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The October Five
A Plumber, an Electrician, a Caretaker, a Locksmith, and a Butcher.
Why do they secretly meet in a room?
Veteran Detective Karl Whaler is thrown into an investigation that may be the strangest and most dangerous of his career, involving the brutal murder of a young man. The man is found strangled in his bed.
Unknown to him, five individuals frequently meet in a room. They have been meeting for decades.
During the course of the investigation another man is found murdered. This time the victim's throat has been slashed.
Is there a link between the two victims? Can Whaler solve the cases before there are any more murders?
THE OCTOBER FIVE is a spiraling page-turner that examines friendship, loyalty, and justice.
Why do they secretly meet in a room?
Veteran Detective Karl Whaler is thrown into an investigation that may be the strangest and most dangerous of his career, involving the brutal murder of a young man. The man is found strangled in his bed.
Unknown to him, five individuals frequently meet in a room. They have been meeting for decades.
During the course of the investigation another man is found murdered. This time the victim's throat has been slashed.
Is there a link between the two victims? Can Whaler solve the cases before there are any more murders?
THE OCTOBER FIVE is a spiraling page-turner that examines friendship, loyalty, and justice.
- GenresMystery
Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2009
726 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Mobashar Qureshi
38 books19 followersMOBASHAR QURESHI was named one of the ten rising mystery writers to watch by Quill & Quire Magazine. He is the author of THE BLUE HORNET, THE OCTOBER FIVE, THE PAPERBOYS CLUB, along with several other novels. He is married and lives in Toronto, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 11, 2020
A great tale of five Vietnam vets who remain close,spending time together with no one knowing who they are or what they do. You become invested in each character, as you learn many small things about each, even when they are planning to murder a person deemed 'bad'. They believe themselves doing only good, taking justice into their own hands for those who commit horrific crimes. But this is Not good, a person can not take the law into their own hands,no matter how atrocious the crime...
We see things each man has been through, as the past shows us just why this person acts the way they do. The writing blends the story together seamlessly, showing us what a vet may go through, helping you understand why they are the way they are. As several murders by the group add up, the police become more involved as Detective Karl Whaler delves deeply into the latest killing and starts to put some things together.
Action-packed, with crime,friendship and Life hitting each character in a different way, keeping you glued to the pages, living the story through the end.
I received an ARC of a new edition of this story from the author, which I highly recommend to All, and I give You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
We see things each man has been through, as the past shows us just why this person acts the way they do. The writing blends the story together seamlessly, showing us what a vet may go through, helping you understand why they are the way they are. As several murders by the group add up, the police become more involved as Detective Karl Whaler delves deeply into the latest killing and starts to put some things together.
Action-packed, with crime,friendship and Life hitting each character in a different way, keeping you glued to the pages, living the story through the end.
I received an ARC of a new edition of this story from the author, which I highly recommend to All, and I give You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.
July 24, 2011
Five individuals with shared experiences from the Vietnam War have a secret society designed around vigilante justice. Although they are able to hide their activities from the law, someone else learns of their escapades and begins to kill the five off one by one. Why are these veterans taking justice into their own hands? Who is killing them off? I found the book to be an interesting and easy read with good use of past and present scenes. The characters could have been a little bit more developed but I still found them believable. Definitely worth the read.
March 25, 2020
The October Five by Thomas Fincham
A book about friendship, loyalty and justice.
A vigilante tale with a twist. 5 Vietnam veterans with complementary skills meet regularly to dispense righteousness and rid the world of bad guys. As they see it.
As usual with Mr Fincham, the characters are admirably drawn and we find ourselves engaging with them – even as they do bad things. Loved it. A nice mixture of plot and characterization with enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The imagination of this author is nothing short of amazing.
A book about friendship, loyalty and justice.
A vigilante tale with a twist. 5 Vietnam veterans with complementary skills meet regularly to dispense righteousness and rid the world of bad guys. As they see it.
As usual with Mr Fincham, the characters are admirably drawn and we find ourselves engaging with them – even as they do bad things. Loved it. A nice mixture of plot and characterization with enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The imagination of this author is nothing short of amazing.
July 11, 2020
October Five is a great story. It deals with the Trauma inflicted on the brave men who risked their lives in a meaningless war. The damage done to the men and their families was incredible. The author makes you feel the pain both mental and emotional and how some people were not able to overcome it. The author also understands the limitations of our Legal System and why some people feel like taking the law into their own hands. The author really understands how only the men who served and survived in Vietnam could really help each other.
March 17, 2020
An awesome story about 5 Vietnam vets who still get together as the band of brothers they are. Also has a detective working on a murder case with no provable suspects to charge. No spoilers but, their paths do cross and it creates one helluva good read ! With an awesome cast of characters, non stop action/mystery/intrigue and a fascinating story line you will find this book very hard to put down !
February 1, 2022
Much more than a murder mystery
I never thought there was anything to love about Vietnam, but this book fills that void. Easy to keep up with the time switches throughout and difficult, if not impossible, to put down. I've already recommended it to vets of that war with the knowledge that they will be able to identify and appreciate its many nuances. Can't say enough to thank author Thomas Fincham for his true understanding of an era. No mistake about it.
I never thought there was anything to love about Vietnam, but this book fills that void. Easy to keep up with the time switches throughout and difficult, if not impossible, to put down. I've already recommended it to vets of that war with the knowledge that they will be able to identify and appreciate its many nuances. Can't say enough to thank author Thomas Fincham for his true understanding of an era. No mistake about it.
March 21, 2020
This is an action packed thriller about five, friends for life, Vietnam vets and a detective working a murder case. See how the two storylines connect. There are a lot of twists and turns throughout this book. Very well developed and entertaining. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review
November 29, 2020
Best Fincham book ever!!
I’ve read every single Thomas Fincham book now and it appears that I have saved the best for last!
I could not put this one down. The story is riveting! The flashbacks are perfectly placed. This book is so incredibly written. I wish this had been turned into a series as well.
I’ve read every single Thomas Fincham book now and it appears that I have saved the best for last!
I could not put this one down. The story is riveting! The flashbacks are perfectly placed. This book is so incredibly written. I wish this had been turned into a series as well.
April 7, 2021
The October Five
I usually read thrillers, but the intro intrigued me. A fast paced, great characters and a complicated plot. Great reading style! I loved the five veterans of Vietnam. An unholy group of men, whom you can understand their reasoning for what they are up to. I really enjoyed this novel. Thomas Fincham is a marvelous author. Enjoy!
I usually read thrillers, but the intro intrigued me. A fast paced, great characters and a complicated plot. Great reading style! I loved the five veterans of Vietnam. An unholy group of men, whom you can understand their reasoning for what they are up to. I really enjoyed this novel. Thomas Fincham is a marvelous author. Enjoy!
June 17, 2020
Not my favorite
Mr. Gingham seems to think his readers are young teenagers who need to be led into all situations. Maybe that needs to be required notice as IMMATURE READERS ONLY. Good storyline, different from most but too simple!!!
Mr. Gingham seems to think his readers are young teenagers who need to be led into all situations. Maybe that needs to be required notice as IMMATURE READERS ONLY. Good storyline, different from most but too simple!!!
October 21, 2020
Good read but needs a good editor.
I enjoyed reading the book but it drove me nuts with all the gramatical errors I came across. It really needs someone to correct/edit those. It had a surprise twist at the end and I was also glad to read that not all the "good ones" were liked.
I enjoyed reading the book but it drove me nuts with all the gramatical errors I came across. It really needs someone to correct/edit those. It had a surprise twist at the end and I was also glad to read that not all the "good ones" were liked.
October 31, 2020
Heroic murderers
The returned vets take justice in their own hands and pay a severe price for it. They have their regrets, but that doesn’t stop them from murdering people they dream worthy of killing.
The returned vets take justice in their own hands and pay a severe price for it. They have their regrets, but that doesn’t stop them from murdering people they dream worthy of killing.
March 19, 2020
What an awesome story about 5 Vietnam Vets who stay close over the years. It is action packed and you get to know each person throughout the book. I had a hard time putting this book down!
April 26, 2020
A great read.
June 8, 2020
Fair
Plot confuses marines and the army. Too many killings for my taste. Characters are oK but not well defined .
Plot confuses marines and the army. Too many killings for my taste. Characters are oK but not well defined .
July 7, 2020
Extremely well written
Kept me engaged from beginning to end. Well developed characters who were empathetic. Highly recommend this author and look forward to his other books.
Kept me engaged from beginning to end. Well developed characters who were empathetic. Highly recommend this author and look forward to his other books.
July 14, 2020
Excellent storyline. Hard to put down. Enjoyed very much!
July 17, 2020
This is my type of book! for it had it all! Good detective work, suspense, and a group of guys traumatized by the war and lashing out. Judge, jury and executioner style.
July 27, 2020
Wow!
Great story and excellent reminder history of the Vietnam War. Well written and plotted. For all of us wishful avengers out there.
Great story and excellent reminder history of the Vietnam War. Well written and plotted. For all of us wishful avengers out there.
August 17, 2020
Great Read
Very interesting story line. Enjoyed the read very much. Easy to follow the characters in the past and the present. Recommend for sure
Very interesting story line. Enjoyed the read very much. Easy to follow the characters in the past and the present. Recommend for sure
December 9, 2020
Great
Another great book by Mr Fincham. I couldn't put this one down either. Hope there will e ore of Mike. However I am very sad Lee Callaway is done. Loved him!
Another great book by Mr Fincham. I couldn't put this one down either. Hope there will e ore of Mike. However I am very sad Lee Callaway is done. Loved him!
August 16, 2022
Interesting Concept.
This book was a pleasant surprise for me. Fincham’s writing is better
thanI remember. The concept was initially far fetched but eventually
worked for me.
This book was a pleasant surprise for me. Fincham’s writing is better
thanI remember. The concept was initially far fetched but eventually
worked for me.
March 6, 2022
I found the five characters complex and naive at the same time. Their journey and actions from their Viet Nam service to present day life is plausible, sympathetic and horrifying at the same time. Fincham does a great job portraying characters with both decent and warped impulses.
March 15, 2011
Some might call this book a mystery. I’m inclined not to because whodunit, the key element in a typical mystery, is apparent early in the book. Yet there is still plenty of mystery. The questions of why the murders were committed, will the police catch the culprits, even whether the reader wants the murderers caught are unanswered questions - mysteries in a way. Then, near the end, some additional mysteries crop up.
The above is a part of what I liked about this book. It is also an example of what I was thinking of when I discuss indie authors in the “why Indies” page of this blog. Something that is different from the typical formula and takes risks is much more likely found among Indies. What this book does differently is take a couple different formulas and combines elements from each. In most books who you should root for is obvious. It might be the criminal trying to pull off the bank robbery or it might be the detective trying to catch him. In "The October Five," it isn’t clear. The author doesn’t try swaying the reader toward any of the choices, nor while reading, did I ever decide. The ending has no clear winner either although there are some definite losers. Yet, somehow, the ending was still satisfying. Maybe because real life is seldom clear cut and unambiguous either.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog.**
The above is a part of what I liked about this book. It is also an example of what I was thinking of when I discuss indie authors in the “why Indies” page of this blog. Something that is different from the typical formula and takes risks is much more likely found among Indies. What this book does differently is take a couple different formulas and combines elements from each. In most books who you should root for is obvious. It might be the criminal trying to pull off the bank robbery or it might be the detective trying to catch him. In "The October Five," it isn’t clear. The author doesn’t try swaying the reader toward any of the choices, nor while reading, did I ever decide. The ending has no clear winner either although there are some definite losers. Yet, somehow, the ending was still satisfying. Maybe because real life is seldom clear cut and unambiguous either.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog.**
October 12, 2011
originally appeared on:Bookshelf Confessions
Mobashar Qureshi really has a genius in writing mystery stories..
The October Five is a well-written story packed with mystery, action, crime,friendship,loyalty,justice, and HUMOR!
it's a wonder how humor adds up to this kind of genre, but Mr. Qureshi proves this to be possible.. which makes the story intriguing, engaging, breathtaking and bearable to the senses..
the characters are so well-developed that the story fits perfectly with them..a good read!
A young man is found strangled in his bed. Detective Karl Whaler is assigned to solve the brutal murder.
Five individuals frequently meet in a room. They have been meeting for decades.
There is another murder; this time the victim is found with his throat slashed.
Is there a link between the two murders?
Whaler's investigation leads him to the most strange and dangerous case of his career.
The October Five is a spiraling pager-turning that examines friendship, loyalty, and justice
Mobashar Qureshi really has a genius in writing mystery stories..
The October Five is a well-written story packed with mystery, action, crime,friendship,loyalty,justice, and HUMOR!
it's a wonder how humor adds up to this kind of genre, but Mr. Qureshi proves this to be possible.. which makes the story intriguing, engaging, breathtaking and bearable to the senses..
the characters are so well-developed that the story fits perfectly with them..a good read!
A young man is found strangled in his bed. Detective Karl Whaler is assigned to solve the brutal murder.
Five individuals frequently meet in a room. They have been meeting for decades.
There is another murder; this time the victim is found with his throat slashed.
Is there a link between the two murders?
Whaler's investigation leads him to the most strange and dangerous case of his career.
The October Five is a spiraling pager-turning that examines friendship, loyalty, and justice
October 23, 2011
Mobashar Qureshi's October Five is a very interesting a refreshing mystery. It is interesting the way he weaves in the characters' Vietnam experiences into the telling of the story so that it might take a while for one to figure out what had driven these very disparate men into the secret activities that has even been kept from their families. It is this desire to find out what led to their behavior that keeps the book moving and the reader interested.
A little more character development would help in the development of the story but what Qureshi had done is extremely good and interesting. It is a quick read and one that will make people think about our justice system and the ones that fall between the cracks. It also brings up the though of modern vigilantes. I believe it will be of interest to anyone interested in murder mysteries.
I would highly recommend this book to all who are mystery fans. It will keep you interested and wondering until the final pages. ( )
A little more character development would help in the development of the story but what Qureshi had done is extremely good and interesting. It is a quick read and one that will make people think about our justice system and the ones that fall between the cracks. It also brings up the though of modern vigilantes. I believe it will be of interest to anyone interested in murder mysteries.
I would highly recommend this book to all who are mystery fans. It will keep you interested and wondering until the final pages. ( )
September 20, 2011
The October Five is a brilliantly written novel about five Vietnam vets who meet to plan a murder. The strange things is, showing the signs of a wonderful author, is that he writes the characters in such a way that I liked them, each one, no matter their points, good and bad. I realize some characters weren't as well-rounded as others but I attributed that to the fact these are Vets, they are private, they saw atrocities that most of us can only imagine so if they are fairly quiet and mysterious then for good reason. It really made me feel like I was living the story, especially the back and forth of past and present, which I love in a book anyway. Mr. Qureshi seems to have a wonderful grasp of life for vets after the wars they fight in and that is a part of what made it so believable. A great read, Mr. Mobashar!
August 7, 2016
This is a fast and steady paced mystery about Detective Karl Whaler methodical search to find out who killed Mark Mansfled and why. As the bodies keep piling up, Detective Whaler begins to put the pieces together. He knows the how and he suspects there is a stronger relationship between the killer and victims. The subplot set in Vietnam provides some answers, but throws the pacing off a little bit.
February 11, 2012
Wow, is really all I can say. This well written thriller is worth a read. I can't even begin to give a synopsis without giving away the story. Well written and VERY hard to put down. I would recommended this book to ANYONE who likes a taut thriller. Well done and a GREAT way to spend a day in the sun.Superb, really.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews