Never Ask Why: The Randall & Carver Mysteries Book 5

by Blair Howard

318 pages, Paperback

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

Blair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.

Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.

Reviews

[TrishAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blair Howard has knocked it out of the ball park with this one, still set in Chattanooga, but so very different from Harry Starke and Kate Gazzara.
When ex FBI agent ,Tucker Randal and his partner and wife, Mallory Carver, received a message from Ben Carter, begging them to search for Hannah Price, his missing fiancé, they had no idea what they were getting themselves involved in. Ben had approached the detective agency, his fiancé had disappeared after visiting a wellness centre but Tucker's hogwash antenna was quivering, it all seemed so rehearsed and after doing a search they found that Hannah hadn't existed until ten years ago, witness protection was their first thought but that was quickly quashed, witness protection would have built them a more believable background, who was Hannah Price ? what was her story ? was she hiding and if so from whom.......was she still alive ?
This is definitely a David versus Goliath story, Mallory and Tucker knew that whoever Hannah Price was, she was in danger, they needed to find her.
With a little reluctant help from the sheriff's office, the pair begin to drag the pieces of the jigsaw together but each piece put them in more danger, people started to die, each body left with the killers signature, it was a race against time, their adversaries were well trained and had the backing of very powerful people, there was no one that Mallory and Tucker could trust.
This is a powerful story with a very clever plot, I was emersed from the first page and I didn't put it down until the last page. The danger is palpable, the love between newly wed Mallory and Tucker is intense, he would walk over hot coals to keep her safe and she would always have his back, they have principles that dictated that they must fight on, the story covers corruption in high places, a religious cult, tangible fear and dauntless courage, a well deserved five stars.
I received an ARC for this book and my review is totally voluntary.

[Pamela Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tight, immersive thriller that drops you straight into the danger. Never Ask Why delivers exactly what the Randall & Carver series promises: high-stakes investigation, sharp pacing, and that signature Blair Howard mix of suspense and grit. Tucker and Mallory’s search for a missing fiancée twists quickly into something far more complicated, and the tension never lets up. The shifting truths, the sense of being hunted, and the vivid, cinematic scenes make it hard to step away. A fast, absorbing read that keeps you guessing and fully invested in the duo’s fight to uncover the real story. I couldn't put the book down and would highly recommend this book and the entire series.

[Sally Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tucker and Mallory were asked to locate a missing person.  Little did they know how complicated it would be. A ruthless cult, you say? Bodies dropping!  Lots of loose ends. Govt.  and private networks compromised. Could it get any worse. I was hooked. A true Blair Howard plot line. I think you'll really like this one.

[Paula Sindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a Blair Howard fan for years. Harry Starke and Kate Gazzara are like family. Never Ask Why introduced me to a new series. This novel is number 5 in the series but it’s not necessary to have read the previous books to be pulled directly into the action. Now I’ve got a new series to love.

I received an arc copy of the book.

[Alan Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as ARC a good solid read with an excellent storyline with all the twists and turns expected and excellent characters. I enjoyed it a great deal and have no problem in recommending it highly.