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When grad student Austin Sulenka is found strangled, nude on his bed, the first question for Detectives Seagate and Miner is whether it was an auto-asphyxiation episode gone wrong. Evidence strewn around his small apartment suggests that he spent his last night with a number of different women. One was Tiffany, a former student who still resented the injustice of getting a C in the course when he promised her a B if she slept with him. Another was Austin’s beautiful girlfriend, May, who had never before encountered a man she could not totally beguile. Then there was his thesis adviser, Suzannah Montgomery, who might have inadvertently revealed to Austin some information about her past that could ruin her own career. These three women and their other partners had plenty of reasons to kill the philandering graduate student. As Detective Karen Seagate and her partner try to unravel the complicated couplings, she finds herself in a three-way relationship that threatens to destroy her own fragile sobriety.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2014
80 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Mike Markel
68 books54 followersI am the author of eight books in the Detectives Seagate and Miner Mystery series: Big Sick Heart, Deviations, The Broken Saint, Three-Ways, Fractures, The Reveal, Players, and Swerve. For more information, please visit my site: http://mikemarkel.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 16, 2014
I like police procedurals, mysteries with a cop, usually a detective, as the protagonist. The mystery part matters (obviously), but what sets one book or series apart from another, raising it from average to great, is how I relate to the protagonist. Their personality, sense of humor, and backstory all figure into that reaction, along with their intelligence and cleverness in solving the crimes they’re investigating. I’ll come back to the protagonist in a bit.
One thing I look for in a book is a sense of place. If it takes place in an actual town or city, does the author get the details correct? Seagate and Miner are detectives in Rawlings, a fictional college town in Montana. Rawlings is generic enough to keep the author out of trouble by not having to worry about getting details of a specific town correct, yet has enough character to feel like it could be one of several actual places. (The only actual town in Montana that figured into the story beyond a brief mention, the author nailed the details, right down to the name of a real motel and its description.)
The mystery in the story was a good one, with Seagate and Miner uncovering lots of suspects with possible motives, having to investigate and attempt to eliminate each one. The climax was exciting and even though at that point whodunit was apparent, it took an unexpected twist, with Miner doing several things that seemed out of character for him, but made sense in the end.
This brings us back to the protagonist. Or maybe I should say protagonists. Although some might view Karen Seagate as the protagonist since she’s the lead character and, in this case, narrator, I viewed her partner, Ryan Miner, as co-protagonist. They’re a team, even if Seagate is the lead detective who calls the shots. Seagate is a foul-mouthed recovering alcoholic with an in-your-face attitude. Miner is a Mormon who would probably describe himself as a bit of a Boy Scout. They’re always giving each other a hard time, but there is never any doubt that despite their differences, they view themselves as a team and have mutual respect. The dynamics of these two opposites working together added a lot for me, not only in the humor inherent in such a pairing, but the different knowledge and viewpoint each brought to the investigation. This team has a lot of potential as the series continues.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
One thing I look for in a book is a sense of place. If it takes place in an actual town or city, does the author get the details correct? Seagate and Miner are detectives in Rawlings, a fictional college town in Montana. Rawlings is generic enough to keep the author out of trouble by not having to worry about getting details of a specific town correct, yet has enough character to feel like it could be one of several actual places. (The only actual town in Montana that figured into the story beyond a brief mention, the author nailed the details, right down to the name of a real motel and its description.)
The mystery in the story was a good one, with Seagate and Miner uncovering lots of suspects with possible motives, having to investigate and attempt to eliminate each one. The climax was exciting and even though at that point whodunit was apparent, it took an unexpected twist, with Miner doing several things that seemed out of character for him, but made sense in the end.
This brings us back to the protagonist. Or maybe I should say protagonists. Although some might view Karen Seagate as the protagonist since she’s the lead character and, in this case, narrator, I viewed her partner, Ryan Miner, as co-protagonist. They’re a team, even if Seagate is the lead detective who calls the shots. Seagate is a foul-mouthed recovering alcoholic with an in-your-face attitude. Miner is a Mormon who would probably describe himself as a bit of a Boy Scout. They’re always giving each other a hard time, but there is never any doubt that despite their differences, they view themselves as a team and have mutual respect. The dynamics of these two opposites working together added a lot for me, not only in the humor inherent in such a pairing, but the different knowledge and viewpoint each brought to the investigation. This team has a lot of potential as the series continues.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
January 29, 2018
Karen Seagate doesn’t cut herself much slack: “I should start to feel a little better about myself. Once each blue moon, I get something right.” She says of her partner, Ryan Miner: “He sets the bar so high I just walk under it. Don’t even have to bend.”
The crime is committed in the Prologue, described in enough detail to put the reader several steps ahead of the police by narrowing the number of suspects to the number of women who had had sex with the victim that evening. That throws into relief the number of possible permutations the police have to consider when starting from scratch in a murder investigation. We know many of those permutations are wide of the mark, but they don’t, not having read the prologue. Karen makes an observation near the end of the book: “If you’ve never been a cop, you’d be surprised how often you sit at your desk, knowing you don’t understand something but not knowing exactly where you went off track or how to get back on it.” That’s a key sentence.
I really enjoy the author’s dry humour. Introducing Robin, the Evidence Technician, Karen tells us: “She frequently changes the color of the streaks in her hair, the only rule being that the color must not appear in nature.” Describing a booth near the back of a Coffee Hut, Karen says it looked “like it was decorated by a couple of eighth-graders with a half hour and a budget of twenty bucks.” Concerning relationships, Karen comments: “It’s not that I think it’s important to be honest in a relationship or anything sensible like that.” Of the murdered victim she says: “I have no idea what – if anything – Austin was in love with, except maybe his own reflection in a pool.” Or how about: “Ryan is quite a bit smarter than me in almost every measurable way, but when it comes to infantile behaviour, he’s not in my league.”
Mike Markel is brutally frank about human weakness. “She was way past shallow, vain, thoughtless, and the rest of those other bad things we’d all admit to if we were being honest.” Referring to domestic violence cases, Karen says: “If she’s conscious, she’ll tell me what she did wrong. She bought the wrong kind of ketchup, or she was talking too loud on the phone when he was trying to watch football, or he saw her smile when she ran into the guy from down the street, or some other deadly sin.”
He provides readers with plenty of convincing detail to bring his characters and venues to life. He knows a good deal about police procedure and is interestingly familiar with the intricacies of University life. Above all, he writes very well, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in his series.
The crime is committed in the Prologue, described in enough detail to put the reader several steps ahead of the police by narrowing the number of suspects to the number of women who had had sex with the victim that evening. That throws into relief the number of possible permutations the police have to consider when starting from scratch in a murder investigation. We know many of those permutations are wide of the mark, but they don’t, not having read the prologue. Karen makes an observation near the end of the book: “If you’ve never been a cop, you’d be surprised how often you sit at your desk, knowing you don’t understand something but not knowing exactly where you went off track or how to get back on it.” That’s a key sentence.
I really enjoy the author’s dry humour. Introducing Robin, the Evidence Technician, Karen tells us: “She frequently changes the color of the streaks in her hair, the only rule being that the color must not appear in nature.” Describing a booth near the back of a Coffee Hut, Karen says it looked “like it was decorated by a couple of eighth-graders with a half hour and a budget of twenty bucks.” Concerning relationships, Karen comments: “It’s not that I think it’s important to be honest in a relationship or anything sensible like that.” Of the murdered victim she says: “I have no idea what – if anything – Austin was in love with, except maybe his own reflection in a pool.” Or how about: “Ryan is quite a bit smarter than me in almost every measurable way, but when it comes to infantile behaviour, he’s not in my league.”
Mike Markel is brutally frank about human weakness. “She was way past shallow, vain, thoughtless, and the rest of those other bad things we’d all admit to if we were being honest.” Referring to domestic violence cases, Karen says: “If she’s conscious, she’ll tell me what she did wrong. She bought the wrong kind of ketchup, or she was talking too loud on the phone when he was trying to watch football, or he saw her smile when she ran into the guy from down the street, or some other deadly sin.”
He provides readers with plenty of convincing detail to bring his characters and venues to life. He knows a good deal about police procedure and is interestingly familiar with the intricacies of University life. Above all, he writes very well, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in his series.
June 28, 2020
I don't know if the Seagate and Miner books are supposed to be funny but they crack me up! Put Karen Seagate around a dead body and her chirps are hysterical. Each book I buy is funnier than the last! I have to wonder if I have an extremely sick sense of humour.
This book, 3 way, would have been a 5 star for me but I thought the 2 detectives showed an amazing lack of forethought at the final showdown. Could have been a fatal mistake and most unlikely in the real world!
Having said that, I'm loving this series.
This book, 3 way, would have been a 5 star for me but I thought the 2 detectives showed an amazing lack of forethought at the final showdown. Could have been a fatal mistake and most unlikely in the real world!
Having said that, I'm loving this series.
December 15, 2018
Graduate student Austin Sulenka is found strangled, on his bed, naked. But Detectives Seagate and Miner have to first determine was it a suicide, accident or murder. Their investigations expose the lies and secrets of many people. Will this lead to more deaths.
A really good enjoyable and interesting well-written mystery, add to this the interplay between the two main characters, this results in a very good read.
A really good enjoyable and interesting well-written mystery, add to this the interplay between the two main characters, this results in a very good read.
January 23, 2019
Great who done it read. Keeps you on your toes till the very end. When you think you know who did it another clue comes along to introduce a new culprit. All the characters could have done it. Loved the final ending. Enjoyed the journey I was taken on to find out who did it.
December 18, 2020
Great characters. Great read!
March 2, 2017
Continued the series with a great pair of main characters Like the way the story of each book unfolds and the way it is written
February 4, 2015
Extra curricular activities in college....
We're back in Rawlins, MT with a dead grad student. Karen and Ryan are searching for the killer that strangled the exceptionally good looking young man that had a string on sexual partners from students to fellow teachers. So far everything is coming up a dead end.
What did I like? This is the 4th book in the series and I love this team. Karen is still working on her sobriety and Ryan is still recovering from the gun shot wound he received on the previous case. They both are doing great.
What are you going to like? Mike has done another excellent job with this storyline. There are so many twists and turns you just can't stop turning the pages. I also love the details that he includes but it is obvious the amount of research that he does in his work. As I read each book he has included more humor than the last one. You will feel the friendship between the partners. You can also feel the trust that they have built up with their chief. This book is meant for a mature adults due to the sexual content but it's not over the hill. I definitely recommend this series to all mystery readers. I'm on to book five, see you there!
We're back in Rawlins, MT with a dead grad student. Karen and Ryan are searching for the killer that strangled the exceptionally good looking young man that had a string on sexual partners from students to fellow teachers. So far everything is coming up a dead end.
What did I like? This is the 4th book in the series and I love this team. Karen is still working on her sobriety and Ryan is still recovering from the gun shot wound he received on the previous case. They both are doing great.
What are you going to like? Mike has done another excellent job with this storyline. There are so many twists and turns you just can't stop turning the pages. I also love the details that he includes but it is obvious the amount of research that he does in his work. As I read each book he has included more humor than the last one. You will feel the friendship between the partners. You can also feel the trust that they have built up with their chief. This book is meant for a mature adults due to the sexual content but it's not over the hill. I definitely recommend this series to all mystery readers. I'm on to book five, see you there!
August 19, 2015
I have read the first three books in this series: Big Sick Heart, Deviations, Broken Saint. I enjoyed each of them and this book did not disappoint me.
This is a Police Procedural
Detectives Seagate and Miner are called onto a scene of young male, who turns out to be a grad student at the local university. As the investigation progresses the detectives discover the victim was intimately involved with several other people on and off campus. Detective Karen Seagate learns a lot about the inner works of a university graduate program. But will this information get them any closer to finding who left this young man dying in his own bed?
I highly recommend reading the series in order because with each book, you learn new information about Karen Seagate and Ryan Miner. In this book, we see the duo at odds with one another over how to approach suspects. These characters feel real to me and I don't like it when they argue with one another.
Warning: This book is for Mature Audience due to graphic sexual situations, violence, and adult language.
This is a Police Procedural
Detectives Seagate and Miner are called onto a scene of young male, who turns out to be a grad student at the local university. As the investigation progresses the detectives discover the victim was intimately involved with several other people on and off campus. Detective Karen Seagate learns a lot about the inner works of a university graduate program. But will this information get them any closer to finding who left this young man dying in his own bed?
I highly recommend reading the series in order because with each book, you learn new information about Karen Seagate and Ryan Miner. In this book, we see the duo at odds with one another over how to approach suspects. These characters feel real to me and I don't like it when they argue with one another.
Warning: This book is for Mature Audience due to graphic sexual situations, violence, and adult language.
September 5, 2014
This is Book 4 in the Series "Detectives Seagate and Miner Mystery".
Detectives Karen Seagate and Ryan Miner are called on a crime scene. Austin Sulenka, 24, was found dead in his bed, and it looks like a woman was involved...
Mike Markel created two great characters who complement each other: Seagate is the "bad cop", impulsive, eager to get the answers to her questions. Miner is quiet, diplomatic and takes his time.
I like how they think out loud about the suspects, imagine how it happened, and then move on to the next problem.
The other characters, from the investigation team or suspects, are also well described, and the whole novel mixes humour and mystery.
The topic "sex" is present in this novel, but not in a crude way.
If you like a good thriller, where you ask yourself how it's going to end, but also where humor is never far, then this novel is for you.
I also recommend the previous books in the series.
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
Detectives Karen Seagate and Ryan Miner are called on a crime scene. Austin Sulenka, 24, was found dead in his bed, and it looks like a woman was involved...
Mike Markel created two great characters who complement each other: Seagate is the "bad cop", impulsive, eager to get the answers to her questions. Miner is quiet, diplomatic and takes his time.
I like how they think out loud about the suspects, imagine how it happened, and then move on to the next problem.
The other characters, from the investigation team or suspects, are also well described, and the whole novel mixes humour and mystery.
The topic "sex" is present in this novel, but not in a crude way.
If you like a good thriller, where you ask yourself how it's going to end, but also where humor is never far, then this novel is for you.
I also recommend the previous books in the series.
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
June 30, 2014
The victim -Austin Sulenka - a man who had an unquenchable sexual appetite and has known more women than Texas has stars
The Suspects- any woman with a pulse within a 50 mile radius.
The detectives - Karen a jaded and hardened veteran homicide detective who is a recovering alcoholic and Ryan her partner a clean cut and devout Mormon. It's an odd pairing but they work together well
My favorite supporting character is Robin. She is a CSI who enjoys her job way too much.
I love a book that grabs me on page one and won't let me go until the end. The characters are captivating, some tugged at my heartstrings and others got under my skin. It's fast paced and kept me guessing until the end. If you're a mystery fan then this is a book you'll love this book and if you're not a fan of this genre this could be the book that converts you.
I received this book for free in exchange for this honest review.
The Suspects- any woman with a pulse within a 50 mile radius.
The detectives - Karen a jaded and hardened veteran homicide detective who is a recovering alcoholic and Ryan her partner a clean cut and devout Mormon. It's an odd pairing but they work together well
My favorite supporting character is Robin. She is a CSI who enjoys her job way too much.
I love a book that grabs me on page one and won't let me go until the end. The characters are captivating, some tugged at my heartstrings and others got under my skin. It's fast paced and kept me guessing until the end. If you're a mystery fan then this is a book you'll love this book and if you're not a fan of this genre this could be the book that converts you.
I received this book for free in exchange for this honest review.
August 26, 2014
I had never heard of Mike Markel prior to this book. I glanced over some of the reviews and everyone seems to be of the opinion that Karen Seagate is acerbic and cynical. I like her and her grating personality. She’s smart, honest, says what we’re all thinking and is very good at her job. Her partner, Ryan Miner, is the complete opposite. He’s likable, cheerful and has a stable home-life. We’d all want him as a neighbor but Karen would be the more interesting person to get to know. She’s flawed but pulls at you, draws you in and grabs you.
I enjoyed the story very much. As the characters go about solving the murder, you are compelled to know who did it and why. Mike Markel really keeps you guessing until the end. I have already purchased another Seagate and Minor mystery to go back into that world. I encourage you to give this book a chance. You’ll find it worth your time.
I enjoyed the story very much. As the characters go about solving the murder, you are compelled to know who did it and why. Mike Markel really keeps you guessing until the end. I have already purchased another Seagate and Minor mystery to go back into that world. I encourage you to give this book a chance. You’ll find it worth your time.
September 23, 2014
I didn’t know this was the fourth book in a series when I started reading it, but it didn’t make any difference. The story can be read without having read the previous volumes. The main character, Detective Karen Seagate, carries the story and she really is a character. I truly liked her; she was funny without meaning to be. Well I thought she was anyway. Her partner, Ryan, is a good match for her.
The story itself is a brainteaser. So many suspects carrying on with other suspects, I found it a nightmare to try to figure out who did it. As soon as I thought I’d figured it out, someone else’s secrets are exposed and I’m all, ‘oh maybe she did it then’. It is a maze of clues that that will keep you guessing and that is exactly how it should be. Great fun.
The story itself is a brainteaser. So many suspects carrying on with other suspects, I found it a nightmare to try to figure out who did it. As soon as I thought I’d figured it out, someone else’s secrets are exposed and I’m all, ‘oh maybe she did it then’. It is a maze of clues that that will keep you guessing and that is exactly how it should be. Great fun.
October 21, 2014
Hard boiled page turner
I did not expect to like this book, as it begins with a sexually graphic scene and murder, but the protagonist, a female police detective trying to get her life and career back on track was too well written to abandon.
Well written, if a little long for me, but for police procedure lovers I am thinking it is just right.
Lots of swearing - which struck me as tiresome yet real.
Complicated plot, varied cast, good resolution.
I am going to be reading other books in this series.
I did not expect to like this book, as it begins with a sexually graphic scene and murder, but the protagonist, a female police detective trying to get her life and career back on track was too well written to abandon.
Well written, if a little long for me, but for police procedure lovers I am thinking it is just right.
Lots of swearing - which struck me as tiresome yet real.
Complicated plot, varied cast, good resolution.
I am going to be reading other books in this series.
November 15, 2014
This was book was interesting and kept me guessing as there were a number of possible suspects. The two main characters, a veteran female detective who is a recovering alcoholic and her younger Mormon partner are a bit of an odd couple. I was a bit put off by the cynicism of the female detective, although she was invariably correct in her reading of the clues. Her partner on the other hand was a bit too good to be true. I actually prefer the Lawrence Block detective series in which his main character, Matthew Scudder, is also a recovering alcoholic.
August 17, 2014
Three Ways
Three Ways
I enjoyed this book. Sometimes the dialogue was a bit too "salty" for me but it didn't take away from the story. I particularly liked when the detectives would report to their boss. Most mysteries talk about the supervisor but never place him in the story as an integral part of the storyline. I have received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Three Ways
I enjoyed this book. Sometimes the dialogue was a bit too "salty" for me but it didn't take away from the story. I particularly liked when the detectives would report to their boss. Most mysteries talk about the supervisor but never place him in the story as an integral part of the storyline. I have received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
May 17, 2015
A great detective novel
I love Detectives Seagate and Miner! Mike Markel crafts his mysteries with expert skill that keeps the reader guessing until near the very end as to "whodunit." The relationship between Seagate and Miner is interesting as one is definitely the"good" cop and the other just above a "bad" cop mentality. The balance between the two is important as they both work well as a team to solve the cases. I will be sure to read more of Markel's work.
I love Detectives Seagate and Miner! Mike Markel crafts his mysteries with expert skill that keeps the reader guessing until near the very end as to "whodunit." The relationship between Seagate and Miner is interesting as one is definitely the"good" cop and the other just above a "bad" cop mentality. The balance between the two is important as they both work well as a team to solve the cases. I will be sure to read more of Markel's work.
May 23, 2016
Its a good read, grabs with the very first page and keeps you wanting more. This story follows Detectives Karen Seagate and Ryan Miner on a case involving a grad student Austin Sulenka. Austin is found naked and strangled on his bed but the murder weapon is missing. While investigating the case they have a whole list of suspects and at every turn there is a new twist or lie and it keeps you guessing each and every turn. I really liked this and am thinking about reading the first o
June 18, 2014
I had a hard time at first to keep up with the action as it was a bit too many characters and names to keep track of in the book which made it a bit messy, but in the end so I did catch up with story and who was who. An exciting book with intrigue and some unexpected twists. Some lack of editing since some sentences missing words.
August 25, 2014
Great read
Great read
For those of you out there that are into these detective novels (usually I am not) then you have a winner here.Starts out with a bang but no guns lol.The rapport between these two detectives is worth it alone,if you like Bones the tv series you will love these two.
Great read
For those of you out there that are into these detective novels (usually I am not) then you have a winner here.Starts out with a bang but no guns lol.The rapport between these two detectives is worth it alone,if you like Bones the tv series you will love these two.
June 12, 2015
Good mystery
Lots of rough and vulgar language, but the story line is good, and the case will keep you guessing. I could do without the abbreviated dialog, lots of incomplete sentences, but I think the author uses it as a device to illustrate a type of cop shorthand. Fair amount of humor mixed in. All in all a good read. Would definitely read more in this series.
Lots of rough and vulgar language, but the story line is good, and the case will keep you guessing. I could do without the abbreviated dialog, lots of incomplete sentences, but I think the author uses it as a device to illustrate a type of cop shorthand. Fair amount of humor mixed in. All in all a good read. Would definitely read more in this series.
June 8, 2014
An excellent read from start to finish! The characters seem so real and I feel like the author was really able to create a clear picture of what was going on in my head. I recommend this book to all my friends.
March 28, 2015
Wow, powerful story. It's a police procedural, a mystery, but most of all it's a study of a small town college, with students, professors see, and other characters all having sex with each other! But who killed Austen? Kept me guessing all the way through to the end.
June 4, 2015
I liked this one a lot too, but the plot was not my favorite. It was a little too sexually explicit for me at times, but it was a fast read, and a great police procedural with well developed main characters.
August 31, 2014
A different way of thinking
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. I really did enjoy it be
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. I really did enjoy it be
August 1, 2016
For me, this was a very dark book; even though it was well-written (not taking into account the grammatical errors) it was not to my taste. I rate it 3.9 stars.
November 6, 2014
NOT MUCH MYSTERY
More a sexual escaped,as a movie,it would be XXX. Remove the four letter F___ word and it would be at least a 1/4 less a story in length
More a sexual escaped,as a movie,it would be XXX. Remove the four letter F___ word and it would be at least a 1/4 less a story in length
January 8, 2015
A delightful surprise, considering this was a free book. I loved the banter between the two detectives, & was hooked by all the plot twists. Would definitely read this author again.
July 3, 2017
Really enjoyed it. Kept me interested all the way up to the last sentence.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews