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Double Impact
Two of Lee Goldberg's acclaimed adventures together in one volume: Watch Me Die and McGrave.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2012
119 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Lee Goldberg
158 books2,113 followersLee Goldberg is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over forty novels, including Malibu Burning, Calico, Lost Hills (the first novel in his acclaimed "Eve Ronin" series), 15 "Monk" mysteries, five "Fox & O'Hare" adventures (co-written with Janet Evanovich), and the new thriller Ashes Never Lie, the second in his "Sharpe & Walker" series.. He's written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk and he co-created the Hallmark movie series Mystery 101.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 5, 2017
This was actually two novellas packaged together. The first, Watch Me Die, was the longer of the two. It was about a bit of a loser, a young guy working as a night security guard manning the guard shack at a gated community from midnight to 8. But everything changes when one of the tenants hires him to follow his wife to see if she is cheating. With no experience or training he relies only on detective novels and TV shows in his surveillance efforts. He makes a lot of mistakes, but feels his confidence growing and his life expanding. It's an amusing story that takes a more serious turn about midway. The second story, McGrave, was based on a possible TV pilot. It was a very amusing tale of an LAPD detective known as "Tidal Wave " McGrave because of his reputation for getting the bad guy but destroying everything in his path. Here he breaks up a major robbery but causes so much destruction and mayhem that he gets suspended. But he never gives up and follows the criminal leader to Germany. Berlin survived the bombing of WW2, but can it survive McGrave? This was a short but very fun story. Both tales were lighthearted and fun detective stories.
May 6, 2017
I read all of the first book and part of the second book before quitting. The first book was fairly well written and the plot was complex and interesting, but it just didn't interest me. The protagonist is a low-level security watchman who dreams of being a real Private Eye, but his knowledge and experience is all from TV detective series and murder mystery books. The jokey, slapstick wiseguy tone was enjoyable at first but quickly became tiresome and made the book drag slowly. I love it when I can't wait to get back at a book because the story has grabbed me, but believe me, this book was NOT that! It was a chore to plug along and finish the book. I started thew smaller, second volume, but it seemed to be more of the same, so I quit midway through. I won't be hurrying to read any more by Lee Goldberg.
May 13, 2019
Inept security guard becomes inept P.I. in an entertaining story.
This is a story for those of us who have ever wanted to step outside our ordinary, everyday lives and just do something, take a risk, get involved. Harvey Mapes mans his boring little security booth at an upscale condo development, reads his detective mysteries and waits for life to happen. Thanks to an unusual request by a resident, he is suddenly the hero in his own P.I. story, only to find it doesn't always follow the expected script and that he is no Joe Mannix.
There are some implausibilities hard to overlook even for a willing to believe reader like me, but this is a good entertaining story, and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to more of Harvey's adventures
This is a story for those of us who have ever wanted to step outside our ordinary, everyday lives and just do something, take a risk, get involved. Harvey Mapes mans his boring little security booth at an upscale condo development, reads his detective mysteries and waits for life to happen. Thanks to an unusual request by a resident, he is suddenly the hero in his own P.I. story, only to find it doesn't always follow the expected script and that he is no Joe Mannix.
There are some implausibilities hard to overlook even for a willing to believe reader like me, but this is a good entertaining story, and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to more of Harvey's adventures
July 23, 2019
This was a re-read, and better the second time around.
This one is a departure for Goldberg. This guy is the ultimate anti-hero. A stone cold loser, who knows it, and accepts his empty lot in life. An unlikely request sets him on a path towards a job he had fantasized about since childhood. The experiences he has teach him a lot about life, and himself, and brings him love from an unlikely place as well. You will laugh, gasp, and maybe cry, but it won't be boring !
This one is a departure for Goldberg. This guy is the ultimate anti-hero. A stone cold loser, who knows it, and accepts his empty lot in life. An unlikely request sets him on a path towards a job he had fantasized about since childhood. The experiences he has teach him a lot about life, and himself, and brings him love from an unlikely place as well. You will laugh, gasp, and maybe cry, but it won't be boring !
August 2, 2017
A nice twist on an old genre
We've all read the detective books and watched the PI shows, but that doesn't mean we'd go off and decide to become a private eye. But what if we did? Then our exploits would probably play out like Harvey Mopes. And now I get to read his adventures written by someone who knows his craft inside out. Excellent read.
We've all read the detective books and watched the PI shows, but that doesn't mean we'd go off and decide to become a private eye. But what if we did? Then our exploits would probably play out like Harvey Mopes. And now I get to read his adventures written by someone who knows his craft inside out. Excellent read.
July 1, 2018
Another WINNER!!!Sent
I only kept turning pages.....no problem with keeping my attention or interest on this outstanding book. The characters and storyline is so damn great.....super!!!!
I only kept turning pages.....no problem with keeping my attention or interest on this outstanding book. The characters and storyline is so damn great.....super!!!!
April 8, 2019
Crazy Private Eye Book
If you like private eye mysteries, you will like this. A homage to TV and private eye novels, Harvey thinks he can become one. Little does he know how brutal and awakening that will become. This book is tough at times, but you will enjoy it in the end.
If you like private eye mysteries, you will like this. A homage to TV and private eye novels, Harvey thinks he can become one. Little does he know how brutal and awakening that will become. This book is tough at times, but you will enjoy it in the end.
April 30, 2019
A double-bagger with a novel and an unrelated novella in a single volume. Good story lines. Very easy read. Fun volume to fit in between more serious stuff. Will probably read more from Mr. Goldberg.
February 6, 2021
A fun read
As someone else mentioned, this reads like an 80's cop show. If you research Goldberg and see he is the creator of Monk you will understand the tone of the stories. If you are looking for an enjoyable quick read this book is for you.
As someone else mentioned, this reads like an 80's cop show. If you research Goldberg and see he is the creator of Monk you will understand the tone of the stories. If you are looking for an enjoyable quick read this book is for you.
June 6, 2017
The first story of the two is good, but the second -- albeit shorter -- is excellent!
April 3, 2018
Great read
Fine page turner ,action moved at good pace. Thoroughly enjoyable with neat throwaway lines. Look forward to more of authors works.
Fine page turner ,action moved at good pace. Thoroughly enjoyable with neat throwaway lines. Look forward to more of authors works.
June 6, 2019
Good first book in series.
I will be innterested to see if Goldberg was able to maintain his momentum and build on this effort. I hope so.
I will be innterested to see if Goldberg was able to maintain his momentum and build on this effort. I hope so.
July 7, 2019
McGrave mystery
Okay read, a little far fetched in the car chase scenes. I'll look for more McGrave books. Lee Goldburg rocks.
Okay read, a little far fetched in the car chase scenes. I'll look for more McGrave books. Lee Goldburg rocks.
March 29, 2016
Second book too short!
Outrageous, unapologetic fun. Obviously written for a television pilot, 'McGrave' left me wanting much more. A tongue-in-cheek wild ride that begs for a sequel, perhaps even a series. More please, Mr. Goldberg.
Outrageous, unapologetic fun. Obviously written for a television pilot, 'McGrave' left me wanting much more. A tongue-in-cheek wild ride that begs for a sequel, perhaps even a series. More please, Mr. Goldberg.
December 20, 2014
A mystery which is also funny, about a bumbling guy who tries out detective work. Good read for a trip!
April 24, 2017
Finding your inner "dick"
Harvey has read all the classic detective novels and seen the sleuthing movies. Nothing comes close to the journey he begins when he is asked to complete a simple "follow my wife" request. He must use all he knows to unravel the mystery he uncovers. His journey of self discovery needs very bit as much investigative skill as the characters and scenarios he meets along the way.
Harvey has read all the classic detective novels and seen the sleuthing movies. Nothing comes close to the journey he begins when he is asked to complete a simple "follow my wife" request. He must use all he knows to unravel the mystery he uncovers. His journey of self discovery needs very bit as much investigative skill as the characters and scenarios he meets along the way.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews