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Mr. Finn #1
The Shadow Broker
When finding criminals is your business, it’s easy to make a killing.
Finn Harding (Mr. Finn to his clients) specializes in finding people who don’t want to be found. Stripped of his PI license, Finn begins working for the type of clientele who operate in the shadows, pay in cash, and don’t care if he’s licensed or not.
As Finn becomes ensnared in a plot to take over a black market information brokerage, he finds himself and his family straddling the thin line between life and death.
With his own clients gunning for him, Finn must evade a psychopathic killer, special agents from the FBI’s cybercrime unit, and a Detroit mob boss. He’s about to find out that working with criminals has its advantages. Staying alive isn’t one of them.
In The Shadow Broker, Trace Conger delivers a sharp-edged and gritty tale of crime, murder, and family. It’s a fast-paced crime thriller that holds nothing back.
Finn Harding (Mr. Finn to his clients) specializes in finding people who don’t want to be found. Stripped of his PI license, Finn begins working for the type of clientele who operate in the shadows, pay in cash, and don’t care if he’s licensed or not.
As Finn becomes ensnared in a plot to take over a black market information brokerage, he finds himself and his family straddling the thin line between life and death.
With his own clients gunning for him, Finn must evade a psychopathic killer, special agents from the FBI’s cybercrime unit, and a Detroit mob boss. He’s about to find out that working with criminals has its advantages. Staying alive isn’t one of them.
In The Shadow Broker, Trace Conger delivers a sharp-edged and gritty tale of crime, murder, and family. It’s a fast-paced crime thriller that holds nothing back.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2014
468 people are currently reading
1053 people want to read
About the author
Trace Conger
24 books60 followersTrace Conger is an award-winning author in the crime, thriller, and suspense genres. He writes the Connor Harding (Thriller) series and the Mr. Finn (PI) series.
His Connor Harding series follows freelance “Mirage Man” Connor Harding as he solves problems for the world’s most dangerous criminals. The Mr. Finn series follows private investigator Finn Harding as he straddles the fine line between right and wrong.
Conger won a Shamus Award for his debut novel, THE SHADOW BROKER. His suspense novella, THE WHITE BOY, won the Fresh Ink Award for Best Novella of 2020.
He is known for his tight writing style, dark themes, and subtle humor. Trace lives in Cincinnati with his wonderfully supportive family.
Visit him online at www.traceconger.com.
Sign up for his newsletter to receive free fiction and exclusive updates at www.traceconger.com/freebies.
His Connor Harding series follows freelance “Mirage Man” Connor Harding as he solves problems for the world’s most dangerous criminals. The Mr. Finn series follows private investigator Finn Harding as he straddles the fine line between right and wrong.
Conger won a Shamus Award for his debut novel, THE SHADOW BROKER. His suspense novella, THE WHITE BOY, won the Fresh Ink Award for Best Novella of 2020.
He is known for his tight writing style, dark themes, and subtle humor. Trace lives in Cincinnati with his wonderfully supportive family.
Visit him online at www.traceconger.com.
Sign up for his newsletter to receive free fiction and exclusive updates at www.traceconger.com/freebies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
November 13, 2016
THE SHADOW BROKER is a debut novel that introduces the reader to Finn Harding..or Mr. Finn, as he is known to his clients. Once a Private Investigator, he got mixed up with some nefarious people and ultimately lost his license. Now working in the shadows, he specializes in finding people ... usually people who don't want to be found. And his clients don't care if he has a license or not.
Finn is hired by a man who is running a black market information brokerage on the dark net. He is being blackmailed by someone who somehow got his list of buyers and sellers and he wants Finn to locate him.
When he does, all sorts of things start happening. Finn finds himself, as well as his ex-wife and young daughter, in the line of fire from his client... his client's mob boss... FBI Agents from the cyber crime unit and a psychopathic killer.
Now all he has to do is keep himself and his family alive.
This is a well-written crime thriller. It moves at a rapid pace with lots of action. Dead bodies mount up. Finn is a multi-layered character. He walks a fine line between good and evil. He's not truly a bad guy...but not wholly a good guy, either. He mixes with the criminal element mainly because they pay real well and his daughter's private school is quite expensive.
I read Book 3 first, then Book 1, and am currently reading Book 2. I would highly recommend reading the books in order. There is a slight cliff-hanger in this one that rocks right into Book 2.
I chose to read THE SHADOW BROKER and all opinions expressed are unbiased and entirely my own.
Many thanks to the author who provided a digital copy.
Finn is hired by a man who is running a black market information brokerage on the dark net. He is being blackmailed by someone who somehow got his list of buyers and sellers and he wants Finn to locate him.
When he does, all sorts of things start happening. Finn finds himself, as well as his ex-wife and young daughter, in the line of fire from his client... his client's mob boss... FBI Agents from the cyber crime unit and a psychopathic killer.
Now all he has to do is keep himself and his family alive.
This is a well-written crime thriller. It moves at a rapid pace with lots of action. Dead bodies mount up. Finn is a multi-layered character. He walks a fine line between good and evil. He's not truly a bad guy...but not wholly a good guy, either. He mixes with the criminal element mainly because they pay real well and his daughter's private school is quite expensive.
I read Book 3 first, then Book 1, and am currently reading Book 2. I would highly recommend reading the books in order. There is a slight cliff-hanger in this one that rocks right into Book 2.
I chose to read THE SHADOW BROKER and all opinions expressed are unbiased and entirely my own.
Many thanks to the author who provided a digital copy.
February 25, 2017
Normally I am pulling flaws and errors out of a book like this, as the genre is glutted with haphazard efforts. Happily, this book is a step above all the rest of the PI thrillers…and probably two or three steps. Here’s a rundown, without spoilers:
PLOT – Yes, the main idea of the story has been done. Private Investigator gets in over his head and spends much of the book trying to keep himself and his loved ones safe. Where author Trace Conger excels is in the way he continually injects realism into the story. I was not forced to suspend disbelief every other chapter, and thus relegate the Mr. Finn stories into the superhero category. Finn Harding is a normal guy, a bit down on his luck, who finds himself facing hard choices and doesn’t always make the right ones (and if he did, the book would have been a lot shorter). The plot moves forward at all times, never going slower than a steady pace.
WRITING STYLE – The wise-cracking PI is also overdone, yet Mr. Conger handles the chore effortlessly. Harding’s character weaves itself into the description of events and breathes fresh life into the book. However, the author doesn’t try too hard to constantly make Harding funny, and combined with his serious moments, help to round out his characterization. The story is told primarily in first person, although there are a few chapters where the reader needs to see what the other characters are doing. This worked, as the story is told through action rather than one of the characters having to describe everything he did “off-scene.”
CHARACTERS – A major break from the normal PI/detective who has physical issues or a serious PTSD issue chasing him or her from page to page. Finn Harding is your everyday guy who has been molded by life events into someone different, perhaps someone a younger version wouldn’t recognize. The plot of this book pushes him further into the darkness, forcing him to make what might seem to be rational decisions, though in reality they aren’t. Harding is a complicated character, and some readers may wrestle with the choice of whether to cheer for him or not. Other members of Mr. Conger’s cast are fleshed out to various degrees, and I found them all believable.
OTHER STUFF – This is a dark book, and the language matches it. While the vulgarities are not stuffed without reason in every other paragraph, if you are bothered by the f-bomb, you probably want to choose another book. There is violence and one particularly gruesome torture scene, but there are not even hints of sexual relations between characters. The story wraps up normally, although the teaser for the next book was masterfully executed.
RECAP – This is a dark tale that introduces Mr. Finn, an honest yet somewhat twisted character. Mr. Conger’s presentation of characters and story is believable and his writing style captures readers, effortlessly pulling them into the tale. Personally, I couldn’t put the book down and read it in two sittings. Recommended for anyone looking for a thriller mixed with grit and realism. Five stars.
PLOT – Yes, the main idea of the story has been done. Private Investigator gets in over his head and spends much of the book trying to keep himself and his loved ones safe. Where author Trace Conger excels is in the way he continually injects realism into the story. I was not forced to suspend disbelief every other chapter, and thus relegate the Mr. Finn stories into the superhero category. Finn Harding is a normal guy, a bit down on his luck, who finds himself facing hard choices and doesn’t always make the right ones (and if he did, the book would have been a lot shorter). The plot moves forward at all times, never going slower than a steady pace.
WRITING STYLE – The wise-cracking PI is also overdone, yet Mr. Conger handles the chore effortlessly. Harding’s character weaves itself into the description of events and breathes fresh life into the book. However, the author doesn’t try too hard to constantly make Harding funny, and combined with his serious moments, help to round out his characterization. The story is told primarily in first person, although there are a few chapters where the reader needs to see what the other characters are doing. This worked, as the story is told through action rather than one of the characters having to describe everything he did “off-scene.”
CHARACTERS – A major break from the normal PI/detective who has physical issues or a serious PTSD issue chasing him or her from page to page. Finn Harding is your everyday guy who has been molded by life events into someone different, perhaps someone a younger version wouldn’t recognize. The plot of this book pushes him further into the darkness, forcing him to make what might seem to be rational decisions, though in reality they aren’t. Harding is a complicated character, and some readers may wrestle with the choice of whether to cheer for him or not. Other members of Mr. Conger’s cast are fleshed out to various degrees, and I found them all believable.
OTHER STUFF – This is a dark book, and the language matches it. While the vulgarities are not stuffed without reason in every other paragraph, if you are bothered by the f-bomb, you probably want to choose another book. There is violence and one particularly gruesome torture scene, but there are not even hints of sexual relations between characters. The story wraps up normally, although the teaser for the next book was masterfully executed.
RECAP – This is a dark tale that introduces Mr. Finn, an honest yet somewhat twisted character. Mr. Conger’s presentation of characters and story is believable and his writing style captures readers, effortlessly pulling them into the tale. Personally, I couldn’t put the book down and read it in two sittings. Recommended for anyone looking for a thriller mixed with grit and realism. Five stars.
August 26, 2015
Quick: When was the last time you found yourself rooting for the bad guy? It's hard not to do just that in this book, a Finalist for the 2015 Shamus Award for Best Indie P.I. Novel. I received a review copy at no cost from Netgalley, and it hooked me by the end of the first chapter and didn't let go till the end.
Finn Harding is a former private investigator who lost his license when he crossed a bit too far over the ethics line to suit the powers-that-be. He still plies his trade, but under the table; he's skilled at finding people who go to great lengths not to be found ("sort of like Death's GPS," as he puts it). Early on, it's clear that he won't hesitate to overlook ethics again if the money is right. But with an ex-wife with whom he shares custody of a young daughter and an aging but still feisty father, he's got a bit of a soft side that, when it kicks in, renders him vulnerable. His ability to shift easily from loving father to the dark side brought to my mind a line from from an old movie, book or TV show (so long ago I don't remember which), when someone described a gangster as having no heart. "Sure I've got one," came the retort. "It's right behind my shoulder holster."
Finn lives under the radar on a boat on the Ohio River in Cincinnati (I grew up not far from the Buckeye State's Queen City, so that added another bit of interest for me). He's also got a sense of humor that made me smile now and again, reminding me, at least at first, of another very likable crook - bookstore owner and professional thief Bernie Rhodenbarr of the Burgler Who series by Lawrence Block.
Here, Finn takes on a shady client who's keen on learning who's blackmailing him and is willing to pay top dollar to find out. Finn is successful and the client is pleased; normally, that's a good thing, but now the happy client dangles more cash for even more unsavory work. Finn agrees, and things turn deadly serious as he finds himself facing a possible future either rotting alive in jail or dead in the ground. The nonstop action moves from Ohio to a remote spot in Maine and back, ending with a major cliffhanger, presumably leading to a follow-up book (in fact, the author says just that in the acknowledgements it will be titled Scar Tissue). I'm looking forward to it!
Finn Harding is a former private investigator who lost his license when he crossed a bit too far over the ethics line to suit the powers-that-be. He still plies his trade, but under the table; he's skilled at finding people who go to great lengths not to be found ("sort of like Death's GPS," as he puts it). Early on, it's clear that he won't hesitate to overlook ethics again if the money is right. But with an ex-wife with whom he shares custody of a young daughter and an aging but still feisty father, he's got a bit of a soft side that, when it kicks in, renders him vulnerable. His ability to shift easily from loving father to the dark side brought to my mind a line from from an old movie, book or TV show (so long ago I don't remember which), when someone described a gangster as having no heart. "Sure I've got one," came the retort. "It's right behind my shoulder holster."
Finn lives under the radar on a boat on the Ohio River in Cincinnati (I grew up not far from the Buckeye State's Queen City, so that added another bit of interest for me). He's also got a sense of humor that made me smile now and again, reminding me, at least at first, of another very likable crook - bookstore owner and professional thief Bernie Rhodenbarr of the Burgler Who series by Lawrence Block.
Here, Finn takes on a shady client who's keen on learning who's blackmailing him and is willing to pay top dollar to find out. Finn is successful and the client is pleased; normally, that's a good thing, but now the happy client dangles more cash for even more unsavory work. Finn agrees, and things turn deadly serious as he finds himself facing a possible future either rotting alive in jail or dead in the ground. The nonstop action moves from Ohio to a remote spot in Maine and back, ending with a major cliffhanger, presumably leading to a follow-up book (in fact, the author says just that in the acknowledgements it will be titled Scar Tissue). I'm looking forward to it!
October 16, 2014
I don’t often read crime novels, but thoroughly enjoyed this one. I was rooting for Mr. Finn, even though his behavior straddled the line between principled and breaking the law. This disgraced former PI is deeply protective of his family, while frequently putting them in jeopardy by consorting with criminals to earn some fast cash. Following this plot kept me in suspense, and I found it to be a quick, fun read. Since I live in Cincinnati, I loved the local references. I can’t wait for Conger's next book.
May 14, 2017
Unlicensed PI Finn Harding is in for the ride of his life! He's dealt with unsavory characters before, even done work bordering on the illegal, but a romp with the criminal underworld of the Midwest is not anyone's idea of a normal work day.
Contracted by a guy who runs an online exchange of private, sensitive and illegal information to track a hacker, Finn discovers the cost of doing business with shady characters. A simple, well-paying job spirals out of control, with the deeds getting more criminal, double-crosses being pulled, and bodies piling up. With the FBI breathing down his neck on one side, mob bosses wanting his guts spilled on the other, and the middle swimming in moral ambiguity, what's an (above) average PI who just wants a good relationship with his family, and desperately needs money, to do?
The morals here aren't bad, either. (The only drawback is that the language gets bad in places, mob "persuasion" aka torture gets rather graphic in spots, and there's a baffling propensity for criminals' doors to be unlocked.) This tense read brings new meaning to the Biblical adage "your sin will find you out." Especially when you hope it won't, it will. Though resourceful, Finn regrets his involvement with and utilization of the not-straight-and-narrow. Finn is commendable in his concern for his family; he cares for his elderly father, regrets his divorce with his wife, and wants nothing less than the best for his young daughter. All in all, an engrossing read.
Contracted by a guy who runs an online exchange of private, sensitive and illegal information to track a hacker, Finn discovers the cost of doing business with shady characters. A simple, well-paying job spirals out of control, with the deeds getting more criminal, double-crosses being pulled, and bodies piling up. With the FBI breathing down his neck on one side, mob bosses wanting his guts spilled on the other, and the middle swimming in moral ambiguity, what's an (above) average PI who just wants a good relationship with his family, and desperately needs money, to do?
The morals here aren't bad, either. (The only drawback is that the language gets bad in places, mob "persuasion" aka torture gets rather graphic in spots, and there's a baffling propensity for criminals' doors to be unlocked.) This tense read brings new meaning to the Biblical adage "your sin will find you out." Especially when you hope it won't, it will. Though resourceful, Finn regrets his involvement with and utilization of the not-straight-and-narrow. Finn is commendable in his concern for his family; he cares for his elderly father, regrets his divorce with his wife, and wants nothing less than the best for his young daughter. All in all, an engrossing read.
December 21, 2017
4.0 Stars
I frickin' love Mr. Finn & his insane coffee addiction!
Told in first person perspective, the main character has an incredibly strong voice. Mr. Finn's personality is captivating, complex and so well developed. He is a wonderful example of a morally gray character, proving that one can be involved in criminal affairs, while still being a loving father. In many ways, this is a very traditional crime thriller, filled with dangerous men, shady deals and plenty of action. Yet, Mr. Finn really makes this novel standout within the genre.
The writing is strong and so easy to follow. Intended for a mature audience, the story is quite gritty , filled with morally bankrupt people and vulgar language (which I personally enjoy). The plot has great narrative drive, moving along at a good pace. I was fully invested in the story from the very first page to the last.
I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a fast, engaging crime thriller novel with some fantastic, morally gray characters.
I received this book from the author after reading (and loving) his horror novella, The White Boy.
I frickin' love Mr. Finn & his insane coffee addiction!
Told in first person perspective, the main character has an incredibly strong voice. Mr. Finn's personality is captivating, complex and so well developed. He is a wonderful example of a morally gray character, proving that one can be involved in criminal affairs, while still being a loving father. In many ways, this is a very traditional crime thriller, filled with dangerous men, shady deals and plenty of action. Yet, Mr. Finn really makes this novel standout within the genre.
The writing is strong and so easy to follow. Intended for a mature audience, the story is quite gritty , filled with morally bankrupt people and vulgar language (which I personally enjoy). The plot has great narrative drive, moving along at a good pace. I was fully invested in the story from the very first page to the last.
I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a fast, engaging crime thriller novel with some fantastic, morally gray characters.
I received this book from the author after reading (and loving) his horror novella, The White Boy.
May 23, 2017
Finn Harding is a Cincinnati detective struggling to make a living with a revoked Ohio detective license. Forced to work with criminals, he takes a job finding an internet blackmailer and subsequently agrees to murder him for a big cash bonus. Unfortunately for Finn, the blackmailer was an undercover FBI informant. The client puts a hit on Finn to keep him quiet while the FBI leverages him to implicate his criminal client. Meanwhile, a gang of sadistic Detroit mob enforcers want to eliminate everybody involved, the hard way. Quick thinking Finn Harding and all the other well crafted characters drive the action in this very entertaining book #1 of a series. The Amazon price is right and I have already started book #2.
March 22, 2015
This novel serves to introduce Finn Harding, who lost his PI license and is reduced to scrounging for a living, dealing with less than savory persons to make ends meet. He lives on a houseboat on the Ohio River in Cincinnati, has an ex-wife and six-year-old daughter. Obviously, this book is the beginning of a series. Finn supposedly specializes in finding people who don’t want to be found, since doing so doesn’t require a license from the state.
One such assignment comes from a man named Bishop who operates an internet site that offers purloined data illegally obtained by his criminal partners. It involves identifying a blackmailer, who is demanding $50,000 per month of Bishop to not disclose how he hacked into the site and is able to give the FBI all the background needed to prosecute. Finn is able to name the blackmailer, but as a result finds himself in a more complicated situation, facing possible death at the hands of his clients.
Finn is an interesting protagonist, resourceful, energetic and calculating, although less than an upright citizen as events turn out. He knows the difference between right and wrong, but circumstances make it hard to be ethical when you have to cut corners to survive. It will be interesting to see what develops in the next novel in the series, “Scar Tissue.”
One such assignment comes from a man named Bishop who operates an internet site that offers purloined data illegally obtained by his criminal partners. It involves identifying a blackmailer, who is demanding $50,000 per month of Bishop to not disclose how he hacked into the site and is able to give the FBI all the background needed to prosecute. Finn is able to name the blackmailer, but as a result finds himself in a more complicated situation, facing possible death at the hands of his clients.
Finn is an interesting protagonist, resourceful, energetic and calculating, although less than an upright citizen as events turn out. He knows the difference between right and wrong, but circumstances make it hard to be ethical when you have to cut corners to survive. It will be interesting to see what develops in the next novel in the series, “Scar Tissue.”
February 9, 2016
Another very good book that was a 'free from Amazon' back before Christmas.
The main character, Finn, is an off the books P.I. He will take any job, including murder, if it will solve a client's problem.
While the story is pretty predictable, it is a very fun read. Some of the bad guys are very bad indeed. Think using a belt sander on someone from whom they are trying to get information.
First of series.
The main character, Finn, is an off the books P.I. He will take any job, including murder, if it will solve a client's problem.
While the story is pretty predictable, it is a very fun read. Some of the bad guys are very bad indeed. Think using a belt sander on someone from whom they are trying to get information.
First of series.
December 18, 2018
The main character is spectacularly stupid but lucky for him the rest of the characters are even more retarded. I was thinking there would be a kaiser soze moment but nope, the protagonist really is that dumb.
January 7, 2024
The dialog was awkward, it clumsily switches from first person to third person and back again when just writing the whole thing in third person would have served it better, and I just felt it wasn't well written in general. The whole thing felt like someone's homework for a beginner a creative writing class.
Also, the audiobook narration was atrocious. hardly any real inflection to the point where everyone sounds bored even in action scenes and black characters are given the same terrible "white guy doing an over-the-top black guy impression" treatment.
Also, the audiobook narration was atrocious. hardly any real inflection to the point where everyone sounds bored even in action scenes and black characters are given the same terrible "white guy doing an over-the-top black guy impression" treatment.
October 11, 2017
A well crafted and well plotted book in the traditional PI style. It drew me in right from the beginning, and kept me interested all the way. The author knew his way around the material, and had me rooting for the protagonist even though he was a killer. I look forward to Mr. Finn's future adventures.
January 26, 2018
3.5 *
January 6, 2018
A very good thriller that encompasses a lot of violence, good characters and is fast paced. The writing leaves a little to be desired.
October 31, 2022
A real page turner with great settings and characters!
June 28, 2015
Finn Harding lost his P.I. licence so he starts working for people who don't care if he has a licence as long as he can get the job done. His specialty is finding people who don't want to be found. This is exactly the type of man Bishop needs. Bishop has an Internet site where he offers to get/sell information that has been illegally obtained. Even with all the safe guards in place, someone hacked into the site and is blackmailing Bishop for $50,000 a month so he doesn't tell how he hacked the site and disclose all the customers names.
Finn figures out who the blackmailer is, making Bishop a very happy man. This leads to more jobs which are hard for Finn to turn down but everything becomes very dangerous for Finn, his ex-wife and young daughter. Before he knows it, he has both good and bad guys after him and his family.
Finn is a very likable character who is always trying to do his best for his family. It's hard not to like him but at the same time feel sorry for him. Because of his desire for money, he gets himself into increasingly unscrupulous situations. I love his father! After Albert gets himself kicked out of the seniors home, Finn has him move on his houseboat with him. Albert is terrified of water so his antics are hilarious.
I liked the plot and the concept of this crime thriller very much. It's a well and intricately written novel with remarkable action scenes. The detailed descriptions of the surroundings and character's movements made it easy to picture. I really enjoyed reading The Shadow Broker even though it is VERY violent. The characters in this novel were well put together and developed in a manner that makes them seem real and believable.
Please note, I was given a complementary copy of The Shadow Broker in exchange for my honest review.
Finn figures out who the blackmailer is, making Bishop a very happy man. This leads to more jobs which are hard for Finn to turn down but everything becomes very dangerous for Finn, his ex-wife and young daughter. Before he knows it, he has both good and bad guys after him and his family.
Finn is a very likable character who is always trying to do his best for his family. It's hard not to like him but at the same time feel sorry for him. Because of his desire for money, he gets himself into increasingly unscrupulous situations. I love his father! After Albert gets himself kicked out of the seniors home, Finn has him move on his houseboat with him. Albert is terrified of water so his antics are hilarious.
I liked the plot and the concept of this crime thriller very much. It's a well and intricately written novel with remarkable action scenes. The detailed descriptions of the surroundings and character's movements made it easy to picture. I really enjoyed reading The Shadow Broker even though it is VERY violent. The characters in this novel were well put together and developed in a manner that makes them seem real and believable.
Please note, I was given a complementary copy of The Shadow Broker in exchange for my honest review.
December 26, 2015
This story is well-written and would have been enjoyable and entertaining to read except for the cold, calculated killings by Finn, the protagonist. Finn and his father, Albert, are likeable, and the plot unfolds quickly. I was chilled by Finn's rationalizations and actions as he aids and abets cold-calculated murders He enjoys the cunning planning involved. I definitely will not read any more in this series. I enjoyed the writing style but not the content. I obtained this as a Freebie from BookBub,com.
March 10, 2016
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
Finn Harding, former P.I. will take any job to try and earn a living even after he looses his license. He also has the challange of a father thrown out of the nursing home, a young daughter that lives with his ex-wife and her Dr. boyfriend to protect from low-lifes he deals with. Probably be an interesting series to follow.
The narration was well done, a fun listen.
Finn Harding, former P.I. will take any job to try and earn a living even after he looses his license. He also has the challange of a father thrown out of the nursing home, a young daughter that lives with his ex-wife and her Dr. boyfriend to protect from low-lifes he deals with. Probably be an interesting series to follow.
The narration was well done, a fun listen.
March 25, 2016
Was hard to finish.
There are some very good PI stories, but this one takes you to very violent place. Mr. Finn character caring father and son, but just to make money without the license gets into trouble and kills and kills. FBI investigations and how they are hanging this is puzzling.
There are some very good PI stories, but this one takes you to very violent place. Mr. Finn character caring father and son, but just to make money without the license gets into trouble and kills and kills. FBI investigations and how they are hanging this is puzzling.
October 29, 2021
Tense and Entertaining
A page-turner with a refreshing plot spin about a private investigator who journeys to the dark side to make money when his license is revoked Engaging suspense, some graphic violence, interesting characters, and well-written prose interjected with amusing and sarcastic internal thoughts and verbal discourse by the protagonist.
A page-turner with a refreshing plot spin about a private investigator who journeys to the dark side to make money when his license is revoked Engaging suspense, some graphic violence, interesting characters, and well-written prose interjected with amusing and sarcastic internal thoughts and verbal discourse by the protagonist.
February 13, 2016
Mostly predictable
The plot seemed too familiar and some characters were not developed enough to understand their quirks. The premise of a PI killing so easily and going off the edge was thin. Dialog and negotiations needed more development
The plot seemed too familiar and some characters were not developed enough to understand their quirks. The premise of a PI killing so easily and going off the edge was thin. Dialog and negotiations needed more development
May 1, 2017
This book is one wild read. Tracy Conger had me wondering whether or not I should be rooting for the protagonist. Finn does some pretty bad stuff. I couldn't put the book down, which is always a sign of a good book.
March 13, 2017
Except for the fact the story itself was quite engaging, I probably would have given THE SHADOW BROKER three stars because I really couldn't root for any of the primary characters. The protagonist, a disgraced PI who'd lost his license, was morally bankrupt. (He became a hit-man so he could pay his bills, but didn't seem to agonize over murdering people.) Beyond the protag, there was a psychotic killer, vicious Detroit mobsters, lots of "small time" crooks, and too many people willing to look the other way when they knew something hinky was going on.
I will say Trace Conger is an excellent writer. Every paragraph drives the tale forward, and the dialogue is snappy and clever. I just wish his characters were more likable.
I will say Trace Conger is an excellent writer. Every paragraph drives the tale forward, and the dialogue is snappy and clever. I just wish his characters were more likable.
July 26, 2017
I narrated the Audible version of the Mr. Finn series and highly recommend Trace Conger's work.
A fast-paced crime thriller with great characters and a gripping plot that documents Finn Harding's descent from licensed PI to criminal.
I also highly recommend the rest of the series:
"Scar Tissue"
"The Prison Guard's Son" - Coming to Audible in late 2017
A fast-paced crime thriller with great characters and a gripping plot that documents Finn Harding's descent from licensed PI to criminal.
I also highly recommend the rest of the series:
"Scar Tissue"
"The Prison Guard's Son" - Coming to Audible in late 2017
December 1, 2021
I don't read reviews before starting a book because I want to find out on my own. I do look at the stars and this got plenty. Plus an award. I have read a few reviews now and even then, I wouldn't have seen anything that would make me avoid this book. One review mentions ONE scene of torture. Well... I quit reading during the second graphic torture scene. Not to mention another 3 "mild" scenes of extreme violence. I know this is a gritty crime novel but had I known the torture was there in the first place I might have skipped this book. Had I known it would go into excruciating detail, I definitely would have skipped this book. Otherwise, I can see why it won awards. The writing is good and Mr. Finn is a dark character you can root for.
June 15, 2017
This was a fun romp. The writing and character construction was above average, but fell short of top notch authors (e.g., Nesbo, Connelly). Credulity is stretched too frequently and too far, and predictable patterns detract slightly from the overall story. There are some good plot lines / twists, but for the most part, this book seeks only to entertain rather than keep you riveted.
Nevertheless, Conger has a kernel of something good here and I hope he can develop both his writing style and his protagonist further.
Nevertheless, Conger has a kernel of something good here and I hope he can develop both his writing style and his protagonist further.
August 2, 2019
Good book
Ok liked this book and thought the plot was good. The characters were well developed and the writing was descriptive enough so that you could picture them. My complaint was that how on earth did Finn think he had put layers between himself and his true identity. He used his real name Couldn't be have come up with something better? This being the first in the series, I have high expectations that the little mistakes will get worked out. Will definitely read the next book in the series.
Ok liked this book and thought the plot was good. The characters were well developed and the writing was descriptive enough so that you could picture them. My complaint was that how on earth did Finn think he had put layers between himself and his true identity. He used his real name Couldn't be have come up with something better? This being the first in the series, I have high expectations that the little mistakes will get worked out. Will definitely read the next book in the series.
January 14, 2024
Sorry to author but would not recommend. My reading tastes vary and I understand that a mystery (which this wasn't) will have some violence and what others consider inappropriate language. I accept this for this type of book, however the violence and description of torture were so over the top that I flipped through pages to avoid these parts and also just to see how it ends. The ending was in its way a cliffhanger (and improbable) as I assume the second book will just pick up with more of the same characters and villains doing the same improbable things
March 4, 2017
Finn is not a good man. Finn used to be a licensed private investigator in Cincinnati. Then he crossed a line that the relevant state agency didn't like. So he is no longer licensed. But he still finds people, for a price. This time he has stepped into a hole deeper than he thought it was, and now people are looking for him. This is a page-tuner of a tough-guy noir novel. Not for the faint of heart.
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