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Oz Blackstone #1
Dangerous Pursuits
Free for a limited period, fans and new readers alike can enjoy the first title in Quintin Jardine's Oz Blackstone series - originally BLACKSTONE'S PURSUITS - updated with new material, exclusive to ebook.
When private enquiry agent Oz Blackstone takes on the job of finding an insurance company's missing half million, he's hoping for a healthy finder's fee, not a life-changing experience. But when he finds the corpse of the would-be embezzler with a knife in his back and no sign of the missing money, what had seemed like a routine job begins to look distinctly dodgy.
Until the captivating Primavera 'Prim' Phillips arrives on the scene, wondering why she's been greeted not by her sister Dawn, but Dawn's dead boyfriend and a rather nervous-looking private eye. For Oz, things are looking up. This is the kind of girl who's definitely worth pursuing. Especially if she knows where to get her hands on half a million pounds ...
When private enquiry agent Oz Blackstone takes on the job of finding an insurance company's missing half million, he's hoping for a healthy finder's fee, not a life-changing experience. But when he finds the corpse of the would-be embezzler with a knife in his back and no sign of the missing money, what had seemed like a routine job begins to look distinctly dodgy.
Until the captivating Primavera 'Prim' Phillips arrives on the scene, wondering why she's been greeted not by her sister Dawn, but Dawn's dead boyfriend and a rather nervous-looking private eye. For Oz, things are looking up. This is the kind of girl who's definitely worth pursuing. Especially if she knows where to get her hands on half a million pounds ...
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
27 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Quintin Jardine
97 books243 followersQuintin Jardine (born 1945) is a Scottish author of three series of crime novels, featuring the fictional characters Bob Skinner, Oz Blackstone, and Primavera Blackstone. He was educated in Motherwell and in Glasgow where he studied at what was then the city’s only University. After career as a journalist, government information officer and media relations consultant, he took to the creation of crime fiction.
His first wife, Irene, with whom he shared over 30 years, from their teens, died in 1997. He is married, to his second wife, Eileen. They live in both Scotland and in Spain
His first wife, Irene, with whom he shared over 30 years, from their teens, died in 1997. He is married, to his second wife, Eileen. They live in both Scotland and in Spain
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 18, 2014
2.5 stars
September 25, 2014
Story is a bit convoluted but enjoyed it nonetheless. Accurate descriptions of Edinburgh and Fife.
June 15, 2025
I found this book in a grab bag at a flea market and got quite excited as I hadn't heard of Jardine before. After reading this book, I understand why. I guess it's quite obvious that I won't be reading more books in this series.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
April 22, 2018
A good read!
Have avoided this series in favour of Skinner but thought I’d give Oz a try waiting for Bob’s next instalment - I was pleasantly surprised!
Have avoided this series in favour of Skinner but thought I’d give Oz a try waiting for Bob’s next instalment - I was pleasantly surprised!
July 18, 2022
Quirky!
August 14, 2007
- BLACKSTONE’S PURSUITS (Private Enquiry Agent-Scotland-Cont) – G+
Jardine, Quintin – 1st in series
Headline, 1998- Paperback
Private enquiry agent Oz Blackstone is looking for stockbroker Willie Kane who has stolen $900K from his employers. Oz finds him naked and dead on the bed of an apartment and the apartment’s tenant, Prim Phillips, just walking in looking for her sister who’d been staying there. Oz and Prim join forces to find her sister and the missing money.
*** This was almost more of a romance, told from Oz’ perspective, but it did have humor and suspense enough to keep it a mystery. The cover describes the book as “A tale of love, greed, murder—and lethal seduction…” which is quite accurate. I liked Oz, although he seemed a bit juvenile, his father and his sister, but didn’t care much for Prim and it ended with an ethical decision I wouldn’t have made. I found it to be an enjoyable, rather sexual, light, quick read and a good introduction to the character of Oz. I’ve enjoyed other books in the series and will keep reading Oz’s adventures.
Jardine, Quintin – 1st in series
Headline, 1998- Paperback
Private enquiry agent Oz Blackstone is looking for stockbroker Willie Kane who has stolen $900K from his employers. Oz finds him naked and dead on the bed of an apartment and the apartment’s tenant, Prim Phillips, just walking in looking for her sister who’d been staying there. Oz and Prim join forces to find her sister and the missing money.
*** This was almost more of a romance, told from Oz’ perspective, but it did have humor and suspense enough to keep it a mystery. The cover describes the book as “A tale of love, greed, murder—and lethal seduction…” which is quite accurate. I liked Oz, although he seemed a bit juvenile, his father and his sister, but didn’t care much for Prim and it ended with an ethical decision I wouldn’t have made. I found it to be an enjoyable, rather sexual, light, quick read and a good introduction to the character of Oz. I’ve enjoyed other books in the series and will keep reading Oz’s adventures.
January 31, 2016
Oz Blackstone, a P.I., goes to meet up with a man about some missing company money and finds the man dead in the bed of a very attractive woman.
They team up to try and find the money and try to avoid getting killed themselves.
The story was well-narrated but I mustn't have been in the mood for it because the characters didn't really engage me and I didn't really find the plot all that interesting.
OK.
They team up to try and find the money and try to avoid getting killed themselves.
The story was well-narrated but I mustn't have been in the mood for it because the characters didn't really engage me and I didn't really find the plot all that interesting.
OK.
May 8, 2021
Not for me I'm afraid; Odd style, almost a conversation with the reader which makes the main character seem strangely smug. Whilst "breaking the fourth wall" can work, I didn't feel that is added to the narrative in this case.
Each to their own, of course, but for my part I'll stick to the Skinner books and give the rest of this series a miss.
Each to their own, of course, but for my part I'll stick to the Skinner books and give the rest of this series a miss.
June 7, 2015
I love the humour in this book, the soft side of me also likes that I spent quite a lot of the book waiting for prim to turn around and stab Oz in the back, but no, maybe they really are perfect? Somehow that seemed refreshing.
November 18, 2013
Quirky, darkly comic. Oz is clumsy but very charming. A very unusual book and extremely enjoyable.
January 1, 2016
My first Quintin Jardine book. I thought it was going to be quite heavy going, but this series starring OZ and Prim is great.
July 27, 2016
Great read
Sublime book great read couldn't put the book down. Flows from chapter to chapter with discritive writing and an exciting story line.
Sublime book great read couldn't put the book down. Flows from chapter to chapter with discritive writing and an exciting story line.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews