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Roy Ballard Mysteries #2
Get Busy Dying
Everyone thinks Boz Gentry died in a fiery traffic accident, but Roy Ballard and Mia Madison aren’t convinced. As legal videographers, it’s their job to provide evidence of insurance fraud—and the more they dig into the Gentry case, the more they realize this might be the most elaborate scheme they’ve ever encountered. Of course, when millions of dollars are at stake, con men will take drastic steps to protect their scam—including arson, assault, or even murder. Can Roy and Mia unravel the conspiracy before the criminals get desperate enough to kill? Edgar Award finalist Ben Rehder's novels have made best-of-the-year lists in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Field & Stream. REVIEWS FOR BEN REHDER'S “Murderously funny.” —Chicago Tribune “Another of Rehder’s relentlessly twisted tales. Outrageous fun.” —Kirkus Reviews “Wickedly funny.” —Dallas Morning News “The odd cast of characters and bizarre plots and subplots make for a rollicking good read.” —Houston Chronicle “Rehder has made the leap from writing skillful comic pleasantries to pulverizing satire.” — Austin American-Statesman “Rehder writes with an assured hand and a knowing tip of the wide-brimmed cowboy hat to the ways and wiles of the characters that people his distinctly Texan landscape.” —San Antonio Express-News “[An] increasingly popular (and increasingly enjoyable) series. With this novel, the Marlin series has completed the transition from light mystery to no-holds-barred madcap comedy crime fiction (à la Westlake or Hiaasen).” —Booklist “Rehder continues to improve with each book. [His] series will appeal to fans of Southwestern mysteries laced with a bit of humor.” —Library Journal “This series about Blanco County, Texas, game warden John Marlin keeps getting odder and funnier…But one thing’s for Rehder has jumped to a new level...just might grab a chunk of the outsize Hiaasen crowd.” —Booklist “Down-home humor that is both intriguing and entertaining.” —Dallas Morning News “Rollicking good fun.” —San Antonio Express-News “Rehder’s clever storytelling skills, his expert comic timing and flair for characters have made this series shine. Rehder doesn’t just write niche mysteries, he’s proving to be one of the genre’s rising talents with his twisted tales.” —South Florida Sun-Sentinel “The writing here is confident and vigorous; the tone is quintessentially Texan and relentlessly wry. There’s sure to be a long career for this happy, wacky series.” —Publishers Weekly “Ben Rehder writes about the Texas Hill Country with such insightful appreciation that he’s come to own the territory, much the same way Carl Hiaasen owns South Florida.” —Austin Chronicle
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2014
441 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Ben Rehder
76 books276 followersBen Rehder wanted to become a writer ever since he was dropped on his head as a toddler. As he grew into a young adult and the vertigo gradually dissipated, his passion for literature grew. Ben longed to craft the type of soul-stirring prose that would touch people’s lives and help them explore new emotional horizons. But he went to work at an ad agency instead.
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
February 14, 2017
Humorously written mystery.
Roy and Mia, legal videographers, doing what they do best. Their investigation always puts them in danger, but this danger makes them grow closer. Roy is learning to control his flaming anger sometimes. There are many twists in this story, had to pay close attention. Roy's daughter is coming to visit him for a month, looks like the next book is going to be about this part of his life as a father. Teared up at the end. What do you expect, I'm relic and late at night.
Roy and Mia, legal videographers, doing what they do best. Their investigation always puts them in danger, but this danger makes them grow closer. Roy is learning to control his flaming anger sometimes. There are many twists in this story, had to pay close attention. Roy's daughter is coming to visit him for a month, looks like the next book is going to be about this part of his life as a father. Teared up at the end. What do you expect, I'm relic and late at night.
December 17, 2022
This review will be short and sweet, mostly short. This is the second Roy Ballard Mystery that I've read and, much like the first one, it's a decent, well-written story that takes place in the Texas Hill Country where our ranch was located (long since sold).
Roy Ballard is a legal videographer who is hired by insurance companies to provide video proof of insurance fraud. For example, if an individual is in an auto accident and files a claim for $100,000 for a neck injury and Ballard can provide video showing him playing basketball, the insurance company will use that video in court.
In this story, a man seems to have been killed in a motor vehicle accident and he was insured by Roy's client for $3 million. Roy and his partner Mia go about the process of trying to prove that the claim is invalid because, they believe, the guy isn't dead. Lots of twists and turns in a fairly quick, fun read.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.0. It probably would have been a straight 4.0, without the need to round up if Roy hadn't been such a smartass and his smartassness was relentless, well past the point of being funny. It was often clever but there was just too much of it.
Fini
Roy Ballard is a legal videographer who is hired by insurance companies to provide video proof of insurance fraud. For example, if an individual is in an auto accident and files a claim for $100,000 for a neck injury and Ballard can provide video showing him playing basketball, the insurance company will use that video in court.
In this story, a man seems to have been killed in a motor vehicle accident and he was insured by Roy's client for $3 million. Roy and his partner Mia go about the process of trying to prove that the claim is invalid because, they believe, the guy isn't dead. Lots of twists and turns in a fairly quick, fun read.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.0. It probably would have been a straight 4.0, without the need to round up if Roy hadn't been such a smartass and his smartassness was relentless, well past the point of being funny. It was often clever but there was just too much of it.
Fini
April 25, 2014
I wanted a light, fun read after slogging through a previous book that took a lot of time and thought to get through. This fit the bill. The story moves along quickly, there are enough twists and turns to keep any reader satisfied, and the main character is, what we call in the South, a hoot. He is witty and quick with his comebacks. His comely partner matches him barb for barb. Set in the Texas Hill Country, the book satisfies another joy of mine: reading about "home." I'm not from Austin (I'm from Ft. Worth--where the west begins--Cowtown, USA) but I've spent enough time in the Texas capital to recognize the landmarks in this fun, fun novel. If crime novels are your thing, and your not ready to take on Crime and Punishment, then pick up Get Busy Dying. You'll be glad!
September 25, 2016
Roy Ballard, insurance fraud investigator and videographer, starts on a new case. This is a three million dollar life insurance claim and there is some doubt the deceased is really dead. Thus, Roy and Mia start on a roller coaster adventure trying to figure out this case. I liked this book enough to have purchased the third book in the series. Sometimes I wonder if it is the difficulty I have in letting go of my new friends, the story characters, that keeps me reading these series books.
January 28, 2017
Very enjoyable breezy read. This is the second book in a series about Roy Ballard, an insurance fraud investigator. Good fun.
November 27, 2022
I liked this just as much as the first in the series. Roy and Mia are such a great duo together and the mystery was nail biting. I like the clever repartee although it comes in at inappropriate times occasionally.
On to #3 in the series.
On to #3 in the series.
November 5, 2014
FELONIOUS BEHAVIOR AND MURDER
What could wrong, right? Just because a sleaze bag buys a $3,000,000 life insurance policy then has a fatal accident while driving and the body is badly burned, there's nothing to be suspicious about, right? Roy and partner Mia work hard at their business, and there are lots of snarky jokes told along the way.
What could wrong, right? Just because a sleaze bag buys a $3,000,000 life insurance policy then has a fatal accident while driving and the body is badly burned, there's nothing to be suspicious about, right? Roy and partner Mia work hard at their business, and there are lots of snarky jokes told along the way.
April 29, 2016
Now this is the way a series should be written. No Cliffhanger Ending!
Yet I still am looking forward to reading the next book in the series because this book was a fun read, you got mystery,humor & well written.
Like I have said before sometimes it is nice to take a break from all the serious stuff & have a good laugh.
Yet I still am looking forward to reading the next book in the series because this book was a fun read, you got mystery,humor & well written.
Like I have said before sometimes it is nice to take a break from all the serious stuff & have a good laugh.
September 19, 2020
This is the second in the Roy Ballard series by Ben Rehder. This time Roy and his wing woman Mia are intrigued to take on the case of a man who may have feigned his own death to pick up the life insurance. As legal videographers the pair are engaged by the insurance company to find evidence that Bos is still alive.
The book is fast paced, but not overburdened by too many characters or convoluted plots. There is plenty of witty repartee between the two main characters who seem to be developing a very close friendship.
I listened to this book on Audible and the narrator is excellent.
I’m really enjoying this series, set in Texas, and looking forward to book three when Roy’s teenage daughter arrives for a visit.
The book is fast paced, but not overburdened by too many characters or convoluted plots. There is plenty of witty repartee between the two main characters who seem to be developing a very close friendship.
I listened to this book on Audible and the narrator is excellent.
I’m really enjoying this series, set in Texas, and looking forward to book three when Roy’s teenage daughter arrives for a visit.
September 23, 2020
I did enjoy this 2nd outing for Mr Ballard and his investigative partner Mia. The wit and humour is was full flowing and the investigation had enough twists and turns to keep me guessing and getting it wrong.
The relationship between the 2 main characters zings with chemistry, and I am keen to find out how things progress in this respect in the following books.
The story starts as an insurance fraud investigation but it becomes more and I loved the interactions with the police, the neighbours, the suspects and even the odd pet.
This book would stand alone but I recommend reading the first in series first (Doh!) as this story does follow on from the first.
The relationship between the 2 main characters zings with chemistry, and I am keen to find out how things progress in this respect in the following books.
The story starts as an insurance fraud investigation but it becomes more and I loved the interactions with the police, the neighbours, the suspects and even the odd pet.
This book would stand alone but I recommend reading the first in series first (Doh!) as this story does follow on from the first.
November 8, 2020
The 2nd in the Roy Ballard series, which takes Roy and Mia on another adventure into insurance fraud with a few twists and turns on the way. Investigating whether Boz Gentry faked his own death, Roy and Mia aren't convinced, but proving it is a challenge. I love listening to these books, the story is easy to follow and at just the right pace to move the story on. The narrator is good and suits the books. Developing Roy and Mia's relationship as they investigate it was a great next story in the series. Looking forward to book 3.
September 24, 2020
AUDIOBOOK
Book 2 in the Roy Ballard series and this time Roy and Mia are on the trail of someone who has possibly faked his own death for the life insurance. As Roy and Mia track down a possible suspect they are putting themselves in danger yet again and this time it’s Mia who Roy is concerned about. Along with the case Roy is also dealing with his ex wife and trying to arrange a visit for his daughter. This series already feels like coming back to an old friend and I love it
Book 2 in the Roy Ballard series and this time Roy and Mia are on the trail of someone who has possibly faked his own death for the life insurance. As Roy and Mia track down a possible suspect they are putting themselves in danger yet again and this time it’s Mia who Roy is concerned about. Along with the case Roy is also dealing with his ex wife and trying to arrange a visit for his daughter. This series already feels like coming back to an old friend and I love it
November 5, 2020
Audiobook review
The 2nd book in and it’s a great series already.
The characters are great & definitely feel an attachment coming on. As you do!
The dialogue between them is great, funny, fast & leading you into the story.
Narrator is great too. All fits together great.
The 2nd book in and it’s a great series already.
The characters are great & definitely feel an attachment coming on. As you do!
The dialogue between them is great, funny, fast & leading you into the story.
Narrator is great too. All fits together great.
December 4, 2018
Excellent
Just what I'd come to expect from Roy and Mia. Lots of intense momentum and humor. Some tight situations and lots of twists. Roy and Mia are a great partnership. These books are exciting and easy to read.
Just what I'd come to expect from Roy and Mia. Lots of intense momentum and humor. Some tight situations and lots of twists. Roy and Mia are a great partnership. These books are exciting and easy to read.
June 16, 2017
The charming Roy Ballard is on the job!
The more of this series I read, the more I seem to enjoy them. Boz's body is found, burned beyond recognition, but is it Boz? With a three million dollar life insurance to be paid, Roy and his partner, Mia are hired to find out. As in the first book of this series, there are unexpected turns, twists and lots of humorous banter mixed in with the danger on the way to the conclusion. These might, by some readers, be classified as light mysteries but I don't agree....the dialogue is way too witty and quick, the romance a mere tease, and the plots too sophisticated. Very enjoyable and fun!
The more of this series I read, the more I seem to enjoy them. Boz's body is found, burned beyond recognition, but is it Boz? With a three million dollar life insurance to be paid, Roy and his partner, Mia are hired to find out. As in the first book of this series, there are unexpected turns, twists and lots of humorous banter mixed in with the danger on the way to the conclusion. These might, by some readers, be classified as light mysteries but I don't agree....the dialogue is way too witty and quick, the romance a mere tease, and the plots too sophisticated. Very enjoyable and fun!
June 7, 2020
I really like this series. Mysteries with a lot of humor too. I especially like that they are set primarily in Southwest Austin where I live!
September 17, 2020
Get Busy Dying - Book 2 of the Roy Ballard Mysteries is a cracking read.
As soon as I finished book 1, I started book 2.
Great story with many twists. I didn't guess outcomes at any stages.
Don't you love that in a book!.
Loving the Roy and Mia chemistry. Great listen and story.
As soon as I finished book 1, I started book 2.
Great story with many twists. I didn't guess outcomes at any stages.
Don't you love that in a book!.
Loving the Roy and Mia chemistry. Great listen and story.
April 2, 2016
Here is another fun read by Ben Rehder. I think I like his books so much partly because they are set in Texas hill country. My grandparents grew up and lived in many of the towns mentioned so it is like coming home to me, though I never actually lived in Texas, just visited yearly. At any rate the book flows fast and effortlessly providing much reading satisfaction. The main characters, Roy Ballard and Mia Madison, are both witty and charming. This story is one more case of insurance fraud that they are out to untangle. Loved it.
June 14, 2016
Get busy reading the Roy Ballard mysteries.
Reading about an insurance investigator might seem a little light compared to all the great crime fiction out there. However if your investigator is a wisecracking and tenacious man with issues and a past you have the ingredients for some great mysteries. Add a hottie partner in a red Mustang plus some sexual tension and what you get is a great read.
Reading about an insurance investigator might seem a little light compared to all the great crime fiction out there. However if your investigator is a wisecracking and tenacious man with issues and a past you have the ingredients for some great mysteries. Add a hottie partner in a red Mustang plus some sexual tension and what you get is a great read.
July 17, 2021
I enjoyed this book. I loved the humour of the authors Blanco County Mystery Series so thought I would give this series ago too. This is more of a grown up series, where the characters aren't quite so hopeless or funny but I still enjoyed it. There is the familiar banter and teasing between the main characters, which worked so well in the other series and I loved. Add in some great characters and I am sure this series is going to be around for a while.The story is balanced out with the main investigation and a few side stories, which kept the story running along nicely and kept it interesting. The story also held a number of twists as suspects and motives got eliminated. The insurance fraud investigator and videographer is a nice change for a profession and I liked the high Tec gadgets used to help solve the case, which also included just your basic computer, the author seems to do his homework or just had a good knowledge base. Off to start the next book.
Roy and Mia are videographers hired to catcher people trying to cheat the system. They have two cases on the go. The first is a group of four friends that claim to be unable to work after a car accident and is a simple case of following them I too one slips up. The second case is to prove that Boz didn't die in a car crash before the insurance company page out on his life insurance. Simple, right. Wrong, both cases prove to be challenging. Especially when someone tries to burn down Mia's house and witnesses start to get killed off. Can they find the proof they need to close both cases? Or will the police and one particularly annoying detective get the capture and all the credit?
I liked the narrator he used a variety of voices to bring the characters to life.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Roy and Mia are videographers hired to catcher people trying to cheat the system. They have two cases on the go. The first is a group of four friends that claim to be unable to work after a car accident and is a simple case of following them I too one slips up. The second case is to prove that Boz didn't die in a car crash before the insurance company page out on his life insurance. Simple, right. Wrong, both cases prove to be challenging. Especially when someone tries to burn down Mia's house and witnesses start to get killed off. Can they find the proof they need to close both cases? Or will the police and one particularly annoying detective get the capture and all the credit?
I liked the narrator he used a variety of voices to bring the characters to life.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
October 17, 2020
This is the 2nd novel starring Roy Ballard and Mia Madison, this time their work is cut out for them. Roy works for an Insurance Agency as a videographer, and the pair make sure that whoever makes a claim against the insurance agency it's a valid claim. Boz Gentry died in a fire traffic accident or did he? as Roy and Mia feel sure that they have seen him in the flesh and with a big insurance payable to the wife they have to make sure and be on their toes and certain and the need to get it on video, but when bad things start to happen to the pair on investigating it's looking like the pair are right and is indeed still living. Many dangerous twists and turns with this pair and they get on really well in the last novel Roy met Mia who was serving in a bar and took her on, as a one-man band was not working for Roy as he can't be in two places at once, so the beginnings of beautiful friendships started. Mia is very bright and she has a very sharp mind and they have a general fondness for each other nothing sexual at this time but who knows perhaps it will blossom.
Ray being a videographer and very upfront with all the gadgets and Mia with brains make for a compelling pair, not P I's not police so no badges guns blazing, etc but sharp witty, and entertaining the author Ben Rehder has written 6 novels with Roy and Mia but they can still be read as standalone novels but better if read in order as you get to grow with the characters it's well written and the narrator Jonny Preppers has done another grand job with the novel a joy to listen to.
Ray being a videographer and very upfront with all the gadgets and Mia with brains make for a compelling pair, not P I's not police so no badges guns blazing, etc but sharp witty, and entertaining the author Ben Rehder has written 6 novels with Roy and Mia but they can still be read as standalone novels but better if read in order as you get to grow with the characters it's well written and the narrator Jonny Preppers has done another grand job with the novel a joy to listen to.
July 15, 2018
Get Busy Dying - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Roy and Mia are legal videographers, working for the fraud department of a large insurance company, in this intriguing surmise for a new type of detective story in this
exciting book by Ben Rehder.
The case they're about to begin, concerns the supposed death and incineration during a fatal car accident of Boz Gentry, whose widow stands to collect a cool $3 million if her claim is upheld. Apart from the fact it's impossible to autopsy the charred remains of what can only loosely be called a human male, the dental records of the 'deceased' have mysteriously vanished from the dental practice Boz was registered with and the 'widow' barely seems upset, let alone hysterical with grief at her 'terrible loss'.
As suspects and suspicions mount, Roy and Mia must track the conspirators by whatever means they can, while trying to remain out of danger, when they start to get too close to the truth for their opponents' liking!
An entertaining, well-written and easily-flowing narrative keeps the eager reader on the edge of their seat, as this tale is so engaging and unputdownable!
Hopefully the first of many excellent novels by Ben Rehder to come...this one's definitely a winner!
Roy and Mia are legal videographers, working for the fraud department of a large insurance company, in this intriguing surmise for a new type of detective story in this
exciting book by Ben Rehder.
The case they're about to begin, concerns the supposed death and incineration during a fatal car accident of Boz Gentry, whose widow stands to collect a cool $3 million if her claim is upheld. Apart from the fact it's impossible to autopsy the charred remains of what can only loosely be called a human male, the dental records of the 'deceased' have mysteriously vanished from the dental practice Boz was registered with and the 'widow' barely seems upset, let alone hysterical with grief at her 'terrible loss'.
As suspects and suspicions mount, Roy and Mia must track the conspirators by whatever means they can, while trying to remain out of danger, when they start to get too close to the truth for their opponents' liking!
An entertaining, well-written and easily-flowing narrative keeps the eager reader on the edge of their seat, as this tale is so engaging and unputdownable!
Hopefully the first of many excellent novels by Ben Rehder to come...this one's definitely a winner!
July 12, 2022
This was plotted well above 4 star territory but there are a few too many cutesy authorial junk lines that are spot on lifted from the Danger Barbie female Indie authors. Like the last couple of lines that need to be thrown away at the end of a scene or chapter. In the Blanco stuff it works because they need the glue, but here we're first-person problem solver dude and nowhere near Robert Parker-esque (Read that as Hammett/Chandler) territory for let the story tell the story. Chatty is OK, and I get it, but Roy Ballard can go from Smothers Brothers dime store smart ass to maudlin in a heartbeat. In fact, I keep reading these because the gears all mesh and the tropes are solid, but I'm not really sure I even like the main protagonist, or why his babe partner puts up with some of his shit. But then I didn't care much for Travis McGee either, but the books rocked. If you follow me on this, you know what I'm saying about the books. Good stories, but like McGee could have done without all the 50s moralizing, Ballard could do with less repetitive introspection. She loves me, she loves me not. Save that for the Hallmark Channel screenplays of the Roy Ballard mysteries. 5 for the plotting and movement, 2.5 for the word candy.
September 12, 2020
Only the 2nd book in the Roy Ballard series and already it feels like I'm getting together with old friends. Roy and Mia are sublime. Their one liners, clever quips and sharp wit keeps the books flowing along. The fact that in addition you get an interesting murder/fraud mystery to unravel feels like an added bonus I had no right to expect. Listening to Get Busy Dying is like going out for a drink with your best and funniest friends. The evening whisks past and is over far too soon but the high you get from thinking about the great time you had lasts for days and days. I feel so lucky to have discovered this series. These books are the gift you didn't know you wanted but now you've got it you have no idea how you managed before. Ben Rehder's writing is razor sharp and Johnny Peppers performance is exquisite and award winning. All in all an absolute joy and in case I've been too subtle, yes, I recommend it!
June 14, 2017
Another solid mystery from Ben Rehder. Fraud investigator
Roy Ballard and his partner Mia Madison our out to video Boz Gentry. Supposedly, Boz died in a car crash but the police aren’t sure if the body is Boz, and the insurance company is won’t hand out 3 million dollars until they are.. All Roy needs to do is video Boz and his job is done.
The concept of a crime fighting videographer is a change from the hard-boiled PI, or the FBI special agent. Technology is the center of the investigation and boy ha it made me look at my Face Book settings.
Many twists and turns with lots of personal threads running through the story. Relaxing!
Roy Ballard and his partner Mia Madison our out to video Boz Gentry. Supposedly, Boz died in a car crash but the police aren’t sure if the body is Boz, and the insurance company is won’t hand out 3 million dollars until they are.. All Roy needs to do is video Boz and his job is done.
The concept of a crime fighting videographer is a change from the hard-boiled PI, or the FBI special agent. Technology is the center of the investigation and boy ha it made me look at my Face Book settings.
Many twists and turns with lots of personal threads running through the story. Relaxing!
January 17, 2018
This is the first book I've read by Ben Rehder, but I was impressed by the ratings. I love humorous mysteries, but I didn't find this story particularly exciting or funny. The prose is sound and the dialog realistic but it was pretty clear from the outset where things were headed. For those who like mysteries with a touch of romance, the personal connection between Roy and Mia is minimal in this book but promises to blossom in future. The denouement was slapstick.
Johnny Peppers does a credible job of narration, with a kind of Texas drawl.
I don't know why this series is rated so highly; I won't be rushing out to read more.
Johnny Peppers does a credible job of narration, with a kind of Texas drawl.
I don't know why this series is rated so highly; I won't be rushing out to read more.
August 7, 2020
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Johnny Peppers
Roy Ballard and Mia make a great team, they have great dialogue and chemistry which makes for an interesting relationship.
Good job with the Narrator, he portrays Roy Ballard exactly as I imagine him to be.
What I like about these stories are that the cases they take on end up going off in different tangents so there’s plenty to keep you invested in the story trying to work out how it all fits together, they may start as insurance fraud but Roy and Mia can’t hold back their investigative skills which leads to amusing interactions with the lead detective.
Narrator: Johnny Peppers
Roy Ballard and Mia make a great team, they have great dialogue and chemistry which makes for an interesting relationship.
Good job with the Narrator, he portrays Roy Ballard exactly as I imagine him to be.
What I like about these stories are that the cases they take on end up going off in different tangents so there’s plenty to keep you invested in the story trying to work out how it all fits together, they may start as insurance fraud but Roy and Mia can’t hold back their investigative skills which leads to amusing interactions with the lead detective.
August 5, 2017
Another great story in the Roy Ballard series. I have read Numbers 1 and 2 in 3 days.
I look forward to reading number 3.
I really hope that author Rehder will continue this series for quite some time. I enjoy them very much. They are mysteries that hold my interest and, so far, have not been at all predictable. Also they are laugh-out-loud funny in many spots.
I sure like the relationship between Roy and Mia, I hope the author develops that into a full fledged romance in future stories.
I look forward to reading number 3.
I really hope that author Rehder will continue this series for quite some time. I enjoy them very much. They are mysteries that hold my interest and, so far, have not been at all predictable. Also they are laugh-out-loud funny in many spots.
I sure like the relationship between Roy and Mia, I hope the author develops that into a full fledged romance in future stories.
September 13, 2020
A Complicated Plot!
Audio version - I had listened to the first book in the series and really enjoyed it. For some reason I really struggled to get into this one but I persevered and completed it. It did not seem to flow particularly well and the plot was quite confusing, until it was all explained at the end! Maybe it is just me. I really like Roy Ballard and his sense of humour and this was the saving grace. Not sure yet if I will continue with the series yet. Will look at book 3 decide,
Audio version - I had listened to the first book in the series and really enjoyed it. For some reason I really struggled to get into this one but I persevered and completed it. It did not seem to flow particularly well and the plot was quite confusing, until it was all explained at the end! Maybe it is just me. I really like Roy Ballard and his sense of humour and this was the saving grace. Not sure yet if I will continue with the series yet. Will look at book 3 decide,
October 1, 2020
This is the second book in the Roy Ballard series by Ben Redher and I really enjoyed the Roy and Mia partnership, they work so well together. This second book is about a 3 million dollar insurance fraud....it is a simple story nothing sensational about it but is is very well written it keeps you entertained all the way through and being such an easy relaxing read it makes me look forward to starting the next book in the series asap. Why? Because the main characters are so likeable that I need to know more about them.....
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