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Nevada James #1
Broken
Three years ago, top San Diego homicide detective Nevada James played a deadly game of cat and mouse with an infamous serial killer called the Laughing Man…and lost. The Laughing Man spared her life, but the nightmares that followed ended her career as a police officer.Having lost everything, Nevada is content to do odd jobs to keep a step ahead of the bill collectors and fund her out-of-control drinking problem. But that changes when Alan Davies, a local crime lord, comes to her with a problem. His wife and daughter are missing and he can’t go to the police. If Nevada helps him, he’ll pay her enough that she’ll never have to worry about money again.But what should have been a simple missing persons case quickly turns deadly. Alan Davies has enemies, and in the course of trying to save his family Nevada finds herself in the middle of a gang war. But her own demons are even more menacing, and the Laughing Man is still out there.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2013
220 people are currently reading
1046 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
August 23, 2019
Do you ever wonder why you picked up a particular book? I've been working my way through some old downloads & after a couple of disappointments, I can only assume I got sucked in by the promotional blurbs. So it was a relief to begin the next random selection & immediately be intrigued by the MC.
Nevada James used to be a respected homicide detective. Then she met her match, so to speak. There's a whole back story there I won't get into. Two years after her last case, she's unemployed & scraping the bottom of the barrel. Or perhaps I should say the bottle. Nevada is a devoted alcoholic who has cut all ties & would like nothing better than to go to sleep & never wake up.
Then she gets a rather bizarre job offer. A wealthy mobster wants her to find his missing wife & daughter. For obvious reasons he can't go to the usual authorities & he's got a suitcase full of money, if she's interested. The old Nevada would have told him exactly where to put his cash but let's face it. In her current state, it's not like she has a lot of choice & at least she could get the bill collectors off her back.
What follows is a gritty story with an unvarnished take on the life of a barely functional alcoholic. The investigative aspect is fast paced with a couple of nice twists. But it's the train wreck that is Nevada that holds your attention. The author pulls no punches. Descriptions of her lifestyle & the effects of her disease are unflinching & authentic. She's a mess. This could easily have been a dark & depressing read. But Nevada has just enough snark left to give you hope. She's smart, fearless & completely honest with herself & I liked her.
Not an easy read in places but one that kept me turning the pages.
Nevada James used to be a respected homicide detective. Then she met her match, so to speak. There's a whole back story there I won't get into. Two years after her last case, she's unemployed & scraping the bottom of the barrel. Or perhaps I should say the bottle. Nevada is a devoted alcoholic who has cut all ties & would like nothing better than to go to sleep & never wake up.
Then she gets a rather bizarre job offer. A wealthy mobster wants her to find his missing wife & daughter. For obvious reasons he can't go to the usual authorities & he's got a suitcase full of money, if she's interested. The old Nevada would have told him exactly where to put his cash but let's face it. In her current state, it's not like she has a lot of choice & at least she could get the bill collectors off her back.
What follows is a gritty story with an unvarnished take on the life of a barely functional alcoholic. The investigative aspect is fast paced with a couple of nice twists. But it's the train wreck that is Nevada that holds your attention. The author pulls no punches. Descriptions of her lifestyle & the effects of her disease are unflinching & authentic. She's a mess. This could easily have been a dark & depressing read. But Nevada has just enough snark left to give you hope. She's smart, fearless & completely honest with herself & I liked her.
Not an easy read in places but one that kept me turning the pages.
November 2, 2019
First time read from this author, my mind changed so many times in this book she was in the police force but something happened in her past made her an alcoholic at first couldn't understand how she functions the amount she drank having blackouts then becomes a case involving the laughing man that effected her life wanted to know more about him and how she came an alcoholic. Is is not so much about the case shes trying to solve as she got alot help solving this is more about her and the cat and mouse game.this book as left me wanting more answers that's why the 5 star rating.
September 14, 2015
The plot was fairly straightforward and nothing particularly stood out as unique, but I enjoyed myself nevertheless. Nevada James could be a total badass if she wasn't struggling with debilitating alcoholism. The fact that she isn't some over-the-top high IQ detective made the story more interesting. Right from the beginning you discover that she has a lengthy history affecting her negatively, but the elements surrounding her prior cases only get mentioned here and there. It's something I expect will come up in the sequels, but I liked the idea of a beginning case that puts her back on track with some type of career so she can move forward with her life again. The Laughing Man has enough intrigue surrounding his character that I would love to see Nevada tackle that mystery in a sequel.
The writing was simplistic which suits the story well. It was fast-paced and events progressed along nicely. I think the protagonist escaped from a few situations unscathed due to overly lucky circumstances, but that's just my opinion. Overall, it was a worthwhile read and I wouldn't shy away from trying the next book in the series.
The writing was simplistic which suits the story well. It was fast-paced and events progressed along nicely. I think the protagonist escaped from a few situations unscathed due to overly lucky circumstances, but that's just my opinion. Overall, it was a worthwhile read and I wouldn't shy away from trying the next book in the series.
August 27, 2020
Easy reading but a strange book. An ex cop who is an alcoholic gets hired by a Mob gangster to locate his missing wife and daughter. This is the first in a series of books featuring Nevada James as the ex cop. I will give it another go reading a second book and then determine if I want to continue reading the series.
August 26, 2018
4.5* rounded up to 5*
Fast paced, well written, with an interesting cast of characters.
Some parts of the plot were a bit predictable, but it wasn't eroding the interest of the reader.
Fast paced, well written, with an interesting cast of characters.
Some parts of the plot were a bit predictable, but it wasn't eroding the interest of the reader.
April 9, 2019
Frightening thriller with definitive characters. Some bad language and gore but the cussing stops before the gore. Do not read this book at night or while alone, just a suggestion...
June 14, 2014
Where's the sequel? Give me book two!
I can say the author nailed it with this one. I loved the protagonist and hated her at the same time. Alcoholism isn't pretty to look at and the idea of having somebody driving after drinking just makes me angry and worried. I know it is a story, but I wanted to slap her and ask her what if she hit somebody while driving - what if a kid died because she was a mess.
Now then.. the main antagonist.. If you look evil characters mainly, the most popular ones are the ones you can love and understand. I fell in love with Laughing man the moment he stepped into the scene. Now that is one evil character you can like. Yes, he is sick bastard and cuts people and kills and makes art of the bodies, but he is definitely antagonist.
In some ways the story was a bit predictable and the main plot wasn't that much of a surprise, but the character development and the complexity of them just made it good. It is quite dark story, but I will be looking forward to second one.
I can say the author nailed it with this one. I loved the protagonist and hated her at the same time. Alcoholism isn't pretty to look at and the idea of having somebody driving after drinking just makes me angry and worried. I know it is a story, but I wanted to slap her and ask her what if she hit somebody while driving - what if a kid died because she was a mess.
Now then.. the main antagonist.. If you look evil characters mainly, the most popular ones are the ones you can love and understand. I fell in love with Laughing man the moment he stepped into the scene. Now that is one evil character you can like. Yes, he is sick bastard and cuts people and kills and makes art of the bodies, but he is definitely antagonist.
In some ways the story was a bit predictable and the main plot wasn't that much of a surprise, but the character development and the complexity of them just made it good. It is quite dark story, but I will be looking forward to second one.
June 11, 2016
Not bad.
Very good cop after a life threatening accident completely lost. Now alcoholic and hired by local crime lord to find his wife and little girl. Nevada has good caring friends around her, maybe she'll get the help she needs.
Very good cop after a life threatening accident completely lost. Now alcoholic and hired by local crime lord to find his wife and little girl. Nevada has good caring friends around her, maybe she'll get the help she needs.
August 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! Nevada James truly is "broken" Has lost her sanity, her health and sobriety, her job and her connection to her life and the people in it. She's slowly killing herself and her will to live is ebbing fast, alcoholic blackouts are occurring regularly and without warning. It is at this very low point we meet her, yet, there's an inner toughness that is (barely) holding her together. Her sense of humor and brash attitude make for very entertaining encounters.
Nevada makes a fascinating protagonist and I was with her every step of the way as she battled to stave off the worst effects of alcohol withdrawal, (with vodka) while finding herself caught up in a time-sensitive detective job, that starts out as 'seek and verify' and ends up being so much more complicated than that .. also being outside her skill range even when she was at her best.
Speaking of her best, well we didn't get to see it here but there were hints and glimmers of her previous self that peek through the booze addled former detective and reveal that she was, and maybe could be again, one of the best detective working for SDPD.
If Matthew Storm is smart, he would write about Nevada James and the 'Laughing Man' case.. as a prequel? It needs to be done, although the outcome is known, the journey is not. It's how you get there. An unbeatable foe who comes back for more. That is a challenge worth taking.
Not sure what the cover art is about but it was sufficiently weird to get my attention!
This was a freebie on Bookbub and is a treasure! Highly recommended
Nevada makes a fascinating protagonist and I was with her every step of the way as she battled to stave off the worst effects of alcohol withdrawal, (with vodka) while finding herself caught up in a time-sensitive detective job, that starts out as 'seek and verify' and ends up being so much more complicated than that .. also being outside her skill range even when she was at her best.
Speaking of her best, well we didn't get to see it here but there were hints and glimmers of her previous self that peek through the booze addled former detective and reveal that she was, and maybe could be again, one of the best detective working for SDPD.
If Matthew Storm is smart, he would write about Nevada James and the 'Laughing Man' case.. as a prequel? It needs to be done, although the outcome is known, the journey is not. It's how you get there. An unbeatable foe who comes back for more. That is a challenge worth taking.
Not sure what the cover art is about but it was sufficiently weird to get my attention!
This was a freebie on Bookbub and is a treasure! Highly recommended
February 9, 2019
I liked this! I found Nevada to be an interesting main character, with her history and her flaws. I'm not much of a drinker, but I have struggled with maintaining a healthy weight. I forget to eat and don't realize it until I feel weak....I can't imagine dealing with alcoholism on top of that. I'm curious about her history and I'm downright desperate to know more about the Laughing Man.
The plot of this was fairly straightforward, and while I suspected who was behind the kidnapping, it wasn't completely obvious, at least not to me. I like a book with a solvable mystery!
The plot of this was fairly straightforward, and while I suspected who was behind the kidnapping, it wasn't completely obvious, at least not to me. I like a book with a solvable mystery!
April 30, 2024
New author for me
This is the first Matthew Storm book I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more. I loved the main characters, especially Nevada. The story moved along quickly, with hints of events from the past, which I'm sure will resurface in future Nevada James novels.
This is the first Matthew Storm book I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more. I loved the main characters, especially Nevada. The story moved along quickly, with hints of events from the past, which I'm sure will resurface in future Nevada James novels.
June 21, 2017
Damaged former detective
Hired by the head of a mob family to find his missing estranged wife and daughter. Chorionic alcoholic who suffer a breakdown after her last case investigates.
Hired by the head of a mob family to find his missing estranged wife and daughter. Chorionic alcoholic who suffer a breakdown after her last case investigates.
September 9, 2017
Suspenseful set up for a series; interesting protagonist. Agree with others that the minute details of alcoholism are at times hard to stomach but shows the grit and struggle of Nevada's fall from grace as a police officer.
November 5, 2020
I enjoyed this book. The author showed how a person can get deep into addiction and the struggles to overcome
it. It takes an awful lot of strength, + support of family and friends to emerge from addiction.
it. It takes an awful lot of strength, + support of family and friends to emerge from addiction.
February 21, 2017
Good book. Enjoyed the story. Need to look into the other books in the series.
October 25, 2017
An entertaining read, recommend consideration.
January 20, 2018
EXCELLENT STORY
I could not put the book down! I had to keep reading to find out what next. Now onto the next book. This book is definitely worth a READ.
I could not put the book down! I had to keep reading to find out what next. Now onto the next book. This book is definitely worth a READ.
March 27, 2018
This book left me disappointed because it didn't come to a final conclusion to all the story lines and it was a bit more graphic than I care for in description and in language.
December 10, 2018
This was an engaging read, and Nevada James is a likable character. One of these keys to me enjoying a book is it has to have engaging characters and I found myself rooting for Nevada. You will too.
May 3, 2019
Broken (1)
This was a really good story that didn't give you the opportunity to make any solid guess as to the identity of the person responsible for all the trouble being caused.
This was a really good story that didn't give you the opportunity to make any solid guess as to the identity of the person responsible for all the trouble being caused.
June 14, 2019
This was a good thriller/mystery. I liked that the main character is human and has human flaws. I will keep my eye open for more in this series so I can see how the bigger story plays out.
May 20, 2020
a story that is both entertaining and funny. Will read the next one
October 14, 2021
Not your normal investigator
I quite like the fact that the investigator is not your normal run of the mill character. Storyline kept me interested. A good read. 👍
I quite like the fact that the investigator is not your normal run of the mill character. Storyline kept me interested. A good read. 👍
May 24, 2015
Nevada james an ex detective who lost herself due to guilt on a serial killer she almost lost her life to. she has tried to self medicate to oblivion in vodka.
she is given a case she can't refuse in hopes of salvation. the only reason she takes the case is to save a child's life. she battles nightmares of the laughing man, this case a kidnapping, and trying to stay sober enough to think to save this child. the money is also a good incentive. she is broke , she hasn't been able to pay her bills not that she has cared in the last three years sh wasn't much aware of anything much anymore she spent most of her time in and out of blackouts.
she finds this case has a surprising twist that she hadn't seen coming and then theres the clincher at the end. her nightmare becomes reality once again. ....
I read this in two days I was wrapped into this so much that I borrowed the next one ! and am halfway thru it.
I am surprise this is a male author telling the story in first person narration thru a womans' view . I thought Nevada was a male detective at first and was shocked at first that she was a woman.
an exciting read of a broken detective finding her way back if only just temporarily..
she is given a case she can't refuse in hopes of salvation. the only reason she takes the case is to save a child's life. she battles nightmares of the laughing man, this case a kidnapping, and trying to stay sober enough to think to save this child. the money is also a good incentive. she is broke , she hasn't been able to pay her bills not that she has cared in the last three years sh wasn't much aware of anything much anymore she spent most of her time in and out of blackouts.
she finds this case has a surprising twist that she hadn't seen coming and then theres the clincher at the end. her nightmare becomes reality once again. ....
I read this in two days I was wrapped into this so much that I borrowed the next one ! and am halfway thru it.
I am surprise this is a male author telling the story in first person narration thru a womans' view . I thought Nevada was a male detective at first and was shocked at first that she was a woman.
an exciting read of a broken detective finding her way back if only just temporarily..
October 2, 2016
3 stories in 1. The back story is Nevada's past history with a serial killer and how it ruined her career. The current story is that of the case she is drawn into for cash..when she spends all her money on booze. The most interesting part of the tale is the underlying story of Nevada and her substance abuse issues. I can understand why some viewers found it off-putting.
Nobody wants to read about a young woman who can't seem to stay sober, vomits on the pavement at regular intervals, and is hygienically challenged, to put it kindly. Rarely do I get the urge to crawl into the pages of a book and turn the shower hose on a character, before feeding her a decent meal and then tucking her into bed with a self help book or something by Oprah.
I experienced that reaction all the way through this novel. I was rooting for Nevada every step of the way, willing her to survive another day without killing herself. The case she is working is quite predictable and bland, but that's the whole point. This story is all about the protagonist and sets the scene for the rest of the series. What will Nevada achieve if she can defeat her demons? Very nicely done.
Nobody wants to read about a young woman who can't seem to stay sober, vomits on the pavement at regular intervals, and is hygienically challenged, to put it kindly. Rarely do I get the urge to crawl into the pages of a book and turn the shower hose on a character, before feeding her a decent meal and then tucking her into bed with a self help book or something by Oprah.
I experienced that reaction all the way through this novel. I was rooting for Nevada every step of the way, willing her to survive another day without killing herself. The case she is working is quite predictable and bland, but that's the whole point. This story is all about the protagonist and sets the scene for the rest of the series. What will Nevada achieve if she can defeat her demons? Very nicely done.
January 7, 2016
Broken to Pieces
Raving review for this author, now on my list of new best friends!!!! Excellent thriller in every way. Though I suppose if I had to offer a critique it would be that as engaging as the story was it did seem to drag on in places but not quite enough to call it boring by any means. I totally loved Nevada's character and her unique relationship with her therapist which reminded me of myself in so many ways!! I was so angry that the cowardice attorney got the drops on Nevada but when the Laughing Man reappeared I was horrified to say the least, and totally caught off guard. That was an excellent twist. I just wasn't sure if the Laughing Man was going to take advantage of the situation and finish Nevada off or if she was miraculously going to get loosened from the chair and finally finish him off. I have to say, I am interested in seeing what happens next and if Nevada actually gets it together enough to avenge herself and her friend who really needs the closure for his murdered brother. For some odd reason, he matters to me??
Raving review for this author, now on my list of new best friends!!!! Excellent thriller in every way. Though I suppose if I had to offer a critique it would be that as engaging as the story was it did seem to drag on in places but not quite enough to call it boring by any means. I totally loved Nevada's character and her unique relationship with her therapist which reminded me of myself in so many ways!! I was so angry that the cowardice attorney got the drops on Nevada but when the Laughing Man reappeared I was horrified to say the least, and totally caught off guard. That was an excellent twist. I just wasn't sure if the Laughing Man was going to take advantage of the situation and finish Nevada off or if she was miraculously going to get loosened from the chair and finally finish him off. I have to say, I am interested in seeing what happens next and if Nevada actually gets it together enough to avenge herself and her friend who really needs the closure for his murdered brother. For some odd reason, he matters to me??
December 8, 2015
Action, great 1st in the series
This is the first in the series of a kick butt heroine who I loved. Okay Nevada Smith is broken, but she is fighting to come back. Nevada was a much admired police detective who is tough and gets the bad guy. Except this time. The Laughing Man, serial killer, captured and tortured her, then killed two children in front of her and left Nevada alive. She drinks to forget that she couldn't save them.
When her former boss refers a missing persons case to her, she accepts only because she would receive10,000 just to come and meet him and list to his story. All he wants is to know that his ex wife and daughter are safe. Of course it doesn't help that the client is the head of the mafia.
This is a fast moving novel that will take you through the demons in Nevada's life. The ending is,quite surprising and leaves you wanting more. So on my way to the next in the series.
This is the first in the series of a kick butt heroine who I loved. Okay Nevada Smith is broken, but she is fighting to come back. Nevada was a much admired police detective who is tough and gets the bad guy. Except this time. The Laughing Man, serial killer, captured and tortured her, then killed two children in front of her and left Nevada alive. She drinks to forget that she couldn't save them.
When her former boss refers a missing persons case to her, she accepts only because she would receive10,000 just to come and meet him and list to his story. All he wants is to know that his ex wife and daughter are safe. Of course it doesn't help that the client is the head of the mafia.
This is a fast moving novel that will take you through the demons in Nevada's life. The ending is,quite surprising and leaves you wanting more. So on my way to the next in the series.
June 12, 2015
Unable to cope after being defeated by a criminal, Nevada James is a recluse and an alcoholic. She's hit bottom and can't see any way out. Her friends, though, refuse to let her sink. Then a friend on the force tosses her a job: a rich man wants to find his wife and daughter. Nevada is hesitant to accept; she's never worked a missing persons case, but the money is tantalizing and her creditors are impatient.
With the help of some unlikely friends, Nevada searches for clues and tries to find the missing people. The case turns on her when she discovers a very ugly truth, and she finds herself again struggling to stay afloat.
This is a fast-paced novel that will keep any reader on the edge of his seat. I cheered for Nevada as she climbed out of the depths of her depression and tied to live again. Nevada is a great character whom any reader will love!
With the help of some unlikely friends, Nevada searches for clues and tries to find the missing people. The case turns on her when she discovers a very ugly truth, and she finds herself again struggling to stay afloat.
This is a fast-paced novel that will keep any reader on the edge of his seat. I cheered for Nevada as she climbed out of the depths of her depression and tied to live again. Nevada is a great character whom any reader will love!
July 31, 2020
I enjoyed this book a great deal; the author's main character was believable and relatable. Nevada is a former detective that suffered a traumatic experience on her last case (The Laughing Man). So much so that she is now an alcoholic and spiraling downward, until her former boss tosses her a crumb of a case that may keep her from total self-destruction. The author skillfully uses the plot of the story to help inch Nevada back to a functional investigator. While the story is a bit predictable I would agree with other reviewers, that the character development and how the story moves along make it a good read. I'm curious if there will be another book that will go further into Nevada's career prior to The Laughing Man. Perhaps, it is in another book of the series. At any rate, this book has me wanting to read more to find out how Nevada will continue to recover.
March 3, 2016
Nevada James is not exactly likeable. She's an alcoholic ex-cop who has spent the last three years slowly killing herself. In a last ditch effort to save her, a cop friend points her toward a missing person case.
The mystery isn't all that deep or intricate. Nevada stumbles through the case, and gets a lot of help along the way. The real story is about how badly a person can sink into depression and alcohol, and how hard it is to drag herself out. Nevada has truly hit rock bottom, and the story doesn't pull any punches regarding the reality of addiction.
The characters are good, I just wish the mystery had been a little stronger. I will definitely be continuing the series.
The mystery isn't all that deep or intricate. Nevada stumbles through the case, and gets a lot of help along the way. The real story is about how badly a person can sink into depression and alcohol, and how hard it is to drag herself out. Nevada has truly hit rock bottom, and the story doesn't pull any punches regarding the reality of addiction.
The characters are good, I just wish the mystery had been a little stronger. I will definitely be continuing the series.
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