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The Trouble with Mr. Finch

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Meet Russell Finch
Say hello to everyone’s favorite raunchy fiction Russell Finch. Though his debut novel, Gettin’ Naughty, landed at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list, Mr. Finch’s fame quickly evaporated. Desperate for ideas for his new novel, Russell may have found his solution thanks to a visit from an eccentric member of the Syndicate.

Meet the Nemesis
For decades, the remote town of McBride has been shrouded in mystery and haunted by ghosts of the past. Crime boss Donand Maze II and his underground empire shepherded its descent into chaos. Now, years later, McBride is in ruins, and its dark past is reawakened when Russell Finch is lured there under dubious circumstances.

The Swerve
DC Chase’s third novel, The Trouble with Mr. Finch is yet another rollercoaster ride full of plot twists. Mixing elements of Friday the 13th minus the gore with a splash of Goodfellas, Mr. Chase has delivered yet another novel in the Hot to Trot Series that will leave the reader begging for more.

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2024

9 people want to read

About the author

DC Chase

6 books14 followers

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Ria.
27 reviews
December 11, 2024
So, this author asked me to read his new book and review it, so here I am. Damn, what a mistake he made. I was probably one of the worst people to ask to read this book. Why? Because I'm not a white cishet man. And that's the only group this book may appeal to.
But let me start with the basics. The book starts with our protagonist (a white cishet man, what a surprise), who's a writer and receives a mysterious letter from a member of the mafia. He is asked to meet him in a small city to write his biography. When the protagonist gets there, weird things start to happen. That's basically it. That's the book. There are elements of mystery and "magic" that are absolutely useless, because they are ignored by everyone (author included). If you want to write a sort of thriller, there should be some tension, but the ending reveal is more than disappointing, and the attention of the reader is constantly diverted away from the weird things going on, just to land on the dirty thought of Mr. Finch. Because yes, this was also a poor attempt at the stream of consciousness while also having Finch talking directly to the reader. And this could have been fine if he actually had something to give to the narration, instead of always commenting on women's bodies. Because that's all he does. He calls Molly, his ex, Miss Sexy, and every woman he meets is compared to her and her curves. All he thinks about is how much he would like to f*CK every woman he meets. Poor him, he can't, because Molly is giving him a second chance and he doesn't want to cheat on her (spoiler: he will anyway). So basically we have a man who thinks with his d*CK and has no idea of what's going on. Wow, what a book. I was tired after the first 20 pages, but I read it all just so that I could give it a fair review. And this is it: this book is the perfect example of why men are sh*t. The author himself, making his character say things like "I'm like this", "I look at women like this", "I can't restrain myself and I won't change that", is justifying the toxic masculinity that's celebrated in the book. Needless to say, I was disgusted.
I think the author thought he was being funny. News flash: objectifying women is not funny, it's dangerous. It's the reason why so many men think they can own women and control every aspect of their life. It's the reason so many women die every year, killed by a man they knew. So promoting such a narrative, even if "ironically" (you can't be ironic on these things, it's very disrespectful), is misogynistic and unacceptable.
That's it. I won't read anything from this author again. And if you are a decent person, you should do the same.
Profile Image for Silvia  RoMa.
1,019 reviews7 followers
December 7, 2024
I was given and copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

The Trouble with Mr. Finch is Book 3 in the Hot To Trot series by DC Chase but it can be read as a standalone. This is the first book I’ve read by the author, and to be honest I was pleasantly surprised.
I must admit this but is up my alley, since it has a good mystery, a bit of romance and it’s really fast paced and full of twists.
The characters are compelling and the plot is very interesting but what really surprised me was the writing style, as I’ve never read anything quite like this. It was written as if the main character, Russell Finch, was telling the reader a story, and actually talking to us and asking us questions.

The story revolves around a writer, who had a great debut novel, but his second one is a fail, so he needs a win and decides to accept the offer of a gangster to write his memoirs. To do this he has to go to a small, isolated town where he will find himself in the centre of a hot mess, with dark secrets, ghosts, and nightmares.

This book was fast paced and kept my attention through the very end, which I must say surprised me, I couldn’t guess those twists, that ending caught me totally off guard and I really think the author did a great job with the story. Hopefully we’ll get more books in this series with Finch perspective.

If you enjoy a suspenseful story with interesting characters, this is a great book to pick up, it has twists, humor, mystery, a haunted town, mob, short chapters and it’s really fast paced.
Profile Image for Mars Rads.
472 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2024
4.25 stars

The Trouble with Mr. Finch is Book 3 in the Hot To Trot series by DC Chase. I hadn’t read anything by this author before, so I obviously hadn’t read the previous books in the series. But I didn’t have any issue as the books in the series are standalones. Honestly, this book was nothing like what I typically read. The books I read are typically romances of any type. But this book was a book of mystery and suspense. There is a plethora of “interesting” characters that add to the twists and turns and the overall suspense. The writing style was something completely new to me. It was written as if the MC, Russell Finch, is telling the reader a story, just as he would talking to a buddy sitting at the bar with him. Finch’s voice has a dry humor to it, so it made the story grab my attention and keep me reading. It was really helpful that the book was so fast paced that I seemed to fly right through it. The chapters were only a couple pages long, so it was easy to read a bunch of chapters at once.

The story revolves around a writer, who had a great debut novel, but his sophomore attempt was a bomb. His publisher is breathing down his neck and he needs something blew to write. At the same time, he gets contacted by a man looking to have his memoirs written. Through some research, he finds that the mysterious letter writer had ties to the mafia. All of this leads Finch down a path of mystery and a murder investigation. He finds himself in a town with dark secrets, ghosts, and nightmares.

This book was fast paced and kept my attention through the very end. As I said, this book is nothing like what I usually read and there is very minimal spice. But the story was so entertaining and I enjoyed going on the journey with Mr. Finch. The ending caught me totally off guard and I really thought the author did a great job with the story. While this isn’t my usual genre, I can absolutely see myself reading more books by this author. If you enjoy a suspenseful story with interesting characters, this is a great book to pick up.
Profile Image for Gail Raes.
Author 29 books4 followers
September 15, 2024
"Twists, Humor, and Mystery: 'The Trouble with Mr. Finch' Keeps You Guessing"

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Trouble with Mr. Finch" and found the author’s decision to speak directly to the reader through the main character, Russ Finch, especially engaging. Chase’s choice to break the fourth wall made the storytelling more personal, giving me a stronger connection to Finch. This character, a raunchy fiction writer with a wry sense of humor, navigates a thrilling journey after receiving a letter asking him to write a memoir for an aging mobster, Oscar Pickering.

From there, Finch encounters an array of quirky and mysterious characters in McBride, a town notorious for its criminal past. McBride is a town filled with strange inhabitants, eerie characters, sudden thunderstorms, and a legendary abandoned building—now oddly equipped with a new cash register and typewriter—that deepens the novel’s atmosphere of suspense and dread."

The novel is full of surprises, and once Finch arrives in McBride, the story truly takes off. The suspense is crafted masterfully, keeping me turning the pages to uncover what would happen next. The author’s unique writing style, with short chapters often ending in cliffhangers, keeps the pace fast and exciting. Each twist in the suspenseful plot is accompanied by unexpected revelations, as mysterious letters, foreboding dreams, crime syndicates, and sultry women create a sense of escalating tension.

Overall, "The Trouble with Mr. Finch" offers an entertaining and gripping tale, filled with humor, mystery, and an unpredictable plot that will keep readers hooked to the very end.
Profile Image for fantasyreadingfairy_ak.
23 reviews
September 19, 2024
Russell Finch, a #1 NYT best selling author, struggles to complete the next book for his publisher. When out of the blue, he receives a letter from a former big shot in the Syndicate asking him to tell his story, but there’s no return address. He’s told to head to this mysterious, remote town for a meeting. Once he arrives, he finds the place full of oddities, including unsettling nightmares and a solitary path leading in and out.

The Trouble with Mr. Finch is the third installment in the Hot to Trot series, but you can totally dive into it without having read the others. I had to adjust to the writing style since it’s a bit different from what I’m used to, but I found it really enjoyable and easy to get into. It felt like the author was chatting directly with us readers. This book has a mix of everything—romance, mystery, suspense, and even some humor! The plot twist really took me by surprise! I was often left wondering and attempting to decipher the peculiarities of the town and the people who live in it.
Profile Image for Megan Averill.
156 reviews3 followers
July 12, 2024
The Trouble with Mr. Finch is the third book in the series however all can be read as standalone!

I really enjoyed this fast pace suspenseful story! It kept me guessing the whole time and trying to figure out the weirdness of the town. This book is absolutely great if you are in need of reading about a creepy town and the people in it!

If you like any of the following you should check this book out:

😱 suspense
💟 love triangle
🥳 short chapters
👻 haunted town
🔪 mob

In this story we follow writer, Russell Finch and his struggle to write the next book for his contract! He receives a letter, with no return address, from a former big time mobster (or Syndicate if you want to politically correct) who wants Russell to write his story. Russell is told to go to this mysterious remote town to meet with the this old timer. However all is not what it seems in this town from weird dreams to only one way in and out of the town! Come see how Russell finds his way out of this one.
Profile Image for Danielle Marie .
10 reviews
August 28, 2024
3.85/5 ⭐️

If there’s one thing I love as a reader, it’s quick chapters. Quick chapters combined with fast pace story telling and I was blessed with both in this book.

The Trouble with Mr Finch, is the third novel in the “Hot to Trot” series and my first encounter with the series and the author.

The MMC, Mr Russell Finch, is equal parts witty and charming, which provides some light relief to the tense and somewhat eerie situation Mr Finch finds himself in.

I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I would love to highlight some of the tropes that this novel offers; mob demands, creepy town, lots of suspense and a little spice.

For me this book was perfect for getting me out of a reading slump and that’s primarily down to DC Chase’s prose. This was my first time reading a DC Chase novel and I’m happy to say it won’t be my last.
Profile Image for berrgiebooks.
61 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2024
This book is a roller coaster. Your main character is Mr. Finch who is an author that gets contacted by someone that is prevalent in the mob who says that they will give him an exclusive interview of their life if he goes and meets them in the small Western Pennsylvania town. As soon as Mr. Finch gets there, things just get wild.

This book is full of twists and turns. So for fear of spoiling anything, I will not be giving any further details about the book's storyline. This book is a mystery thriller and keeps you on your toes. This is the first time in a while that I was unable to guess the ending which tells me that this is a book that I will be recommending to any of my mystery thriller readers.

This was a good read for me. This book does talk about disappearances, threats, violence, and adult topics. Keep this stuff in mind if you choose to add it to your TBR.
Profile Image for Sydney Watkins.
3 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2024
The pacing of this book was nice, and I enjoyed the story. I did struggle a little to follow the chapters as they jump around on pov. It might be a bit easier if each chapter was labeled/titled by whoever’s pov it is. It was a quick and fun read otherwise. 🙂
Profile Image for Cassidy Neal.
63 reviews6 followers
October 4, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ The Trouble with Mr. Finch follows a raunchy, well-known author struggling to meet his publishing contract. He gets pulled into a haunted town with a crazy mob history, filled with strange characters where he doesn’t know who to trust. On top of all the mystery, there’s also a love triangle that keeps you guessing who he’ll end up with. The short, entertaining chapters kept me hooked. I don’t usually read mysteries, but this was a really fun read. I loved DC Chase’s writing style and how easy it was to connect with the main character. It was refreshing to be inside his head and know exactly what he was thinking. The book had a lot of surprises, and I’m excited to read more of DC Chase’s work!
Profile Image for Jay.
59 reviews
January 9, 2025
Another great "The trouble with.." story, which had me guessing incorrectly all the way through to the end. The ending nicely sets up for a sequel.

Highly recommend this series of books.
Profile Image for Brandy Hussing.
79 reviews6 followers
September 10, 2024
This book was written from an interesting point of view! An author struggling to write his novel visits a small town full of secrets. The short chapters kept me waiting to read “just one more” and the story of the mobsters kept me interested! John Paul’s story was a quite the twist!
Profile Image for Cinthya.
49 reviews6 followers
July 30, 2025
Rounded to 4⭐️

DC Chase is back with another addition to the Hot To Trot series! After getting a sneak peek in the previous book (which I'll forever be obsessed with), I was instantly intrigued by the new story focusing on a writer. Love the writing style. It flows really well and genuinely feels like a friend is sharing their story with you.

The chapters are around 3 to 5 pages long, which makes it easy to fall into the "just one more chapter" trap. You find yourself constantly turning pages, hooked by the unfolding mystery and the need to know what happens next.

This book is packed with mystery and suspense, keeping you guessing and analyzing the strange experiences the characters face. From nightmares and possible ghosts to mysterious people and lurking danger. The addition of a mafia element also adds an extra layer of tension that certainly keeps you on edge and makes you worry about our main character and what could happen to him if he doesn't manage to get our of that creepy town!

Overall, DC Chase never disappoints. He has delivered another gripping, fast-paced read in the Hot To Throt series. If you enjoy mysteries with a touch of danger and an engaging narrative, this book is a must-read.
25 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2024
The Trouble with Mr. Finch by DC Chase is the third instalment in the Hot to Trot series, though it works perfectly as a standalone novel. The story revolves around Russell Finch, celebrated for his debut novel Gettin’ Naughty. However, his fame fades quickly as he struggles with writer’s block.Just when his career seems to stall, Finch receives a mysterious letter from Oscar Pickling, a former mafia boss, inviting him to the remote town of McBride to pen his memoirs. Upon arriving, Finch stumbles upon a dead body and finds himself entangled as the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Trapped in the eerie town, Finch soon notices strange events unfolding and begins to uncover the town’s dark and hidden history.

Review:
The Trouble with Mr. Finch, brings readers a clever mix of mystery, dark humor, and quirky small-town intrigue.

The protagonist, Russell Finch, once a literary star with his sensational debut Gettin’ Naughty, now finds himself battling a creative dry spell. Chase expertly captures Finch’s frustrations and insecurities, making him a relatable character who is flawed but likable.

The charm of this novel lies not only in its central mystery but in its richly atmospheric setting. McBride is portrayed as a town with a dark past, brimming with eccentric characters and eerie happenings. Chase masterfully builds tension and suspense as Finch uncovers the secrets buried beneath the town’s surface. The pacing feels uneven at times.

However, the supporting characters, though colorful, at times lack depth, serving primarily to move the plot forward rather than stand out as individuals. That said, the overall story remains captivating enough to keep readers turning the pages.
Profile Image for Abby.
275 reviews8 followers
July 17, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Hot Trot series continues! I love that DC Chase’s books could be read as a standalone if you wanted to. I have read both prior books in this series and enjoyed all of them equally, so I knew that book three was not going to disappoint me. What I like about the way DC narrates is the storytelling. It feels like someone is literally sitting in front of you, just hanging out and having a chat. It doesn’t feel like you’re reading a book. This book follows the life of a writer named Russell. He essentially struggles with his writing but thinks he may have found a solution, but did he really? This story has mobsters, ghosts, nightmares, and much more surrounding him in this little town. He needs to get out before it’s too late. I love that DC always has a way of adding layers of suspense, twists and turns to his narrations that make you think one way but end up the other way around. You won’t be disappointed! I like that the book always feels like it's continuously going, fast-paced! . I never felt bored reading. Definitely check it out! Like I mentioned earlier, I haven't read a book that I haven't liked. I am yet to be disappointed. DC Chase's books are out of my realm of genres, but it was his books that made me start reading outside of it and be much more open-minded to reading outside my box.


112 reviews
November 29, 2024
*The Trouble with Mr. Finch* is a gripping and suspenseful mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows Russell Finch, a bestselling author desperate to escape his writer’s block and meet a looming publishing deadline. When he receives a cryptic letter from a former mob boss, he’s drawn into a remote, eerie town steeped in secrets and shadows.

The author creates an atmospheric setting, with its strange inhabitants, unsettling dreams, and a chilling sense of isolation. Each twist and turn had me questioning who could be trusted, and the plot’s unexpected developments kept me glued to the pages. The addition of a love triangle added another layer of complexity to Finch’s journey, keeping the emotional stakes high.

What I enjoyed most was the writing style—it felt personal, like the narrator was confiding in the reader, which made Finch’s experience all the more relatable. The short, fast-paced chapters were perfect for maintaining tension, and I was in the “just one more chapter” trap more than once.

If you enjoy mysteries with a touch of mafia intrigue and a cast of quirky, enigmatic characters, *The Trouble with Mr. Finch* is a must-read. It’s a rollercoaster ride of suspense, wit, and surprises, and I’m already looking forward to reading more from this series!
4 reviews
February 1, 2025
The trouble with Mr Finch is an easy read that's full of teases & mystery. I found the 'scooby doo' type ghost story & murder mystery quite entertaining and the plot was continually moving from start to finish.

I struggled to like the main character - the breaking of the fourth wall made it feel like the character was reciting a past experience (which I'm sure was the intention) rather than me being drawn into the events as they unfold. However it was refreshing to have an MMC that wasn't a natural superhero with all of the answers.

Mr Finch is an average person with an average person's internal conflicts. He's not a brave hero, he's a writer & doesn't pretend to be more. This aspect of the story was novel & I enjoyed not having the amazing character development that turns our main character into the hero that saves the day & gets the girl.

Overall it was a pleasant read, a story that was easy to digest & left me wondering what direction it was actually headed until the final reveal.
Profile Image for Mahlia Kendrick.
50 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2024
Russell Finch is a famous author who is currently in a writing slump. When he receives a letter from Oliver, a gangster from The Syndicate, to meet up in the old town of McBride, unexplainable things start happening.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. The Trouble with Mr. Finch flowed nicely and was engaging. Russell Finch’s character can be very sarcastic and brash, which I found entertaining. He’s also a ladies’ man and acknowledges that.😂 There are several mysterious murders and unsettling dreams that occur, but I do wish some more creepy or mysterious events happened. What can I say, I’m a horror fanatic, so sue me.🤷‍♀️😂 I was also hoping to read the interaction between Russell and Oliver. It’s just mentioned they meet up. So I was a little let down with the ending, but maybe the next book will pick up where it left off…? Overall, it was a fun read, and I think people will get a kick out of Russell’s character.
Profile Image for Falena.
37 reviews
December 9, 2024
Mr Finch's first novel was a hit. But unfortunately the second novel didn't quite become a hit so he was forced to write another one because he needed a win. His publisher was also pushing him to write another novel and Mr Finch was in a stressful situation. That's when he receives a mysterious letter. This letter was from mobster Oscar Pickering and he wanted Mr Finch to write a memoir for him. Little did he know that it would lead him to a lot of secrets and mysteries.
My note: The trouble with Mr Finch is the third book in The Hot to Trot series. I was sceptical initially since I started this series with the first book but I really enjoyed it. I'm a big thriller fan and this book hit all the right spots. There is romance, thriller and a lot of twists. The narration in this book is really different and simple. It is also fast paced. All the characters are beautifully written and the twists and suspense were too good. I personally enjoyed reading it.
Profile Image for Lucille Guarino.
Author 4 books131 followers
July 23, 2025
Chase’s novel has the nuance of a Dick Tracy film. Only the MC is a raunchy fiction writer with a wry sense of humor and not a police detective. Elements of this book run the gamut of mysterious letters, unsavory characters, foreboding dreams, sexy women, a ghoulish town, and a crime syndicate. I like the short paragraphs, many ending with twists and dilemmas and cliffhangers, keeping it moving at a fast pace. Chase's writing style took me a while to get used to as he occasionally steps out of the story to offer commentary or explanation, i.e. “Have you noticed I tend to be sarcastic?,” “For those not in the loop, Kohl’s is a department store,” “I must admit something to all of you,” “You may be surprised to hear,” or “Let me get back to my story.” Overall, I’d have to say I spent an entertaining few hours with The Trouble With Mr. Finch.
Profile Image for St.Peaches.
110 reviews6 followers
September 8, 2024
🌶️ : 1/5

This one is very interesting!!
This book is not the type of book that i usually read. But it's uniquely intriguing!!

I'm NOT a patient person and the book is peeling itself and giving little crumbs at a time, i can't stop reading it 🤣🤣
If you love mystery this book is definitely for you!!!

I feel like i'm reading a Russ journal that he left personally for me and it kinda gives off an intimate vibes on reading this book it's so cool!!
And add some mafia into the plot 🤌🤌
And also this book gives off movies from the 60's (don't ask me why 🤣)
So over all a very unique experience reading this book!!

Definitely would recommend it!!!

🍑 HAPPY READING YALL!!! 🍑
364 reviews6 followers
December 21, 2024
Loved the narration of Ross Blilie, who brings the characters, humour and action to your ears.

Russell Finch is trying to write a new novel, to better his first . His publisher is pushing for a draft and he is struggling. Finch follows a hunch. Which leads him to McBride a town in a remote forest outside of Pittsburgh. Where the mafia are rumoured to stay, even have hauntings. Leading Finch down a path of dark secrets, ghosts, with mystery and a murder to investigate.

We have twists, humour and mystery.
Profile Image for Sharon Lopez.
Author 13 books19 followers
September 24, 2024
This is the first book I have read by this author. The narrative was fresh and impossible to guess. The cast of characters was exceptional, especially the leading man who had a great sense of humor. Despite his reputation as a ladies' man, I found myself drawn to this character. I'm a big fan of how the ending allows for the possibility of another book. I intend to go to the bookstore and purchase books 1 and 2. Recommend.
Profile Image for Spooky Bookish Bit*h.
262 reviews6 followers
September 28, 2024
The Trouble With Mr. Finch is a humorous, unique and suspenseful read jam packed with TONS of twists and turns. At times it exciting and at times there's an overwhelming sense of dread. Either way it'll keep you guessing and the super short chapters make it easy to read. The author has a very unique writing style and is a lifted story teller. It felt more like talking to a friend then reading a book. Well done!
Profile Image for Rella B..
Author 5 books60 followers
July 31, 2024
"The Trouble with Mr. Finch" by DC Chase was a delightful surprise. I was hooked from the first page, drawn into Mr. Finch's intriguing world of secrets and twists. Chase’s writing made the mystery come alive, keeping me guessing until the end. If you enjoy a good thriller with deep characters, this one is definitely worth your time.
Profile Image for Maleny Roman-Ruiz.
63 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2025
⭐️3.5
🌶 1
Wow! This was the first book I read by this author and will say they have such a unique writing style. So different from what I've read before, but I actually thoroughly enjoyed it. This book was filled with humor, mystery, thriller, and some romance sprinkled in. The storyline had me hooked and pushing through the end to figure out what was what! The ending I didn't see coming; from who the primary source of all the chaos was to who the MMC ended up with. It was a wild and fun ride.
Profile Image for Shatana.
379 reviews
December 23, 2024
This book is full of mystery and suspense, making you constantly wonder and dissect the bizarre situations the characters encounter. With nightmares, potential ghosts, enigmatic figures, and hidden threats, it’s a wild ride. Plus, the mafia twist cranks up the tension even more, leaving you anxious about what might happen to the main character if he can't escape that eerie town!
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