The Ballad of the Great Value Boys

by Ken Harris

“Steve Rockfish is back and kicking militia ass. In fact, the whole crew is back, busting balls as they solve crimes and track down the bad guys. The wisecracks fly fast and furious. So do the twists and turns. The bad guys are badder, the danger more dangerous, and every character as endearing as they are dysfunctional. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.” –Haris Orkin, award-winning author of The James Flynn Escapades

Private investigators Steve Rockfish and Jawnie McGee's loyalty is tested when they are called upon to rescue a friend whose plan to grift a local militia goes awry. The ruse rebrands expiring MREs as Q-Rations, focuses on fear, and targets those with an anti-government mindset.

Rockfish and McGee arrive in the dilapidated steel town of Grindsville and are quick to realize the Penn Forest Patriots are more than weekend LARPers. The partner's investigation uncovers a devious plot to light the fuse on a series of domestic terrorism events and throw the country into chaos.

The lack of a timely response by federal law enforcement swiftly constitutes an emergency on Rockfish and McGee’s part. The plot forces them to empty their analytical and investigative skill sets across two states in an attempt to mitigate the threat. Can they prevent the terror cell from igniting the next insurrection and running out the clock on America’s democracy?

371 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2025

About the author

Ken Harris retired from the FBI, after thirty-two years, as a cybersecurity executive. With over three decades writing intelligence products for senior Government officials, Ken provides unique perspectives on the conventional fast-paced crime thriller. He is the author of the “From the Case Files of Steve Rockfish” series. He spends days with his wife Nicolita, and two Labradors, Shady and Chalupa Batman. Evenings are spent playing Walkabout Mini Golf and cheering on Philadelphia sports. Ken firmly believes Pink Floyd, Irish whiskey and a Montecristo cigar are the only muses necessary. He is a native of New Jersey and currently resides in Virginia’s Northern Neck.

Reviews

[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ballad of the Great Value Boys
From The Case Files of Steve Rockfish Book 4
Ken Harris
Available on KU

First of all, do not let the fact that this is Book 4 deter you from reading this. I haven’t read the other 3, but as soon as I finished, I added them to my TBR! There are supporting characters from past cases, but from what I am reading in other reviews, Rockfish and McGee grow on you. So rather than be caught up, be part of the story. Also, be warned, you will keep telling yourself one more chapter!

If you enjoy sharp-tongued private investigators and cases inspired by real headlines, The Ballad of the Great Value Boys is for you. It's endlessly entertaining watching the team take down clueless bad guys who think they're untouchable. This series prioritizes a fast pace and pure entertainment, never wasting time on unnecessary fluff (and you know I hate fluff). Every paragraph moves the story forward, and the pacing is flawless.

This book is packed with fantastic references to music, TV, and movies, making it an absolute blast to read. These little tid bits make this so relatable and I felt like it inserted me into the story just a bit more. Not gonna lie, I look forward to Book 5.

[T.G. Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ballad of the Great Value Boys is a PI Mystery. Steve Rockfish is up in central Pennsylvania, doing what is becoming a hobby, getting Raphael “Raffi” Perez out of trouble. This time, quick thinking and fast talking isn’t enough and the pair limp back to Baltimore with their pockets lighter. Raffi isn’t willing to let the loss stand and wants to go back in. When Steve declines, Raffi recruits the recently retired Dan Decker. Now it’ll take the combined talents of Rockfish & McGee to save Raffi and Dan and stop the swarm of hornets they kicked up.

Bottom line: The Ballad of the Great Value Boys is for you if you like smart ass PIs and cases close to real headlines.

This is Rockfish & McGee’s fourth case. The story drives forward on the personality and strength of character of Steve Rockfish and Jawnie McGree. Both are well developed characters who grow stronger with each case as they learn to rely on their partner’s complimentary skills. Rockfish is the old school, hard drinking detective. Jawnie is the modern, tech savvy counterpart. The two are opposites in experience, history, tastes and styles. But they match where it counts: their dedication to each other and their client.

This case takes its cue from headlines and social media. The Penn Forest Patriots, who Rockfish dubs the Good Value Boys, paint a duty-filled, patriotic picture to their followers. With their mix of politics, religion, racism, and greed, they manipulate a small town for fame and financial gain. Parts were hard to read as good and well-meaning people were used by leaders they looked up to and trusted.

This lived up to the Rockfish & McGee legacy. Rockfish is irreverent and unapologetic as he works against his better judgement to help Raffi. Rockfish does not lack for courage or loyalty. Jawnie more than carries her weight in this case, proving that working smarter can outperform working harder.

A supporting character in past cases, Captain Dan Decker takes a central role. He’s been forced into retiring from the Baltimore PD and isn’t handling it well. He’s gone from working 100 mph to idling in his Florida room. Raffi is an instigator in this one, a role he plays well. I know he was written well because I wanted to wring his neck.

The pacing here was solid but a little different from typical. Rockfish doesn’t want to tackle the Penn Forest Patriots. He tries to walk away only to be pulled back in again, which creates a type of ebb-and-flow rhythm.

As a PI story, the logic holds up well. The Bad Guys have a plan and work it through. When Rockfish, McGee and company derail those plans, they regroup and keep going. Raffi and Decker drive this story, pulling Rockfish and McGee back in.

This story does work as a stand-alone but would be best after reading the others. While there are numerous references back to the first three cases that are enjoyable Easter eggs, the experiences of the characters in those past stories really inform how they act in this one.

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ballad of the Great Value Boys is a book involving PI's Steve Rockfish and Jawnie McGee. The Ballad of the Great Value Boys is the 4th book in the series of the Steve Rockfish Case Files, However I did not feel that I was missing anything from not reading the other books in the series and you can read this book as a standalone! I loved how the author pulls you right into the story with the Prologue, with a character named Dan and the bitter Icy January Wind. I haven't lived too far north in the US but I did live in New Jersey most of my younger years and I do have just a little experience with bitter biting winds in January. I think he did an excellent job describing a lot of that scene setting a perfect example of the weather.
This book follows Steve and Jawnie with the case of a friend, Raffi who is on the run from a local military group after he tried to swindle them. Raffi is the only paying client of Rockfish & McGee at this time, so of course Steve heads to off to Grindsville, a really unique and weird place to visit and live, to see Raffi in jail. Raffi was just driving through the town and they thought he was a drug dealer. And then Steve gets arrested, I thought that was hilarious, as I know small town politics slightly and it makes perfect sense! I loved that ending and cannot wait to see where the company heads from there!
I really liked the writing style in this book. The story is told in a 3rd person POV where we as the readers get to see the story in a movie style format where we are in the story but not in it, if you know what I mean. This is an excellent way to engage the readers. I would be interested in reading more of this series and more by the author overall!

[Wall-to-wall books - wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS -

This is my fourth book from this author, fourth book in the series… (Don’t worry! This author does a fantastic job of catching you up right away.)
In my opinion, this is the best one in the series. My favorite one anyway. It flowed very nicely, had great character development, and gets very exciting, especially towards the end. Also the fact that it takes place practically in my backyard, ummm kinda scary!

I was so glad to get back to the Rockfish/McGee team. The team that works great together and also takes risks together, but gets the job done! Once I started reading, it felt like I never left. The back-and-forth banter, as usual, left me in giggles. I loved it! But, it’s not all fun and games with this duo. There was also lots of trouble, face-palming, and action as well.

I did not get to watch the Super Bowl but this book kept me entertained long into the night. Until I literally fell asleep and dropped the book on the floor. But after rousing myself and scooping the book back up I insisted on reading “just a few more pages”.

There are so many great references in this book - music, TV, and movie, making it so much fun to read. This author is truly very clever and witty. I was continually looking things up to remind myself what the references were to, which in itself was fun and sometimes a trip down memory lane.

Great action, great humor, great fun... Just a great read! Can't wait for number 5!


*** If you are afraid of a little swearing, you may have to read these books with your ears plugged.


I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!

[Tim Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I am a beta reader for Ken. BGVB is #4 in his Rockfish Files series, and it delivers what the others do: a sardonic and witty jab at private eye fiction. Rockfish is sarcastic and cool under pressure, Jawnie is really coming into her own as his sidekick, to the point where she easily stands on her own. They've had a long road together now, through 4 books, and the relationship as friends and partners is really blooming, where they each fill in the gaps of each other's knowledge bases and toolsets. Plus, its endlessly entertaining watching them take down witless bad guys who think they are bulletproof. This series is one that puts brisk pace and entertainment at the forefront, and doesn't waste a lot of time with fluff. Every paragraph serves the story, and pacing is impeccable. Well worth a read, and that's the reason why I beta read for Ken: because I believe in his stories and his craftsmanship.

[Heather Barksdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Ballad of the Great Value Boys” is book 4 of the Case Files of Steve Rockfish. Private Investigators Steve Rockfish and Jawnie McGee are called upon to rescue a friend, Raffi, after he was detained in a seemingly middle-of-nowhere town, Grindsville.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. I read this as a stand alone and had no difficulty jumping in. It was clear there was some history between some of the characters, but with little explanation needed it was easy to follow. The story focuses on Rockfish and Jawnie McGee, two PI partners with very different styles and personalities. Both are well developed characters who shine in different portions and capacities within the story. Rockfish leaned into his loyalties and often threw safety (of himself and others) out the window to defend, save, or support his friends. Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com

I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the ongoing adventures of Rockfish, a hard drinking, hard swearing, hard hitting, hard boiled PI who is also a bit sarcastic. In this crazy adventure, Rockfish and his motley sidekicks come across a right wing militia out to cause mayhem. Let the adventure begin.

Harris writes expressive characters who have snappy dialogues. I have to admit I do not understand everything Rockfish says, the banter, sarcasm and innuendos. They often include references to movie characters or events I don't know. And I am not sure I always follow the action. But I do know one of his books will always provide rousing entertainment in the form of a crazy adventure. This one did not disappoint.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four books into The Case Files of Steve Rockfish and it’s safe to say the series has a number of hallmarks highlighted by references tailored to Gen Xers and Elder Millennials, a distinct political viewpoint running through the story, and a cast of familiar characters carrying readers through tightly paced action. The Ballad of the Great Value Boys delivers on all these points and more. Series fixture Raffi has an expanded role as a maddening chaos agent throughout the story, but the highlight is how Rockfish and McGee feel like true partners, and it’s a satisfying dynamic to longtime readers. This is a fine continuation of the series, readable as a standalone story but rewarding to those who have kept up with the prior three entries, and sets the table well for future installments.

[Patti Liszkay · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the run-down rural working class town of Grindsville, Pennsylvania, the only thing that’s thriving is a right-wing militia group, the shake-down racket run by the corrupt local police, and the ministry of an evangelical preacher, all of which work in tandem. But when the wrong stranger is arrested for the crime of breaking down in Grindsville while Latino, a chain of events is set off that will set Private Investigator Steve Rockfish and his sidekick Jawnie McGee on the twisted trail of a dangerous and deadly extremist plot that seeks to pick up where January 6th left off. A roller coaster thriller of a read!

[Tammi Westberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ken Harris knocks it out of the park again with The Ballad of The Great Value Boys. Steve, Jawnie & the gang find themselves in a pickle with small town police and a band of rag tag insurrectionists when one of Raffi’s plans predictably goes sideways. It’s great suspense and Ken, as always, left me wanting more.

If you like the old 70’s and 80’s style private investigator TV shows, check out all of his case files. Rockfish is for you.

[Nicolita Theofilos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is action packed and full of what would you do for a friend and your country.
Steve and Jawnie are stronger than ever and the banter is hysterical. Ken Harris is an excellent writer, the way he builds his characters so you love some of them and hate others, but still cheer them on. This is a must read.

[Susan Niner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love....love....love. The hits keep coming in the fourth novel from the Case Files of Steve Rockfish. All of our old friends return and Raffi remains a F**k up but no worries, Steve & company come to the rescue. Fast moving, fun book with the edge we have come to expect from Harris ...lol "great value" boys.

[Ben Eads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this latest installment, The Ballad of the Great Value Boys, Ken Harris is running on all eight cylinders. Rockfish and gang are facing their hardest rivals yet, and Harris’ prose and unique voice cuts to the emotions and actions with effortless grace and ease. With twists and turns you’ll never see coming, you’ll find this book hard to put down.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rockfish and McGee have to help their friend Raffi when his deal to sell some Q rations to militia wanna-bes goes sideways. The Gravy Seals don't take kindly to bad rations.

Once again these stories seem like they could have came from the local paper daily News in modern times.

Follow along as the gang expands and starts employing retiree Lt Decker in their cases.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

💯💯💯💯💯

[Becky BEHRENS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grabbed my attention and ran with it. I can't wait to read more of these case files!