Wildwood Exit

by Joel E. Turner

A deadly family vendetta at a Jersey Shore restaurant pulls
John McGinty (aka Ginty) into a dark world of embezzlement,
drug-dealing, a lying wife and a junkie son.

Ginty has just stepped in as the manager of a Wildwood restaurant owned by his friend, Lou Scolletta, after Lou fires the old manager for dipping in the till.

Ginty starts out ordering rolls of salami and bottles of Galliano, but quickly becomes Lou’s consigliere, picking up questionable packages from sketchy associates; tailing Lou’s wife Concetta on her furtive trips to Cape May; scouring the Jersey Shore for Lou’s son, Davy, a junkie on the lam; and wondering why a possibly bent State Trooper keeps showing up everywhere he goes.

Things in Ginty’s world don’t improve when a drug shipment goes wrong, a blackmail note appears…and a body is found floating in Delaware Bay.

Ginty is now the unwilling—yet trusted—confidante of all the Scollettas, and realizes that everyone in this twisted family circle is in danger—including himself.

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

Joel E. Turner’s first novel, WILDWOOD EXIT, a noir tale set at the Jersey Shore, was published by Level Best Books in 2025. Amy Rosenberg of the Philadelphia Inquirer called it “a quirky sand-in-your-shoes crime novel with a romantic heart”.

His second novel, BRENDA’S GREEN NOTE, forthcoming from Cynren Press in 2027, is an historical, adult coming-of-age story about a young woman with synesthesia who harnesses her ability to see sounds as colors to become a key player in the vibrant music scene of the 1960s in Philadelphia.

His fiction has appeared in many US and UK journals including Ambit, 3AM Magazine, New Millennium Writings, Mobius, Proof, The Medulla Review, Red Fez, Literary Yard, The Eunoia Review and The Write Launch. His dystopian novella “The Fisheye Incident” appeared as a serial in Ambit in 2000.

His blog/website https://joeleturnerauthor.com, has samples/links to his work and posts about books, film and music (especially R&B/Soul). Articles he has written about Soul music have been featured on the UK-based https://www.soul-source.co.uk/ website, a major platform for news and writing on the Northern Soul scene.

Reviews

[Richard Jaffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's no better beach read for this summer, than a "Jersey Noir" story taking place at the Jersey Shore, principally Wildwood and Cape May, with a little Cape May Point thrown in for good measure

John McGinty is a down on his luck "Mick" who agrees to run a Wildwood Restaurant as a favor to Lou, a South Philly wannabe gangster. Even before he gets down the shore, trouble finds "Ginty" on the Garden State Parkway and his problems snowball when he learns that the previous Manager was skimming from the restaurant and Lou tasks him with finding out what happened. He also is tasked with finding out what is going on with Lou's wife Concetta when she goes down to Cape May.

Written in the style of Raymond Chandler or James M. Cain, the more Ginty looks, the deeper into trouble he gets as he encounters drug dealers, a gorgeous French Canadian Paralegal on vacation, crooked cops, tough guys and junkies, including Lou's Son Davy. Eventually he has to help unravel a blackmail scheme that could cost him his freedom, or the life of someone close to him.

Having gone down to the NJ Shore for decades, and having a summer home in Cape May Point, I truly enjoyed this hard boiled thriller going to many of the places that I've gone to, or driven by all these years.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good beach read, especially anyone with a soft spot for the Jersey Shore.

[quentin sturm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy of Hiasson

This is a fantastic read. It keeps you very interested in the characters and plot development. This has great twists and turns and is cleverly presented.

[Delia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. The characters feel lived in and especially familiar if you’ve spent time around Philadelphia (and of course, down the shore). The first person narration feels natural and while McGinty is not a complete outsider, his fresh perspective on Lou’s world invites the reader in as well. The unraveling of Lou’s business and personal predicaments I found satisfying; complex enough to keep me guessing as I read, but not so much that it was impossible to follow or felt incongruent with the characters and plot build up. All in all, a great read for home or beach! Come for the mystery, stay for the humor and unexpectedly delightful romance(s), especially Pinto’s!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more than just a beach town noir. The author created characters that you became attached to, but not by over describing them. He left enough open about Ginty, Pinto, etc. that you could read them with your own experiences and grow to know them in a way different from another reader. It's character driven with a carefully curated setting and an addictive plot. I'm hooked on the Wildwood crew and hope I can read about whatever happens to them next!

[Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildwood Exit by Joel E. Turner is a moving and emotionally layered novel that explores the quiet power of second chances and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of a sleepy coastal town, the story follows a protagonist wrestling with the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future. The Wildwood exit sign, which appears early on, serves as both a literal and symbolic turning point representing escape, change, and the difficult choices that come with growing up and letting go. Turner brings the setting to life with rich descriptions of the boardwalk, the ocean breeze, and the glow of streetlights at dusk, creating a vivid atmosphere that grounds the reader in both place and emotion. The supporting characters, from old friends to strained family members, add depth and texture to the story, helping reveal the protagonist’s inner conflict and ultimate transformation.

What truly elevates this book is Turner’s ability to capture the nuances of human connection. The dialogue feels natural and unforced, and the emotional weight of each decision is given space to breathe. Relationships in the novel are complicated, shaped by history and hurt, but Turner never loses sight of the hope that drives each character forward. Themes of forgiveness, personal growth, and the idea that it’s never too late to change are woven seamlessly throughout. The narrative avoids melodrama, opting instead for quiet moments of reflection and emotional honesty that hit surprisingly hard. With its heartfelt storytelling and strong sense of place, Wildwood Exit earns a solid four and a half stars for its thoughtful portrayal of a life at a crossroads

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to give this book a try purely because I go to Wildwood, NJ every June to attend Barefoot Country Music Fest.

I found the writing style to be very choppy and disjointed. There were times when I had a difficult time following along with what the author was trying to say. It was very obvious that this book was written by a male author. It lacked descriptions, back stories, and "fluff." The writing was very much "to the point."

The cast of characters was very colorful, and for the most part, the characters were likable. I really wanted to know more about Concetta and Lou's relationship.

I felt that the ending was very abrupt, and it just came out of nowhere.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[Michael Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Wildwood in the 1980s -- and a back-of-the-house story about folks trying to make a living in and around the restaurant business. They manage to get in a heap of trouble, dragging Ginty into the thick of it. You'll meet characters who look like some people you may have seen but never met, working their way through an engaging crime story. Told from Ginty's point of view with deep familiarity and genuine affection, laced with witty asides and the occasional snarky comment about nearby Cape May, the story holds your attention all the way through. I was sorry when there were no more pages to read.

[Amy Bors · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildwood Exit follows John “Ginty” McGinty, who’s asked by his friend Lou Scolletta to manage a beach-town restaurant at the Jersey Shore. What starts as a favor quickly turns into a dive deep into crime and chaos: embezzlement, drug deals, missing family members, blackmail, and even a body in Delaware Bay. Ginty is drawn in as Lou’s reluctant consigliere — tailing Lou’s wife, searching for his junkie son, and navigating shady deals — all while becoming increasingly enmeshed in a dangerous family vendetta.

[Kate Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars. I immediately was interested when I saw Wildwood in the title. I grew up in new Jersey and seeing a book about the Shore peaked my interest. The writing was not always the easiest to follow, but overall I really enjoyed the story. The ending was to abrupt for my taste. I think this is a great beach read with mystery, likeable characters, and comedic relief.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book. I am very familiar with the location in New Jersey and the story was a perfect fit to the area. Ginty is hired to be the manager for a restaurant/bar. You can feel the hints to the mob from the start. How he navigates his responsibilities and boss's friends and family is a good story. From drugs to blackmail and possible law enforcement ties this story hits all the marks as a good read.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turner does a superb job of channeling “Jersey Shore noir”: the salt air, the boardwalk grit, and the underbelly of small-time crime are all brought vividly to life. Ginty is a deeply human protagonist — though he’s trying to do the right thing, he’s pulled into dangerous schemes just as much by loyalty as by necessity.

[Margery · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. Action packed and twists that bring unexpected suspense. Ginty with his laid back calm, his inner thoughts and actions are totally relatable.Having moved from Jersey 26 years ago it is always great to read stories that take place in my old stomping ground.

[Quentin Burant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun Gangster Advanture

Reads kind of like a Netflix gangster show which a lot of references to New Jersey and Philly. The plot was a little light on substance but the character were enjoyable.