The Collector

by Mike Faricy

Connor Byrne lives in a tiny loft apartment paid for by his mother. She bought him a car, brings him breakfast every day, and worries about him. Connor has a 'relationship' with a number of women. They're all in paintings he has 'collected.' Four million dollars worth of paintings. US Marshal Jack Dillon, assigned to An Garda Síochána Special Branch, Dublin's police force, along with his partner DI Paddy Suel, are working a murder case. The painting thefts in Dublin are getting out of hand and they begin to investigate the art thefts which eventually leads to a rather complicated situation. Are the thefts related to the murder? Only time will tell . . . Get your copy to find out.Faricy is America's hottest new mystery writer and Dev Haskell is one of the looniest and most enjoyable characters inhabiting the world of fictional private investigators out there today.
The Dirty Lowdown
If you like Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, Elmore Leonard, Janet DeLeon, Laurence Shames, and Janet Evanovich- make room for one more!
The Irish Gazette
Another great read by American author, Mike Faricy . . . Couldn't put it down!
Mystery Masters

Mike Faricy is the winner of;
The 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Crime Masters of America Poison Cup Award.The 2020, 2022 Crime Masters of America Best Selling Series Award. The 2021 North American Mystery Writers Award. The 2022 Mystery Series Award.

Genres: Fiction

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2023

About the author

I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, I still live there as well as in Dublin, Ireland. I've been a soldier, freelance journalist, tended bar, sold designer cakes, owned a painting and decorating company along with a number of other schemes and scams. If that doesn't offend you I also play bagpipes with the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. All my books stand alone, read them in whatever order you wish. They are filled with the sort of oddballs we are all curious about, but wisely, prefer to keep at a distance. None of my characters will be saving the world from terrorism, international banking conspiracies or coups to take over the government. Rather, they inhabit a world just below the surface of polite society, characters with one foot on either side of the law. The circumstances they find themselves in are usually due to bad decisions, but bad decisions lead to interesting stories. They serve not so much as an example but as a warning to us all. Thanks for taking the time, happy reading.

Reviews

[Denise Zendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

U.S. Marshall Jack Dillon, assigned to Dublin’s police force, An Garda Síochána Special Branch, and his partner DI Paddy Suel, are working a murder case that’s going nowhere, while they’re plagued by the theft of four million dollars’ worth of paintings. They hit walls of frustration everywhere they turn. The purported murderer is well-heeled and well-protected, and they are directed to tread lightly. They’re both horrified at the lax security at the galleries the paintings are stolen from, but they know the police will get the blame for not getting the paintings back anyway. Dillon’s also frustrated on a personal level because his friend-with-benefits suddenly has her dance card filled by a regular suitor.

I like this series so much. The police are all “regular guys”. No superpowers here; they get the job done by pounding the pavement, talking to suspects and witnesses, and the occasional lucky break. I like the relationship between Dillon and Suel, close friends as well as workmates. I enjoy watching them chip away at the pile to solve the crime. I also enjoy the Dublin setting. Dillon’s dog, Lucifer, is always good for a laugh. There is a nice balance of police work, crime solving, and home life. These books are written as standalones, so they can be read out of order. The author does a good job of filling in the backstories so you can keep up.

The Dillon books just make me happy. I know I’m going to be entertained for a few hours, maybe learn a little something (this time, about art theft), and I get to spend time with characters who feel like friends. Dillon is my No. 2 fictional boyfriend, and I always pull for him to find romantic as well as professional success. He excels at the latter (the former, well, he tries).

If you like Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, Elmore Leonard, Janet DeLeon, Laurence Shames, and Janet Evanovich, you’ll probably enjoy Jack Dillon and Mike Faricy. Faricy also writes the Dev Haskell series, the Hotshot series, and the Corridor Man series. I’m a huge fan of Dev Haskell and the Hotshot series as well.

[Bette J Bold · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is set in Dublin, Ireland. The main tw0 characters are US Marshal, Jack Dillon, and his Irish partner, Paddy Suel. The two detectives are assigned an art theft case. Then, a murder case is a larger priority so they need to shelve the art case and investigate the murder of a woman. Their investigation is very involved and brings in many high tech devices. In addition to the gravity of murder the story is lightened by the interaction between the two main characters.

[Glenn Warnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why the Americanisation?

Third and last of this author's books. Finally got fed up with all the explanations of measurements and time in order to settle the inability of American readers to understand the metric system or the 24 hour clock.

Oh and the story does not have enough about it, sorry but not my 250ml (half an imperial pint, over a cup measurement US) of tea at 99°c (210°f). Signing off at 22:12 (10:12 pm)

[Jean Bystry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art gone crazy

I like Mike Faricy’s writing style, whatever he is writing, but especially Marshall Dillon and Suel and Lucifer. I wish I knew what kind of biscuits he is giving his dog. The descriptions of the paintings was interesting, as expected, this was a very good read! Do more!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!
Deputy Marshal Dillion and DI Suel are no nonsense law men for the Garda in Ireland working on a brutal killing and valuable stolen art cases that end up being tied together!
These two work hard to solve cases, but look forward to a pint at the Autobahn at the end of the day.
Pretty women, a 30 year old loser, and a notorious art thief make this book a must read.

[Holly Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read from Mike Faricy

I am currently reading the Jack Dillon Dublin Tales series, and enjoy each book. Each book stands alone in its story, however it is nice to follow the characters throughout the series.
I have been to Ireland and specifically Dublin, so it's nice to follow along as areas are mentioned.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between murder and art theft, Dillon and Suel have their hands full. This always witty and informative series is masterfully written. A top-shelf book, a perfect respite from a frantic world, a truly engaging story. Highly Recommended.

[Wpayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Dillon stories are my favorites.

Love the way these stories move along. Like the camaraderie between Dillon and Suel. Interesting mystery and enjoyable reading. Hoping to find another Marshal Dillon adventure.

[Pedro Bedro]

Dillon and Suel, the dynamic duo solving crime and righting wrong. Well they get there eventually and claim the win even though they had help. Some of the writing is a bit excessive, we don't need to know what everyone is wearing but the story and wit makes up for it.

[Barbara G. Stoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Jack Dillon story. I liked the ingenuity of Jack & Suel in this book.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 17 in the series

Valuable paintings stolen and a woman murdered with very few clues. Dillon and Suel do their best to solve the mysteries. A great story.

[Terri Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to drag on with too many descriptions of things that had nothing to do with the story. I think some serious editing would help clean things up and keep the reader's attention.

[vanessa bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Collector review.

Every book I read of Mike Faricy weather Dev Haskell or Jack Dillon series. Have been awesome. Can’t put them down.

[Mary Helen Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book.

The story takes you through twist and turns until the very end. The characters are well thought out and realistic. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Philip Northrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, I like how the painting heist played out. Nice little twist at the end.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The guys are up to their usual antics and trying to solve cases. I really like the criminal's point of view.