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Brady Coyne #6
The Vulgar Boatman
A politician’s son gets involved in a murder, and drags Brady along with him
Running for governor on the Republican ticket, Tom Baron needs his image to be squeaky clean. He employs men like Brady Coyne, a compassionate Boston attorney, to keep problems far away from his campaign. But when his son doesn’t come home one night, Tom’s political strategy becomes a criminal matter.
His son’s girlfriend has been murdered, and the boy has no alibi. To protect his friend’s political ambitions, Brady digs into the investigation, finding a trail of drugs and corruption that stretches far across the Eastern seaboard.
Tom Baron may be his friend, but Brady Coyne will stomach no cover-up. If the son is guilty and Tom is involved, Brady will come down on the would-be governor with a fury that will make Boston politics look like a student council election.
Running for governor on the Republican ticket, Tom Baron needs his image to be squeaky clean. He employs men like Brady Coyne, a compassionate Boston attorney, to keep problems far away from his campaign. But when his son doesn’t come home one night, Tom’s political strategy becomes a criminal matter.
His son’s girlfriend has been murdered, and the boy has no alibi. To protect his friend’s political ambitions, Brady digs into the investigation, finding a trail of drugs and corruption that stretches far across the Eastern seaboard.
Tom Baron may be his friend, but Brady Coyne will stomach no cover-up. If the son is guilty and Tom is involved, Brady will come down on the would-be governor with a fury that will make Boston politics look like a student council election.
226 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
William G. Tapply
78 books91 followersWilliam G. Tapply (1940–2009) was an American author best known for writing legal thrillers. A lifelong New Englander, he graduated from Amherst and Harvard before going on to teach social studies at Lexington High School. He published his first novel, Death at Charity’s Point, in 1984. A story of death and betrayal among Boston Brahmins, it introduced crusading lawyer Brady Coyne, a fishing enthusiast whom Tapply would follow through twenty-five more novels, including Follow the Sharks, The Vulgar Boatman, and the posthumously published Outwitting Trolls.
Besides writing regular columns for Field and Stream, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and American Angler, Tapply wrote numerous books on fishing, hunting, and life in the outdoors. He was also the author of The Elements of Mystery Fiction, a writer’s guide. He died in 2009, at his home in Hancock, New Hampshire.
Besides writing regular columns for Field and Stream, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and American Angler, Tapply wrote numerous books on fishing, hunting, and life in the outdoors. He was also the author of The Elements of Mystery Fiction, a writer’s guide. He died in 2009, at his home in Hancock, New Hampshire.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 27, 2017
Boston attorney Brady Coyne has a very small practice consisting of a number of extremely wealthy clients. One of those clients, Tom Baron, is running for the governorship of Massachusetts. Brady won't vote for him, but he will be happy to keep representing him.
In the middle of the campaign, a young high school honor student is strangled to death after having sex with two different men. There's cocaine in her bloodstream, and it's possible that she might not have been the prim little lass that everyone thought they knew. Inconveniently, the victim is the girlfriend of Tom Baron's son. Even more inconveniently, the son, Buddy, has gone missing, and the cops think he might be guilty of murder.
Tom Baron appeals to Brady to help find Buddy. Is Dad more worried about his son, or about the disastrous effect all of this might have on his campaign? Either way, Brady agrees to do what he can and before long, he's up to his neck in trouble.
This is a well-plotted story that moves along swiftly. It's Brady Coyne's sixth outing, and by now the character is well-established. We know what to expect of him, and it's fun watching him weave his way through the tangled mess he encounters here. As always, there are two or three women competing for Brady's attention, and fortunately, one of them is not Susan Silverman who's entangled with another Boston sleuth of some note. For that, we can all be thankful.
In the middle of the campaign, a young high school honor student is strangled to death after having sex with two different men. There's cocaine in her bloodstream, and it's possible that she might not have been the prim little lass that everyone thought they knew. Inconveniently, the victim is the girlfriend of Tom Baron's son. Even more inconveniently, the son, Buddy, has gone missing, and the cops think he might be guilty of murder.
Tom Baron appeals to Brady to help find Buddy. Is Dad more worried about his son, or about the disastrous effect all of this might have on his campaign? Either way, Brady agrees to do what he can and before long, he's up to his neck in trouble.
This is a well-plotted story that moves along swiftly. It's Brady Coyne's sixth outing, and by now the character is well-established. We know what to expect of him, and it's fun watching him weave his way through the tangled mess he encounters here. As always, there are two or three women competing for Brady's attention, and fortunately, one of them is not Susan Silverman who's entangled with another Boston sleuth of some note. For that, we can all be thankful.
November 1, 2020
We’re reading Tapply’s (somewhat short by modern standards) classic mysteries in order, with “Boatman” the 6th of 20 to feature Boston attorney (and expert fisherman) Brady Coyne. Our protagonist never darkens a courtroom, so these novels more resemble the machinations of private detectives. Thus Brady spends most of his time coddling his wealthy clients and getting them or their family members out of any troubles that present. The plot herein is therefore rather typical, as when a gubernatorial candidate’s son becomes the prime suspect in the case of a young woman’s murder, Brady goes into action to figure out what really happened. We’re also just realizing that our hero is a bit of a playboy as well, giving Wood’s Stone Barrington a run for his money!
In this one, we didn’t particularly care for Brady’s survival techniques at the end – a little tough to swallow even for fiction. Otherwise, it’s hard not to enjoy these quick-reading stories, with enough clues to the outcome making the resolutions seem both clever and rational.
In this one, we didn’t particularly care for Brady’s survival techniques at the end – a little tough to swallow even for fiction. Otherwise, it’s hard not to enjoy these quick-reading stories, with enough clues to the outcome making the resolutions seem both clever and rational.
January 29, 2020
Another good Massachusetts story featuring lawyer Brady Coyne, as he gets dragged into a murder where his friend’s son is a missing suspect.
June 17, 2012
Oh my god, it is so bad.
Now I don't feel guilty about reading the Richard Castle books.
The characters are zero-dimensional: women are fat and ugly, or sex toys for the main character and bad guys; the protagonist is a lawyer/detective/playboy; side characters care for nothing except themselves and don't even rise to the level of stereotype of caricature. The plot would be fine if it wasn't telegraphed on every page--if a plot point is important, don't worry, you'll be reminded several times that it is the key to the mystery. I couldn't make it more than halfway through.
Now I don't feel guilty about reading the Richard Castle books.
The characters are zero-dimensional: women are fat and ugly, or sex toys for the main character and bad guys; the protagonist is a lawyer/detective/playboy; side characters care for nothing except themselves and don't even rise to the level of stereotype of caricature. The plot would be fine if it wasn't telegraphed on every page--if a plot point is important, don't worry, you'll be reminded several times that it is the key to the mystery. I couldn't make it more than halfway through.
March 31, 2018
(3). I always thought the phrase from a chant that is used for the title of this book (from a song, it gets alluded to towards the end of the story) was the Volga boatman. But regardless of the title, I think this is the best Brady Coyne yet. A really solid story, less fluff and pomp than usual, Brady with a steady gal and about 10 times more real violence than normal. You do not have to allocate a great deal of time to read these books, if I don't crank them out in a day I am surprised. But I do try and savor them as they are such a treat. Next up, A void in Hearts. Can't wait!
April 6, 2014
I’ve read many of Tapply’s books and regret his passing. I’ll continue until I’ve read all of them. This happens to be one of the early ones I had missed. (They needn’t be read in order.)
Tom Baron has a problem. He's running for governor when his son's girlfriend is found dead with cocaine in her body and his son has disappeared, obviously a person of interest for the cops. So he calls his lawyer, Brady Coyne, who very reluctantly agrees to help look for the son. Never one to bend the rules Brady happens on a trail that may very well test his friendship with Tom and throw the gubernatorial race into turmoil. Reluctant to participate in what’s normally better done by the police, Brady is dragged into researching some things he’d rather not know about.
I only wish there had been more legal shenanigans.
The more exciting moments are leavened by Tapply’s prosaic view of the law: “I spent the next hour or so on the phone, doing the things that make the legal profession exciting. I set up two luncheon meetings with attorneys for the next week, I declined an invitation to serve on an ad hoc committee for the Bar Association. I checked back with the Coast Guard, which had not found Frank Paradise’s boat. I reconfirmed my golf date with Charlie McDevitt. I called a travel agent about a junket to the Madison River in Montana. I touched base with a few clients. A thrill a minute. Real Perry Mason stuff. “
Tom Baron has a problem. He's running for governor when his son's girlfriend is found dead with cocaine in her body and his son has disappeared, obviously a person of interest for the cops. So he calls his lawyer, Brady Coyne, who very reluctantly agrees to help look for the son. Never one to bend the rules Brady happens on a trail that may very well test his friendship with Tom and throw the gubernatorial race into turmoil. Reluctant to participate in what’s normally better done by the police, Brady is dragged into researching some things he’d rather not know about.
I only wish there had been more legal shenanigans.
The more exciting moments are leavened by Tapply’s prosaic view of the law: “I spent the next hour or so on the phone, doing the things that make the legal profession exciting. I set up two luncheon meetings with attorneys for the next week, I declined an invitation to serve on an ad hoc committee for the Bar Association. I checked back with the Coast Guard, which had not found Frank Paradise’s boat. I reconfirmed my golf date with Charlie McDevitt. I called a travel agent about a junket to the Madison River in Montana. I touched base with a few clients. A thrill a minute. Real Perry Mason stuff. “
February 6, 2016
#6 in the Boston attorney Brady Coyne series.
Boston attorney Brady Coyne series - Running for governor on the Republican ticket, Tom Baron needs his image to be squeaky clean. He employs men like Brady Coyne, a compassionate Boston attorney, to keep problems far away from his campaign. But when his son doesn't come home one night, Tom's political strategy becomes a criminal matter. His son's girlfriend has been murdered, and the boy has no alibi. To protect his friend's political ambitions, Brady digs into the investigation, finding a trail of drugs and corruption that stretches far across the Eastern seaboard.
Boston attorney Brady Coyne series - Running for governor on the Republican ticket, Tom Baron needs his image to be squeaky clean. He employs men like Brady Coyne, a compassionate Boston attorney, to keep problems far away from his campaign. But when his son doesn't come home one night, Tom's political strategy becomes a criminal matter. His son's girlfriend has been murdered, and the boy has no alibi. To protect his friend's political ambitions, Brady digs into the investigation, finding a trail of drugs and corruption that stretches far across the Eastern seaboard.
August 16, 2009
Excellent; Continuing character: Brady Coyne; two teenagers are killed (including the son of a candidate for governor) and Coyne courts danger as he tries to find how the deaths are tied to the local drug trade
April 23, 2013
I thought i'd read it but it seems I've not written a review. This is a 1987 so one of his older stories.
At first the title was off-putting until you realize where it comes from, a second grade music class. Score one for teachers.
At first the title was off-putting until you realize where it comes from, a second grade music class. Score one for teachers.
September 11, 2013
Great suspense
February 11, 2015
Very suspenseful and fun read.
December 7, 2016
Typical Brady Coyne
He has a love interest.
There is a murder.
Brady gets in trouble.
Case is solved.
It never gets old.
He has a love interest.
There is a murder.
Brady gets in trouble.
Case is solved.
It never gets old.
December 12, 2024
interesting, gritty and real story
This is an interesting, gritty and real story. I enjoyed it, and I learned about crack cocaine distribution and effects, school operations, police procedures and human nature. The characters learn from each other and grow. Humility and honesty shine. Brady Coyne is my kind of guy — human, earnest, opinionated, beer-drinking and friendly.
This is an interesting, gritty and real story. I enjoyed it, and I learned about crack cocaine distribution and effects, school operations, police procedures and human nature. The characters learn from each other and grow. Humility and honesty shine. Brady Coyne is my kind of guy — human, earnest, opinionated, beer-drinking and friendly.
March 22, 2023
Enjoyable throwback mystery. I was able to figure out one of the villains early on, but the second one fooled me completely. These novels or not cozy nor are they truly hard core.
I recommend them highly.
I recommend them highly.
October 18, 2017
William G Tapply is a very underrated author. Every book in the series is very good to great.
June 17, 2025
Decent noir with fat villain borrowed from The Maltese Falcon.
July 30, 2025
with an opening snippet of Virgil translated by Doc Five. if you know, you know.
a mystery without cell phones, surveillance videos, but plenty of Boston nostalgia.
a mystery without cell phones, surveillance videos, but plenty of Boston nostalgia.
Read
December 21, 2008Good Book
June 22, 2011
I love the Brady Coyne series and was sad when Wm. Tapply died. He always managed to put a different twist on the ending.
October 11, 2015
Just okay
October 30, 2016
Shallow and cliched even given the genre. Also, didn't need more politics at this time.
March 29, 2011
Tapply is alway likable, great entertainment!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews