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Brady Coyne #10
The Spotted Cats
When an aging big-game hunter is robbed, Brady goes on a leopard hunt
Six years after the leopard attack that ended his career as a professional hunter, Jeff Newton is broken, crippled, and ready to die. His only pleasure is the occasional visit from Brady Coyne, Jeff’s no-nonsense Boston lawyer who’s come to Cape Cod to pay his respects to the old man.
As always, Brady is entranced by the ex-hunter’s houseful of trophies, none more dazzling than the seven Mexican leopard figurines. Solid-gold statues with jewels for eyes, they are priceless, beautiful—and about to be stolen.
The thieves club Jeff, cut Brady, and escape with the golden cats, leaving the two men for dead. Jeff ends up in a coma, and Brady sets out to retrieve the trophies. If the old hunter ever wakes up, Brady wants the leopards to be there to greet him.
Six years after the leopard attack that ended his career as a professional hunter, Jeff Newton is broken, crippled, and ready to die. His only pleasure is the occasional visit from Brady Coyne, Jeff’s no-nonsense Boston lawyer who’s come to Cape Cod to pay his respects to the old man.
As always, Brady is entranced by the ex-hunter’s houseful of trophies, none more dazzling than the seven Mexican leopard figurines. Solid-gold statues with jewels for eyes, they are priceless, beautiful—and about to be stolen.
The thieves club Jeff, cut Brady, and escape with the golden cats, leaving the two men for dead. Jeff ends up in a coma, and Brady sets out to retrieve the trophies. If the old hunter ever wakes up, Brady wants the leopards to be there to greet him.
182 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
49 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
William G. Tapply
79 books89 followersWilliam G. Tapply (1940–2009) was an American author best known for writing legal thrillers. A lifelong New Englander, he graduated from Amherst and Harvard before going on to teach social studies at Lexington High School. He published his first novel, Death at Charity’s Point, in 1984. A story of death and betrayal among Boston Brahmins, it introduced crusading lawyer Brady Coyne, a fishing enthusiast whom Tapply would follow through twenty-five more novels, including Follow the Sharks, The Vulgar Boatman, and the posthumously published Outwitting Trolls.
Besides writing regular columns for Field and Stream, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and American Angler, Tapply wrote numerous books on fishing, hunting, and life in the outdoors. He was also the author of The Elements of Mystery Fiction, a writer’s guide. He died in 2009, at his home in Hancock, New Hampshire.
Besides writing regular columns for Field and Stream, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and American Angler, Tapply wrote numerous books on fishing, hunting, and life in the outdoors. He was also the author of The Elements of Mystery Fiction, a writer’s guide. He died in 2009, at his home in Hancock, New Hampshire.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 4, 2017
Although he'd rather not, Boston attorney Brady Coyne agrees to spend the weekend at the Cape Cod home of one of his clients, Jeff Newton. Newton was once a very successful hunting guide in Africa, but six years ago, he was attacked by a wounded leopard and left an embittered invalid. He now lives alone with a voluptuous housekeeper in an isolated home guarded by two trained Doberman watch dogs. Two or three times a year, he summons Coyne to deal with his various legal matters.
Brady arrives on a Friday night to find Newton in a surly mood. After dinner with the housekeeper, the three of them go off to bed in their respective rooms. In the middle of the night, Brady is awakened by two men who tie him to his bed, threaten to kill him, and then knock him unconscious. When he wakes up the next morning, he manages to free himself and discovers that the two guard dogs have been killed; Jeff Newton has been badly beaten and lies unconscious at death's door, and a very valuable collection of solid gold Pre-Columbian leopards has been stolen. The housekeeper is unharmed.
The local investigators haven't a clue and initially suspect that Brady and/or the housekeeper were involved. For Brady the crime has become personal and he sets out to investigate it himself. The trail will ultimately take him to Montana and will place him in grave danger, and the chances that this will all end well are not very good.
This is another solid entry in the Brady Coyne series, and as always, along the way, Brady will find some time to fish, to bed a seductive woman, and to ruminate on the mysteries of life. Another enjoyable read for fans of the series.
Brady arrives on a Friday night to find Newton in a surly mood. After dinner with the housekeeper, the three of them go off to bed in their respective rooms. In the middle of the night, Brady is awakened by two men who tie him to his bed, threaten to kill him, and then knock him unconscious. When he wakes up the next morning, he manages to free himself and discovers that the two guard dogs have been killed; Jeff Newton has been badly beaten and lies unconscious at death's door, and a very valuable collection of solid gold Pre-Columbian leopards has been stolen. The housekeeper is unharmed.
The local investigators haven't a clue and initially suspect that Brady and/or the housekeeper were involved. For Brady the crime has become personal and he sets out to investigate it himself. The trail will ultimately take him to Montana and will place him in grave danger, and the chances that this will all end well are not very good.
This is another solid entry in the Brady Coyne series, and as always, along the way, Brady will find some time to fish, to bed a seductive woman, and to ruminate on the mysteries of life. Another enjoyable read for fans of the series.
February 26, 2021
While the plot of Tapply’s tenth (of 28 total, which we’re consuming in order) Brady Coyne mystery (from the 80’s through 2010) is original enough, about some valuable stolen Mayan golden jaguars, we couldn’t seem to muster up much concern for the victim, or even the personal danger to which our nice-guy attorney to the wealthy was personally subjected. The tale strung out through several months, as did the comatose client almost fatally injured during the theft, and seemed often rather ho-hum as Brady’s ultimate decision to discover what really happened played out. His suspicions about the man’s attractive housekeeper seemed valid enough, as did Brady’s typical “playboy” (but emotionally confused) interest in her personally!
While we won’t say we were thoroughly entertained throughout this tale, which indeed had its share of perils, we like the series and don’t necessarily have to be wowed by every entry. Good enough is sometimes plenty good enough.
While we won’t say we were thoroughly entertained throughout this tale, which indeed had its share of perils, we like the series and don’t necessarily have to be wowed by every entry. Good enough is sometimes plenty good enough.
April 18, 2019
(3). A slightly different spin to my buddy Brady Coyne in this one. Brady is more the shaker than the mover. He catches the small end of the stick a couple of times but mostly we follow this very interesting plot and where it takes us. Of course, Brady needs to throw in a fishing trip or two, lots of cigarettes and the occaisonal female companion. This story has some fun twists and turns and we have Brady way out of his Boston comfort zone. I will be sorry when I get to the end of this series. Good stuff.
May 6, 2018
With no hospital stays, and no beds where he doesn't belong, this plot moves right along. Even if slightly foreseeable - to some - it gave me a few interesting surprises. My wife, reading it on the couch alongside me, said at one point: "I knew it! As soon as he got out of the car at the gas station, I knew what was gonna happen!" (I didn't). I enjoy being led along, step by step, and being surprised or dismayed by the action, not trying to anticipate anything. Suspended gratification, I guess.
November 4, 2015
Poor old Brady Coyne. The Boston-based lawyer never knows what he wants (except to do as much fly-fishing as possible). Every woman in his life (his ex-wife, his secretary and assorted seductive babes he seems to keep running into) says (sooner or later), "You really don't understand women at all, do you?". And he knows they're right. He has an iffy relationship with his two nearly grown sons (and gets a rather unpleasant jolt when the younger one wonders whether he should live with him).
And if that is not enough, he seems to have clients who get him into (usually life-threatening) trouble. For example, he pays a visit to a disabled African hunter (a leopard hunt gone wrong) on Cape Cod and finds himself duct-taped to his bed and threatened with having his throat cut while his client is bashed in the head and valuable Mayan art is stolen.
As with all the William Tapply books, Brady takes a hand, following the twists and turns of the plot as the book goes on. A well-written, quick fun read.
And if that is not enough, he seems to have clients who get him into (usually life-threatening) trouble. For example, he pays a visit to a disabled African hunter (a leopard hunt gone wrong) on Cape Cod and finds himself duct-taped to his bed and threatened with having his throat cut while his client is bashed in the head and valuable Mayan art is stolen.
As with all the William Tapply books, Brady takes a hand, following the twists and turns of the plot as the book goes on. A well-written, quick fun read.
February 6, 2016
#10 in the Boston attorney Brady Coyne series.
#10 - Boston attorney Brady Coyne series - Professional hunter Jeff Newton has lived as an embittered and near-friendless invalid since being attacked by a wounded leopard in Africa. Brady, his lawyer, is visiting him on Cape Cod when Newton's seven solid-gold pre-Columbian jaguar statuettes given to Newton by a Mayan chief as reward for slaying the wild cat that mauled his son, are stolen. Brady is knocked out after the crooks superficially slit his throat and Jeff, bashed in the head, falls into a coma. Only Lily, Jeff's seductive, lonely, longtime housekeeper, remains unharmed. Enraged by the attack, Brady hunts for the thieves, his search eventually taking him to Montana.
#10 - Boston attorney Brady Coyne series - Professional hunter Jeff Newton has lived as an embittered and near-friendless invalid since being attacked by a wounded leopard in Africa. Brady, his lawyer, is visiting him on Cape Cod when Newton's seven solid-gold pre-Columbian jaguar statuettes given to Newton by a Mayan chief as reward for slaying the wild cat that mauled his son, are stolen. Brady is knocked out after the crooks superficially slit his throat and Jeff, bashed in the head, falls into a coma. Only Lily, Jeff's seductive, lonely, longtime housekeeper, remains unharmed. Enraged by the attack, Brady hunts for the thieves, his search eventually taking him to Montana.
August 9, 2013
A Brady Coyne mystery set in Boston and Cape Cod mainly. Starts with an African Safari.. which of course had me intrigued! Not sure if I had read any of these before but I liked the lawyer/sleuth. Kind of obvious who was at the heart of the "mystery" but the why was illusive. This is number 10. Would read others. They now number into the 20's? 27? I have read two novels written in concert with Phillip Craig which used the same lead character which I did like. I thought he sounded familiar!!
December 23, 2010
I actually believe the 4 stars is overly generous, but I liked Tapply's lawyer/investigator, Brady Coyne, and he nails the venue, Eastern Massachusetts. There is nothing much out of the ordinary since the "mcguffin" is an interesting Mayan treasure which Tapply chooses to say very little about. I get the feeling that there are a number of characters that provide continuity from novel to novel.
This was my first Tapply/Coyne venture and I will likely try another.
This was my first Tapply/Coyne venture and I will likely try another.
January 22, 2008
I have been reading the new Wm Tapply novels. My sister found this one from 15+ years ago in a library book sale. I loved it. At a modest 180 pages it moves along quickly. I read it in two days because I couldn't put it down. Compelling characters, interesting mystery, plus a little sex romance. Who stole the Mayan leopards made of solid gold?
December 8, 2008
A quick read and an interesting plot make up for the parts of this story that are a little slow-moving. On the whole, it's a decent mystery - I'd be interested in reading other Brady Coyne stories. And the fact that the author lives in Acton and set the story on the Cape and in the Boston area made it even more interesting for me, since I'm from Massachusetts.
August 16, 2009
Very Good; Continuing character: Brady Coyne; Coyne is invited to a client's estate for the weekend, during which a theft of Mayan artifacts occurs and the client is sent into an irreversible coma
February 29, 2012
Fun, light mystery. Good characters, but not terribly complicated.
March 2, 2015
Kept me guessing to the end.
December 19, 2015
Nice and twisty
December 19, 2020
This was my first Tapply book and I enjoyed it. During the current Covid crisis I prefer books that have a positive ending with the bad guys identified and justice served. Mysteries or non-fiction are my go to genres. This was a well written and interesting. I guess something was missing for me and that is why then3 stars rather than 4.
January 24, 2021
Another strong Brady Coyne story as he is threatened during a weekend visit to a client who is subject to a break in and theft and left in a coma. Brady plays detective finds a trail leading to Montana - as usual going beyond his attorney role.
October 18, 2017
The tradition of quick, quality reads continues
August 28, 2022
A fun mystery set in early-90s Boston.
July 23, 2023
This is a good series even though it is a bit dated.
August 20, 2019
Brady Coyne is my favorite fictional barrister. Reading Tapply's effortless prose is like putting on an old and comfortable pair of jeans. A shame that he passed away along with other fine Massachusetts' authors Phillip Craig and, of course, Robert B. Parker.
My personal flag will always hang at half mast in regret.
My personal flag will always hang at half mast in regret.
February 23, 2013
OK Adventure Suspense Novel
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews