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California Corwin P.I. #2
In a Bind
"VanDyke has done it again! He's a master craftsman, offering another great read, a captivating story. Lots of mystery and action as Cal tries to find a killer - or two - before anyone else gets caught up in the webs of deceit in a California seemingly idyllic small town." - Marcia K
"This author has rapidly become one of my favorites with this Cal Corwin series! His characters absolutely come alive. The storyline is fast-paced and hard to put down!" - Jan
When a blackmailed drag queen walks into Cal Corwin's P. I. agency, she quickly throws herself into the investigation, but with each new clue she finds the case gets murkier, its web of lies more tangled. When murder rears its ugly head, it becomes clear more is at stake than money, and Cal must watch her own back even as she tries to find the culprit.
In A Bind is book two in the new P. I. mystery series from D. D. VanDyke, a pen name of veteran bestselling technothriller author David VanDyke. Set against the rich backdrop of the San Francisco Bay Area, Cal Corwin novels brim with intrigue and fully fleshed characters from cops and criminals to hit men, oddball family and unexpected allies.
The California Corwin P. I. Mystery Series:
- Loose Ends
- In A Bind
- Off the Leash - a FREE Cal Corwin P. I. Mystery Short in the Eight the Hard Way anthology amzn.com/B00H8OZW1I
More to come!
"This author has rapidly become one of my favorites with this Cal Corwin series! His characters absolutely come alive. The storyline is fast-paced and hard to put down!" - Jan
When a blackmailed drag queen walks into Cal Corwin's P. I. agency, she quickly throws herself into the investigation, but with each new clue she finds the case gets murkier, its web of lies more tangled. When murder rears its ugly head, it becomes clear more is at stake than money, and Cal must watch her own back even as she tries to find the culprit.
In A Bind is book two in the new P. I. mystery series from D. D. VanDyke, a pen name of veteran bestselling technothriller author David VanDyke. Set against the rich backdrop of the San Francisco Bay Area, Cal Corwin novels brim with intrigue and fully fleshed characters from cops and criminals to hit men, oddball family and unexpected allies.
The California Corwin P. I. Mystery Series:
- Loose Ends
- In A Bind
- Off the Leash - a FREE Cal Corwin P. I. Mystery Short in the Eight the Hard Way anthology amzn.com/B00H8OZW1I
More to come!
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2014
209 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 6, 2015
Another fantastic Cal Corwin, P.I. mystery. This is quickly becoming my favorite series of the year. The author is spot on with the settings in northern California and the small towns that are not that far from the Bay area but are worlds away socially. We get to know Cal better in this second book in the series, and her love (lust?) interest is just so very nicely done! Mr. VanDyke obviously has some romance writer under the surface screaming to be let loose! I am so hoping that we will be seeing more of this enigmatic gentleman in the books to come. I was left wanting to binge read many more of this series only to find that I had reached the end (for now). I am amazed at how well a male writer can "get" a female character as well as VanDyke does California. She is very three dimensional and realistically complex. I need the next installment. Keep 'em coming dear author.
September 30, 2015
Once again Cal Corwin is on the case--seeking the truth and justice for her client. She finds that everyone may not be exactly who or what they say they are but that doesn't stop her from asking questions and connecting the dots. Another good mystery story. The second in this series delves a little more into the characters but it doesn't take away from the story. I do recommend this to my friends who like mysteries.
February 16, 2015
InA Bind is a terrific mystery with interesting characters and just the right length. There isn't any fluff about this book - just the mystery and the wonderful characters. Looking forward to the next in this series.
December 15, 2018
Once again, Cal Corwin is on a case that comes with some interesting characters. She is hired to find out who is blackmailing her client, Frank . As Cal gets deeper into the investigation, her client is found hanging from the ceiling light and she immediately suspects murder. You see Frank is a dwarf and couldn't possibly have committed suicide. I enjoyed the story but it seemed to drag on way too long and kept adding people that seemed to be more smoke screen then really helpful. But of course this is a thriller and detective story. I was surprised at the many overlapping side stories, which eventually lead Cal to be in the right place when it all hits the fan. There are still some loose ends once the actual killer of Frank is reveled but this does leave room for deeper investigation in a later story.
March 13, 2017
Nothing scares California Corwin P.I. and she is determined to find who killed her client. Having her tires slashed and then getting shot at through the back window of the rental replacement car doesn't slow her pursuit. Could she be up against the mob? This story involves people of special characteristics. It treats their situations with the gentle touch, of understanding, and compassion. It was very different for a crime fighting book. This is going on my list of favorite series. I am ready for Book 3.
January 11, 2018
The book before this was called Loose Ends, but this is the one that left a lot of them. I was surprised to find myself at the end of the book because there seemed to be so much left unanswered. Cal's man dilemma being left open didn't bother me, but there were a lot of mysteries related to her case that didn't get solved. I guess she did solve her client's case, but even that was a little ambiguous. It was almost like the author got tired of writing and just decided to stop.
May 11, 2017
Another quick read involving P.I. California "Cal" Corwin. She is an interesting character - quirky in her own rights, but she always gets the job done with the help of her IT expert Mickey and an occasional assist from the mysterious "Thomas." These books are quick reads that keep me engaged in the interesting lives within.
April 10, 2018
I like the style of his writing, the humor in writing about Cal. Even to the plot in this story of a dwarf / drag queen coming into the office. Good twisted plot, will keep you trying to figure out, how this all is connected to the murder. Different, with humor, add her unique mother and a story readers will enjoy.
December 4, 2017
Well-crafted; I missed the emphasis on San Francisco so prominent in the first book. Several characters and situations seemed underdeveloped. Not a fan of the whole Thomas side story. I liked the first book better, but will probably read the 3rd eventually.
June 4, 2018
I'm finding California Corwin to be an entertaining detective mystery/thriller series. In the second book (just like the first), Corwin dives head first into a new case and shakes the bushes until something falls out. The plot is fast-paced & all characters are well-developed.
June 3, 2018
Surprise! Surprise!
Several years ago, I read a book with Cal Corwin. I wasn’t very
Impressed and gave a mediocre review and passed up other Cal Corwin books. Very pleased that I tried In A Bind!! Well written, twisty and fun to read. I’ll continue following Cal.
Several years ago, I read a book with Cal Corwin. I wasn’t very
Impressed and gave a mediocre review and passed up other Cal Corwin books. Very pleased that I tried In A Bind!! Well written, twisty and fun to read. I’ll continue following Cal.
October 19, 2018
This was fantastic. Much better than the first one. I felt more invested in this one. I really want to see more of Thomas. Cal is an intriguing character and I like all her fake identities. The mystery had me guessing until the very end. It was just a really enjoyable read.
February 20, 2020
IN A BIND (book two in the Cal Corwin, Private Eyes series) is engaging and fast-paced, perfect for a flight with a layover. My only complaint is that the author, D.D. VanDyke, ends his stories abruptly—at least the first two books so far. Still, I recommend this enjoyable read.
October 10, 2020
Starting to get addicted to this series
A good good P.I. tale with a flip of script that really leaves the characters of this story in the classic noir grey area at the end
Cal Corwin is on her way to stand with best of the Private Investigator genre
A great great read
A good good P.I. tale with a flip of script that really leaves the characters of this story in the classic noir grey area at the end
Cal Corwin is on her way to stand with best of the Private Investigator genre
A great great read
August 5, 2017
Great read
This series is totally fascinating and captures you from page one. Must read for any fan of a good private investigator!
This series is totally fascinating and captures you from page one. Must read for any fan of a good private investigator!
January 24, 2019
First book was good but this book went off the rails. Cal falls for Thomas the hit man, cleaner from the first book and they have a juvenile hook up. Won’t be reading anymore books in this series.
May 23, 2020
I love this series! Actually read them before I was on Goodreads so cant give a fresh review. I read each one as fast as I could!
July 18, 2016
In A Bind: (California Corwin mystery)
Cal is at her best in solving the mysteries that keep showing up at her shop. The latest, a client who is being blackmailed, then turns up an apparent suicide. Meanwhile, Cal is pulled in to another murder, shot at, beaten, and her car vandalized. Mickey, her hacking tech is up to his usual digging up dirt on everyone involved, and by some clever digging, he and Cal discover the truth about her client's death and things end on a good note. VanDyke has great writing skills are you are going to get to know Cal Corwin by the end. Thanks for another great read.
Cal is at her best in solving the mysteries that keep showing up at her shop. The latest, a client who is being blackmailed, then turns up an apparent suicide. Meanwhile, Cal is pulled in to another murder, shot at, beaten, and her car vandalized. Mickey, her hacking tech is up to his usual digging up dirt on everyone involved, and by some clever digging, he and Cal discover the truth about her client's death and things end on a good note. VanDyke has great writing skills are you are going to get to know Cal Corwin by the end. Thanks for another great read.
August 23, 2022
This wasn't entirely satisfactory - I'd been hoping for more following on from the first novel which ended with lots of loose ends. Some of them were cleared up here, but there were bits in the plot of this one that just seemed to be left on the air without ever being satisfactorily explained, and for me the ending was a bit of a damp squib. It's disappointing, because Cal and some of the other characters are likeable with a lot of potential to develop further. I'm not sure I'm willing to give it another shot though, especially as the price seemed to go up with each book in the series.
April 9, 2016
Hits the mark
Ethnic and physical diversity, religion, and more within the first few chapters of this novel. Yet it all fits. The second novel in VanDyke's series is better than the first. Excellent characterisation.
Ethnic and physical diversity, religion, and more within the first few chapters of this novel. Yet it all fits. The second novel in VanDyke's series is better than the first. Excellent characterisation.
July 26, 2018
I was temporarily thinking about a 5
This book was a good quick, interesting read. I'm on my way to number three in the series. I will be sorry when I've read the last one.
This book was a good quick, interesting read. I'm on my way to number three in the series. I will be sorry when I've read the last one.
January 16, 2017
Cal vs Jack daniels
If you like JAck DAniels,, you nighttime this series. However Jack is a bigger better story and but more of a. Plot .
If you like JAck DAniels,, you nighttime this series. However Jack is a bigger better story and but more of a. Plot .
April 23, 2017
Strings left hanging in #1 not tied here but there was more action, some outright danger and physical harm. Finally the low self esteem which seems so out of place for such a character was resolved in this one.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews