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A Kestrel Circles
This is a story about a detective as opposed to a detective story.
Mathew Brown aka Augustus Cervantes discovers early in life that he has some very special skills. Skills that manifest in what many consider very odd personality traits. Most notably, he claims he can find anything with a little help from a nebulous place in his mind that he calls the canvas.
Having built a lucrative career finding treasured missing objects for wealthy patrons, he's contacted by a woman desperate to recover a meaningful family heirloom. This seemingly "impossible" task is just the kind of challenge for Cervantes' special skills. He accepts the case, referring to it as "The Mystery of the Lost Pocket Watch." Little does he know, he's also attracted the attention of a local crime syndicate with their own agenda associated with the missing time piece.
As chaos ensues, intrigue multiplies when Cervantes discovers a clue to the whereabouts of the long-lost watch. The nature of the case and the others who are hot on his trail lead to a chase across Europe filled with murder and mayhem, and an outcome that, for the first time ever, he can't predict.
Mathew Brown aka Augustus Cervantes discovers early in life that he has some very special skills. Skills that manifest in what many consider very odd personality traits. Most notably, he claims he can find anything with a little help from a nebulous place in his mind that he calls the canvas.
Having built a lucrative career finding treasured missing objects for wealthy patrons, he's contacted by a woman desperate to recover a meaningful family heirloom. This seemingly "impossible" task is just the kind of challenge for Cervantes' special skills. He accepts the case, referring to it as "The Mystery of the Lost Pocket Watch." Little does he know, he's also attracted the attention of a local crime syndicate with their own agenda associated with the missing time piece.
As chaos ensues, intrigue multiplies when Cervantes discovers a clue to the whereabouts of the long-lost watch. The nature of the case and the others who are hot on his trail lead to a chase across Europe filled with murder and mayhem, and an outcome that, for the first time ever, he can't predict.
277 pages, Paperback
Published December 22, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 1, 2026
I had a hard time getting into this book. I had really hoped it would be a great mystery solved with the mind but it was hard to follow along.
January 1, 2025
An unpredictable, thrilling ride into the mind of a gifted detective, A Kestrel Circles is a brilliant blend of suspense, mystery, and fascinating character exploration.
G. Michael Smith's A Kestrel Circles is nothing short of captivating. From the very first page, the novel pulls readers into an intricate world where the boundaries of reality, perception, and intellect blur in the most engaging ways. The protagonist, Mathew Brown (also known as Augustus Cervantes), is a unique and eccentric character whose unusual abilities—specifically, his skill to "find anything" through his mind's eye, which he calls "the canvas"—form the heart of this deeply compelling story.
Initially, I found myself a little disoriented, much like stepping into a foreign language that has a few recognizable words but no clear context. It was a deliberate and purposeful confusion, however, as the narrative unfolds in the voice of Mathew, whose perspective seems disjointed yet strangely profound. At times, I wondered if I was witnessing the world through the eyes of someone with autism, struggling with communication but gifted in ways that elude the average person. Soon, however, I was fully invested in Mathew's world, eager to decode his thoughts and understand the significance of the "canvas" that guides him through his life.
What truly elevates this novel is how Smith introduces Mathew’s detective work. As an adult, Mathew has been largely written off by those around him—particularly his overbearing mother—who thinks him incapable of independent survival. Yet, Mathew is far from ordinary. His ability to navigate the chaos of the world through his strange mental lens becomes his superpower. The transition from a seemingly fragile individual to an extraordinary detective is flawlessly executed. As Mathew embarks on his latest case, the search for a missing pocket watch, the suspense escalates to dizzying heights.
Smith's storytelling is nothing short of brilliant. The multi-layered plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The idea of the "canvas," a metaphorical space that Mathew uses to process information, provides a unique and almost surreal quality to the narrative. It’s as if we are peering into a Wonderland of his mind, where logic meets mystery and every puzzle is a challenge to unravel. It’s in these moments that the book truly shines, taking on an almost dreamlike quality as Mathew races to uncover the truth.
As the plot unfolds, Mathew finds himself entangled in a cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, pursued not only by criminals but also by his own sense of foreboding about the case. The stakes rise as he uncovers deeper secrets about the missing watch, and the tension builds toward a gripping conclusion. What’s remarkable is that, despite his incredible abilities, Mathew is not infallible—his humanity is woven into every page, making him a character you can't help but care about.
Minor details, like a brief confusion over a character’s name and the unresolved fate of a pizza delivery man, didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel. These are mere blips in an otherwise stellar narrative. And while the book does contain some profanity and mild violence, it never feels gratuitous—just an authentic reflection of the stakes Mathew faces.
In a literary landscape full of formulaic thrillers, A Kestrel Circles stands out as something unique and thought-provoking. It’s a novel that demands to be experienced, one that will leave readers eager for more. With its unpredictable plot, compelling lead, and the tantalizing mystery that lingers long after the final page, this book is a must-read for fans of intelligent thrillers.
I would rate it a solid 5 out of 5, and I’m certainly hoping for a sequel that continues Mathew’s journey.
Warning: Profanity, mild violence.
Final Verdict: 5/5
G. Michael Smith's A Kestrel Circles is nothing short of captivating. From the very first page, the novel pulls readers into an intricate world where the boundaries of reality, perception, and intellect blur in the most engaging ways. The protagonist, Mathew Brown (also known as Augustus Cervantes), is a unique and eccentric character whose unusual abilities—specifically, his skill to "find anything" through his mind's eye, which he calls "the canvas"—form the heart of this deeply compelling story.
Initially, I found myself a little disoriented, much like stepping into a foreign language that has a few recognizable words but no clear context. It was a deliberate and purposeful confusion, however, as the narrative unfolds in the voice of Mathew, whose perspective seems disjointed yet strangely profound. At times, I wondered if I was witnessing the world through the eyes of someone with autism, struggling with communication but gifted in ways that elude the average person. Soon, however, I was fully invested in Mathew's world, eager to decode his thoughts and understand the significance of the "canvas" that guides him through his life.
What truly elevates this novel is how Smith introduces Mathew’s detective work. As an adult, Mathew has been largely written off by those around him—particularly his overbearing mother—who thinks him incapable of independent survival. Yet, Mathew is far from ordinary. His ability to navigate the chaos of the world through his strange mental lens becomes his superpower. The transition from a seemingly fragile individual to an extraordinary detective is flawlessly executed. As Mathew embarks on his latest case, the search for a missing pocket watch, the suspense escalates to dizzying heights.
Smith's storytelling is nothing short of brilliant. The multi-layered plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The idea of the "canvas," a metaphorical space that Mathew uses to process information, provides a unique and almost surreal quality to the narrative. It’s as if we are peering into a Wonderland of his mind, where logic meets mystery and every puzzle is a challenge to unravel. It’s in these moments that the book truly shines, taking on an almost dreamlike quality as Mathew races to uncover the truth.
As the plot unfolds, Mathew finds himself entangled in a cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, pursued not only by criminals but also by his own sense of foreboding about the case. The stakes rise as he uncovers deeper secrets about the missing watch, and the tension builds toward a gripping conclusion. What’s remarkable is that, despite his incredible abilities, Mathew is not infallible—his humanity is woven into every page, making him a character you can't help but care about.
Minor details, like a brief confusion over a character’s name and the unresolved fate of a pizza delivery man, didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel. These are mere blips in an otherwise stellar narrative. And while the book does contain some profanity and mild violence, it never feels gratuitous—just an authentic reflection of the stakes Mathew faces.
In a literary landscape full of formulaic thrillers, A Kestrel Circles stands out as something unique and thought-provoking. It’s a novel that demands to be experienced, one that will leave readers eager for more. With its unpredictable plot, compelling lead, and the tantalizing mystery that lingers long after the final page, this book is a must-read for fans of intelligent thrillers.
I would rate it a solid 5 out of 5, and I’m certainly hoping for a sequel that continues Mathew’s journey.
Warning: Profanity, mild violence.
Final Verdict: 5/5
August 29, 2026
Detective Cervantes is an out-of-the-ordinary kind of guy with seemingly unlimited resources and a brilliant mind. As he takes the case of “The Mystery of the Lost Pocket Watch" things get hectic and his world becomes a landfill of unexpected dangers and difficult riddles that he must solve.
The action is abundant in this book. He is quirky and getting to know him provides a few chuckles. It can be a little hard to follow, at times, while he is describing his favorite tool and pastime. If you don't get too hung up on trying to really understand it, the story unfolds like a great adventure movie.
There were some questions I had that went unanswered but I kind of think that's the plot. As we learn, clues can point to everything and nothing. I am glad I got to receive an ARC copy; I enjoyed the ride.
The action is abundant in this book. He is quirky and getting to know him provides a few chuckles. It can be a little hard to follow, at times, while he is describing his favorite tool and pastime. If you don't get too hung up on trying to really understand it, the story unfolds like a great adventure movie.
There were some questions I had that went unanswered but I kind of think that's the plot. As we learn, clues can point to everything and nothing. I am glad I got to receive an ARC copy; I enjoyed the ride.
June 13, 2026
G. Michael Smith's A Kestrel Circles is an absolutely captivating story. I was pulled in from the very first page as I read about this beautifully detailed world of diverging points of reality and reason blending together. Mathew Brown aka Augustus Cervantes is a complex and unconventional man whose unusual skills, like searching through his mind to find things is amazing to see.
Mathew, whose perspective is confusing at times also manages to be touching and profound. Trying to figure out the "canvas" that guides him through life was so very interesting to read through, as I tried to connect things.
Mathew, whose perspective is confusing at times also manages to be touching and profound. Trying to figure out the "canvas" that guides him through life was so very interesting to read through, as I tried to connect things.
July 20, 2026
This unique character study focuses on the detective himself rather than a standard procedural. Mathew Brown, known as Augustus Cervantes, uses a mysterious mental realm called "the canvas" to locate missing objects. When he takes on "The Mystery of the Lost Pocket Watch," an impossible heirloom hunt spirals into a dangerous European chase involving a ruthless crime syndicate. Rich with unpredictable mayhem and psychological intrigue, it is a thrilling, character-driven journey well worth reading.
August 21, 2026
This is very magical book. Augustus Cervantes (Mathew Brown) is a very gifted detective with a very special gift. He is asked by a woman to find a gold watch last seen by her grandfather before he dies in WW2. Theren are many twists and turns in the plot which involves Cerventes being hunted by various characters to find the secret of the gold watch. I found the book intriguing and a great read. I recommend this book for all readers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews