Angelhunting

Seamus Caron #1

by Ji Hong Sayo

Having tried his hand at medicine, pickpocketing, and good old-fashioned thuggery, Seamus Caron has finally settled into life as a private detective, hunting down lost money and wandering husbands. It’s not glamorous work, but it pays the bills and provides a steady supply of fistfights for entertainment. The job also keeps him close to his best friend, Sandra Blair, a homicide detective for the Toronto Police. But when she calls in a favor on a murder case, Seamus realizes that the victim is a notorious mob lawyer, putting an end to what little stability and safety he’d managed to scrape together.


Seamus must find the killer before the murder sparks an all-out gang war. Luckily, he’s got help — a confidence man turned barman, the finest cook in Little Chinatown, and Maxwell Moscovitz, his new secretary. She has the mental sharpness and moral flexibility for the job, but she also has a few secrets of her own.


Seamus begins to suspect a connection between the murder and a new drug on the street known as Platinum, which promises obscene profits for its suppliers, euphoria for its users, and a shockingly high death rate. As he investigates suspicious overdoses, Seamus can’t help hearing echoes of his past and the tragedy he’s spent 20 years trying to forget. Caught between the police, the mob, and an anonymous killer, Seamus will need to face his demons, or he just might lose it all.

Genres: Mystery, Canada, Thriller

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a modern tale with a fast pace, this thriller reminds me of an era when solitary working PI's were all over the place. Seamus is not old, but he likes to listen to his instincts, and while using a lot of tech, he's not entirely dependent on it. His best friend is with the police while Seamus is... with himself, and this makes for interesting dialogues and a hint of (childhood) romance. Maxwell, the secretary Seamus hires for the job he has to do in this story, is a very modern twenty-something, in that she is never in time for work but still has some valuable input.

A murder without a body, people who die from a new designer drug, and a female mob boss are thrown in the mix and there are several good and bad interesting characters.

This was my first book by this author but I really hope this is the start of a great new series.

Thanks to ECW Press and Netgalley for this review copy.

[Jessica Woodbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

It hasn't been a great time for crime novels, so what a breath of fresh air it was to read Angelhunting. It mashes up hard boiled private eye style with a modern sensibility, and the whole thing has energy and fun despite its gritty subject matter.

Sayo understands the PI genre well enough to play around with it while also paying homage to it. Seamus Caron is over the top in that way the classic PI's are, his work is his life, he lives far too dangerously, and he knows all the gangsters AND all the cops. Everyone in town owes him a favor. It can easily move into caricature but Sayo keeps it breezy with Caron's wisecracks and blase attitude, not to mention his deadpan "secretary" Maxwell. Somewhere along the way you realize that you really care about this guy. And that you would really like him to come out okay because you would really like to read another Seamus Caron mystery.

Very solid footing for a series and a nicely executed plot with good pacing. I spotted the killer the moment they were introduced, but I don't think the book was heavyhanded about it. I think I have just read too many mysteries.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a reason why old school PI mysteries have survived the test of time. Former thief and medical student, Seamus Caron is an interesting character as is his new secretary, Maxwell Moscovitz, as they hunt down a dangerous new drug as well as several brutal murders. And, the set up for book 2 was really well done.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your mysteries gritty, fast-paced, and full of morally gray characters, this book is for you!

Seamus Caron is a former thief and ex-med student turned private eye, just trying to keep his head above water in a dangerous, drug-riddled Toronto. When a favor for his detective friend pulls him into a murder investigation, he finds himself neck-deep in mob wars, a deadly new drug called Platinum, and ghosts from his own past.

Seamus is rough around the edges, but he’s sharp, loyal, and impossible not to root for even when he’s making questionable choices. The cast around him is just as layered, adding heart, humor, and tension to the story.

The story blends noir vibes with a modern twist. The writing is punchy, the pacing never lets up, and the story has just the right mix of dark humor and emotional depth. In short it's a smart and gritty new mystery series.

⚡️Thank you ECW Press and Ji Hong Sayo for sharing this book with me!

[Viking Jam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Ruh roh, theres a new sheriff in town and the name is Sayo. This was REALLY GOOD. I mean this author can write from all angles. Character development, BANG! Intricate and well paced story line, BANG! All interleaved into a well crafted presentation, DOUBLE BANG!

Seamus is a fun and not so fun guy to be around yet gets down and dirty with the detecting from the onset. His sidekick was an awesome addition and enhanced every scene. The mystery is easy to solve early on. I am also a bit confused about how an old/sick/small lady can stuff a man through an HVAC conduit far enough down to turn a corner.

Get this and wait patiently for the next...
I received this ARC for an honest review.

4.9/5

[Ines Kortebi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a debut crime novel. I give it a generous 3/5 for the premise and the characters. While I appreciate that the main plot/mystery will probably span a few books in the upcoming series (?), there are many storylines that get confused (i.e the 3, almost 4 murders + stolen briefcase + cheating fiancé + complicated backstories). Would benefit from some more editing to streamline the story.

I love the premise of the “platinum” drug mechanism of action. The author is clearly drawing upon their background in biomedical research here and what a shame we didn’t get more! I think that is what they can bring to the table, more than the inner workings of the “corrupt” Toronto Police.

Also more Olexa and Trelly please!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seamus Caron is a private detective who has an in everywhere because of his shady past. His bff is Sandra Blair a homicide detective with the Toronto Police.
This book is very well paced and has interesting turns which keep you reading. I enjoy a morally grey character every once in a while and Seamus is delightful in his own way.
I also really enjoyed the friendship between Seamus and Sandra. I think the two characters were very well fleshed out. However I think that his assistant Maxwell could’ve used more fleshing out. Unfortunately the title of the book does not make sense until super late in the story.
Still I would absolutely read another book in this series.

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angelhunting was an interesting story. Seamus Caron is a rather colorful and amusing character, with a proficiency for physical violence. His new secretary, Maxwell, is a fitting sidekick. The story has murder, revenge, the Mob, a deadly new drug, poisoning, turf wars, corruption, etc. The plot has some pretty good twists. And the story ends with the mysterious adversary, the Angel Maker, reaching out to Seamus directly, setting up a sequel.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun cast of characters!

[Margi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thriller was a fun read - dark and gritty with an interesting, morally grey main character. I hope this is the first of a series.

[Teresa Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this new series. I hope there’s another sooner rather than later.