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Perfect Pawn
Patricia Ann Browning didn’t see the deer standing in the middle of the road until it was too late, not that it would have mattered.
For retired NYPD Detective, James Maguire, the pieces of his life were finally starting to fall into place. He was running his own lucrative private security firm catering to Fortune 500 companies and had just met Melody Anderson, a highly successful business woman from Long Island's posh enclave of Southampton. Everything, it seemed, was looking up. That was until the morning newscast reported that his former high school flame was missing from a one car accident on a rural country road in upstate New York.
Arriving back in his old hometown Maguire must come to terms, not only with his past, but the fact that no one seems interested in pursuing the investigation into Patricia Browning's disappearance, including the missing woman’s husband, the local sheriff.
As Maguire struggles to put the clues together in time, he is drawn deeper into a game where people are as expendable as pieces in a chess game and the only goal is to take down the king.
A crown Maguire unwittingly wears.
For retired NYPD Detective, James Maguire, the pieces of his life were finally starting to fall into place. He was running his own lucrative private security firm catering to Fortune 500 companies and had just met Melody Anderson, a highly successful business woman from Long Island's posh enclave of Southampton. Everything, it seemed, was looking up. That was until the morning newscast reported that his former high school flame was missing from a one car accident on a rural country road in upstate New York.
Arriving back in his old hometown Maguire must come to terms, not only with his past, but the fact that no one seems interested in pursuing the investigation into Patricia Browning's disappearance, including the missing woman’s husband, the local sheriff.
As Maguire struggles to put the clues together in time, he is drawn deeper into a game where people are as expendable as pieces in a chess game and the only goal is to take down the king.
A crown Maguire unwittingly wears.
318 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2013
About the author
Andrew G. Nelson
20 books46 followersAndrew G. Nelson was born and raised in New York City and graduated from the State University of New York. In 2005 he retired as a sergeant from the NYPD after twenty years of service.
He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, something that he draws from in his writing. When he is not reading or writing he can be found engaging in his other passion, collecting and researching police and WWII military memorabilia. He is the author of numerous police procedural novels, focused on the NYPD, as well as a number of non-fiction works.
To stay up to date with the latest information visit my website at: www.andrewgnelson.org and follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andrew...
He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, something that he draws from in his writing. When he is not reading or writing he can be found engaging in his other passion, collecting and researching police and WWII military memorabilia. He is the author of numerous police procedural novels, focused on the NYPD, as well as a number of non-fiction works.
To stay up to date with the latest information visit my website at: www.andrewgnelson.org and follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andrew...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 19, 2013
I have mixed feelings about this novel.
The story was interesting and engaging overall but it was slowed too often by long passages of information that the reader didn’t really need to know because they had no bearing on the plot. There was too much description of everything, too much narrative of every move a character makes, and too much backstory, especially in the first half of the book.
Nelson does a lot of head hopping throughout the book, even sometimes jumping into the thoughts (which are more like asides) of secondary characters in the scene before returning to the head(s) of the main character(s).
Many chapters are in Melody Anderson’s POV but they are more geared toward showing her and James’s growing attraction to each other. Or maybe to show how rich, successful, and powerful she is.
The ending left some issues in limbo, which disappointed me but did leave the door open for sequels. And I liked the characters, the story, and Nelson’s writing style well enough that I’ll read it if he writes it.
The story was interesting and engaging overall but it was slowed too often by long passages of information that the reader didn’t really need to know because they had no bearing on the plot. There was too much description of everything, too much narrative of every move a character makes, and too much backstory, especially in the first half of the book.
Nelson does a lot of head hopping throughout the book, even sometimes jumping into the thoughts (which are more like asides) of secondary characters in the scene before returning to the head(s) of the main character(s).
Many chapters are in Melody Anderson’s POV but they are more geared toward showing her and James’s growing attraction to each other. Or maybe to show how rich, successful, and powerful she is.
The ending left some issues in limbo, which disappointed me but did leave the door open for sequels. And I liked the characters, the story, and Nelson’s writing style well enough that I’ll read it if he writes it.
December 23, 2013
An intense action driven novel with enough twists and turns through it to keep the reader very alert and attached. "Perfect Pawn" by Andrew G. Nelson has crafted a mystery thriller that has left me asking when the next one in this series will be out. Our protagonist James is a former Navy hero, and former NYPD disabled hero starting his own company. Never having a real personal life James meets the girl of his dreams. However he is distressed to learn a former female classmate from high school has gone missing. James must leave and travel to his old hometown in upstate New York to embark on this mystery. Carefully crafted characters who are alive with realistic dialog and depth is a major plus. Story line moved at a very good pace. I thought I had guessed the ending, oh, but not exactly. I like those kind of thrillers. Who wants to know the bad guy(s) and total plot by page 50 ? "Perfect Pawn" reads very quickly at just 307 pages. Without a doubt a solid 5 stars out of 5. This is one to tag -DO NOT MISS ! Please give Andrew G. Nelson a few hours and he'll give you an excellent yarn. "Perfect Pawn" A must read ! Hopefully James comes back into a series !!
November 9, 2013
If you like a mystery with twist and turns, this is a book for you. I could not put this book down. The character development is beyond words. Perfect Pawn gets your investigative skills in overdrive I highly recommend reading Perfect Pawn. I am waiting patiently for the sequel :)
November 15, 2013
Loved this book and I cannot wait for the sequel. It was the kind of book that keeps you guessing and you don't want to put it down. It meant a few too late nights for me, but they were worth it. Definitely a book worth reading.
September 28, 2019
Checkmate
After slogging g through pages of text that would do Henry Jamesproud in quanity but not quality- I finally reached the plot. Don't bother. This is not worth what I paid--- nothing
After slogging g through pages of text that would do Henry Jamesproud in quanity but not quality- I finally reached the plot. Don't bother. This is not worth what I paid--- nothing
March 11, 2026
While the poster and the title may ostensibly suggest otherwise, 1993's SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISHER doesn't star Elijah Wood nor feature the 70s chess phenom Bobby Fisher. Based on the life and times of an up-and-coming prodigy chess player, the movie gallantly observes the world of chess and highlights the elusive nature of Bobby Fisher, himself a mysterious and solitary figure who vanished from the public eye in 1975 after refusing to defend his Chess World Championship win three years prior. Pawns are the soul of the game, they alone create attack and defense, deciding the fate of the match. PERFECT PAWN is a savage test of wills between old nemeses where compromise turns to disaster and one false move means death. Going too far and too deep, a former NYPD cop digging for answers uncovers a deadly secret, a dark conspiracy and a murderous game. Wrapped up in an ever growing mystery, this complex case may go bad quickly, making him the PERFECT PAWN.
Chaos drives the world and fuels a thriving global security industry that even upstate New York cannot escape. Heading back to the stomping grounds of his youth somewhere between Long Island and the Canadian border, a former Navy SEAL and NYPD badass turned security consultant falls head-first into the snake pit of nostalgia, unsure what he will find returning home to help an old friend. James, Jim, and sometimes Paddy is the proud owner of a mint '69 cherry red Mustang and a houseboat way east of New York City. And it's not just any old Mustang, it's a Boss 429. His name, Maguire. No relation to Meguiar's of the automotive car care empire. A regular Sonny Crockett, Maguire just scratched over 40, is built like a NFL safety, and is, ofc, ungodly handsome, funny and down to earth. He is unlike...any man. Once stacking bodies for Naval Special Warfare and a star cop in NYPD's Street Crime Unit, Paddy left civil service to prostitute himself to beaucoup corporate bucks of the private sector. Having left his old life purposefully behind, James is about to cross back over, totally prepared, a deft mobile prepper and survivalist to boot, that Mustang's trunk is full of protein bars, MREs and an arsenal big enough to hold off a small guerilla force. Will it be enough for a place where angels fear to tread and someone's holding a grudge like Khomeini, looking to implement a bloody revenge scheme that'd put Max Cady to shame?
Set up as a cautionary tale that insists that most people are ignorant and bumble through life, in essence playing checkers on a chess board, and living at the mercy of those with strategy, complex moves and guile; their numbers few but doubly ruthless, cunning and cut-throat. An interesting and compelling story in and of itself, PERFECT PAWN is stymied from fully coming into its own by the author's need to sound intelligent in telling it. Moreover, the interpersonal/romance angle is taking up way too much real estate for an action thriller featuring a former RangerDeltaSEAL, adding to the homogeneity of a lot of characters using the same peculiar vocabulary, introducing side plots via quasi Walter White fugue states, and shuffling papers on their desks in 2010, draining the narrative of its verve, charisma, and deft pace. Proffering shoutouts to JERRY MAGUIRE, HEARTBREAK RIDGE and HEAT, PERFECT PAWN asserts that recklessness destroys great plans and bad things happen to good people every day. Setting aside that massive axe to grind with tree huggers, liberals, touchy feely politically correctness, ivy league educated weeping hearts, and anyone questioning the American military industrial complex, PERFECT PAWN is an interesting novel that asks readers to consider when privacy had died to technology. Wholly vested in four dimensional chess and the long game of this book series' origins, PERFECT PAWN is the gateway to intrigue, big city politics, and terrorism in the Big Apple. Take a bite out of crime--it's your move.
June 28, 2024
This crime thriller was very good. A great first chapter, a woman has a car accident and goes missing.
This woman was the hero's first love, he felt jilted at high school graduation and disappeared from that life. He hears of her missing, and now a former SEAL and ex-NYPD cop, goes to see what he can find out. So much happens, very good and worth the read.
What I liked:
-Great first chapter.
-Good writing.
-The story kept my attention all the way to the end. That was good.
-It was a cleaver plot.
-The new girlfriend and her asst./friend were a nice couple of charters.
-You will find a speech a tough teacher gives Melody. I really liked it. Great writing there and it even moved me.
What I didn't like:
-There are many, many POV slips. It is not much of a problem, but as an author it stood out to me.
-It is too wordy, but the writing is good. Not too distracting.
-I was trying to decide if the story line was wrapped up. Maybe, but there were a lot of open issues at the end of the story. The story was good, and no one seemed to think it was a cliff hanger if you read other reviews, so I may be too picky again.
Over all:
My didn't likes were picky, but I strongly recommend. You should like this book.
This woman was the hero's first love, he felt jilted at high school graduation and disappeared from that life. He hears of her missing, and now a former SEAL and ex-NYPD cop, goes to see what he can find out. So much happens, very good and worth the read.
What I liked:
-Great first chapter.
-Good writing.
-The story kept my attention all the way to the end. That was good.
-It was a cleaver plot.
-The new girlfriend and her asst./friend were a nice couple of charters.
-You will find a speech a tough teacher gives Melody. I really liked it. Great writing there and it even moved me.
What I didn't like:
-There are many, many POV slips. It is not much of a problem, but as an author it stood out to me.
-It is too wordy, but the writing is good. Not too distracting.
-I was trying to decide if the story line was wrapped up. Maybe, but there were a lot of open issues at the end of the story. The story was good, and no one seemed to think it was a cliff hanger if you read other reviews, so I may be too picky again.
Over all:
My didn't likes were picky, but I strongly recommend. You should like this book.
September 14, 2024
This book was recommended to me by friend and author Mike Slavin, and I genuinely appreciate the suggestion. This book moves very, very fast – but over 300 pages it is NOT doable in one sitting – so don’t start this book if you have a job to go to. The protagonist is a recently retired NYPD detective who started out as a young Navy SEAL. He has embarked upon a new career, running his own security threat assessment firm - and he is pulled back to his old hometown, to help out in the search of an old high school flame. After a couple chapters to “set the stage”, the plot moves along very, very fast. A police “morality play” with good “good guys” and really bad “bad guys.” And one of the bad guys is the local home-town sheriff. The author himself is a 20+ year veteran of the NYPD, and this is apparent is his seemingly accurate descriptions of police procedures, investigations, special protection, etc. This is also an incredible FIRST novel. Strong work sergeant.
March 14, 2021
Terrifyingly real killing
This novel was just spellbinding. James Maguire is a definite Badass just trying to live a good life. An old nemesis sets an elaborate plot in a game Maguire knows nothing about until the trap has been triggered. the twists and figure rights in This book are genius! This thriller had me unable to stop reading. I had to know more. Now that I do, I recommend you read this book as I am starting to itch for more. Book two here I come. Happy reading 📚.
This novel was just spellbinding. James Maguire is a definite Badass just trying to live a good life. An old nemesis sets an elaborate plot in a game Maguire knows nothing about until the trap has been triggered. the twists and figure rights in This book are genius! This thriller had me unable to stop reading. I had to know more. Now that I do, I recommend you read this book as I am starting to itch for more. Book two here I come. Happy reading 📚.
December 17, 2019
Fast paced, intriguing characters, next book, please!
As a new reader of Andrew G. Nelson, I'm hooked! His writing takes you on a phenomenally well written adventure. He introduces solid characters I want to follow. This is my new binge series! Get comfortable and join me to see what's next with James Maguire, and keep the books coming, please! I look forward to checking out what else this magnificent author has written.
As a new reader of Andrew G. Nelson, I'm hooked! His writing takes you on a phenomenally well written adventure. He introduces solid characters I want to follow. This is my new binge series! Get comfortable and join me to see what's next with James Maguire, and keep the books coming, please! I look forward to checking out what else this magnificent author has written.
July 26, 2023
The first book in a series. Read this book for inside baseball about the NYPD, police procedures, and investigations. No spoilers here, but former NYPD Officer and current PI James Maguire goes to upstate New York to investigate a disappearance that is personal. Then, it gets really personal. Plenty of plot twists and whodoit keeps you guessing till the end. Looking forward to more in the series of chess-themed thrillers.
August 20, 2025
A Literary Luminary That Captivates My Soul.
I've finally discovered a series that captivates me completely. The protagonist and antagonist are brilliantly balanced, creating a compelling dynamic narrative. The book's magnetic pull was irresistible, its pages holding me captive despite my attempts to break free.
I've finally discovered a series that captivates me completely. The protagonist and antagonist are brilliantly balanced, creating a compelling dynamic narrative. The book's magnetic pull was irresistible, its pages holding me captive despite my attempts to break free.
May 15, 2020
Best book I have read in a long time!! Worth the time and money!! If you want twists and turns, mystery and an interesting story this is the book for you! Great read! Can't wait to start the next one!!
June 18, 2023
It’s a good story, but sloppy editing makes it hard to focus. Also, long winded stories with no relevance and the over written details are a bit much. I want to read the next one, since the author thinks cliffhangers are a good idea, but I will wait until I exhaust my library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2023
Sgt. Nelson writes a perfect action thriller enveloped in a romance novel making me cheer for James and Melody to find a happy ending. As far as Tricia, I can only hope the same. As a retired Chicago Intelligence Detective, I relate closely to his duties and experiences. Great job Andrew!
August 24, 2018
Page turner
Nelson knows his subjects and keeps you rapidly turning the pages, right up to the surprise ending. Could use a little editing.
Nelson knows his subjects and keeps you rapidly turning the pages, right up to the surprise ending. Could use a little editing.
April 10, 2020
Intriguing book
Story was full of twists and kept my attention. Love story was a little sappy. Overall an enjoyable read. I will read the next one in the series.
Story was full of twists and kept my attention. Love story was a little sappy. Overall an enjoyable read. I will read the next one in the series.
August 2, 2022
Who shot Maguire and where is Tricia??? I enjoyed this fast-paced story and recommend the book.
February 22, 2025
Good book
Great first book. I enjoyed the characters and plot. Lots of humor and banter. Interesting side stories. Looking to reading the next book.
Great first book. I enjoyed the characters and plot. Lots of humor and banter. Interesting side stories. Looking to reading the next book.
November 22, 2025
This was a fantastic read! I love the characters, the story and gear used by the protagonist! I look forward to reading the other books in this series! I highly recommend reading this!
March 9, 2014
This is the first review I have written, but I just joined the site, after my college Professor recommended it to the class. This is the last book I finished, so thought it was a good place to begin. I usually read fantasy, sci-fi, history etc. Taking this course has really opened my eyes to different books (guess that is the point of the class).
We had to pick a crime thriller for this section. I stumbled upon Perfect Pawn and having visited upstate NY when I was a boy plus being a chess player, I decided to give it a try.
I liked the book and wrote a paper for school, in which I might add I got an A. I really enjoyed the author's writing style. I read this book in a weekend and will buy the sequel when it comes out.
I would recommend this book to everyone. Even if you do not think a crime novel is for you, you might be pleasantly surprised.
We had to pick a crime thriller for this section. I stumbled upon Perfect Pawn and having visited upstate NY when I was a boy plus being a chess player, I decided to give it a try.
I liked the book and wrote a paper for school, in which I might add I got an A. I really enjoyed the author's writing style. I read this book in a weekend and will buy the sequel when it comes out.
I would recommend this book to everyone. Even if you do not think a crime novel is for you, you might be pleasantly surprised.
March 1, 2014
I found this to be an extremely gripping novel. The author establishes credible characters with great dialogue. I have always loved character development and this author delivers in that area. I found this to be a book I just could not put down. I actually went back and read it a second time as I knew I had missed so much because I found myself reading as fast as possible to find out what happened next. I also found the background information about the NYPD and USSS quite compelling. The protagonist, James Maguire, is a complex and rich character that will appeal to both male and female readers. I can not wait for the sequel. Love this new author!!
March 1, 2014
I have been an avid reader for many years. I have not been this excited about a new author for, well I don't know how long. I am not very computer savoy, but after not wanting to put this amazing book down, I decided to do a little research on Andrew G. Nelson and discovered Goodreads. Now I will be able to follow him here and watch for the sequel, which I hope comes out very soon.
Mr. Nelson made the characters come alive. I even cried in one part. I honestly do not remember the last time I became so attached to a fictional character. The book is so well written, I was surprised this was his first novel. Waiting "impatiently" for book 2-3-4 from this author.
Mr. Nelson made the characters come alive. I even cried in one part. I honestly do not remember the last time I became so attached to a fictional character. The book is so well written, I was surprised this was his first novel. Waiting "impatiently" for book 2-3-4 from this author.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews