
"Yes, he did."
"No, he didn't."
"Yes he did!"
"NO, he didn't!!!!"
"Yes, you dumb bitch, he DID!!!"
"Oh, wait, ... looks like he didn't. Looks like it was his partner, after all. Ooops. Sorry."
Can you get any more predictable than that?
If you think I'm kidding, or if you don't believe me at all, give it a go yourself. You'll be sorry you did. Unless you like Dashiell Hammett. Quite frankly, I need a toilet bowl in near proximity when I read Hammett to puke out anything I might ingest, but there are many who love him, I understand.
I gave this a very high rating of 2 stars because Reynolds is a good writer. If he would only step away from his Hammett-wannabe persona and write good detective fiction, he would blaze a trail of glory. Heck, he'd be more popular than Dan Brown -- because Reynolds can actually write!
May 19, 2013
I read about this book in the Hamilton Spectator and I had to get a copy to read because the "Beach Strip" is where I spent many summer days as a child with my parents and then as a mother with my son. To this day I still go to "hang out" at the beach strip as it has always fascinated me. My husband and I took our copy of the book and met the author who signed it for us on October 15, 2012 which made me treasure this book even more. The book is a crime story with it's central character being Josie, who I just loved! The story is gripping, suspenseful, and witty. For me the combination of a great story set in a place that holds wonderful memories for me was a absolute pleasure to read. I got lost not only in the story, but also in the memories it brought back to me of some of the things I had forgotten about the beach strip. I applaud John Lawrence Reynolds as a great writer, story teller, and for choosing my beloved beach strip as the setting. Read this book, go visit the beach strip, I know you will fall in love with both!
August 23, 2013
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It took me a while to put my finger on an underlying tone to the feel of the novel but finally I put a name to it: bitterness. After a bit of thought, it made sense to me. The loss that Josie experiences along with the freshness and manner of it easily lend itself to that feeling. What I liked was that Reynolds wove that feeling into the fabric of the story and not into Josie herself. As readers, we were exposed to the feeling without being buried by it.
Overall I enjoyed the novel. It took me about 60 pages to really get into the story, I think that was about how long it took me to get to know Josie enough to start rooting for her. There were a lot of characters and a lot of information on the locations in the book that, while interesting and valuable to the story, slowed down my progress. I also would have liked for Gabe's partner to have been a bit more rounded. A few of the other characters would have benefited from more character traits as well to make them less like caricatures and have more full bodied personalities. Aside from that, I thought that the writing was very good. Reynolds weaves local history into the landscape in a personal way that never drones, instead he is able to pepper the information as though it were the readers own memories on the page. I have driven over both bridges that feature in the book and had a passing curiosity about the houses along the beach. I snuggled into this book with a feeling of familiarity and the nosiness of a neighbour peering over the fence.
About two-thirds of the way through the novel, I did guess the identity of the culprit but still very much enjoyed watching the mystery and final confrontations play out to the end.
3.5/5
It took me a while to put my finger on an underlying tone to the feel of the novel but finally I put a name to it: bitterness. After a bit of thought, it made sense to me. The loss that Josie experiences along with the freshness and manner of it easily lend itself to that feeling. What I liked was that Reynolds wove that feeling into the fabric of the story and not into Josie herself. As readers, we were exposed to the feeling without being buried by it.
Overall I enjoyed the novel. It took me about 60 pages to really get into the story, I think that was about how long it took me to get to know Josie enough to start rooting for her. There were a lot of characters and a lot of information on the locations in the book that, while interesting and valuable to the story, slowed down my progress. I also would have liked for Gabe's partner to have been a bit more rounded. A few of the other characters would have benefited from more character traits as well to make them less like caricatures and have more full bodied personalities. Aside from that, I thought that the writing was very good. Reynolds weaves local history into the landscape in a personal way that never drones, instead he is able to pepper the information as though it were the readers own memories on the page. I have driven over both bridges that feature in the book and had a passing curiosity about the houses along the beach. I snuggled into this book with a feeling of familiarity and the nosiness of a neighbour peering over the fence.
About two-thirds of the way through the novel, I did guess the identity of the culprit but still very much enjoyed watching the mystery and final confrontations play out to the end.
3.5/5
November 1, 2012
What a fantastic read! I picked the book up at my local TPL, not really paying attention to the author or title, it appeared new, so hopefully it would be something which I had not read,
I started reading the book with the assumption that it was a female writer, as I often find there is a difference, and both Female and Male have distinct ways of telling a story, this one had me fooled until I put the book down ( which was difficult) then returned to it, and happened to see the author's name John Lawrence Reynolds, a total unknown to me, Canadian Author, as with all mystery novels I am loath to give away any of the plot and spoil it for the next person. Get the book, and set some time aside to simply allow yourself to get into the story, the characters are delightful,it is funny at times, the outcome will be a major surprise, at least it was to me.
I cannot wait to pick up some of John's other stories.
I started reading the book with the assumption that it was a female writer, as I often find there is a difference, and both Female and Male have distinct ways of telling a story, this one had me fooled until I put the book down ( which was difficult) then returned to it, and happened to see the author's name John Lawrence Reynolds, a total unknown to me, Canadian Author, as with all mystery novels I am loath to give away any of the plot and spoil it for the next person. Get the book, and set some time aside to simply allow yourself to get into the story, the characters are delightful,it is funny at times, the outcome will be a major surprise, at least it was to me.
I cannot wait to pick up some of John's other stories.
October 25, 2012
Josie discovers her husband's body on their Hamilton beach front property, an apparent suicide. Although the police are ready to close the case Josie is not and she takes on the mission to find the truth and bring the killer to justice.
Reynolds has been writing non-fiction the past few years and this book is his return to crime fiction, he has a unique voice in the mystery genre. He has created a strong female narrative in the compelling character of Josie. His description drives the story with an engaging hook that grabs you and takes you into new action.
Reynolds has been writing non-fiction the past few years and this book is his return to crime fiction, he has a unique voice in the mystery genre. He has created a strong female narrative in the compelling character of Josie. His description drives the story with an engaging hook that grabs you and takes you into new action.
August 18, 2012
John Lawrence Reynolds is a master wordsmith and has too long been missing from the ranks of Canadian mystery writing. He is back with this truly delightful murder mystery set on the outskirts of Hamilton...a very nice murder/suicide involving a fantastic character and a community that just sings with eccentricity and true delight with real touches of local lore, history and lovingly twisted stereotypes. This is one of those books that ends too quickly and reads too fast. You'll love it.
September 5, 2012
John hooked me with the setting: I love Hamilton Beach Strip and have walked and cycled there frequently. I've often wondered what it would be like to live there. Besides a really good mystery, he gave me a slice of the life along the bay. The cover image bothers me, though. Not only is it not the Hamilton Beach Strip, it looks like the tide is in recess, so an ocean beach vista not Lake Ontario.
March 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this work of Canadian fiction. Josie's husband, a cop, is found dead. The death is ruled a suicide, but Josie refuses to believe it, and, as she works through her feelings of loss, she sets out to discover what happened.
Told from Josie's point of view, the story has an introspective, melancholy tone--sometimes bitter and sarcastic--that rings true and sets the novel apart.
Told from Josie's point of view, the story has an introspective, melancholy tone--sometimes bitter and sarcastic--that rings true and sets the novel apart.
August 22, 2013
Beach strip is one of the most interesting reads I've ever had because not only is it witty, intelligent, shocking, but it is also local. Being able to have a solid understanding of the area she describes in the Hamilton region is beyond interesting for me.
Overall, I highly recommend this novel especially to those who are local readers.
Overall, I highly recommend this novel especially to those who are local readers.
September 9, 2012
A solid " who done it " written from the perspective of a complex but grieving widow. The reader senses the mystery through the eyes of a shocked and puzzled wife and with her try to make sense of her husband's apparent suicide.
An easy but fun read.
An easy but fun read.
May 26, 2013
I enjoyed this book very much. It is well written. The ending took me by surprise. But it was still an odd sensation knowing that a male author was telling the story from the perspective of a woman. Good reading.
April 25, 2012
Very good! Lots of twists that I didn't see coming and Reynolds has created a fantastic heroine in Josie Marshall- slightly prickly, sarcastic and always true to herself.
July 18, 2012
I loved Josie, a most unusual heroine,riddled with flaws yet very likeable. Story was not too shabby, either.
September 8, 2012
This is a great murder mystery story. Complex protagonist (the widow) with interesting relationships. A surprise ending!
October 15, 2012
3.5 This is a serviceable thriller set in my back yard. Most of the pleasure comes from recognizing landmarks, though the plot and characterization are pretty good too.
July 17, 2013
Read this for the One Book, One Burlington selection this summer - was pleasantly surprised. Very good, had me guessing until the end.
August 25, 2013
I kept to the 50 page rule on this one and couldn't finish - it just wasn't for me - it was all over the map and I just couldn't read any more of it.
October 3, 2013
Great description of the Beach Strip. Interesting story too.
November 25, 2014
easy read, mid way I found I couldn't put it down.
December 2, 2021
I am not a reader, so I gave this book a shot. This is the first local book I’ve read. Being raised downtown Hamilton in 80’s - early 2000 near steel factories and Italian, I can relate to this book and description of the beach strip, lift bridge, skyway bridge, and the control tower. This was an easy book to read. At times it was emotional with the loss of her love one and her father. I can related the the “good old days”. The book was a little suspenseful but had a great kick ass ending.
August 1, 2017
Not a bad murder mystery. I was intrigued because I'm familiar with the Hamilton beach strip and the lift bridge and Skyway bridge, so I could picture the setting. Some action in Vancouver too, and once the author (mistakenly I believe) references Kitsilano Beach when the main character is no longer in Vancouver.
July 19, 2026
A quick, easy read when you don’t want to think too much about what’s going on in the book. The protagonist is unfortunately not believable and annoying but the plot skims along and if you can ignore Josie (and the fact that she has obviously been written by a man who seems to not really know women…) then it’s ok.
March 17, 2023
Great book. My husband's grandparents had a house on the beach strip so it was great to visualize the locations in this story.
John Reynolds tells the story from a woman's point of view and did an amazing job!
John Reynolds tells the story from a woman's point of view and did an amazing job!
July 13, 2018
Enjoyed everything about this book, the writing was crisp and full of wit and kept me guessing right to the end.
January 24, 2019
not sure if i love the resolution but i really enjoyed the way this was written and paced, so still 4. i'll be looking into reynolds' other books.
October 29, 2019
I grew up on Hamilton Beach. This book took me back. It's well written and despite a bit of artistic licence, reminiscent of the real place. A thoroughly entertaining read.
November 12, 2021
I’m not a big mystery fan but this was well written and enjoyable. I sometimes get tired of snappy retorts and humorous similes but for a good page turning read, this fits the bill
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews