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Eyes Closed Tight
O'Clair is a former Detroit homicide investigator who now owns a motel in Pompano Beach, Florida in his retirement. He runs the place with his much younger girlfriend, Virginia, who's a knockout and can fix anything. One morning, he's cleaning up after the previous night's partiers when he sees a lovely young woman stretched out asleep on a lounge chair. He shakes her gently. Then he touches her neck and feels for a pulse. There isn't one. Her skin is cold, body starting to stiffen, definitely in the early stages of rigor.When a second girl is murdered, O'Clair knows someone is trying to send him a message. The way the girls are killed reminds O'Clair of a case he investigated years earlier. Now convinced the Pompano murders are related, O'Clair returns to Detroit Police Homicide to review the murder file and try to figure out what he might have missed.And when Virginia is kidnapped by the killer, the stakes grow exponentially higher.The most powerful work to date by one of the most thrilling suspense novelists of our time, EYES CLOSED TIGHT is relentless, surprising, and deeply satisfying.
300 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2014
24 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Peter Leonard
50 books93 followersSon of Elmore Leonard.
Peter Leonard lives in Birmingham, Michigan with his wife and four children. He is a partner in the ad agency Leonard, Mayer & Tocco, Inc.
Peter Leonard lives in Birmingham, Michigan with his wife and four children. He is a partner in the ad agency Leonard, Mayer & Tocco, Inc.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 6, 2013
Retired Detroit detective O'Clair runs a resort in Pompano Beach, Florida. When a woman turns up dead at his resort, the old instincts kick in and O'Clair begins investigating the killer, leading to a cold case of his from his Detroit days. When the killer hits close to home, O'Clair must solve the case at any cost...
This was a Netgalley find.
I saw this on Netgalley and since Peter Leonard is the son of Elmore Leonard, I snapped it up. Does the apple fall far from the tree? That's a tough question.
Eyes Closed Tight is well written and started off pretty good. Then something happened that ruined my suspension of disbelief and things started getting way too convolulted for me to enjoy myself.
Would the Florida PD welcome the "assistance" of a retired Detroit cop on an investigation into a body that was found on his property? Somehow, I doubt it. After that initial doubt, I started souring and picking out a lot of things that bugged me. For one thing, I didn't like the shifting viewpoints. I would have rather been kept guessing as to who the killer was rather than have it handed to me. The red herring was the reddest of the red and a little too unbelievable. By the 75% mark, I just wanted it to be over.
All that aside, I'd read another Peter Leonard book as long as the plot didn't revolve around a serial killer with a dubious desire for revenge. Two stars.
This was a Netgalley find.
I saw this on Netgalley and since Peter Leonard is the son of Elmore Leonard, I snapped it up. Does the apple fall far from the tree? That's a tough question.
Eyes Closed Tight is well written and started off pretty good. Then something happened that ruined my suspension of disbelief and things started getting way too convolulted for me to enjoy myself.
Would the Florida PD welcome the "assistance" of a retired Detroit cop on an investigation into a body that was found on his property? Somehow, I doubt it. After that initial doubt, I started souring and picking out a lot of things that bugged me. For one thing, I didn't like the shifting viewpoints. I would have rather been kept guessing as to who the killer was rather than have it handed to me. The red herring was the reddest of the red and a little too unbelievable. By the 75% mark, I just wanted it to be over.
All that aside, I'd read another Peter Leonard book as long as the plot didn't revolve around a serial killer with a dubious desire for revenge. Two stars.
July 27, 2016
Pompano Beach, Florida. Beautiful nice, hot weather, blue ocean vistas, shorts and tops, endless sandy beaches, long cool drinks, good company, delicious sea food. You get it, right?
No, actually, you don't! Forty-five year old Oak O'Claire was happy in his retirement from the Detroit Police Force, managing Pirate’s Cove, the motel he bought on the beach front. His personal life couldn't get better with the beautiful twenty-six year old Virginia at his side who knew more about maintenance than he could ever learn. Their life was perfect, until a young blond woman is discovered in one of his deck chairs on the beach. Then another body is found. This time he knows the victim and the modus operandi reminds him of a murder case he handled fifteen years before. Once a detective...
The plot gets messy, the drama escalates, the reader gets edgy and nervous, especially being part of the psyhco killer's plans, embedded in his brain, knowing exactly what he is going to do and nobody can stop him...
A highly entertaining murder mystery! Yes, it will keep you fidgeting in your chair, never leaving the story for one second, trying to find excuses to read. I almost got myself into trouble today, thanks to this book. And of course, as with a good suspense crime drama, nothing is what it seems to be. There is an interesting twist. The murderer is known to the reader, or so I thought. It is a cat and mouse game with the reader being the willing mouse in this ingenious plot! Oh, you have no idea how willing!
All the good characters are believable and lovable. No over-indulgence in heroics, unrealistic perfect human beings, or potty-mouth verbal diarrhea to pollute a perfect story. No clichés. Fast moving, never a dull moment. The title is so applicable! Just thinking about it sends my arteries on a shivering cruise down my spine! I hyperventilate.
Eyes Closed Tight is destined for release in March 2014. I rate it five stars for being a tasteful, exciting, light, easy read. However, do not make a mistake, this is a THRILLER! I don't think I want to close my eyes ever again!
If you need a quick, exciting holiday, read this book. Believe me, it works!
No, actually, you don't! Forty-five year old Oak O'Claire was happy in his retirement from the Detroit Police Force, managing Pirate’s Cove, the motel he bought on the beach front. His personal life couldn't get better with the beautiful twenty-six year old Virginia at his side who knew more about maintenance than he could ever learn. Their life was perfect, until a young blond woman is discovered in one of his deck chairs on the beach. Then another body is found. This time he knows the victim and the modus operandi reminds him of a murder case he handled fifteen years before. Once a detective...
The plot gets messy, the drama escalates, the reader gets edgy and nervous, especially being part of the psyhco killer's plans, embedded in his brain, knowing exactly what he is going to do and nobody can stop him...
A highly entertaining murder mystery! Yes, it will keep you fidgeting in your chair, never leaving the story for one second, trying to find excuses to read. I almost got myself into trouble today, thanks to this book. And of course, as with a good suspense crime drama, nothing is what it seems to be. There is an interesting twist. The murderer is known to the reader, or so I thought. It is a cat and mouse game with the reader being the willing mouse in this ingenious plot! Oh, you have no idea how willing!
All the good characters are believable and lovable. No over-indulgence in heroics, unrealistic perfect human beings, or potty-mouth verbal diarrhea to pollute a perfect story. No clichés. Fast moving, never a dull moment. The title is so applicable! Just thinking about it sends my arteries on a shivering cruise down my spine! I hyperventilate.
Eyes Closed Tight is destined for release in March 2014. I rate it five stars for being a tasteful, exciting, light, easy read. However, do not make a mistake, this is a THRILLER! I don't think I want to close my eyes ever again!
If you need a quick, exciting holiday, read this book. Believe me, it works!
February 22, 2014
Ahh, the joy of retirement, move to Florida, buy a motel on the beach, bring along your much younger, beautiful girlfriend, who just happens to know a LOT about repairing things, because you sure don’t. Sounds like a dream for a former Detroit cop, doesn’t it? Still young enough to start a second career, living on the beach, sand, sun, fun, too bad a dead body had to show up lounging on a motel beach chair. Really too bad she won’t be the only dead body. Is it coincidence that a former detective’s life is once again caught up in these crimes? Oak O’Clair remembers another case he worked and realizes the similarities are too great to ignore and once a cop, always a cop, he is determined to discover if perhaps he caught and helped convict the wrong man and someone is out to let him know, in a very big way. Will he finally bring the correct closure to this case before those around him come to harm?
Eyes Closed Tight by Peter Leonard is filled with suspense, a collage of often colorful characters that may or may not be part of these murders, and the layers of this mystery begin to pile up like paint on the walls of an old motel! Some are toxic, some benign, but all add to the question: Who is sending O’Clair a message and taking him on a merry chase that spans from Michigan to Florida?
Mr. Leonard has woven an intricate plot that begs to be unwound, slowly, revealing each layer, while adding another, just to keep the plot completely riveting and the reader trying to play detective through this tangled web of suspense. If you love to devour a crime mystery that has grit, without being too dark, grab your beach umbrella and your magnifying glass and join the hunt for justice before time runs out for more victims.
I received an ARC edition from The Story Plant in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: March 4, 2014
Publisher: The Story Plant
ISBN: 9781611881141
Genre: Adult Mystery/Thriller
Number of Pages: 300
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Eyes Closed Tight by Peter Leonard is filled with suspense, a collage of often colorful characters that may or may not be part of these murders, and the layers of this mystery begin to pile up like paint on the walls of an old motel! Some are toxic, some benign, but all add to the question: Who is sending O’Clair a message and taking him on a merry chase that spans from Michigan to Florida?
Mr. Leonard has woven an intricate plot that begs to be unwound, slowly, revealing each layer, while adding another, just to keep the plot completely riveting and the reader trying to play detective through this tangled web of suspense. If you love to devour a crime mystery that has grit, without being too dark, grab your beach umbrella and your magnifying glass and join the hunt for justice before time runs out for more victims.
I received an ARC edition from The Story Plant in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: March 4, 2014
Publisher: The Story Plant
ISBN: 9781611881141
Genre: Adult Mystery/Thriller
Number of Pages: 300
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
November 29, 2015
Fast paced.
Thanks to Amazon found another author. Curl on your sofa and enjoy this thrilling, chilling story. You won't be able to put it down.
Thanks to Amazon found another author. Curl on your sofa and enjoy this thrilling, chilling story. You won't be able to put it down.
March 14, 2014
Eyes Closed Tight
Your eyes are the window to your world as your view the sights, wonder and see the amazing things around you. When someone dies they say they can see the world from heaven. But, what happens when a serial killer decides to take the lives of several young women, cut out their eyes, places them in jars and uses them as souvenirs. Former Detroit homicide investigator O’Clair retired to Pompano Beach, Florida and owns a motel. Along with his girlfriend Virginia, they run the place. Virginia an all around fix-it person can repair anything while he does the rest. But, one morning when cleaning up after a party the night before, O’Clair sees a woman stretched out on my of his lounge chairs. But, upon closer reflection and feeling for a pulse he realizes she is dead. But, who would kill her and leave her? Was the killer making sure that he would find her? But why? Her skin cold, her body starting to stiffen he calls the police and learns her identity. This killer was just beginning his reign of terror as another girl is killed and the similarities in these two murders remind him of another case that took place in 2006. As the pieces begin to fall into place and O’Clair meets with Lieutenant Roger Holland, they form a bond and work together to find the killer. But, first O’Clair decides to return to Detroit and meet with his old partner in the police department for view the murder file and figure out what they missed. Alvin Monroe is serving more than one life sentence for the murders of two young prostitutes but first who killed Gloria McMillen the girl in the lounge chair and why did the killer go after his maid Jady. The investigation gets started and the leads come in as O’Clair learns that Gloria worked for an escort service, did not call in. Using the name Ashley, not Gloria she met our killer who goes by the name Frank. Taking both women to a secluded place he tortured them and then removed their eyes as if the last thing they would see would be his sick face making sure that even in death he would haunt them.
The investigation moved slowly and Frank killer Jady next making sure that the message to O’Clair would be clear. Thinking back to the case from 2006, allowing readers to listen to his reasoning, meeting Lieutenant DeAndre and then going over the facts of the case they both handled they realize that the wrong man might be serving time and that they needed to try to make things right. Peggy Miller-King was killed and the body was found face up, arms bent slightly at the elbows and the body resting in a pool of blood. She dies August 7, 2006 but the remarkable resemblance to the present case was the missing eyes. Questioning her ex-husband led nowhere as he really did not care about her and her whereabouts. Becoming addicted to drugs and enjoying the life of a hooker, he divorced her. Cyntree Johnson was the next victim and the MO was the same. Take the trip back to 2006 as O’Clair and DeAndre question Alvin Monroe, stack up the evidence, claim they have witnesses that would testify against him and seal his fate. Within the pages of Chapter 12 we visit the interrogation room, hear Alvin’s words, listen to what was found and realize that even though he claims to be innocent he would not go free. All too often the police find a suspect, stick with that one suspect, pile up the evidence and do not look further. Such is the case with Alvin.
A Visit to the prison and seeing Alvin enlightens O’Clair and brings evidence to light that he did not release at the time of his arrest. Henry Cooper was the man who hired Alvin to bring him girls to take care of his needs at the apartment building that he took care of. Henry the landlord, Alvin fixed the plumbing and took care of providing Henry with girls to care for his personal plumbing. All roads led to Amanda Cooper to learn more about Henry. Rich, cold, austere and definitely had her own hidden agenda she goes on to explain her relationship with him, claiming he is out of town on business but O’Clair was relentless and was going to find Henry. Going back to the house when Amanda is gone he enters, searches the premises, learns more about their finances, finds evidence of his infidelities and then something on his work bench alerts him that this man is not who he seems to be as there are two plastic skulls on the work bench, tools that are used by a taxidermist or were they for something else. Bird eyes with glossy pupils and red lids as well as those of other animals.
Leaving his motel causes other areas of concern as he is leaving Virginia vulnerable. Learning that someone might be following her, taunting him and leaving him clues gives him an uneasy feeling but in order to solve the case he needed to go back where it all began. Roger Holland was more than happy to watch over Virginia until the killer decided to leave his calling card. A home invasion meant to scare both him and his wife Julia would cause Roger to leave Virginia in the hands of someone else and unprotected.
As the case unfolds and the identities of many are learned O’Clair finds out that Henry Cooper was adopted and needed to find out more about his birth mother. Added in he learns that Donna Meldrum was his real mother and was killed. Another child named Gary was born in 1971 and adopted. Donna was murdered in 1988 as you learn the gruesome details on page 138 and resemblance to this woman of the two girls that Alvin Monroe supposedly killed. Donna was raped by her brother. Her best friend Mary Cataldo stated that to the police and Donna dealt with the abuse by keeping her eyes closed shut pretending that nothing was happening. Eyes closed Shut: shuts out the world, feelings and her life. But, when you hear the voice of Larry her brother, the voice of the detective in charge you wonder if anyone cared about the murder of these two young girls, bothered to look further than Alvin and just how clever this killer was to make sure he was framed for what he did.
Henry Cooper was declared dead and his body identified by his wife Amanda. All of the victims had two different colored eyes but was the man she identified really Henry? Cold, unfeeling and not really heartbroken over the death of her husband, Amanda Cooper puts on a good show as the grieving wife. Henry was found with a prostitute lying dead next to him in his bed. This hooker looked just like his mother. In each case the killer uses the same weapon to remove the eyes, tortured them in various ways and left them where they would be found.
Virginia was becoming afraid and realized that she was being followed as she spotted different make cars that seemed to be following her at different times. This killer was so brazen that he pretended to want to rent one of the facilities at the motel hoping to throw her off guard.
Author Peter Leonard takes the reader inside the mind of a psychopathic killer as he maps out his strategy, explains his every move and kills his victims. Imagine killing your own mother over and over again in the form of each of his victims hoping to leave some clues that would entice O’Clair to get involved in the case. Killing his first victim by asphyxiating her and violating her with a metal rod and removing her eyes we learn that the killer goes by the name Frank but who is he really? Leaving Virginia vulnerable, letting Holland know she was being followed he leaves her in the charge of someone else but she is the next victim.
Using an X-Acto Knife as his weapon of choice he duct tapes her, ties her hands and feet and hopes to make her his next victim but not before leaving some clues for O’Clair. A time limit set for her death to take place leaving him a short period of time to find out just where he is hiding, where he might have rented another house hope he gets there in time.
But, coming face to face with Amanda Cooper might prove fatal for someone as O’Clair is now on his own. With the help of Holland he hopes to find Virginia but will he before it’s too late. A heart stopping ending that will leave readers wondering whether the killer is caught, whose body did Amanda identify and what will Virginia’s fate be? Author Peter Leonard provides a surprise ending that readers will not see coming with a special twist that will leave you wondering: Did he get the guy? Did he get away?
What is next for our retired investigator? Will he remain at the motel? Will he want back on the force? Eyes Closed Tight: Only when you wishing on a star or making a wish for your birthday.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Your eyes are the window to your world as your view the sights, wonder and see the amazing things around you. When someone dies they say they can see the world from heaven. But, what happens when a serial killer decides to take the lives of several young women, cut out their eyes, places them in jars and uses them as souvenirs. Former Detroit homicide investigator O’Clair retired to Pompano Beach, Florida and owns a motel. Along with his girlfriend Virginia, they run the place. Virginia an all around fix-it person can repair anything while he does the rest. But, one morning when cleaning up after a party the night before, O’Clair sees a woman stretched out on my of his lounge chairs. But, upon closer reflection and feeling for a pulse he realizes she is dead. But, who would kill her and leave her? Was the killer making sure that he would find her? But why? Her skin cold, her body starting to stiffen he calls the police and learns her identity. This killer was just beginning his reign of terror as another girl is killed and the similarities in these two murders remind him of another case that took place in 2006. As the pieces begin to fall into place and O’Clair meets with Lieutenant Roger Holland, they form a bond and work together to find the killer. But, first O’Clair decides to return to Detroit and meet with his old partner in the police department for view the murder file and figure out what they missed. Alvin Monroe is serving more than one life sentence for the murders of two young prostitutes but first who killed Gloria McMillen the girl in the lounge chair and why did the killer go after his maid Jady. The investigation gets started and the leads come in as O’Clair learns that Gloria worked for an escort service, did not call in. Using the name Ashley, not Gloria she met our killer who goes by the name Frank. Taking both women to a secluded place he tortured them and then removed their eyes as if the last thing they would see would be his sick face making sure that even in death he would haunt them.
The investigation moved slowly and Frank killer Jady next making sure that the message to O’Clair would be clear. Thinking back to the case from 2006, allowing readers to listen to his reasoning, meeting Lieutenant DeAndre and then going over the facts of the case they both handled they realize that the wrong man might be serving time and that they needed to try to make things right. Peggy Miller-King was killed and the body was found face up, arms bent slightly at the elbows and the body resting in a pool of blood. She dies August 7, 2006 but the remarkable resemblance to the present case was the missing eyes. Questioning her ex-husband led nowhere as he really did not care about her and her whereabouts. Becoming addicted to drugs and enjoying the life of a hooker, he divorced her. Cyntree Johnson was the next victim and the MO was the same. Take the trip back to 2006 as O’Clair and DeAndre question Alvin Monroe, stack up the evidence, claim they have witnesses that would testify against him and seal his fate. Within the pages of Chapter 12 we visit the interrogation room, hear Alvin’s words, listen to what was found and realize that even though he claims to be innocent he would not go free. All too often the police find a suspect, stick with that one suspect, pile up the evidence and do not look further. Such is the case with Alvin.
A Visit to the prison and seeing Alvin enlightens O’Clair and brings evidence to light that he did not release at the time of his arrest. Henry Cooper was the man who hired Alvin to bring him girls to take care of his needs at the apartment building that he took care of. Henry the landlord, Alvin fixed the plumbing and took care of providing Henry with girls to care for his personal plumbing. All roads led to Amanda Cooper to learn more about Henry. Rich, cold, austere and definitely had her own hidden agenda she goes on to explain her relationship with him, claiming he is out of town on business but O’Clair was relentless and was going to find Henry. Going back to the house when Amanda is gone he enters, searches the premises, learns more about their finances, finds evidence of his infidelities and then something on his work bench alerts him that this man is not who he seems to be as there are two plastic skulls on the work bench, tools that are used by a taxidermist or were they for something else. Bird eyes with glossy pupils and red lids as well as those of other animals.
Leaving his motel causes other areas of concern as he is leaving Virginia vulnerable. Learning that someone might be following her, taunting him and leaving him clues gives him an uneasy feeling but in order to solve the case he needed to go back where it all began. Roger Holland was more than happy to watch over Virginia until the killer decided to leave his calling card. A home invasion meant to scare both him and his wife Julia would cause Roger to leave Virginia in the hands of someone else and unprotected.
As the case unfolds and the identities of many are learned O’Clair finds out that Henry Cooper was adopted and needed to find out more about his birth mother. Added in he learns that Donna Meldrum was his real mother and was killed. Another child named Gary was born in 1971 and adopted. Donna was murdered in 1988 as you learn the gruesome details on page 138 and resemblance to this woman of the two girls that Alvin Monroe supposedly killed. Donna was raped by her brother. Her best friend Mary Cataldo stated that to the police and Donna dealt with the abuse by keeping her eyes closed shut pretending that nothing was happening. Eyes closed Shut: shuts out the world, feelings and her life. But, when you hear the voice of Larry her brother, the voice of the detective in charge you wonder if anyone cared about the murder of these two young girls, bothered to look further than Alvin and just how clever this killer was to make sure he was framed for what he did.
Henry Cooper was declared dead and his body identified by his wife Amanda. All of the victims had two different colored eyes but was the man she identified really Henry? Cold, unfeeling and not really heartbroken over the death of her husband, Amanda Cooper puts on a good show as the grieving wife. Henry was found with a prostitute lying dead next to him in his bed. This hooker looked just like his mother. In each case the killer uses the same weapon to remove the eyes, tortured them in various ways and left them where they would be found.
Virginia was becoming afraid and realized that she was being followed as she spotted different make cars that seemed to be following her at different times. This killer was so brazen that he pretended to want to rent one of the facilities at the motel hoping to throw her off guard.
Author Peter Leonard takes the reader inside the mind of a psychopathic killer as he maps out his strategy, explains his every move and kills his victims. Imagine killing your own mother over and over again in the form of each of his victims hoping to leave some clues that would entice O’Clair to get involved in the case. Killing his first victim by asphyxiating her and violating her with a metal rod and removing her eyes we learn that the killer goes by the name Frank but who is he really? Leaving Virginia vulnerable, letting Holland know she was being followed he leaves her in the charge of someone else but she is the next victim.
Using an X-Acto Knife as his weapon of choice he duct tapes her, ties her hands and feet and hopes to make her his next victim but not before leaving some clues for O’Clair. A time limit set for her death to take place leaving him a short period of time to find out just where he is hiding, where he might have rented another house hope he gets there in time.
But, coming face to face with Amanda Cooper might prove fatal for someone as O’Clair is now on his own. With the help of Holland he hopes to find Virginia but will he before it’s too late. A heart stopping ending that will leave readers wondering whether the killer is caught, whose body did Amanda identify and what will Virginia’s fate be? Author Peter Leonard provides a surprise ending that readers will not see coming with a special twist that will leave you wondering: Did he get the guy? Did he get away?
What is next for our retired investigator? Will he remain at the motel? Will he want back on the force? Eyes Closed Tight: Only when you wishing on a star or making a wish for your birthday.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
June 30, 2024
I don't think O'Claire is a hero at all. It all starts because he was bragadocious after he thought he caught the initial killer, and he keeps that swagger going in a typical Leonard way through the whole book, though he doesn't really earn the right to do so. He really makes things difficult for everyone along the way so he can catch the bad guy himself, and I was kinda rooting against him by the end.
Also, the biggest fiction of this book is a hot, twenty-something alt girl shacking up with someone twice her age, and a cop to boot.
Also, the biggest fiction of this book is a hot, twenty-something alt girl shacking up with someone twice her age, and a cop to boot.
July 8, 2018
Elmore Leonard lite.
December 12, 2022
Entertaining detective/police story.
Ex-detective O'Clair is interesting.
Ex-detective O'Clair is interesting.
December 11, 2013
3.5 stars
Three months ago, retired Detroit homicide detective O'Clair (Oak) moved to Pompano Beach, Florida & bought a motel. With him, he brought a few possessions & Virginia. He met her during his last case & although he doesn't understand why, she seems to have chosen him. Virginia is 26, handy with tools & a knockout. Oak is 46, divorced & can't believe his luck. All he knows is she's the best thing that ever happened to him & he's going to enjoy it while it lasts.
He doesn't have a background in hospitality but his previous life has given him some experience dealing with drunken frat boys & people's complaints. Luckily, he has Virginia to fix broken appliances & Jady, the maid, to keep the place clean. It's a small motel but backs up to the water off Pirate's Beach where every day is perfect.
On one such perfect morning, Oak goes out to clean the pool, pick up the beer cans & straighten the deck chairs. One is missing. Looking over the wall, he sees it down by the water. He goes to retrieve it but it's occupied....by a beautiful, young & very dead woman.
When the police arrive, he meets Det. Roger Holland. He's a nice guy, a little green but keen to learn once he realizes Oak has a wealth of experience. It's not so much what they find at the scene as what's missing. The woman's eyes have been removed. Oak is reminded of a case from 2006 in Detroit where several prostitutes were found strangled & without eyes. But he & DeAndre Jones, his partner, put the killer away.
Holland finally ID's the woman. She was an escort with a high class agency that seems to have no physical address. Reluctantly, Holland agrees to let Virginia pose as an online job applicant & she leads them to the boss. But what they don't know is the killer has been watching the whole time.
In alternating chapters, we travel with "Frank", the psycho responsible for the horrific murders (I won't go into how he kills them). Each day he sits on the beach, just close enough to observe Oak & Virginia at the motel. Obviously he has some connection to Oak but we don't know who he is or why he's trying to get Oak's attention.
But after the next murder, he has it. This one hits close to home for Oak (and ruins another of his deck chairs). He decides to go back to Detroit & check the old case files, meeting up with Lt. DeAndre Jones. And soon the bodies are piling up in both places.
I don't want to risk any spoilers but the author takes us on a convoluted path to the killer's identity. The story is told on two fronts. We follow Oak around Detroit as he & Jones reinvestigate, coming up with new information & suspects. Meanwhile, back in Pompano, Holland works the clues & tries to keep loved ones safe as they are threatened by an elusive killer who dogs his every step.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a combination police procedural/thriller & has more than enough twists & turns to hold your attention. Although we meet "Frank" early on, we don't know who he actually is 'til the final pages.
But the main reason I liked it is Oak. He's not a cyber genius or former covert spy/black ops agent. He's just a regular guy who worked hard as a cop & then walked away. He's a smart & decent guy with a slightly cynical take on life, a good dependable man you'd want in your corner. That's certainly how Virginia sees him. Their relationship is touching & seems to work despite their age difference because she is older than her years due to surviving some tough times before meeting Oak.
The setting is beautiful & there are strong peripheral characters that flesh out the plot. I know the author has written other books but I'd really like to see a sequel so I can follow these people around a bit longer.
Three months ago, retired Detroit homicide detective O'Clair (Oak) moved to Pompano Beach, Florida & bought a motel. With him, he brought a few possessions & Virginia. He met her during his last case & although he doesn't understand why, she seems to have chosen him. Virginia is 26, handy with tools & a knockout. Oak is 46, divorced & can't believe his luck. All he knows is she's the best thing that ever happened to him & he's going to enjoy it while it lasts.
He doesn't have a background in hospitality but his previous life has given him some experience dealing with drunken frat boys & people's complaints. Luckily, he has Virginia to fix broken appliances & Jady, the maid, to keep the place clean. It's a small motel but backs up to the water off Pirate's Beach where every day is perfect.
On one such perfect morning, Oak goes out to clean the pool, pick up the beer cans & straighten the deck chairs. One is missing. Looking over the wall, he sees it down by the water. He goes to retrieve it but it's occupied....by a beautiful, young & very dead woman.
When the police arrive, he meets Det. Roger Holland. He's a nice guy, a little green but keen to learn once he realizes Oak has a wealth of experience. It's not so much what they find at the scene as what's missing. The woman's eyes have been removed. Oak is reminded of a case from 2006 in Detroit where several prostitutes were found strangled & without eyes. But he & DeAndre Jones, his partner, put the killer away.
Holland finally ID's the woman. She was an escort with a high class agency that seems to have no physical address. Reluctantly, Holland agrees to let Virginia pose as an online job applicant & she leads them to the boss. But what they don't know is the killer has been watching the whole time.
In alternating chapters, we travel with "Frank", the psycho responsible for the horrific murders (I won't go into how he kills them). Each day he sits on the beach, just close enough to observe Oak & Virginia at the motel. Obviously he has some connection to Oak but we don't know who he is or why he's trying to get Oak's attention.
But after the next murder, he has it. This one hits close to home for Oak (and ruins another of his deck chairs). He decides to go back to Detroit & check the old case files, meeting up with Lt. DeAndre Jones. And soon the bodies are piling up in both places.
I don't want to risk any spoilers but the author takes us on a convoluted path to the killer's identity. The story is told on two fronts. We follow Oak around Detroit as he & Jones reinvestigate, coming up with new information & suspects. Meanwhile, back in Pompano, Holland works the clues & tries to keep loved ones safe as they are threatened by an elusive killer who dogs his every step.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a combination police procedural/thriller & has more than enough twists & turns to hold your attention. Although we meet "Frank" early on, we don't know who he actually is 'til the final pages.
But the main reason I liked it is Oak. He's not a cyber genius or former covert spy/black ops agent. He's just a regular guy who worked hard as a cop & then walked away. He's a smart & decent guy with a slightly cynical take on life, a good dependable man you'd want in your corner. That's certainly how Virginia sees him. Their relationship is touching & seems to work despite their age difference because she is older than her years due to surviving some tough times before meeting Oak.
The setting is beautiful & there are strong peripheral characters that flesh out the plot. I know the author has written other books but I'd really like to see a sequel so I can follow these people around a bit longer.
August 14, 2014
Eyes Closed Tight by Peter Leonard
Published by The Story Plant
Publication Date: March 4, 2014
ISBN-10: 1611881145
ISBN-13: 978-1611881141
Pages: 276
Review Copy from: The Story Plant
Edition: TPB
My Rating: 5
Synopsis (via Amazon):
O'Clair is a former Detroit homicide investigator who now owns a motel in Pompano Beach, Florida in his retirement. He runs the place with his much younger girlfriend, Virginia, who's a knockout and can fix anything. One morning, he’s cleaning up after the previous night’s partiers when he sees a lovely young woman stretched out asleep on a lounge chair. He shakes her gently. Then he touches her neck and feels for a pulse. There isn't one. Her skin is cold, body starting to stiffen, definitely in the early stages of rigor.
When a second girl is murdered, O'Clair knows someone is trying to send him a message. The way the girls are killed reminds O'Clair of a case he investigated years earlier. Now convinced the Pompano murders are related, O'Clair returns to Detroit Police Homicide to review the murder file and try to figure out what he might have missed.
And when Virginia is kidnapped by the killer, the stakes grow exponentially higher.
The most powerful work to date by one of the most thrilling suspense novelists of our time, EYES CLOSED TIGHT is relentless, surprising, and deeply satisfying.
My Thoughts and Opinion:
Peter Leonard was added to my "authors to read" list in January of 2012 when I read Voices Of The Dead and his subsequent books, All He Saw Was The Girl and Back From The Dead.
An author once told me that a reader had to be "hooked" by page 5 but Peter Leonard has the brilliant ability to grab the reader within the first few paragraphs and never lets go. The suspense was constant and the action nonstop the entire book. The author takes the reader on an incredible heart pounding roller coaster ride. The number of twists and turns were extraordinary.
I highly, highly recommend this book, and author, if you are a fan of suspense. An incredible "whodunit"!!! Loved it! This book was a reminder why Peter Leonard is on my "authors to read list" and should be on your's. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!!
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.
March 21, 2014
Eyes Closed Tight by Peter Leonard is an intriguing and fast faced mystery. This well-plotted novel's lead protagonist is a retired homicide detective from Detroit who now owns a motel in FL.
O'Clair's discovery of a corpse on the beach is eerily similar to a case he worked on back in Detroit, but the killer was caught and convicted. However the current death is too similar to the previous killings to ignore, so O'Clair joins forces with Holland, the detective assigned to the case, and when another body turns up, O'Clair returns to Detroit to take closer look at the previous murders. Just as he begins closing in on the killer, someone he loves is threatened and O'Clair is soon in a race against time to capture the murderer before he/she kills again.
Eyes Closed Tight is an intricately plotted story that is told from multiple points of views. Some of the perspective switches are a little confusing at first but become easier to follow as the novel progresses. The closed case is revealed through flashbacks that provide an in-depth look into the previous investigation and subsequent arrest. Newly discovered information offers vital clues about the killer's possible identity but additional evidence clouds the investigation.
Eyes Closed Tight is full of suspense from beginning to end and Peter Leonard's clever storyline keeps the action moving at a brisk pace. The cast of characters is well-drawn and the good guys are extremely likable. The killer's identity is well-disguised and a brilliant plot twist late in the novel completely caught me off guard. An alarming deadline drives the novel to a thrilling and dramatic conclusion.
O'Clair's discovery of a corpse on the beach is eerily similar to a case he worked on back in Detroit, but the killer was caught and convicted. However the current death is too similar to the previous killings to ignore, so O'Clair joins forces with Holland, the detective assigned to the case, and when another body turns up, O'Clair returns to Detroit to take closer look at the previous murders. Just as he begins closing in on the killer, someone he loves is threatened and O'Clair is soon in a race against time to capture the murderer before he/she kills again.
Eyes Closed Tight is an intricately plotted story that is told from multiple points of views. Some of the perspective switches are a little confusing at first but become easier to follow as the novel progresses. The closed case is revealed through flashbacks that provide an in-depth look into the previous investigation and subsequent arrest. Newly discovered information offers vital clues about the killer's possible identity but additional evidence clouds the investigation.
Eyes Closed Tight is full of suspense from beginning to end and Peter Leonard's clever storyline keeps the action moving at a brisk pace. The cast of characters is well-drawn and the good guys are extremely likable. The killer's identity is well-disguised and a brilliant plot twist late in the novel completely caught me off guard. An alarming deadline drives the novel to a thrilling and dramatic conclusion.
May 4, 2014
O’Clair (he goes by only one name) put in his time as a Detroit detective, bought a motel in Florida and runs it with his beautiful girlfriend, Virginia. But instead of peace and quiet, crime never leaves him. One morning, while straightening up the pool area, he notices a chaise missing. Looking around, he sees it nearby on the beach, and on it lies a strangled woman whose eyes are missing. A while later, another chaise is on the beach, this time with the body of his cleaning woman. Same MO.
Many years before in the Motor City, O’Clair had arrested a man who was convicted of committing two similar murders. Convinced the Florida and Michigan crimes were related, O’Clair goes to Detroit to read the file and interview the convicted man, who is serving two consecutive life sentences. While he’s up north, a lot is happening down south, including the abduction of his girlfriend.
Up to this point, the plot and characterizations are just fine. As the plot draws to a conclusion, however, is where the reader bumps into sort of a roadblock and the going just gets a bit less smooth. Instead of a tightly honed finish, the author chose to bring the novel to a jerky ending, jumping back and forth, trying to tie all the loose ends together by telling one incident, and then jumping back a few minutes before to relate another event, consequently jumping to yet another occurrence some minutes ahead. This approach is somewhat disconcerting and detracts from what otherwise would be an excellent thriller. Nevertheless, exceptions can be made for a top-notch author, and the novel is recommended.
March 27, 2014
"Oak" O'Clair was a homicide detective in Detroit who retired and bought a motel in Florida. One day he finds a body of a dead woman on the beach in front of his motel, the woman's eyes had been cut out.
The detective from Pompano Beach who is assigned to the case, Holland, isn't experienced in homicides and asks O'Clair to help. O'Clair remembers a murder in Detroit where the killer cut his victim's eyes out but that man is in prison.
When one of the employees of Joe's motel is murdered in the same manner, Joe asks Holland to provide protection for O'Clair's girlfriend and motel manager, Virginia. Then he goes back to Detroit to reopen the case about the murderer who cut the women's eyes out.
He teams up with a detective he had worked with and begins examining the facts. From the looks of both cases, O'Clair wonders if he acted too quickly and the wrong man is in prison.
The action is at super speed and the tension intense as the killer taunts O'Clair and seeks a new victim.
Some of the characters were confusing but O'Clair and Virginia were well portrayed and the type of character who the reader will root for. The antagonist was also well described and the reader hopes that he can be caught before he kills again.
The detective from Pompano Beach who is assigned to the case, Holland, isn't experienced in homicides and asks O'Clair to help. O'Clair remembers a murder in Detroit where the killer cut his victim's eyes out but that man is in prison.
When one of the employees of Joe's motel is murdered in the same manner, Joe asks Holland to provide protection for O'Clair's girlfriend and motel manager, Virginia. Then he goes back to Detroit to reopen the case about the murderer who cut the women's eyes out.
He teams up with a detective he had worked with and begins examining the facts. From the looks of both cases, O'Clair wonders if he acted too quickly and the wrong man is in prison.
The action is at super speed and the tension intense as the killer taunts O'Clair and seeks a new victim.
Some of the characters were confusing but O'Clair and Virginia were well portrayed and the type of character who the reader will root for. The antagonist was also well described and the reader hopes that he can be caught before he kills again.
June 9, 2014
A former Detroit homicide detective, O'Clair left the force behind and moved to Florida. He bought a motel on the beach and is enjoying a quieter life. But when two different women end up dead on the beach in front of his motel, his old life pulls him back in. Soon he's wrapped up in the homicide investigation, digging into an old case that has too many similarities with this one.
Eyes Closed Tight by Peter Leonard is a fast-paced thriller that takes us along for the ride as O'Clair tries to put the pieces together before another woman is killed. This time, it's his own girlfriend who has been targeted. Told from multiple viewpoints, including that of the killer, the story is still suspenseful in that the killer's true identity isn't revealed until the end.
One of the best parts of this novel is the way the characters interact and speak to one another. The dialog is realistic and the relationships are as well. It has an easy going, fun tone throughout the story, even when things are a little tense. I did find some of the investigation into the killer a bit complicated at near the end, but it all came together eventually, and I finally figured out what was going on!
Overall, if you are looking for a suspenseful crime novel, you should check out Eyes Closed Tight.
Eyes Closed Tight by Peter Leonard is a fast-paced thriller that takes us along for the ride as O'Clair tries to put the pieces together before another woman is killed. This time, it's his own girlfriend who has been targeted. Told from multiple viewpoints, including that of the killer, the story is still suspenseful in that the killer's true identity isn't revealed until the end.
One of the best parts of this novel is the way the characters interact and speak to one another. The dialog is realistic and the relationships are as well. It has an easy going, fun tone throughout the story, even when things are a little tense. I did find some of the investigation into the killer a bit complicated at near the end, but it all came together eventually, and I finally figured out what was going on!
Overall, if you are looking for a suspenseful crime novel, you should check out Eyes Closed Tight.
August 16, 2015
Did not know this was part 2?!?!?!?
This picked up right where we left off at "Trust Me" ended and this is a few months (4months) into the sister Virginia and O'Clair's side of the story, So they are together in Florida managing (that they own a motel in Florida dealing with out of town spring breakers!! They seem really happy (Virginia STOPED coloring her hair, took out the piercings, started dressing nice O'Clair thinks she's a KNOCKOUT!!!) but there's trouble in paradise. A maniac is killing people trying to bait O'Clair back to Detroit it seems...
So we start off in Florida O'Clair finds a body at his beach motel, he goes back to Detroit to check out an old case that is very familiar.. While there he uncovers a lot of leads, reconnects with old friends and....
This killer was a creep! Had me stunned at his "untouchable attitude"!!
One of the creepiest psychos I have read about In a while...
But another great book by Peter Leonard!!! So glad I got his books (some you are hard-pressed to find... I had to look for 2 weeks for Quiver!! And it will not be here Tim SEPTEMBER!!! But the writer is a good storyteller and I am happy to have bought these books
This picked up right where we left off at "Trust Me" ended and this is a few months (4months) into the sister Virginia and O'Clair's side of the story, So they are together in Florida managing (that they own a motel in Florida dealing with out of town spring breakers!! They seem really happy (Virginia STOPED coloring her hair, took out the piercings, started dressing nice O'Clair thinks she's a KNOCKOUT!!!) but there's trouble in paradise. A maniac is killing people trying to bait O'Clair back to Detroit it seems...
So we start off in Florida O'Clair finds a body at his beach motel, he goes back to Detroit to check out an old case that is very familiar.. While there he uncovers a lot of leads, reconnects with old friends and....
This killer was a creep! Had me stunned at his "untouchable attitude"!!
One of the creepiest psychos I have read about In a while...
But another great book by Peter Leonard!!! So glad I got his books (some you are hard-pressed to find... I had to look for 2 weeks for Quiver!! And it will not be here Tim SEPTEMBER!!! But the writer is a good storyteller and I am happy to have bought these books
March 5, 2014
I'm going to make this statement right up front - Do Not Read this book before bedtime! Oh my goodness, talk about a goosebump raising, thrill-chilling roller-coaster of a book. Right from the beginning author Peter Leonard grabs the reader by the lapels and doesn't let go until the very last break-taking chapter.
I liked the main character of Oak O'Claire - he's a smart, sarcastic retired detective turned motel owner who finds himself draw into a series of murder investigations that have a familiarity about them that he just can't shake. I also liked his lady friend, Virginia - she's a great foil for O'Claire and just as smart and sassy to boot.
I appreciated the way that Peter Leonard paced the story, not showing the murderer's hand too soon and keeping the action moving along at a nice clip. A lot of his late father's influence can be seen through Leonard's writing - but this is also a unique tale exclusive to the son.
"Eyes Closed Tight" should definitely be on your To-Be-Read list if you are a fan of suspense and thrillers. I hope that Leonard brings us more of O'Claire's stories in the future. I predict they would be a huge hit, as this novel is destined to be.
I liked the main character of Oak O'Claire - he's a smart, sarcastic retired detective turned motel owner who finds himself draw into a series of murder investigations that have a familiarity about them that he just can't shake. I also liked his lady friend, Virginia - she's a great foil for O'Claire and just as smart and sassy to boot.
I appreciated the way that Peter Leonard paced the story, not showing the murderer's hand too soon and keeping the action moving along at a nice clip. A lot of his late father's influence can be seen through Leonard's writing - but this is also a unique tale exclusive to the son.
"Eyes Closed Tight" should definitely be on your To-Be-Read list if you are a fan of suspense and thrillers. I hope that Leonard brings us more of O'Claire's stories in the future. I predict they would be a huge hit, as this novel is destined to be.
February 18, 2014
O'Clair has moved from his life as a homicide investigator in snowy Detroit to Pampano Beach, Florida. He has bought a motel and moved in with his girlfriend Virginia. He wanted a quieter - and warmer - life. Things start to go wrong when he finds the body of a young woman on the beach. Her death, including the removal of her eyes, reminds him of a case he solved in Detroit. When the motel maid is also murdered, the connections become even clearer.
O'Clair needs to head back to Detroit to look into that old case again to find out what he missed leaving Virginia to run the motel. He is quickly convinced that the wrong man was convicted and that he needs to have the investigation reopened. While he is chasing down clues in Detroit, the killer is targeting Virginia in Florida.
The story which is also told from the killer's point of view was tense, fast-paced and really enjoyable. I liked the relationship between O'Clair and Virginia. I liked following the clues with O'Clair. This was a fun story for suspense lovers.
O'Clair needs to head back to Detroit to look into that old case again to find out what he missed leaving Virginia to run the motel. He is quickly convinced that the wrong man was convicted and that he needs to have the investigation reopened. While he is chasing down clues in Detroit, the killer is targeting Virginia in Florida.
The story which is also told from the killer's point of view was tense, fast-paced and really enjoyable. I liked the relationship between O'Clair and Virginia. I liked following the clues with O'Clair. This was a fun story for suspense lovers.
July 23, 2016
Retired Detroit cop, O’Clair bought a motel in Florida and is living the good life with Virginia until a dead girl shows up on the beach in one of the motel’s chairs. Bodies keep piling up and there are similarities to a case O’Clair worked back in Detroit. He becomes convinced that he arrested and convicted the wrong man, so he has to go back to Detroit and leave Virginia alone. Without giving too much away, there are lots of characters involved – cops in Pompano Beach, cops in Detroit, adoptees’ parents, adoptees, wives, family members of the deceased girls, etc. Lots of moving parts. The sheer number of characters is enough to be confusing but add the fact that some characters are using birth names and trying to change their identities, it all becomes a bit much. O’Clair and Virginia are fun to watch though and you can’t help rooting for them. The details are good and descriptions are well done. Received free copy for review.
March 21, 2014
I got this book from the publicist in consideration for an interview. After I read it, I could barely contain myself while waiting to speak with the author.
The book centers around retired Detroit homicide detective O'Clair, who has retired to Florida and is now running a beachside motel. When young women end up dead on the beach on his motel's beach chairs he knows someone's sending him a message.
The murders are similar to those in a case he thought he'd solved in Detroit. Now he knows he has to look into that case again.
This is a page-turner, for sure!
You can hear my interview with Peter Leonard here: http://tinyurl.com/p8foqn3
The book centers around retired Detroit homicide detective O'Clair, who has retired to Florida and is now running a beachside motel. When young women end up dead on the beach on his motel's beach chairs he knows someone's sending him a message.
The murders are similar to those in a case he thought he'd solved in Detroit. Now he knows he has to look into that case again.
This is a page-turner, for sure!
You can hear my interview with Peter Leonard here: http://tinyurl.com/p8foqn3
July 25, 2016
This book was sent to me in exchange for a review on my blog, and while it isn't the usual type of book that I would pick out for myself, I was generally pleased with it and don't regret spending time to read it. It follows a retired detective as he attempts to find a serial killer who keeps dumping the bodies on the property of the hotel he now owns in Florida. The new murders resemble some from a case he worked from his days on the force, causing him to go back to it and retrace his steps. There were some moments where I rolled my eyes and there had to be some suspension of disbelief in spots, but in general, I enjoyed reading it.
December 7, 2014
After finishing the last Harry Bosch detective book, I was looking for something to fill the void. On Book Bub I read the synopsis of this book and thought it might be good. (and of course, the price was right!) I was not disappointed, there were multiple stories at the beginning that eventually came together after some very interesting plot twists and surprises. Very good read that makes you want to keep reading. Peter Leonard was definitely passed the writing gene from his father , Elmore!
November 29, 2014
Not bad, an easy read. But he is not his father Elmore. EL always had you alternately biting your nails in suspense, or laughing out loud. This is a rather simple plot to follow. No surprises, no yuks.
June 9, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed story and main character. The mystery is well written and holds interest till the end.
July 29, 2014
A decent mystery from an author who is the son of Elmore Leonard. The problem with the story was the killer was too smart at least in my opinion, but otherwise a good murder mystery.
July 14, 2014
Elmore's boy writes dialogue like his dad.
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