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Joe Gunther #16
St. Albans Fire
With Joe Gunther and his Vermont Bureau of Investigation team spread thin on assignment everywhere, from the remote dairy county of Northwest Vermont to the slums of Newark, NJ, they're pushed to their absolute limit when a string of serial arsons across the Green Mountain State evolve into the most shocking series of murders the bucolic region has ever known.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2005
162 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Archer Mayor
43 books732 followersOver the years, Archer Mayor has been photographer, teacher, historian, scholarly editor, feature writer, travel writer, lab technician, political advance man, medical illustrator, newspaper writer, history researcher, publications consultant, constable, and EMT/firefighter. He is also half Argentine, speaks two languages, and has lived in several countries on two continents.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
September 19, 2021
Gunther has Willy and Sammie, his two detectives, along for the ride as part of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation team. Gunther's girlfriend, Gail, has a couple of cameo appearances until the end of the book, where she plays a prominent role. Gail, now a State Senator, is under a lot of pressure dealing with GMO issues in Vermont (just like today, ironically). The author does a good job with the interplay between politics and law enforcement, just enough to make it clear that everywhere the team goes, somehow politics either helps or hurts their efforts.
I have read, in order (1-16), and all on Kindle Fire. This is a good read, one of the best Gunther's based books from Archer Mayor yet. Like Grisham, Mayor pulls no punches on background. I really like that about how Archer Mayor goes about describing the towns where Gunther works. You always know where the author and Joe Gunther stand!
I have read, in order (1-16), and all on Kindle Fire. This is a good read, one of the best Gunther's based books from Archer Mayor yet. Like Grisham, Mayor pulls no punches on background. I really like that about how Archer Mayor goes about describing the towns where Gunther works. You always know where the author and Joe Gunther stand!
October 1, 2016
PROTAGONIST: Joe Gunther
SETTING: Vermont
SERIES: #16
RATING: 3.5
WHY: Vermont Bureau of Investigation agent Joe Gunther is called in to the bucolic farmlands of Vermont when a series of arsons erupt, the latest killing a teenage boy. There are several possibilities here - someone trying to obtain land that may become valuable, the mob. The latter leads to Joe and colleague Willie going to Newark, NJ, to investigate. It becomes personal when Joe's significant other, Gail, is threatened. The one thing that I really didn't like in this book was the character of Willie Kunkle. He's always acted very obnoxious, but this time he took it too far and Joe did much too little to address his boorish behavior. The conclusion was also unsatisfying, way too convenient. Despite that, this is a good entry in the series.
SETTING: Vermont
SERIES: #16
RATING: 3.5
WHY: Vermont Bureau of Investigation agent Joe Gunther is called in to the bucolic farmlands of Vermont when a series of arsons erupt, the latest killing a teenage boy. There are several possibilities here - someone trying to obtain land that may become valuable, the mob. The latter leads to Joe and colleague Willie going to Newark, NJ, to investigate. It becomes personal when Joe's significant other, Gail, is threatened. The one thing that I really didn't like in this book was the character of Willie Kunkle. He's always acted very obnoxious, but this time he took it too far and Joe did much too little to address his boorish behavior. The conclusion was also unsatisfying, way too convenient. Despite that, this is a good entry in the series.
February 20, 2022
One of the best
This is one of the best Joe Gunther books in the series! I could not stop listening! Definitely earned my 5 stars!
This is one of the best Joe Gunther books in the series! I could not stop listening! Definitely earned my 5 stars!
July 26, 2013
This book worked out perfect for me. Go to a local independent Vermont bookstore, buy a book written by a local author, and then have the book be based in Vermont. I was hooked just by the title of the book, but as I began to read I quickly realized that the attention to detail would keep my attention and justify my purchase. I felt like there was just the right amount of character development. I want to know who the characters are in a book, but I don't need to know their whole life story, I just need to know enough to see me through what I am reading. Mr. Mayor accomplished this perfectly. As for the story itself, it was a definite page turner. I loved thinking I knew which way this book was going and then at the end of one chapter in particular, it went a brand new direction and that's when I could not put it down. I look forward to picking up another of Archie Mayor's books soon.
April 6, 2016
Had me on the edge ! Terrific story. This is a new author for me and I think I will look for another one of his great who-dun-its!
June 1, 2022
I have really fallen in love with Joe Gunther over the course of this series. His character is just awesome. A real stand up, honest, trustworthy, hardworking, dedicated man. This book was a real emotional one for me. I even cried. I want so much for Joe to be happy. He so deserves it. Fair warning there are 2 audio versions of this book, one with Tom Taylorson who IS Joe Gunther to me and another by a different narrator. I accidentally picked the other narration first and it ruined the book for me. After 15 or so books with Tom, my brain couldn't accept the new voice.
May 24, 2017
Characteristic Joe Gunther novel, only both the mystery and the ongoing saga of Joe and Gail are dark and sad. I wished for more Sammie in this book. Unlike some other readers, though, I thought the detour to Newark showed Archer Mayor doing what he does best: setting the scene with a deep knowledge of social history.
April 24, 2024
As always, i love a good Archer Mayor/Joe Gunther mystery, and this one didn't disappoint!
despite being almost 20 years old, this book still rings as relevant to VT and our farming communities. A sad but thoughtful ending.
despite being almost 20 years old, this book still rings as relevant to VT and our farming communities. A sad but thoughtful ending.
October 30, 2023
I found this a 5* listen, and was surprised by the twists that came and enjoyed the chemistry of the forcws outside of their own jurisdiction.
Complex yet brilliant twist at the end.
Complex yet brilliant twist at the end.
September 8, 2025
When a series of fires hit out state farming communities send Joe Gunther to figure out what’s really going on. The most recent fire sets a fragile down the road to collapse but opens the door to even bigger problems.
August 24, 2007
ST. ALBANS FIRE (Police Proc-Vermont/NJ-Cont) – VG
Mayor, Archer – 16th in series
Mysterious Press, 2005- Hardcover
Vermont Bureau of Investigation Agent Joe Gunthur is called out to the scene of a barn fire; an arson that became a murder with the discovery of a young man's body. As the investigation proceeds, it's discovered that this is only one of a series of recent arsons. The trail leads to New Jersey and a mob-connected "torch," but the question is; who hired him?
*** Mayor really knows how to write an effective police procedural. He creates strong, realistic, interesting characters, including very good female characters. The sense of place and dialogue are excellent. I particularly liked the way the story builds on itself, revealing the clues and building to an excellent ending, which surprised me, and made me think. Each year, I look forward to his new book. This year he met, and exceeded my expectations.
Mayor, Archer – 16th in series
Mysterious Press, 2005- Hardcover
Vermont Bureau of Investigation Agent Joe Gunthur is called out to the scene of a barn fire; an arson that became a murder with the discovery of a young man's body. As the investigation proceeds, it's discovered that this is only one of a series of recent arsons. The trail leads to New Jersey and a mob-connected "torch," but the question is; who hired him?
*** Mayor really knows how to write an effective police procedural. He creates strong, realistic, interesting characters, including very good female characters. The sense of place and dialogue are excellent. I particularly liked the way the story builds on itself, revealing the clues and building to an excellent ending, which surprised me, and made me think. Each year, I look forward to his new book. This year he met, and exceeded my expectations.
August 27, 2012
#16 in the Joe Gunther series. Great story and agent Willie Kunkle shines in a featured role. The competence of Gunther and Kunkle investigating the underworld outside their native state may be a bit of a stretch.
Joe Gunther series - Deaths and barn burnings north of Burlington, Vt., that result in farm sales to two local real estate agents lead Joe Gunther into a convoluted case. Are the crimes personal or financial, coincidental or planned? Gunther and his obstreperous sidekick, Willy Kunkle, travel to Newark, N.J., in search of answers and an arsonist. When the Jersey police are first helpful then dismissive, the pair decide to investigate on their own, turning up some surprising evidence in Newark's underworld.
Joe Gunther series - Deaths and barn burnings north of Burlington, Vt., that result in farm sales to two local real estate agents lead Joe Gunther into a convoluted case. Are the crimes personal or financial, coincidental or planned? Gunther and his obstreperous sidekick, Willy Kunkle, travel to Newark, N.J., in search of answers and an arsonist. When the Jersey police are first helpful then dismissive, the pair decide to investigate on their own, turning up some surprising evidence in Newark's underworld.
July 25, 2016
Another Success
This is an entry in a successful, long running serious. Unlike many series, this one has not grown stale. Joe Gunther is aging gracefully and trying to cope with continuing personal problems. This novel begins with the deliberate burning of a barn; but is it a single incident or part of a larger scheme? The plot is complex, but it does not strain credibility. The one flaw is the continued appearance of the very tiresome Willy Kunkle character. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable addition to the series.
This is an entry in a successful, long running serious. Unlike many series, this one has not grown stale. Joe Gunther is aging gracefully and trying to cope with continuing personal problems. This novel begins with the deliberate burning of a barn; but is it a single incident or part of a larger scheme? The plot is complex, but it does not strain credibility. The one flaw is the continued appearance of the very tiresome Willy Kunkle character. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable addition to the series.
October 20, 2022
A series of rural fires and some dodgy real estate dealings leads the Vermont detectives to Newark and the Mob. There’s also a very dysfunctional farm family. The crime narrative is pretty good but it’s emotionally overwrought - Gail’s continual career and mood changes get old - and the police behave irresponsibly in stirring things up, basically killing two people.
April 29, 2023
Well, I guess that was inevitable.
First read 10/2/2020. Second read 4/29/2023. I’m glad that the other shoe dropped. I never thought that whole situation made sense anyway.
First read 10/2/2020. Second read 4/29/2023. I’m glad that the other shoe dropped. I never thought that whole situation made sense anyway.
September 3, 2022
Joe Gunther crime mystery. Pub 2005. Rate 4.5 - Joe Gunther series is popular for good reasons: good writing (and editing), likable protagonist, realistic psychology of characters, and his V.B.I. (fictional) investigations. Mayor has an interesting and varied background that allows authenticity and authority to his stories. He’s an engaging storyteller, making readers care about the fate of the people portrayed.
Joe goes to investigate a St. Alban, VT, barn fire that is both arson and murder. Investigation will expand throughout the beautiful, usually peaceful farming countryside. It will lead the investigation to the underbelly of Newark, New Jersey— making this a side of farming about which most people have never seen or heard. (The average family farmer nets only about $20,000/year as of 2005 in VT, and that includes having a 2nd job.)
(It’s impossible for born-and-bred city people to understand how easy it is to not even notice the smell of cow manure — It smells like money to farmers, albeit, not much of it. Think "starving artists" they do what they do for the love it. FYI, cow-breath is sweet-smelling; cows are placid and content creatures, not including angry bulls.)
17-yr old BOBBY CUTTS is infuriated about his girlfriend seeing other guys when he goes to the modernized milking barn in the middle of the night -- he can’t sleep for thinking about her.
The fire is fast and all-consuming, leaving Bobby to be trampled by terrified, stampeding cows.
JONATHAN MICHAEL, a seasoned cop who has investigated many fires, has found barn fires to be among the worst for many highly flammable reasons — But CALVIN CUTT’s barn fire has an innocent young murder victim. No one doubts it's arson.
JOE & GAIL have been together for decades, each with different careers, and some of the time living apart. She worries when he leaves, knowing that a couple of times at least, his investigations have nearly gotten him killed.
There are many twists and tuns to a surprising ending.
“The road to hell is paved with good intensions.”
Joe goes to investigate a St. Alban, VT, barn fire that is both arson and murder. Investigation will expand throughout the beautiful, usually peaceful farming countryside. It will lead the investigation to the underbelly of Newark, New Jersey— making this a side of farming about which most people have never seen or heard. (The average family farmer nets only about $20,000/year as of 2005 in VT, and that includes having a 2nd job.)
(It’s impossible for born-and-bred city people to understand how easy it is to not even notice the smell of cow manure — It smells like money to farmers, albeit, not much of it. Think "starving artists" they do what they do for the love it. FYI, cow-breath is sweet-smelling; cows are placid and content creatures, not including angry bulls.)
17-yr old BOBBY CUTTS is infuriated about his girlfriend seeing other guys when he goes to the modernized milking barn in the middle of the night -- he can’t sleep for thinking about her.
The fire is fast and all-consuming, leaving Bobby to be trampled by terrified, stampeding cows.
JONATHAN MICHAEL, a seasoned cop who has investigated many fires, has found barn fires to be among the worst for many highly flammable reasons — But CALVIN CUTT’s barn fire has an innocent young murder victim. No one doubts it's arson.
JOE & GAIL have been together for decades, each with different careers, and some of the time living apart. She worries when he leaves, knowing that a couple of times at least, his investigations have nearly gotten him killed.
There are many twists and tuns to a surprising ending.
“The road to hell is paved with good intensions.”
September 16, 2018
Joe Gunther and his Vermont Bureau of Investigation unit are called in when a teenage boy dies in the arson of a barn in St. Albans, part of a string of fires that leads the team to a real estate firm that could be involved in a high stakes development project that could be worth millions.
Gunther and his trusted detective, Willie Kunkel, soon learn of a mob connection to the real estate company that sends them south to Newark, where they and the Newark police initiate events that puts the life of someone dear to Gunther in danger.
Another great story in this series that takes one crime and expands it to a multi-state investigation, with Kunkel once again getting the best lines in the novel as he is his irascible self. Needless to say, this is one of my favorite series and finished this in just a few days. The lead characters grow with each book with their private lives as they work to solve each case. Recommended for police and mystery buffs.
Gunther and his trusted detective, Willie Kunkel, soon learn of a mob connection to the real estate company that sends them south to Newark, where they and the Newark police initiate events that puts the life of someone dear to Gunther in danger.
Another great story in this series that takes one crime and expands it to a multi-state investigation, with Kunkel once again getting the best lines in the novel as he is his irascible self. Needless to say, this is one of my favorite series and finished this in just a few days. The lead characters grow with each book with their private lives as they work to solve each case. Recommended for police and mystery buffs.
March 18, 2020
A Joe Gunther mystery.Winter is on the wane in Northwestern Vermont. The moon hangs bright and cold in the silvery night sky over hundreds of square miles of a peaceful, dormant landscape of dairy farms. Bobby Cutts—young, heartbroken, and unable to sleep—enters the family barn to tend to the beasts within… and encounters the last nightmare of his life. Suddenly and explosively surrounded by bolts of fire racing in all directions, Bobby and the entire herd perish. Called to the scene to investigate, Joe Gunther instantly recognizes arson. But why, and by whom? And for what possible reason? There is little insurance, the family is loving and tightly knit, and there are few neighborhood animosities. But murder this is, and Gunther quickly discovers it’s just one of a series of recent barn-related arsons. Someone is wreaking havoc across the bucolic farmlands surrounding the town of St. Albans. A good entry in the Joe Gunhter series.
November 23, 2025
#16 in the Vermont police 50 something year old lieutenant joe Gunther mystery series. This a very good police procedural series showing the nitty gritty day-to-day investigating work to solve a mystery. Former Brattleboro, Vermont, cop, Joe is now the #2 man of the new Vermont Bureau of Investigation (VBI), a joint task force charged with statewide responsibility for major crimes and now works collaboratively with the various other police units in the state to aid in their investigations.
An arson caused barn fire in which a young man dies in the dairy community of St. Albans brings Joe Gunther his next case. With his VBI team handling a number of cases, Joe is the primary here. This fire turns out to be connected to other fires and it the investigation continues it is connected to a series of farm land purchases in the area which takes Joe to Newark, NJ to similar arson cases there.
An arson caused barn fire in which a young man dies in the dairy community of St. Albans brings Joe Gunther his next case. With his VBI team handling a number of cases, Joe is the primary here. This fire turns out to be connected to other fires and it the investigation continues it is connected to a series of farm land purchases in the area which takes Joe to Newark, NJ to similar arson cases there.
December 10, 2024
This is the first I’ve read in the series I believe number 10 of a long series of Joe Gunther, a Vermont Bureau of investigation detective. In this story, Joe is looking at a barn fire that killed the son of the family who owned the dairy barn it turns out that there have been other barn fires in the area. This is up in the north west part of Vermont and the story leads them down to a arsonist from New Jersey mobbed up, who had been hired by people to destroy some of the barns so that a real estate group could gather a bunch of land. The story ends up really focusing on both Joe and his girlfriend who’s had traumatic incident in the past and the family and the problems they have amongst the husband, wife, children, and hired hand. It’s it’s a good story. I can see why the series is popular and I’ll probably read additional ones.
April 1, 2023
From the
Goodreads Blurb: With Joe Gunther and his Vermont Bureau of Investigation team spread thin on assignment everywhere, from the remote dairy county of Northwest Vermont to the slums of Newark, NJ, they're pushed to their absolute limit when a string of serial arsons across the Green Mountain State evolve into the most shocking series of murders the bucolic region has ever known.
I would probably have given the book a 5 star rating but Maggee and Lutrecia agreed that the ending was too sad, so I will bow to their wisdom.
The Newark sections were interesting. There was a major shift in the Joe/Gail relationship.
This was book #17 on our 2023 Read-alouds List, and book #15 on our 2023 Read-alouds With Lutrecia List.
Goodreads Blurb: With Joe Gunther and his Vermont Bureau of Investigation team spread thin on assignment everywhere, from the remote dairy county of Northwest Vermont to the slums of Newark, NJ, they're pushed to their absolute limit when a string of serial arsons across the Green Mountain State evolve into the most shocking series of murders the bucolic region has ever known.
I would probably have given the book a 5 star rating but Maggee and Lutrecia agreed that the ending was too sad, so I will bow to their wisdom.
The Newark sections were interesting. There was a major shift in the Joe/Gail relationship.
This was book #17 on our 2023 Read-alouds List, and book #15 on our 2023 Read-alouds With Lutrecia List.
February 7, 2020
Enjoyed this book very much. What was really nice was that it didn't matter that I hadn't read the previous books in this series. Very much a cat-and-mouse tale at the end with a surprise ending. Particularly thought the setting was well described, both city (Newark, NJ) and the country in VT. Gunther is a great protagonist, but can't quite understand why he puts up with Willy, a police officer, as his sidekick in helping him solve crimes for the VBI (Vermont Bureau of Investigation) due to his acerbic comments in interviewing suspects. There must be some type of relationship explained/justified in prior tales. . . .
February 12, 2021
In this book, Gunther travels from the rustic serenity of Vermont to the urban choked center of Newark. He has a killer and an arsonist on his hands and even though the crime was committed in Vermont, the culprit was recruited in the Garden State. Mayor does a good job in detailing the differences in locales between the two areas and how diverse our country's geography and cultural mores truly are. There are a number of unforgettable characters that lend texture to this thrilling tale.
December 20, 2018
Another good entry in this series. I really like how he continues to develop the characters and their relationships. Joe and Gail's relationship gets a lot of attention in this story and I'm curious to see where it goes.
I enjoy how he finds credible ways to take the story outside of Vermont at times.
I enjoy how he finds credible ways to take the story outside of Vermont at times.
June 3, 2020
This is my first Archer Mayor book. I know #16. Some how I end up reading too many series out of order. This was a complex story about fires in the area and why they were set and by whom. Joe Gunther investigates. Interesting characters, some you liked and some you didn't. The crimes were solved with help from Joe and his team working with the local enforcement teams. I enjoyed the book.
October 30, 2020
The story overall was okay. I kind of wish Gino wasn't the culprit. He felt a little stuck in there. I would have preferred the developer as the main evil doer.
I was, however, extremely happy that Gail and Joe broke up. I think they got as much as they could from each other.
Now if only Joe knew a good bar to drink away his sorrows with some good company...
I was, however, extremely happy that Gail and Joe broke up. I think they got as much as they could from each other.
Now if only Joe knew a good bar to drink away his sorrows with some good company...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2024
Gunther returns with the 6th book highlighting the VBI, with a fast-paced story starting with a devastating fire at a dairy farm that leads to deeper tragedy for the farmers affected. We see Willy exercising some of his old city skills in NJ on the case, the idea of a bridge between NY and VT over Lake Champlain, and Joe coming to a realization about his relationship with Gail.
February 11, 2019
First Archer Mayor book I’ve read and I now have a new favourite author to add to my list. I love the characters and I was able to visualize the story as it went along. Will definitely be reading more Joe Gunther books!
February 26, 2019
Joe Gunther has brains, sadly he also has feelings. One helps him while the other... Well that is why I keep reading the books, plus I love the characters. If you haven’t begun the series, it is not too late.
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January 8, 2020wow.....first book I have read by Archer Mayor and it was fantastic. Say nothing that he is a Vermont author and writes about Vermont, which makes it easier to get drawn into the story since I also am from and still live in Vermont. High Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews