Foreign Deceit

David Wolf #1

by Jeff Carson

Sergeant David Wolf has put his Special Forces days long behind him, settling down as a cop in the small ski resort town of Rocky Points, Colorado. He's a good cop who's seen bad days before, but none quite like this.

As if narrowly escaping an attempt on his life, his addict ex-wife being back in the picture, and complications to his all-but-certain appointment to Sheriff weren't enough, he's just received word that his traveling blogger brother has committed suicide in the Alps of Italy.

Devastation and resentment over his only sibling's selfish act quickly gives way to a nagging suspicion that he isn't getting the whole truth. Conviction of his brother's character is enough to pull Wolf from his pressing situation at home to the entirely foreign land of Northern Italy -- into a more dangerous and volatile turn of events than he could have possibly imagined.

With the help of a beautiful young officer of the Caribinieri, Wolf must piece together what happened on that last fateful night of his brother's life without ruffling too many feathers, or paying the ultimate price.

A gritty tale of international mystery, Foreign Deceit is a cerebral, visceral and emotional ride that will keep you guessing until the final pages.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Ebooks

247 pages, ebook

First published December 20, 2012

About the author

Jeff Carson is from the Front Range of Colorado where he lives with his wife and two sons. His David Wolf series of books takes place in the fictional ski town of Rocky Points, Colorado.

Reviews

[Andrew Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sergeant David Wolf is hoping to become the next sheriff in a small ski resort called Rocky Points, in Colorado. The current incumbent is to retire and there will be shortly be a vote to pick his successor, which Wolf is hotly tipped to win. But things are about to turn bad for him. He is attacked and nearly killed by his rival for the sheriff’s position, though he rather strangely chooses not to report this incident, and soon after learns that his brother has committed suicide. We’d already learned that his ex-wife, and mother/guardian of his son, had recently returned to town following yet another in a string of attempts to find an answer to her addiction problems. Things surely can’t get any worse, can they?

Well, actually, yes they can. It seems that Wolf’s brother was living and working in Italy which complicates things as he’ll have to fly out to bring the body home. But David is already convinced that his brother was not one to take his own life so he plans to dig around a bit whilst he’s out there to see if he can get to the truth of this family tragedy. And dig around he does.

This is a crash bang wallop of a book with revelations and action coming at you at a ferocious pace. Wolf is a large and handsome ex-Special Forces soldier who is as quick with his fists as he is with his deductions, and of course there’s the stunningly beautiful female Carabinieri officer who is charged with assisting him whilst he’s in Italy. Yes, you can guess where this is all going. Wolf is Jack Reacher and Harry Bosch wrapped up in one man and every turn he makes he either bumps into another gorgeous woman who seems to fawn over him, makes a startling revelation that threatens to open up the case or has to physically deal with a bad guy hell bent on doing him harm. It’s too much - it totally lacks the subtlety of touch found in the best examples this genre has to offer.

I was bored early on and never really recovered. To say the whole thing is unconvincing to to understate things considerably. I believe this book to be the set-up piece for a series and there’s certainly enough open ended elements to show that this was always the author’s intention. Personally, I’ll pass on further on further adventures featuring Mr Wolf. If I were to be generous I’d award three stars, but I really don’t think it’s worth it – it’s really a two star offering for me.

[Michael Slavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! The book so good I just now bought the second in the series. I plan to read the entire series.

The book starts off in action—exciting and in the mountains of Colorado. Deputy Sergeant Wolf is pulled away to Italy to look into his brother’s apparent suicide one week from when he is up for Sheriff. This will arch the story and make you want to get to the end to find out if he becomes the next sheriff or not.

Most of the story takes place in Northern Italy, north of Milan by Lake Como up against the Swiss Alps. I found this very interesting. I also enjoyed looking into the workings of the Italian police. You really should enjoy this book. Well written and it moves fast.

Very good book!

Mike Slavin
Author of award-winning Kill Crime

[Tulay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good mystery.

Even second time around it was very good mystery. David Wolf has many balls up in the air. Investigating the murder of a young boy, in his small Colorado town. Gets a call from his mother about his younger brother's suicide in Italy. And his desire to be sheriff. Town council has to appoint the sheriff, and Mayor's son, nobody likes is in the running. In Italy police closed the case as a suicide, but he knows it's murder. He has to prove this and take his brother home.
Very good nine book series and enjoyed all of them.

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts out in the hero's own town with a murder to solve as well some other intrigue. Then off to Italy we go go to investigate his brother's murder. The Italian part was very good although the conclusion was conveniently wrapped up way to quickly to be believable.

I did not care for the ending. Somewhat of a cliffhanger and the new sheriff in town sucks.

[Liberum Latine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Starts with a bang. Well, more like a tussle, but then goes wrong. The protagonist's supposed to be a cop, but ignores cop procedure by hurling a guy's gun over a cliff - while other cops are coming to his aid! Dumb. When this sort of error crops up in the first few pages, you know the rest just isn't worth the read.

The writing's also repetetive and cliched. Big muscly guys in a big muscly fight, and there are continual references to Glock 22's - Jesus, just say gun, or piece or weapon or something for a change.

Abandoned.

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent, exciting read

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A promising start to a series. David Wolf seems like a pretty straight-up kind of guy so its easy to get invested in his character. While investigating a tragic death on his patch and dealing with a rival of his for the upcoming vacancy of the Sheriff's position, he receives news of his brother's suicide in Italy. Not believing that John would kill himself David flies to Italy to investigate further. Any more info would be telling. It was a light but entertaining read and I'm keen to read the next book.

[Zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explosive!

Sherrif David Wolf is almost killed by a corrupt deputy, when he later learns that his brother has been murdered.

He at once, travels to Italy, to help investigate his brother’s suspicious suicide.

With his life at times at danger, and distracted by the lies told about him at home, that not only besmirches his character, but puts his promotion in jeopardy, Wolf has his hands full.

But he lets nothing stop him from applying all his knowledge and intelligence into solving the mystery of who killed his brother.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good first book to a series (and author) that’s new to me. David Wolf is a Colorado sheriff sergeant deputy. While in the middle of investigating the disappearance of a couple teenagers, he’s called away to Italy for the death of his brother. While it appears to be a suicide, things may not be as they appear. While at first the complete 180 from Colorado to Italy threw me a bit, the book actually played out pretty well and I enjoyed it. The author paints a vivid picture, whether the reader is in Colorado or Italy. The sights, smells, cuisine, it put me right there. I do have a couple more books in this series but I think I will try to get the rest and read it straight through. There is a good mystery going on in both places, and some of the office politics will play out into the next book. There are characters you will love and hate, making things much more interesting. I can recommend this book to fans of the genre.

[Donna Taormina · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story started off with David Wolf, a policeman in Colorado, throwing a coworker down a hill, and not telling anyone why he did it (coworker tried to kill him first). Weird...why let the guy frame what happened to his benefit, especially when they're both up for the same promotion.

Then! Wolf is notified his brother committed suicide in Italy so Wolf goes to Italy to find out what happened. Most stories that take place in another country, particularly one as beautiful as Northern Italy, have descriptions of the surroundings, scenery, food, etc. Not this book. In fact all the characters ever eat is pizza. Pizza.

A bunch of other unbelievable crap happens, that really doesn't give you the sense that this Wolf guy knows proper procedure. Couldn't see really why this book received mostly good reviews.

[Steve Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

So very, very contrived. This book only works if you can suspend your disbelief at an incident that happens at the beginning of the book. If you can, the book works. If you can't - and there's no way I could overlook something that NO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WOULD EVER DO - then the book doesn't work, and it didn't. There are great characters here and beside from the obvious NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED incident, a good story. Unfortunately, Jeff Carson is a lazy and unimaginative writer and we as readers are the worse for it. This book gets 3 stars only because of the outstanding narration by Sean Patrick Hopkins. I'm early into the 2nd book and I just can't. Never have I ever been so disappointed by an author or a book. So shameful.

[Louise purfield-coak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome Mystery

This mystery had me guessing all through the story. I definitely want to find out what happens next in Rocky Point. The twist at the end was a stunner. I plan to add Jeff Carson to my follow list on Amazon Goodreads. He was able to give two totally different locations complex totally different tonal elements. To me, this is a mark of a true artist. I would highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read the next episode in the series.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this book free for my Kindle. It was worth every cent.
After someone says "thank you " David Wolf says, "your welcome" Editor - need an editor here.

[Douglas Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to a modern western series similar to the Longmire series. Since the Rocky Mountain setting is so good, I am not sure why the author felt he had to take Wolf to Italy for half the book. I hope Wolf stays in the Rockies.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars maybe
I do believe this is example of my stubbornness to stick with the reading of this appalling book to the end, a hard job I gave myself. I guess I kept with it because of the trip to Lake Como.

Kindle Unlimited

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Very enjoyable quick mystery. I like the character David Wolf in this series - a man of character and action. Moving right on to the second in the series.

[Chels3991 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, my book was definitely more than 247 pages. But anyway, this was a decent book I guess. There were times where I felt like some parts weren’t necessary to say or it was just described weirdly. But I’ve already purchased the second book, The Silversmith. Hopefully it’ll make me want to continue reading the series

[Kat (Books are Comfort Food) · Rating 2 out of 5]

First book is bland

I read the first book in this series knowing it wouldn’t be the best, but I wanted to continue with the other books that got better reviews.

Main character, although honest with strong ethics, is devoid of personality. Of course he would be tall, dark and handsome (sigh). First book is rather a cookie cutter recipe. I expected the ending, but won’t give it away. I wasn’t really into the Italy story, although it’s a nice weave into Wolf’s personal life.

Since there are now 13 books in the series I’m assuming the books get better. I love reading crime series so keeping my fingers crossed.

[SaraEliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Very American, even though the majority of it is set in Italy. As a Brit, I see David Wolf as a typical U.S. Mountains cop, very typical. I have read a few of the later books already and preferred them, set in the US in the Colorado Mountains, Wolf is at home, and so the story-telling also sits more comfortably for me. It is worth a read though, and I will now read the rest in order.

[Harold Kasselman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kept me interested throughout.I enjoyed the locale in Milano, and the search behind the mysterious death of Wolf's brother. The characters were enjoyable even if they lacked depth or texture.
I was a bit disappointed in the ending, but overall a fun easy read.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all six of Jeff's books in the David Wolf series. They are all very good. David Wolf is a man you look up to, but also relate to. And man does he get into a lot of trouble! Jeff's writing is excellent and once you start, you'll want to keep reading.

[Giles Falconer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

A good page turner with some appealing characters and plenty of action. I'd happily read more stories with the same characters.

[Eric Wadsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon Jeff Carson and the David Wolf series by accident, and I am glad I did! This was a great, active read. I really enjoyed the plot, the twists, and the overall character of David Wolf.

The book starts with David and the rest of the small Colorado town deputies responding to a missing child slash death on a hiking trail. Immediately Wolf and his nemesis Connell get into a heated argument and physical fight. Both are up to become the next Sheriff, so tensions are high. They continue to push each other until Wolf gets devastating news. His brother in Italy was found dead. David, knowing something does not feel right, continues for the next several days, investigating the death of his brother. He and a very small team of Italian police, find information and details that would never have been uncovered if it wasn't for his persistence. During this investigation and time away from Colorado, Connell was plotting his move to become Sheriff. Did the trip to Italy to find the truth about his brother cost Wolf in the end??

Great book and excited to read the rest of the series.

[Maria Fledgling Author Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great whodunnit!

I love crime mysteries, especially if they are well-written. Jeff Carson does a masterful job at weaving together several storylines without giving away too much about the ending.

From the deep woods of Sluice County, Colorado to the busy piazzas of Lake Como, Italy, David Wolf seeks to find the answer to his brothers death.

I could smell the pines and thunderstorms of Colorado. I savoured the tastes of Italian pasta and grappa. And in between, I held my breath through scene after scene of the evolving evil that was behind David's brothers death.

I will be reading more of Jeff Carson!

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Carson has just gotten himself a new fan! Foreign Deceit was so good, I burnt through it and the sequel in just three days and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last moment.

My favorite part is the characters. Everyone is fleshed out and actually important to the plot. The other deputies in Colorado, the Italian police, and even the antagonists. There weren't any bumbling idiots providing easy cop-outs for David Wolf to miraculously figure out the next step, and the plot progressed in a natural manner. The story felt believable, and I loved the chemistry between David and every character he interacted with, whether it was good or bad chemistry.

If you enjoy thrilling murder mysteries and police procedurals, give David Wolf a try. You won't be disappointed.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sergeant David Wolf, ex-Army Ranger, is a deputy in the town of Rocky Points, part of the Sluice County Sheriff’s Department in Colorado. Wolf is waiting for a date in the near future to learn if his career aspiration of becoming the next sheriff of Rocky Points will come true to follow in his father’s footsteps. The choice is between Sergeant Derek Connell and Wolf. The decision will be made by the vote of Sluice County officials with the council chaired by Gary Connell, Derek’s father. Wolf and fellow deputies have begun to investigate the death of a local teenager. However, Wolf needs to leave for Milan, Italy to bring home the remains of his younger brother, John. It’s a long flight but it won’t be long enough to process the news of death by suicide.

I enjoyed the opening book and introduction to the author’s writing. Two ubiquitous character portrayals brought this reader’s sigh but did not deter my interest that was heightened by Wolf’s week in Italy. Description of the settings both in Colorado and Italy enhanced the reading experience. Curiosity for Wolf’s steps forward will lead me to continue reading the series.

[Ben Denison · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading Carson. Very much enjoyed it.

Good first book of a series. Like the protagonist and the Colorado / outdoorsy/rough backdrop along with his broken relationships and petty small town political entanglements.

This first book sends him quickly internationally to Italy with twists, turns, and intrigue (typical thriller). It was like eating chocolate ice cream, you expected chocolate, you got chocolate, and you liked it.

Will be interesting to see where this series goes.

[Sudasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my police procedural era!

Every once in a while, I get the itch to read a police procedural with a detective (in this case, an undersheriff) who is a bit damaged but believes in the inherent tenet of right vs. wrong. And I must say, this book did not disappoint.

Even though this was written in 2012 (how have 11 years passed so quickly, I'm so goddamned old), it still reads well, with only one or two outdated technological facets. The plot was well outlined and was easy to follow, with likable and fun characters.

I would definitely recommend 'Foreign Deceit' to anyone searching for a comprehensive 'whodunit.'

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the writing style & I liked the main character. This reminded me a bit of the Longmire TV series. I tried to read the Longmire books and found them kind of boring. This book was not boring. If I had to say something bad about this book I’d say some parts were a bit unbelievable. Seems like a lot of killing went unnoticed and sometimes the characters acted erratically but I was OK with all of that because the writing was good and it kept me entertained.

[Margaret Schaeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turning; very enjoyable

Enjoyable; kept me reading until done.
Suspenseful, great 1st book
Looking forward to reading more David Wolf mysteries
Very entertaining