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Jack Scully #1
The Hitman's Lover
Jack Scully, a partner in a Jersey City law firm, has a nice practice until his old Aunt Maude guns down a policeman and insists that he handle her case. What’s her defense? She claims the cop was really a hitman hired by her alcoholic husband Teddy. As Scully digs into the shooting, he learns that a gang of crooked cops is moonlighting for organized crime boss Carmine D’Annunzio and carrying out contract killings. One of the cops, charming Tommy McGann, is also squiring the crime boss’s gorgeous daughter Angela. As Scully pressures the crooked cops, they begin cleaning house. Maude’s husband Teddy takes a swan dive out the sixth-floor window of a seedy hotel, and the cop shot by Maude gets a dose of poison. Scully zeros in on Tommy McGann as the killer. Then McGann turns up dead, burnt to a crisp. But is the body really McGann’s? Scully learns the truth when he sets a trap for the crooked cops and gets caught in his own snare. A fiery escape leads Scully to what he’s wanted all along, the luscious Angela D’Annunzio – and he follows her blindly into the final betrayal.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2012
5 people are currently reading
2618 people want to read
About the author
Richard Newell Smith
4 books45 followersRichard Newell Smith grew up in Marblehead, MA, graduated from Harvard, served in the Coast Guard and then worked for several years in marketing communications. Four years ago he began writing thriller novels full time. The Hitman's Lover, Grind His Bones and Naked Fear are available now. All three novels won awards from the Florida Writers Assn. (Royal Palm Literary Awards). Scavenging Ned Scully will be out in late 2014. The Hitman’s Lover and Grind His Bones are built around Jack Scully, a young "divorce and dog bite" lawyer who is dragged unwillingly into dealing with serious crime - cops working as hitmen, doctors trafficking in human organs, rich sociopaths buying their way out of trouble. The protagonist of Naked Fear is Annie Roszkowski, a pretty barmaid aka Sitka Annie. One moment Annie’s closing the bar at Sitka Lillie’s and sharing a cup of coffee with the last customer; the next moment she’s running naked across a barren Alaskan island pursued by three hunters and a pack of hounds. She’s the prey in a “good old-fashioned whore hunt.” She survives and goes looking for revenge. Coming in 2014: Scavenging Ned Scully, the third in the Jack Scully series of thrillers. Smith lives in Jupiter FL with his wife Myriam and their Chihuahua Evita.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 14, 2014
Jack Scully is introduced as a lawyer (divorce-lawyer), who dons the hat of a sleuth in Richard Newell Smith's mystery novel called The Hitman's Lover, which is the first book in the Jack Scully series.
I've already read the second book Grind His Bones which is the second book in the Jack Scully series. So I pretty much had an idea about this guy. Well, in this book, The Hitman's Lover, we are introduced with Jack's girlfriend, Diane Marsh, who works in the forensic lab and in this book, Jack and Diane meets up for the first time and their relationship blossoms into a very strong and sweet kind of love.
The mystery is really very nerve-racking and will keep you on your edges till the very end of the book and the best part of this book is that the victims do not get any justice under any court of law! No doubt, the book is highly engaging and very, very captivating; you can't stop turning the pages of this book.
Too much blood, too many murders and too many twists and turns, makes the book an intriguing read for the mystery-lovers.
Jack Scully is called upon to represent his Aunt Maude, who gets involved in a crime of shooting a policeman, upon learning that her husband had hired a hitman to kill her off. But things get messy and really complicated, when the crooked cops of Hillcrest go greedy and tie their hands deep into the underworld mafia king's odd jobs. Angela, the mafia king's daughter, plays a brilliant role in this book by being the mastermind behind all those murders. But when Aunt Maude's husband lands up dead in a dumpster, things do get very serious and uncontrollable. Find out whether Jack can save his aunt as well as himself from all those crooked cops who have sired the whole town under their wings.
The author has brilliantly penned down this whole mystery and has smartly kept all the twists hidden under the wraps till the very end, which left the readers in a guessing mode and making us guess the wrong criminal. Well but those twists were very slowly peeled away layer by layer and then the readers can put up the whole picture of what's happening. Well in the beginning, I got bit confused about who was the cop hired to be the hitman, too many dialogues confused me. But eventually, the author threw the light on the real cop and I could understand the gravity of the crime eventually. I enjoyed this tale way too much. I'm really a fan of Richard Newell Smith's writing style, how he never lets the readers to panic even under a very difficult and complicated situation. The grip that the author has on his characters is really very astute. Jack being the coolest guy and maintains his calm and composure even when he is nearly getting murdered by the cops, maybe that's the secret behind his success as a lawyer. Billy Farrell, a cop, Jack's partner in solving the crimes, is also a very sharp character, who loves to joke around almost all the time. Aunt Maude is all very cantankerous, being the ex-wife of an alcoholic man, made her all very lonely and crotchety towards people. Jack is indeed a hero and I'm looking forward in reading more of Jack's adventures. Jack's a real sweet guy who loves day-dreaming about hot and beautiful women, even in difficult times.
I'm sure you can't say "NO" to Jack Scully- a funny, hilarious, cool, confident and a brave man, who lives in a Victorian-styled house all by himself. Go ahead, give this book a try and you're surely gonna fall in love with Jack.
Thanks to the author, Richard Newell Smith, for providing me with a copy of his book, in return for an honest review.
I've already read the second book Grind His Bones which is the second book in the Jack Scully series. So I pretty much had an idea about this guy. Well, in this book, The Hitman's Lover, we are introduced with Jack's girlfriend, Diane Marsh, who works in the forensic lab and in this book, Jack and Diane meets up for the first time and their relationship blossoms into a very strong and sweet kind of love.
The mystery is really very nerve-racking and will keep you on your edges till the very end of the book and the best part of this book is that the victims do not get any justice under any court of law! No doubt, the book is highly engaging and very, very captivating; you can't stop turning the pages of this book.
Too much blood, too many murders and too many twists and turns, makes the book an intriguing read for the mystery-lovers.
Jack Scully is called upon to represent his Aunt Maude, who gets involved in a crime of shooting a policeman, upon learning that her husband had hired a hitman to kill her off. But things get messy and really complicated, when the crooked cops of Hillcrest go greedy and tie their hands deep into the underworld mafia king's odd jobs. Angela, the mafia king's daughter, plays a brilliant role in this book by being the mastermind behind all those murders. But when Aunt Maude's husband lands up dead in a dumpster, things do get very serious and uncontrollable. Find out whether Jack can save his aunt as well as himself from all those crooked cops who have sired the whole town under their wings.
The author has brilliantly penned down this whole mystery and has smartly kept all the twists hidden under the wraps till the very end, which left the readers in a guessing mode and making us guess the wrong criminal. Well but those twists were very slowly peeled away layer by layer and then the readers can put up the whole picture of what's happening. Well in the beginning, I got bit confused about who was the cop hired to be the hitman, too many dialogues confused me. But eventually, the author threw the light on the real cop and I could understand the gravity of the crime eventually. I enjoyed this tale way too much. I'm really a fan of Richard Newell Smith's writing style, how he never lets the readers to panic even under a very difficult and complicated situation. The grip that the author has on his characters is really very astute. Jack being the coolest guy and maintains his calm and composure even when he is nearly getting murdered by the cops, maybe that's the secret behind his success as a lawyer. Billy Farrell, a cop, Jack's partner in solving the crimes, is also a very sharp character, who loves to joke around almost all the time. Aunt Maude is all very cantankerous, being the ex-wife of an alcoholic man, made her all very lonely and crotchety towards people. Jack is indeed a hero and I'm looking forward in reading more of Jack's adventures. Jack's a real sweet guy who loves day-dreaming about hot and beautiful women, even in difficult times.
I'm sure you can't say "NO" to Jack Scully- a funny, hilarious, cool, confident and a brave man, who lives in a Victorian-styled house all by himself. Go ahead, give this book a try and you're surely gonna fall in love with Jack.
Thanks to the author, Richard Newell Smith, for providing me with a copy of his book, in return for an honest review.
February 27, 2015
I really enjoyed this one. Crooked cops, an old lady who may or may not be paranoid (especially when it comes to her husband) her lawyer-nephew, and the mafia. All set in New Jersey. What's not to like?
This is pure escapism, and a great example of modern noir. Who did it? Who didn't do it is probably the better question.
This is pure escapism, and a great example of modern noir. Who did it? Who didn't do it is probably the better question.
July 30, 2016
Poor old Aunt Maude. She showers, gets dressed, applies her makeup and douses herself with perfume. She has a 'date' with a hitman, but the hitman is late. Wait, there he is now - POW! Yup, Auntie Maude has a fully loaded Smith & Wesson in her lap and she uses it. Unfortunately, the man she just unloaded on is a cop. In a trice, the police arrive and outfit her with a pair of handcuffs and cart her off to the hoosegow. Luckily for Maude, her nephew is a lawyer, albeit of the divorce and dog bite variety. Jack Scully to the rescue!
This was a quick, fun read with good cops, bad cops and mobsters. And cantankerous old aunties. The humorous parts of the book work far better than the rest of it. Aunt Maude is the star of the show, with the mug shot that made her look brutish, her bloomers that were the size of weather balloons, and her little pet pug named Sheba - she of the seemingly inexhaustible bladder.
Next to Maude, Jack Scully seems rather milque-toast-ish to me. Not sure what it is about him that really stands out enough to launch successive novels, unless Jack has a wealth of other oddball relatives who will be misbehaving in the future. The end was satisfying enough, but there wasn't enough meat to the story for it to necessarily make me want to actively pursue more of him in the future.
This was a First-reads giveaway, thank you.
This was a quick, fun read with good cops, bad cops and mobsters. And cantankerous old aunties. The humorous parts of the book work far better than the rest of it. Aunt Maude is the star of the show, with the mug shot that made her look brutish, her bloomers that were the size of weather balloons, and her little pet pug named Sheba - she of the seemingly inexhaustible bladder.
Next to Maude, Jack Scully seems rather milque-toast-ish to me. Not sure what it is about him that really stands out enough to launch successive novels, unless Jack has a wealth of other oddball relatives who will be misbehaving in the future. The end was satisfying enough, but there wasn't enough meat to the story for it to necessarily make me want to actively pursue more of him in the future.
This was a First-reads giveaway, thank you.
November 16, 2013
This book was just plain fun. It reminded me of Elmore Leonard - quirky characters, snappy dialogue, surprising plot twists, and a spoonful of funny to make the medicine go down. The main character, Jack Scully, is a lawyer who deals mostly in divorce cases. He gets sucked into a case involving murder and mayhem when his elderly aunt shoots a police officer on her front porch. She claims the guy came to kill her. Scully believes her, although no one else does at the outset. Turns out there is a ring of hitmen working out of the local police department, and they are scrambling to tidy up their loose ends while their newest recruit is on life support in the hospital. Meanwhile the title character, local mob princess and girlfriend of one of the bad cops, seems to be playing both ends against the middle. Events accelerate to a satisfying and bloody conclusion.
I was tempted to give this book 5 stars, but I found a few typos and continuity errors that I don't think should have made it to publication. I know these are hard to get rid of for an indie published writer, and they certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. Also they're easily fixed.
The Hitman's Lover is not fine literature by any stretch, but it is creative and engaging and a rocking good read. It ought to be judged on how well it succeeds at what it sets out to do. In my estimation that is to entertain, and on this basis, it succeeds very well indeed. I read it almost straight through. I had to put it down in the middle because my eyes were getting bleary, but I sure didn't want to. If I could, I would have stayed up all night to finish it. It's that good.
I'm glad to see that this is part of a series of Jack Scully adventures. I look forward to reading the next one.
I was tempted to give this book 5 stars, but I found a few typos and continuity errors that I don't think should have made it to publication. I know these are hard to get rid of for an indie published writer, and they certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. Also they're easily fixed.
The Hitman's Lover is not fine literature by any stretch, but it is creative and engaging and a rocking good read. It ought to be judged on how well it succeeds at what it sets out to do. In my estimation that is to entertain, and on this basis, it succeeds very well indeed. I read it almost straight through. I had to put it down in the middle because my eyes were getting bleary, but I sure didn't want to. If I could, I would have stayed up all night to finish it. It's that good.
I'm glad to see that this is part of a series of Jack Scully adventures. I look forward to reading the next one.
October 2, 2013
I got this book as a goodreads giveaway; and as soon as it arrived I asked myself "did I mean to enter for this?!" This is a book that should not be judged on its cover, because in my opinion it's doing it no favours. Though there is a hitman, and he does have a lover, I'm not sure she's a big enough character for the title, let alone the cover art.
However, the blurb on the back seemed good enough, and it was free so I went ahead and read it.
Things I liked - for a conspiracy/corrupt police plot it didn't get out of hand, and veer in to the wildly unbelievable. There were no major car chases or elaborate shoot outs. The characters were well defined and likeable, without their back stories being drilled in by the end of the first chapter.
Things I didn't like - a few typing errors in my copy, but that's not the author's fault. Couple of little side plots about the lead characters other clients that seemed to go nowhere, though I haven't read the next books so maybe they'll pop up there. The three main corrupt police officers all had surnames starting with M. That's a tiny thing, but when they were all having a conversation I found it tricky to keep track.
All in all, a good book, and I'd definitely read more from the series.
However, the blurb on the back seemed good enough, and it was free so I went ahead and read it.
Things I liked - for a conspiracy/corrupt police plot it didn't get out of hand, and veer in to the wildly unbelievable. There were no major car chases or elaborate shoot outs. The characters were well defined and likeable, without their back stories being drilled in by the end of the first chapter.
Things I didn't like - a few typing errors in my copy, but that's not the author's fault. Couple of little side plots about the lead characters other clients that seemed to go nowhere, though I haven't read the next books so maybe they'll pop up there. The three main corrupt police officers all had surnames starting with M. That's a tiny thing, but when they were all having a conversation I found it tricky to keep track.
All in all, a good book, and I'd definitely read more from the series.
August 26, 2013
*If you miss The Soprano's, you'll love this book!*
- It's an easy to follow read and a page turner.
- It's plot-driven, which I really enjoy,especially in the summer.
- Maude was my favourite character because she has guts, and smarts. I felt the reader got to know her, above all other characters, the best.
- The novel overall had a predictable feeling, but only because of the way it was written. That is, the characters told you their next move - every time.
- "A Jack Scully Thriller", this had me most excited to read the book. I wondered who is he? What are his faults? Is he exciting, smart and funny? After reading the book....I have no idea. I would've liked twice or three times as much character development with him. He felt like an after-thought floating around. I would've liked him written a lot smarter SPOILER: I don't think he would ever actually go after Angela, no matter how good looking, dangerous or powerful she was.
Overall - I liked the book and read it in its entirety in one day. It was gory, imaginative - yet realistic, and was an exciting depiction of "good guys vs.bad guys when....the bad guys aren't as bad as the good guys?!" Four stars ****
- It's an easy to follow read and a page turner.
- It's plot-driven, which I really enjoy,especially in the summer.
- Maude was my favourite character because she has guts, and smarts. I felt the reader got to know her, above all other characters, the best.
- The novel overall had a predictable feeling, but only because of the way it was written. That is, the characters told you their next move - every time.
- "A Jack Scully Thriller", this had me most excited to read the book. I wondered who is he? What are his faults? Is he exciting, smart and funny? After reading the book....I have no idea. I would've liked twice or three times as much character development with him. He felt like an after-thought floating around. I would've liked him written a lot smarter SPOILER: I don't think he would ever actually go after Angela, no matter how good looking, dangerous or powerful she was.
Overall - I liked the book and read it in its entirety in one day. It was gory, imaginative - yet realistic, and was an exciting depiction of "good guys vs.bad guys when....the bad guys aren't as bad as the good guys?!" Four stars ****
June 21, 2013
This was a First Read, book, that I won, and boy am I glad I did. Aunt Maude, what a character! she is old, sassy, and has a pug, called Sheba,her nephew, Jack Scully, is a lawyer, who, when helping, Maude, who accidentally, shoots, a cop, gets in over his head, with bent cops, and the maifia. Aunt Maude is no angel, she has hired a hitman, to bump her alcoholic husband Teddy, off, whilst unbeknownst to her, he has hired one, to "get rid " of her, So begins, a great book, dry humour, with larger than life characters, and some laugh out lines, I will be reading the next books in this series, ,
March 26, 2014
I am not one to go on and on with the premise etc.
If you are not a fan, do your research the author is one of a kind.
It's a fun read but also keeps you wondering and on the edge of your seat all the way to the end.
If you are not a fan, do your research the author is one of a kind.
It's a fun read but also keeps you wondering and on the edge of your seat all the way to the end.
January 5, 2018
That was a fun quick read! There were a lot of layers everywhere and all kinds of loose ends and I wasn't sure how they were going to work this, but it all went really well. The whole book was a lot of fun! A bit shallow in the sense I can't say I really *connected* with any of the characters and I definitely wouldn't call this a 'thriller', BUT I really enjoyed the book none-the-less. Who doesn't enjoy a crooked-cop-who-gets-whats-coming-to-him/mob/little old lady-with-her-dog story?
October 3, 2021
This is just too far fetched.
62 year old woman waiting for a hitman, Incompetent police, incompetent mafia all really just add up to a incompetent story.
If you want a comedy this may be one for you.
Unfortunately it just left me disappointed.
62 year old woman waiting for a hitman, Incompetent police, incompetent mafia all really just add up to a incompetent story.
If you want a comedy this may be one for you.
Unfortunately it just left me disappointed.
May 17, 2013
TITLE - HITMAN'S LOVER
AUTHOR - RICHARD NEWELL SMITH
STARS -5
REVIEWER - WENDE SHEETS
Maude, gets a call giving her a message that will save her life. One that will not be forgotten and one that will change many lives forever. . . . . .
Maude was ready when a hitman came to pay her visit, only she did not know it was a cop, Larry Serido was paid to take Maude out. By whom we do not know, but she believes it was her husband Teddy. She showed no fear and shot Larry. Jack Scully practices law in Jersey City and when he receives the call that his 70 year old aunt is in jail for shooting a police officer he immediately comes to help and get to the truth !
While Jack is putting pieces together he learns that there are a few dirty cops that are tied to this case. When Teddy turns up dead, questions start popping up. Seems a few dirty cops have a second job, they are working for mob boss Carmine Annunzio. Tommy McGann, a cop, takes it one step further by dating Carmine's daughter, Angela. Angela is taking them all hook line and sinker. As Scully is digging up more and more the heat is on and people start turning up dead, including Larry, who is poisoned.
This is one mob book I really enjoyed ! I quickly feel in love with Maude, she had me laughing many times ! Her and little pug are one of a kind!! Although the author has you laughing there was many parts that had you scared out of your mind and a few parts that got me angry ! This is truly a case of good cop, bad cop and the mafia ! :)
complimentary book given for a free review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
AUTHOR - RICHARD NEWELL SMITH
STARS -5
REVIEWER - WENDE SHEETS
Maude, gets a call giving her a message that will save her life. One that will not be forgotten and one that will change many lives forever. . . . . .
Maude was ready when a hitman came to pay her visit, only she did not know it was a cop, Larry Serido was paid to take Maude out. By whom we do not know, but she believes it was her husband Teddy. She showed no fear and shot Larry. Jack Scully practices law in Jersey City and when he receives the call that his 70 year old aunt is in jail for shooting a police officer he immediately comes to help and get to the truth !
While Jack is putting pieces together he learns that there are a few dirty cops that are tied to this case. When Teddy turns up dead, questions start popping up. Seems a few dirty cops have a second job, they are working for mob boss Carmine Annunzio. Tommy McGann, a cop, takes it one step further by dating Carmine's daughter, Angela. Angela is taking them all hook line and sinker. As Scully is digging up more and more the heat is on and people start turning up dead, including Larry, who is poisoned.
This is one mob book I really enjoyed ! I quickly feel in love with Maude, she had me laughing many times ! Her and little pug are one of a kind!! Although the author has you laughing there was many parts that had you scared out of your mind and a few parts that got me angry ! This is truly a case of good cop, bad cop and the mafia ! :)
complimentary book given for a free review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
November 6, 2013
I was engrossed from the start. I can usually read a few pages, put the book down and go to sleep, but I found with this book, I wanted to keep reading. Lost some sleep because of that!
I like Maude’s attitude and spunk and found I quickly liked her. Although I felt that the number of deaths got a little out of control, I was happy to lose myself in the world of Jack Scully. I found the book well-written and easy to read. I don’t like to have to re-read passages several times to be sure I have understood the message or where the story-line is going.
Each of the characters in the book is unique and easily brought to life by Richard Newell Smith. They are realistic so that you can conjure up an image for each, but at the same time have a fictional quality to them that allows you become caught up in the story.
Can’t wait for another edition of Jack Scully’s adventure. I would certainly recommend this book to my friends.
I like Maude’s attitude and spunk and found I quickly liked her. Although I felt that the number of deaths got a little out of control, I was happy to lose myself in the world of Jack Scully. I found the book well-written and easy to read. I don’t like to have to re-read passages several times to be sure I have understood the message or where the story-line is going.
Each of the characters in the book is unique and easily brought to life by Richard Newell Smith. They are realistic so that you can conjure up an image for each, but at the same time have a fictional quality to them that allows you become caught up in the story.
Can’t wait for another edition of Jack Scully’s adventure. I would certainly recommend this book to my friends.
August 10, 2013
I had a longer review of this book that I won in a goodreads giveaway written when I disappeared on me. I hope when I have more time I can up date this review again but for now will just sum it up. A potential good novel was spoiled by the incompetence of bad guys the seemed to be unable to do anything right,from a inabilty to shoot old ladies to leaving evidence when they do actually manage to kill some one. The novel's hero had so liittle to do in catching the bad guys he might as well not been there at all. It is not a bad book by any means and I will read more Jack Scully books in the hope he will face bigger challanges from more capable bad guys but for now will have to give this book a average 3 stars because of the stupidity of certain characters in the story.
December 15, 2013
This book pretty much has it all. Bad guys, Good guys, bad cops, good cops, and a second rate lawyer. Reading "Hitman's lover" by author Richard Newell Smith, kind of reminded me of being inside an episode of the old TV show "Rockford Files". Funny in places with snappy dialog and brutal in others with grisly murders. I did enjoy reading book. I saw ending coming from half way through. Protagonist 'Jack Scully' a second rate lawyer must be part P.I., part social worker, and victim throughout his adventures in this book. All in all was a good read. I gave it 3 stars out of 5. It's beginning was slow and plodding to get through. I would recommend this without a doubt. Be interested to see how 'Jack Scully' # 2 comes out. !! Give it a try, it's worth a couple hours to read !
April 14, 2014
I received this book through a GoodReads sweepstakes. The cover & title would make one think it would be a raunchy tale full of steamy detail. Well, if that is what you are looking for, this isn’t a book for you (I’m glad it wasn’t). The book was very well written and moved at a good pace. The characters were interesting to follow and made you cheer for the good guy.
The story involves bad cops, the mob, a cranky old lady and a lawyer. If that doesn’t sound like a weird mix, then I don’t know what does. The Hitman’s Lover is a true gumshoe novel that I truly enjoy reading, with characters that you can imagine living in your town. I will add Mr. Smith to my list of authors to lookout for. It was good to read a book with no super powers or secret weapons.
The story involves bad cops, the mob, a cranky old lady and a lawyer. If that doesn’t sound like a weird mix, then I don’t know what does. The Hitman’s Lover is a true gumshoe novel that I truly enjoy reading, with characters that you can imagine living in your town. I will add Mr. Smith to my list of authors to lookout for. It was good to read a book with no super powers or secret weapons.
October 21, 2014
I won this novel through a goodreads competition. I read the first chapter and struggled to get through it as it was confusing and a little bland for my taste but decided to read on through to the second chapter hoping it would pick up and capture my attention. Sadly, it didn't. In my opinion more clarity or development of the character may have helped or more noticeable relationships. Although, the settings were detailed and I thought they were fairly in depth and interesting. I picked this book up earlier this year and have only just had time to review it so the storyline and characters are not that fresh in my mind but from what I remember I liked and didn't like about this book has been mentioned.
May 8, 2014
Rogue cops, crime boss, Carmine Annunzio, his Maffia Princess daughter, Angela, and girlfriend to bad, bad cop Tommy McGann lead the cast of characters in this tongue-in-cheek thriller. Outspoken, senior citizen, Maude Ryan guns down the hitman that came to kill her.
Maude thinks her useless husband, Teddy, ordered the hit. When she is arrested she calls her nephew Jack Skully, a New Jersey Attorney to help free her.
A complicatedd plot and sub-plots with characters who are both mean and funny. Jack Skully has a lot of patience with his Aunt Maude and works hard to clear her and find the offenders. Great read and I look forward to the next thriller by Mr. Smith, coming soon, I hope.
Maude thinks her useless husband, Teddy, ordered the hit. When she is arrested she calls her nephew Jack Skully, a New Jersey Attorney to help free her.
A complicatedd plot and sub-plots with characters who are both mean and funny. Jack Skully has a lot of patience with his Aunt Maude and works hard to clear her and find the offenders. Great read and I look forward to the next thriller by Mr. Smith, coming soon, I hope.
August 14, 2013
I'm not sure what I was expecting about this book, but I kind of feel I was a bit mislead by the synopsis. I was thinking about a funnier story, with more action and fiercer scenes, perhaps. However, I found it a bit dull and ordinary. Romance could be added to spice things up, and I think a better surprise element could have been used to twist the story and turn things more interesting. Nevertheless, I give it three stars, mainly because I read worse than this, and the writing is very simple and easy to follow.
September 16, 2013
Lawyer Jack Scully gets involved with organized crime and corrupt cops while defending his eccentric aunt who has shot a police officer she believed was sent by her husband to murder her. Scully is over his head or so it seems, but as the action progresses his wits and luck prvail.
The characters, good and bad, are convincing and interesting. There is action and suspense and a little humor and an almost love affair. The Hitman's Lover is an entertaining read. Reviewed by the author of The Children's Story, A Novel Not for Children (about good and evil),
The characters, good and bad, are convincing and interesting. There is action and suspense and a little humor and an almost love affair. The Hitman's Lover is an entertaining read. Reviewed by the author of The Children's Story, A Novel Not for Children (about good and evil),
February 24, 2014
Action, crime and humour. Three fundamental keywords for this book.
I found some events a bit predictable but all in all it's a good read.
I liked so much Aunt Maude's character, as well as Teddy's. Their relationship is hilarious, the way they hate each other sublime.
Jack Scully, the main character, is less intresting than his tirgger-happy Aunt.
Mobsters and bad cops are well characterized.
The book's title is a bit misleading, as well as its cover image.
Honestly, I don't remember more than a scene of Angela D'Annunzio holding a gun.
Body count: big number.
I found some events a bit predictable but all in all it's a good read.
I liked so much Aunt Maude's character, as well as Teddy's. Their relationship is hilarious, the way they hate each other sublime.
Jack Scully, the main character, is less intresting than his tirgger-happy Aunt.
Mobsters and bad cops are well characterized.
The book's title is a bit misleading, as well as its cover image.
Honestly, I don't remember more than a scene of Angela D'Annunzio holding a gun.
Body count: big number.
September 11, 2014
I received a copy of the book by a firstreads giveaway.
This was a really fun book to read. The plot was simple, but interesting, if you love a good mob story, you will love this book.
The funniest moment for me was when Aunt Maude shoots the cops for the second time, it was hilarious. I laughed for five minutes without stopping. I still think it was funny when I think of it.
The characters were simple to follow, without mistaking who the good and who the bad guys are.
So to conclude, I loved the book.
Recommend it to all crime fans out there.
This was a really fun book to read. The plot was simple, but interesting, if you love a good mob story, you will love this book.
The funniest moment for me was when Aunt Maude shoots the cops for the second time, it was hilarious. I laughed for five minutes without stopping. I still think it was funny when I think of it.
The characters were simple to follow, without mistaking who the good and who the bad guys are.
So to conclude, I loved the book.
Recommend it to all crime fans out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2014
Jack Scully is a lawyer in New Jersey. His life gets very interesting when his Aunt Maude shoots a policeman and he takes on her case. This book is full of crooked cops who are in deep with the mafia. People bite the dust right and left as the bad guys don't care who they have to kill to try to protect themselves. In the end all of the bad guys pretty much end up dead as well. An entertaining read.
October 3, 2013
It was a really interesting book, action-packed. There was always something going on. I really enjoyed the characters and how they acted. It was a fast read, very enjoyable. I hope to be able to read the next ones in the series. It was very interesting.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
April 16, 2014
I received a copy of this book through a goodreads giveaway and overall I would say that I was happy I won this one! It was a fast paced read but action packed, there was something going on in this book on almost every page! It was hard to get into at first but once I did I couldn’t put it down! Would definitely recommend. (My mom actually is wanting to borrow it!)
October 26, 2013
I received this book for free from a first reads giveaway and I am very pleased that I entered. This is a very good book, fast paced with lots of action. The characters are very colourful and there is plenty of sex,violence and dark humour, what more could you want. This is the first in a series and I will certainly read more.
July 31, 2013
Was a little hard to get into,but after 3 chapters or so I really got into this book!! Am on last chapter and it's very gripping and entertaining would recommend if you like crime or mafia type story's.
Has an predictable ending but have admit i loved it
Has an predictable ending but have admit i loved it
January 22, 2015
I got this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. It was a decent crime drama novel. It was an easy read, but it was predictable. The title I felt was misleading, while the hitman's lover plays a decent role, it is not fleshed out as the title suggests.
June 17, 2013
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Enjoyable read.
August 11, 2013
I won a copy of The Hitman's Lover (Jack Scully Thrillers #1)
by Richard Newell Smith in a giveaway for free on Goodreads First-Reads
Awesome book highly recommended :)
by Richard Newell Smith in a giveaway for free on Goodreads First-Reads
Awesome book highly recommended :)
June 19, 2015
I really liked the book! fissured am in suspense stories and this was another good book, I recommend for those who enjoy this type of story
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