Moneymaker

by Josh Boldt

A Southern Crime Thriller. Follow the Stash. Find the Money.

Mack Abbott is in Savannah to track a drug shipment for a mysterious employer—nothing fancy, just surveillance. But the job goes sideways fast. The smugglers are ruthless, the city’s crawling with secrets, and the one local he can turn to is Avery Calloway, a dancer with shaky loyalties and a taste for trouble. Mack knows better than to get involved. But he’s hooked—and the comedown’s gonna hurt..

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2024

About the author

Josh Boldt is a Southern crime and mystery author known for his realistic dialogue, regional flavor, and exploration of the Southern psyche. Boldt is the author of three novels: Moneymaker, The False Favorite, and Slurry. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky, where he’s hard at work on his next novel.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fast paced story filled with suspense, drama, and action. Mack was a very likable character who proved to be absolutely competent at his job. Even when the odds were against him he still comes out good. I liked his integrity. He made promises to people and he kept those promises and more. He could have left the promises unfulfilled and flying in the wind, but he didn't which speaks to his strength of character. This was an all-consuming and exhilarating read, that I very much enjoyed and highly recommend. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Wes Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of crime fiction set in the south, I recommend this book by Kentucky writer, Josh Boldt. The dialogue and setting were expertly rendered. This is a sharply written, suspenseful page-turner that left me wanting to read more. Fans of Elmore Leonard and Charles Portis will enjoy Boldt’s work. Highly recommended!

[Philip Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

A very good tale with interesting characters and a good plot. I do like the writing style and the actual story. Fast paced and at times humorous

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In Josh Boldt’s novel “Moneymaker,” readers are thrust into a heart-pounding, action-packed narrative filled with suspense, drama, and unexpected twists. Set in 1997, this gripping Southern crime novel takes place two decades before the events of Boldt’s previous work, “Slurry.” 

Here’s my take:

Navy veteran Mack Abbott, now a private surveillance expert, finds himself entangled in a dangerous web while tracking a drug shipment in Savannah. Ruthless smugglers stop at nothing to protect their illicit product. Abbott’s sole connection in town is Avery Calloway, an exotic dancer with questionable motives and a taste for the smugglers’ wares. As their relationship deepens, danger closes in around them.

My Review:

Character Depth: Boldt masterfully unveils the layers of Mack Abbott. His transition from military life to civilian surveillance work is fraught with tension, vulnerability, and moral ambiguity. Abbott’s flaws make him relatable, and his determination keeps us rooting for him.

Setting: Savannah comes alive—the sultry nights, the murky waters, and the underbelly of crime. The city becomes a character itself, adding depth to the story.

Avery Calloway: The enigmatic dancer adds intrigue. Is she an ally or a double agent? Her chemistry with Abbott sizzles, but trust remains elusive.

The plot races forward, fueled by suspenseful twists. Boldt keeps readers guessing, never allowing complacency.

“Moneymaker” explores loyalty, identity, and the blurred lines between good and bad. It’s a gritty examination of choices and consequences.

Boldt’s prose is sharp, evocative, and unapologetically Southern. He captures the humidity, the tension, and the desperation.

Moneymaker is a rollercoaster ride through the criminal underbelly. Whether you’re a fan of crime fiction or simply crave a thrilling read, this novel delivers. Dive into Mack Abbott’s early years, and unravel the mysteries that shape his future.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Josh Boldt's "Moneymaker," readers dive into a heart-pounding, action-packed novel filled with suspense, drama and twisty turns. The story follows Mack Abbott, a former Navy veteran turned private surveillance expert, on a mission to trace a drug shipment in Savannah. Abbott's integrity and determination make him a likeable character. The addition of tough exotic dancer Avery Calloway adds some depth as they confront local smugglers. Boldt's concise well-crafted storyline make "Moneymaker" a thrilling and engaging read. 📚💥🔍💫🔥
Highly recommend
#Thriller #Suspense #ActionPacked #MustRead #JoshBoldt #BookReview #Moneymaker #HeartPounding #Drama #Adventure

[TheLisaD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story we have Mack who is supposed to just do surveillance though things go south and Mack and Andy his friend are left to defend themselves and figure out what exactly is going on.

This reminded me of Max Payne so much but the video game not the movie and I really liked Mack and Avery together. This is my first time reading anything from Josh Boldt though I got to say it was a really good read with lots of action, laughs, and oh no moments that it keeps you engaged.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My question is, will there be another book? I want to know the man behind the phone. And with the way it ended, there's definitely room for another. I'm curious to see what would happen in Kentucky. Especially since I live in the state 🤣. It's a very good story. I loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was well written, but I didn’t connect with the plot. Characters were well defined.

[Teri M Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moneymaker by Josh Boldt is a page-turning Southern crime thriller set on the Georgia coast. We meet Mack, a surveillance expert, when he accepts a job in Savannah. The job is to keep his eyes on a package, and it soon becomes apparent this package contains drugs - and a lot of them. While in Savannah, Mack becomes attracted to Avery, a local exotic dancer, who just happens to be addicted to the drugs Mack is surveilling. And just to keep the story interesting, Josh lets us see the action from a third point of view - that of one of the bad guys named Jerry.

Even though the story takes place during one week, the plot moves along quickly, as we see the inner workings of drug smugglers and what they will do to ensure they get paid for their delivery. And throughout this week, you'll find yourself worrying about Mack, Avery, and yes, even Jerry!

If you like fast-paced stories with intrigue, guns, and a bit of romance, then you will enjoy this book.