What do you think?
Rate this book
The Authorities #2
Destructive Reasoning
An actor is brutally murdered while sitting alone in his fully locked car.
A note arrives claiming responsibility and explaining the man died not for who he was, but for who he pretended to be. He played Dr. Watson in a production of Sherlock Holmes. The note promises to kill everybody in Hollywood currently playing Dr. a surprisingly long list.
Billionaire Vince Capp sends his crime fighting team, the Authorities, down from Seattle to solve the crime, stop the killer, save lives, and above all else, increase their national profile. But it won't be easy. Detective Sloan will have to wrestle with the most irritating case of her career while two of her key operatives are terribly Rutherford has found a new role model to follow and emulate, and Max must tangle with a mysterious figure from a past he'd rather forget.
Destructive Reasoning is book 2 in The Authorities a funny, thrilling, confounding mystery in a setting of Hollywood glamor viewed with Seattle ironic detachment.
Puzzling clues will be uncovered!
Shocking truths will be revealed!
Angry bees will be released!
A note arrives claiming responsibility and explaining the man died not for who he was, but for who he pretended to be. He played Dr. Watson in a production of Sherlock Holmes. The note promises to kill everybody in Hollywood currently playing Dr. a surprisingly long list.
Billionaire Vince Capp sends his crime fighting team, the Authorities, down from Seattle to solve the crime, stop the killer, save lives, and above all else, increase their national profile. But it won't be easy. Detective Sloan will have to wrestle with the most irritating case of her career while two of her key operatives are terribly Rutherford has found a new role model to follow and emulate, and Max must tangle with a mysterious figure from a past he'd rather forget.
Destructive Reasoning is book 2 in The Authorities a funny, thrilling, confounding mystery in a setting of Hollywood glamor viewed with Seattle ironic detachment.
Puzzling clues will be uncovered!
Shocking truths will be revealed!
Angry bees will be released!
339 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2022
121 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Scott Meyer
17 books2,646 followersScott Meyer has been a radio DJ, a stand-up comic, a writer for video games, an office manager, and a pretend ghost bellhop.
He is the creator of the comic strip Basic Instructions, and has now written a novel.
He and his wife live in Florida, to be close to their cats.
He is the creator of the comic strip Basic Instructions, and has now written a novel.
He and his wife live in Florida, to be close to their cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 3, 2022
Scott Meyer does it again
Hilarious! Highly recommended. Please keep writing these, Scott!
Now Amazon tells me I have to write twelve more words, so…
Hilarious! Highly recommended. Please keep writing these, Scott!
Now Amazon tells me I have to write twelve more words, so…
December 4, 2022
Another funny and compelling novel from Scott Meyer. “The Authorities” established a dynamic and interesting core of charters, and “Destructive Reasoning” does a great job at expanding and building on those relationships. As with all of Meyer’s novels, we find plenty of great one-liners and interesting perspectives on human society that will keep you entertained and laughing throughout the book.
If you enjoy novels like Terry Pratchett’s City Watch series, Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently novels, or the observational humor of PG Wodehouse or Jerome K Jerome, Scott Meyer is carrying the torch very well.
If you enjoy novels like Terry Pratchett’s City Watch series, Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently novels, or the observational humor of PG Wodehouse or Jerome K Jerome, Scott Meyer is carrying the torch very well.
April 22, 2023
Not as entertaining as the first. The first had more suspense in trying to figure out what was going on and who all the characters were. This has little of that and a fairly mundane whodunit. I like Meyer's work but this one didn't do it for me.
February 25, 2023
3.5 stars. Decent, but nowhere near as good as the first.
"Caucasian Patriarchy" Jesus Christ. We cranked woke to 12 🤢. And to no one's surprise the book wasn't improved by it.
Sloan with the speakers killed me.
Luke Daniels is great, but I wish he'd brushed up on the voices. They are clearly different, but I'm sure it wouldn't have been as noticeable if I hadn't just finished the first book.
"Caucasian Patriarchy" Jesus Christ. We cranked woke to 12 🤢. And to no one's surprise the book wasn't improved by it.
Sloan with the speakers killed me.
Luke Daniels is great, but I wish he'd brushed up on the voices. They are clearly different, but I'm sure it wouldn't have been as noticeable if I hadn't just finished the first book.
September 18, 2024
I was hoping to find something to entertain me after Magic 2.0, and this lives up to the expectations, thank you Scott Meyer & Luke Daniels!!
December 6, 2022
I love the author and the narrator and it was a very fun visit to a fun world. Mostly silly and weirdly not as in-depth of a view on the characters. In some ways it felt very cursory. But it reads like a cop show and so entertaining and not to be taken very seriously. A decent sequel that I’m glad he finally wrote. Still holding my breath though for a sequel to Master of Ceremonies.
I did enjoy the blooper reel at the end of the book. It was fun to hear what Luke Daniels really sounds like.
I did enjoy the blooper reel at the end of the book. It was fun to hear what Luke Daniels really sounds like.
June 20, 2023
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Readeras part of a quick takes post—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
---
This sequel starts off with a sequence as silly, but slightly less cringe-worthy, as the first book before shifting to the major storyline. This one takes the team to Los Angeles to investigate a series of killings. The common thread amongst the victims is that they were playing a version of Dr. John Watson in a movie/TV series.
Not only have there been some killings, but there are three actors in the area who are currently playing Watson (or a Watson-figure), and the team has to investigate and keep them alive.
We get some mocking of the Entertainment Industry, general silliness when it comes to the team, and even a little more backstory on a couple of characters.
Overall, I didn't like this quite as much, it felt like Meyer was trying too hard to be funny rather than tell a story in his signature way. Still, it was enjoyable enough to finish and want to see more.
Luke Daniels did his typical bang-up job. Ending the audiobook with bloopers was a fun bonus.
---
This sequel starts off with a sequence as silly, but slightly less cringe-worthy, as the first book before shifting to the major storyline. This one takes the team to Los Angeles to investigate a series of killings. The common thread amongst the victims is that they were playing a version of Dr. John Watson in a movie/TV series.
Not only have there been some killings, but there are three actors in the area who are currently playing Watson (or a Watson-figure), and the team has to investigate and keep them alive.
We get some mocking of the Entertainment Industry, general silliness when it comes to the team, and even a little more backstory on a couple of characters.
Overall, I didn't like this quite as much, it felt like Meyer was trying too hard to be funny rather than tell a story in his signature way. Still, it was enjoyable enough to finish and want to see more.
Luke Daniels did his typical bang-up job. Ending the audiobook with bloopers was a fun bonus.
August 18, 2025
Destructive Reasoning by Scott Meyer, the second book in The Authorities series, unfortunately falls into what many readers would call the “sophomore slump.” While the first installment balanced quirky humor with a fairly tight mystery, this follow-up shifts the tone toward broader, sometimes crasser comedy, which doesn’t always land as sharply as fans might expect from Meyer’s typically witty style.
The central mystery—someone targeting actors who play Dr. Watson—has a wonderfully pulpy setup that promises both suspense and satire. Meyer’s prose remains crisp and fast-moving, keeping the pages turning. However, the structure of the mystery itself is weaker than in the debut. The big reveal feels more like a sudden drop of withheld information than the gradual unfolding of clues. The narrative sprinkles plenty of details throughout, but most of them prove irrelevant, making the final solution less satisfying than it might have been. Instead of a carefully layered deduction, the resolution hinges on a late-stage information dump that undercuts the cleverness of the setup.
Character-wise, Meyer does add some dimension to the ensemble, particularly in exploring Rutherford’s search for a role model and Max’s confrontation with a figure from his past. These subplots provide texture but also contribute to the slightly uneven tone—oscillating between zany humor, personal drama, and high-stakes murder investigation without always blending seamlessly.
The ending, rather than offering a clever twist or poignant resolution, leans into sentimentality. What might have been intended as heartwarming instead comes across as overly saccharine, lacking the balance of humor and heart that Meyer usually executes so well.
Still, there is entertainment to be found here. The brisk pacing, occasional well-placed jokes, and sheer oddity of the premise give the novel energy. Fans of Scott Meyer’s voice, as well as readers who enjoy offbeat, Ace Ventura-style detective antics, may appreciate this entry. Those seeking a tightly plotted mystery, however, may come away disappointed.
Recommendation: Best for Scott Meyer enthusiasts and readers looking for a quirky, light mystery with comedic overtones. Those who prefer either cozy mysteries or gritty noir should look elsewhere.
The central mystery—someone targeting actors who play Dr. Watson—has a wonderfully pulpy setup that promises both suspense and satire. Meyer’s prose remains crisp and fast-moving, keeping the pages turning. However, the structure of the mystery itself is weaker than in the debut. The big reveal feels more like a sudden drop of withheld information than the gradual unfolding of clues. The narrative sprinkles plenty of details throughout, but most of them prove irrelevant, making the final solution less satisfying than it might have been. Instead of a carefully layered deduction, the resolution hinges on a late-stage information dump that undercuts the cleverness of the setup.
Character-wise, Meyer does add some dimension to the ensemble, particularly in exploring Rutherford’s search for a role model and Max’s confrontation with a figure from his past. These subplots provide texture but also contribute to the slightly uneven tone—oscillating between zany humor, personal drama, and high-stakes murder investigation without always blending seamlessly.
The ending, rather than offering a clever twist or poignant resolution, leans into sentimentality. What might have been intended as heartwarming instead comes across as overly saccharine, lacking the balance of humor and heart that Meyer usually executes so well.
Still, there is entertainment to be found here. The brisk pacing, occasional well-placed jokes, and sheer oddity of the premise give the novel energy. Fans of Scott Meyer’s voice, as well as readers who enjoy offbeat, Ace Ventura-style detective antics, may appreciate this entry. Those seeking a tightly plotted mystery, however, may come away disappointed.
Recommendation: Best for Scott Meyer enthusiasts and readers looking for a quirky, light mystery with comedic overtones. Those who prefer either cozy mysteries or gritty noir should look elsewhere.
June 13, 2025
Ugyan ez a rész inkább a humorra fókuszált, mint magára a rejtélyre, de egyáltalán nem csalódtam benne. Főleg, hogy most még gay repet is kaptunk! Én így nem számítottam arra, hogy egy ilyet meglépünk, bár meglehet számíthattam volna rá a POC és a disability rep után. A lényeg, hogy nagyon jólesett, ahogy az is, hogy ilyen valósághűen messy kapcsolata volt.
Mellette meg nyilván főhösünk is rendkívül szerencsétlen volt ilyen téren is, ami csak megerősített benne, hogy tulajdonképpen semmi kifogásom nincs azellen, hogy aroace vagyok.
Illetve nagyon kielégítő volt a lezárása, nagyon tetszett, nagyon éltem, de hogy sikerült megtalálni a világ legrosszabb sniperét, attól az agyam ledobta az ékszíjat párszor. Hogy lehet ennyire szerencsétlennek lenni, miután előadta, hogy mennyire élvezi a tervezést meg előkészületet, és mindannyiszor valamit elbaszott, kész, én ezt nem bírtam, az elvesztett teljesen.
A másik amin teljesen kész voltam, az az önvezető autó, ami gyakorlatilag egy random ember aki a sofőr helyett vezet, de hogy nyilván eladják technológiai fejlődésnek! Mikor meghallottam, csak ültem és fogtam a fejem, hogy ez nem lehet igaz, ilyen nincs. De hát tökéletes tükre volt a valóságnak, szóval igazából korrekt húzás volt, csak épp nem láttam jönni.
Igazából ez inkább érződött görbe tükörnek, mint kriminek, de mivel nagyon jól lehozta, és pontosan tudta, hogy mivel hol van a határ, meg mivel miként érdemes viccelni, ezért aztán nem bántam, hogy nem kaptunk annyi krimit most.
Viszont a méhek így is belefértek. Afelett a koncepció felett még mindig nem tértem magamhoz.
Összességében nagyon tetszett, nagyon élveztem, remélem lesz még része, és addig is: olvassuk a többi művét.
És volt bloopers a végén, örültem annak is.
Mellette meg nyilván főhösünk is rendkívül szerencsétlen volt ilyen téren is, ami csak megerősített benne, hogy tulajdonképpen semmi kifogásom nincs azellen, hogy aroace vagyok.
Illetve nagyon kielégítő volt a lezárása, nagyon tetszett, nagyon éltem, de hogy sikerült megtalálni a világ legrosszabb sniperét, attól az agyam ledobta az ékszíjat párszor. Hogy lehet ennyire szerencsétlennek lenni, miután előadta, hogy mennyire élvezi a tervezést meg előkészületet, és mindannyiszor valamit elbaszott, kész, én ezt nem bírtam, az elvesztett teljesen.
A másik amin teljesen kész voltam, az az önvezető autó, ami gyakorlatilag egy random ember aki a sofőr helyett vezet, de hogy nyilván eladják technológiai fejlődésnek! Mikor meghallottam, csak ültem és fogtam a fejem, hogy ez nem lehet igaz, ilyen nincs. De hát tökéletes tükre volt a valóságnak, szóval igazából korrekt húzás volt, csak épp nem láttam jönni.
Igazából ez inkább érződött görbe tükörnek, mint kriminek, de mivel nagyon jól lehozta, és pontosan tudta, hogy mivel hol van a határ, meg mivel miként érdemes viccelni, ezért aztán nem bántam, hogy nem kaptunk annyi krimit most.
Viszont a méhek így is belefértek. Afelett a koncepció felett még mindig nem tértem magamhoz.
Összességében nagyon tetszett, nagyon élveztem, remélem lesz még része, és addig is: olvassuk a többi művét.
És volt bloopers a végén, örültem annak is.
January 17, 2023
Very, very clever
The central conceit of The Authorities series is that Sinclair Rutherford is forced to act as someone he's not. Imagine Felix Unger as a cop forced to pretend he's Oscar Madison to fit an eccentric billionaire's idea of the proverbial "loose cannon" cop. Think Martin Riggs mixed with Jake Peralta. The whodunit is really secondary to watching "Cement Shoes" Rutherford deal with his conflicting impulses and directives. I found myself laughing more than a few times.
If anyone with any pull is reading this review, this series would make a fine graphic novel and streaming show. I hope a 3rd book is forthcoming.
The central conceit of The Authorities series is that Sinclair Rutherford is forced to act as someone he's not. Imagine Felix Unger as a cop forced to pretend he's Oscar Madison to fit an eccentric billionaire's idea of the proverbial "loose cannon" cop. Think Martin Riggs mixed with Jake Peralta. The whodunit is really secondary to watching "Cement Shoes" Rutherford deal with his conflicting impulses and directives. I found myself laughing more than a few times.
If anyone with any pull is reading this review, this series would make a fine graphic novel and streaming show. I hope a 3rd book is forthcoming.
Read
August 28, 2023Here's a little bit of judging I'm doing. But I think it's pretty much plausible. Having read six books by Scott Meyer, and reading the seventh, all with teams of nerds/geniuses/highly intelligent people highly misrepresented. Misrepresented as idiots, who doesn't know how to behave in normally in the world. And
November 20, 2023
This was great; it made me realize I missed reading this author. If you like Scott Meyer's sense of humor, you will love this. It is packed full of the twisted logic conversations that make all of his books so fun. The story at the core was just ok, your basic detective story. But that's not the point of the book. It is just a stage for the humor.
I found myself laughing out loud on practically every page. I highly recommend this.
I found myself laughing out loud on practically every page. I highly recommend this.
December 7, 2022
Much enjoyable ! Audiobook version, Luke Daniels has done a really good job with the characters’ voice.
The second book -in my opinion- is a little better than the first , as the characters seems to be a bit more developed.
Didn’t love the background story of Max, lighthearted story without complexity, wish to read/listen more books.
The second book -in my opinion- is a little better than the first , as the characters seems to be a bit more developed.
Didn’t love the background story of Max, lighthearted story without complexity, wish to read/listen more books.
February 6, 2023
Am I the only person who is tired of being inundated with LGBT+ every day?
Scott Meyer has been one of my favorite authors for the longest time. Now, he has decided to include same sex couples in every book. I see enough of this on tv and in the movies. Please do not tell me that I have to accept this.
Scott Meyer has been one of my favorite authors for the longest time. Now, he has decided to include same sex couples in every book. I see enough of this on tv and in the movies. Please do not tell me that I have to accept this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2024
Even better than the first book! Laugh out loud funny with plenty of action.
The narrator does a great job with the voices as well.
I should note the city wide surveillance system described in the book is NOT sci-fi. While I don't know anyone that admits to using this tech, a quick Google will show you plenty of companies selling similar stuff stories about pilot programs.
The narrator does a great job with the voices as well.
I should note the city wide surveillance system described in the book is NOT sci-fi. While I don't know anyone that admits to using this tech, a quick Google will show you plenty of companies selling similar stuff stories about pilot programs.
December 4, 2025
I reread the 1st one before this one. A very good choice. Unfortunately the narrator changed the characters voices a little bit. Fantastic characters, very much strengthened by the narrator.
Very similar to the first book. Nonexistant story, fantastic characters that I just want to stay with as long as possible.
Very similar to the first book. Nonexistant story, fantastic characters that I just want to stay with as long as possible.
December 28, 2022
Practically a re-run of the first book without the introductory chapters, this one pitches us straight into the action. Just what you'd expect of this entertaining continuation. Well worth a few hours curled up with a couple of warm drinks on a cold day.
December 29, 2022
Clever and funny dialogue
Great characters, original storyline and best of all really funny dialogue and dynamics between the characters. A light hearted, fun read. Same goes for book 1 in the series, can't wait for the next one 😀
Great characters, original storyline and best of all really funny dialogue and dynamics between the characters. A light hearted, fun read. Same goes for book 1 in the series, can't wait for the next one 😀
January 3, 2023
Slightly silly mystery
Still not sure why I am reading this series. It is probably because the comedic factor is just enough to overcome the shenanigans of the crime crime solvers.
Still not sure why I am reading this series. It is probably because the comedic factor is just enough to overcome the shenanigans of the crime crime solvers.
January 5, 2023
Meh
The pun density is thick, and considering they land at a roughly 30% rate that makes the book a slog.
Not really my thing. The author could use some reigning in of his "style" and some more work in actual plot and characters.
The pun density is thick, and considering they land at a roughly 30% rate that makes the book a slog.
Not really my thing. The author could use some reigning in of his "style" and some more work in actual plot and characters.
February 6, 2023
Fun read!
I love the direction this book takes. It is a fun read from start to finish and full of laughs all along the way. Just sit back, enjoy and don’t take life so seriously. You found the right book to do just that.
I love the direction this book takes. It is a fun read from start to finish and full of laughs all along the way. Just sit back, enjoy and don’t take life so seriously. You found the right book to do just that.
April 30, 2023
Listened to this audiobook while I measured a big house and it hit the spot. Silly, fast paced, with a great narration. Scott Meyer/Luke Daniels is always a fun, ridiculous combo. To be honest, I would never read this as a book-book, though.
March 3, 2024
Oh dear!
I read the first "The Authorities" a lot of years ago, and reread it a few times over. I didn't know that the second one was made for me having my belly hurt for laughing.
Three hurrahs for Scott Meyer!
I read the first "The Authorities" a lot of years ago, and reread it a few times over. I didn't know that the second one was made for me having my belly hurt for laughing.
Three hurrahs for Scott Meyer!
December 4, 2022
Not as good as the first book in the series. It got way too slapstick for my taste.
December 7, 2022
An enjoyable romp though a universe very similar to our own where the protagonist is caught in the morally ambivalent machinations of a billionaire.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2023
A fun read. 3.5/5
January 12, 2023
Scott's a reliably good authorm the narrator is exceptional. The story was fun and I'm looking forward to the next book.
January 22, 2023
I really enjoyed the first book in the series and looking forward to this one, but it just doesn't pick me up in the same way.
I know, it's Scott Meyer, so tropes and stereotypes are to be expected, but you can't bring up a clearly abusive relationship in a humourous book and "resolve" it by hinting at the victim having been in a physical fight to remove the other person from their home/life.
While the other love interest arc was at least resolved in a decent way, it did reach levels of "people being annoyingly unreasonable" that some of the Magic 2.0 books suffered from too.
I know, it's Scott Meyer, so tropes and stereotypes are to be expected, but you can't bring up a clearly abusive relationship in a humourous book and "resolve" it by hinting at the victim having been in a physical fight to remove the other person from their home/life.
While the other love interest arc was at least resolved in a decent way, it did reach levels of "people being annoyingly unreasonable" that some of the Magic 2.0 books suffered from too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
I read this out of order, thinking I'd already read the first one. Still enjoyed it though. Meyer just keeps getting better and better and funnier and funnier.
March 14, 2023
Fun and enjoyable read!
Nothing deep here, just a light hearted bit of humor and wry observations. Can be read stand alone but it would be better to read book one first.
Nothing deep here, just a light hearted bit of humor and wry observations. Can be read stand alone but it would be better to read book one first.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews