Three Wrongs

Donavan: Thief for Hire #1

by Chuck Bowie

Sean Donovan is doing all right; he has two offshore bank accounts and an American one as well and all three are filling up nicely. His network of clients know his business he is willing to acquire whatever rare or inaccessible product is needed, be it the security plans to an art gallery, a rare Etruscan goblet or a recorded conversation from a former American President. And he will steal it and deliver it to them, no questions asked nor answered.

But he is becoming dissatisfied. In addition to the physical wear and tear inflicted on his body by adversaries, he is now becoming weary of the toll his newly-discovered conscience is exacting from these highly illegal exploits. A series of lies to his most recent client has caused him to think about the impact of his deeds and he doesn’t like how it makes him feel. An idea begins to form; what if he was to undo his last three wrongs? And what if he nevertheless wants to benefit from turning over this new leaf?

This story follows Sean Donovan as he travels from Bucharest to London to Montreal and New York. Will he repent his wicked ways? Will he quit the business before those who he has wronged catch up to him? Will he discover that three wrongs don’t make a right?

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Chuck Bowie lives on the East Coast of Canada, and his writing is influenced by the study of human nature and how people behave, habits he picked up as his family moved nineteen times in his first twenty one years. Chuck loves food, wine, music and travel and all play a role in his work.
His writing will often draw upon elements of these experiences to round out his characters and plotlines. He has just published this sixth thriller: Lost in London in the international suspense-thriller series: Donovan: Thief For Hire. This follows Her Irish Boyfriend, The Body On The Underwater Road, Steal It All, Three Wrongs and AMACAT. All of his published novels have been paperback best-sellers in New Brunswick. He has published the third novel in a new cozy mystery series: Old Manse Mysteries, set in a fictional town in New Brunswick, and is working on the follow-up in this series, due in October, 2025.
Chuck and his wife Lois live in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Email: chuck.bowie33@gmail.com

Reviews

[MJ LaBeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sean Donovan is an interesting character contradiction. He’s a bit Raymond “Red” Reddington (for fans of the Blacklist and familiar with Red) in that he does bad things but then has this moral compass that encourages him to right his wrongs. Donovan is a thief for hire, but he’s not your ordinary thug- although he can take a beating like one. He is cultured, enjoying fine food, wine and women. Despite the tough situations he finds himself in, he’s cool under pressure and outsmarts his attackers with some unique, hidden weapons. This whirlwind, worldwide story starts in Bucharest and then travels to London, New York and Montreal. While Donovan plots his next theft, he enjoys the company of his sister, Madeleine and very slowly we discover more about his family and back story. I appreciated Bowie’s smart writing, tightly woven plot, and intrigue he created around Donovan, luring me in and wanting to know more about what made this thief for hire tick. Bravo, I’m looking forward to this series!!

[Lin Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THREE WRONGS by Chuck Bowie.

Sean Donovan is an intriguing character. He's a man you're not really sure you're rooting for and yet he's a whole lot better than many of the other people you're going to meet along the way. Does that make him deserving of you following along, rooting from his corner? Luckily, yeah!

This is a story about an affable, mostly, thief who is hired, gets in, gets the job done, and with a code of ethics that might seem a tad skewered, but still manages to make him hero material.

On the outside, Sean doesn't look like a beefy, burly, savior type, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, or capable of besting thugs with more brawn and gristle, but he lacks in girth he makes up for with the strength behind his gray matter.

THREE WRONGS...high energy dynamite that catapults Sean and the reader from one, by-the-skin-of-your-teeth adventure into the next one.

This book deserves FIVE STARS just for the intense, behind the facade of civility action it brings you up close and personal with, along with showing us what would drive a man to take the risks Sean takes and be more cunning than those he takes on.

WELL DONE VERY WELL DONE, MR.BOWIE.

[Kenneth Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. You are introduced to a main character (Sean Donovan) who has some issues, to say the least. He's paid (a lot) to steal things that people want but can't get legally. This sets up situations that are full of the most exquisite tension as our man Sean gets the job done. And then you get to the bad guys who try to get in Sean's way time and again and are defeated in ways that a weapons expert might anticipate, but I sure didn't. You also get to travel to places like Bucharest, London, New York, and Montreal in the company of a guy who knows how to spend his ill gotten gains on wine, women and song, all of which are described in the kind of detail you get from someone who knows what he is talking about. I don't read a lot of books of the thriller genre, but I think I know really good writing when I read it. And this is it. Great book, but I repeat myself.

[Allan Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Sean Donovan is a very cool character. Bowie delivers great dialogue, interesting characters and a good story. I recommend this novel.

[S.C. Eston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Chuck Bowie when he kindly invited me to join his writing group about six months ago. Since then, I've been looking forward to reading some of his stories. I got a copy of Three Wrongs a few months ago and finally got around to reading it recently.

I can honestly say that I enjoyed Three Wrongs, more and more with each page. The main character, Sean Donovan, is likeable (even though some of his choices are questionable) and it is easy to root for him. He is a cool character. The pace is good, the plot complex and the writing has a nice flow that is enjoyable to read. The story is intriguing and gets more so as it progresses, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Recommended.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page-turner from start to finish, with characters as richly developed as the plot. In this mystery-thriller, Bowie combines action, travel and culture with finesse. He leads us on a suspenseful journey where, like his character Donovan, we fall in love with the crime and romance complicating his life. A treat and must-read for crime, mystery and romance lovers alike.

[Taraann LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say, I quite enjoyed this story. Sean is su h a relatable guy, and the plot was easy to get lost in. The one downfall? (which isn't even a bad thing..) The food. Every meal was described so intensely and wonderfully, that I found myself hungry almost every chapter! Chuck, I applaud you for creating Donovan and his travels. I can't wait to dive into the next Thief4Hire!

[Brent Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chuck spins a great tale, full of intrigue, exciting twists, and surprises, topped with a smattering of modern-day world affairs. It gets gritty at times, which is to be expected in this genre. Overall, it left me wanting more of Sean Donavon, and Surprise! there is more. Lot's more.

[Peter Gillet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I could get into the crime thriller genre, but the author created compelling characters and interesting situations. I'm looking forward to reading more of the works of this author.

[Harold Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, it captured my curiosity in the first chapter and kept me wondering what comes next for the full run. Very nice writing!

[Jane Tims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining, unpredictable and hard to put down! Chuck Bowie's book is well written with memorable characters. Characters are diverse and believable, each with a distinctive voice. I especially liked Donovan, a thief with a pocketful of tricks and a cool head in the most challenging circumstances, and his sister Madeleine, up-beat, fun-loving and adventuresome. Donovan's adversaries are not so likeable. Throughout the book, the reader can follow a gradual change in Donovan's motivation and wonders what the result of change will be. Throughout the book are glimpses of life in some of the most interesting cities in the world. Great to know there are at least two more books in the series and we can know what path Donovan's life will take.

[Susan Bernhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Chuck Bowie's complex thriller Three Wrongs. The novel is filled with tension as we accompany Sean Donavan, a for-hire-thief on a fast-paced, dangerous journey through Romania, London, New York, and Canada.

I felt like I was right there with Donavan. I loved Bowie's descriptions of food, location, music, etc. The dialogue was superb. Many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Bravo, Chuck Bowie!

I can't wait to read more Sean Donavan!

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the books. I liked the story and the characters were engaging.

I found the settings enjoyable both the familiar to the new. I found the subtle humor was the sort of tongue in cheek humor that appeals to me.

The novel was a great read from start to finish.

[Ian McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A furious insight into the world of high-stakes, international heist.

[Jeatherhane Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and suspenseful. I preferred the second half of the book that was more focused on the character development. I'd like to see more of Donovan's sister. Loved the sections set in Montreal.