What do you think?
Rate this book
Montana Marrenger #0.5
The Truth About Alex
The Truth About Alex - A Montana Marrenger Mystery
A novella from the author of The Runaway Train
On a frigid cliff overlooking the sea, investigators find the body of an elderly man named Alex Keaton. After notifying Alex’s next of kin about the grim discovery, they are shocked to learn that the old man isn’t who he says he is.
The real Alex Keaton was a young boy who vanished on a snowy night over a decade ago.
Baffled, the local police enlist the help of FBI Special Agent Selena Marrenger, who reopens the cold case to try and piece together a connection between the two.
What she finds will lead her on a journey that will push her to the limits, and bring her face to face with those who won’t hesitate to protect a dangerous secret.
Can Selena bring the truth to light before it's buried forever?
A novella from the author of The Runaway Train
On a frigid cliff overlooking the sea, investigators find the body of an elderly man named Alex Keaton. After notifying Alex’s next of kin about the grim discovery, they are shocked to learn that the old man isn’t who he says he is.
The real Alex Keaton was a young boy who vanished on a snowy night over a decade ago.
Baffled, the local police enlist the help of FBI Special Agent Selena Marrenger, who reopens the cold case to try and piece together a connection between the two.
What she finds will lead her on a journey that will push her to the limits, and bring her face to face with those who won’t hesitate to protect a dangerous secret.
Can Selena bring the truth to light before it's buried forever?
- GenresMystery
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2015
18 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
M.W. Griffith
6 books21 followersMichael Griffith was born in Carthage, Tennessee, and now lives in Murfreesboro TN after marrying his best friend.
He is currently studying history, with the intention of continuing his education in the hopes of landing a dream job where he can read lots of books, and enjoy his own company.
He is currently studying history, with the intention of continuing his education in the hopes of landing a dream job where he can read lots of books, and enjoy his own company.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 24, 2016
Wow what a great read! Well written, tightly woven & fast paced, this suspense thriller had you sitting on the edge of your seat.
At novella size, not everything could be fleshed out, but the author seamlessly tied the past & future together in the story in what became an entralling read. Highly recommended.
At novella size, not everything could be fleshed out, but the author seamlessly tied the past & future together in the story in what became an entralling read. Highly recommended.
February 17, 2015
A Taut, Moody and Engrossing Mystery
The Truth About Alex is Michael Wayne Griffith's second book after the very promising debut, The Runaway Train. The hallmarks are all here of what we can come to expect from Michael in the future: the snowy, sultry Pacific Northwest American setting; the deft, finely tuned prose; and a mystery to keep you guessing till the end.
We continue to follow Special Agent Selena Marrenger, who this time teams up with Detective Dupont and FBI Agent Jameson after discovering the body of an old man who'd apparently committed suicide, but who weirdly shares the same name as a boy who went missing twelve years before. This part of the story of the three of them following the leads which involve people trafficking, gun running and a mysterious man called Marco, is intercut with the disappearance of Alex twelve years before, and how it devastated his parents, who are still looking for him now. The way the author has handled the parallel stories is expertly done, making the novel feel like one whole, and not two separate plot lines, which often happens in other books like this.
I really loved the snowy setting, the slate-grey skies, the sting of the wind, and these elements were beautifully evoked and reminded me a bit of Fargo (both the film and the TV show, which for me was great because I love both). The overall tone of the novel, with its snappy chapters, crisp dialogue, and ooming pain of tragedy was something I really enjoyed here, all of which leads to twists that I honestly didn't see coming - indeed the last few chapters and all the revelations were handled really well.
But for me, the key to the novel, and it's heart was Selena's pain about the past. This made me empathise with her a lot; in fact if I had to mention one criticism about the book it was that I really wanted to know more about that, but I'm guessing we'll learn more about it in the next book.
For fans of detective/mystery stories I highly recommend this book: tightly written, beautiful setting, great twists and a central character to care about.
The Truth About Alex is Michael Wayne Griffith's second book after the very promising debut, The Runaway Train. The hallmarks are all here of what we can come to expect from Michael in the future: the snowy, sultry Pacific Northwest American setting; the deft, finely tuned prose; and a mystery to keep you guessing till the end.
We continue to follow Special Agent Selena Marrenger, who this time teams up with Detective Dupont and FBI Agent Jameson after discovering the body of an old man who'd apparently committed suicide, but who weirdly shares the same name as a boy who went missing twelve years before. This part of the story of the three of them following the leads which involve people trafficking, gun running and a mysterious man called Marco, is intercut with the disappearance of Alex twelve years before, and how it devastated his parents, who are still looking for him now. The way the author has handled the parallel stories is expertly done, making the novel feel like one whole, and not two separate plot lines, which often happens in other books like this.
I really loved the snowy setting, the slate-grey skies, the sting of the wind, and these elements were beautifully evoked and reminded me a bit of Fargo (both the film and the TV show, which for me was great because I love both). The overall tone of the novel, with its snappy chapters, crisp dialogue, and ooming pain of tragedy was something I really enjoyed here, all of which leads to twists that I honestly didn't see coming - indeed the last few chapters and all the revelations were handled really well.
But for me, the key to the novel, and it's heart was Selena's pain about the past. This made me empathise with her a lot; in fact if I had to mention one criticism about the book it was that I really wanted to know more about that, but I'm guessing we'll learn more about it in the next book.
For fans of detective/mystery stories I highly recommend this book: tightly written, beautiful setting, great twists and a central character to care about.
April 15, 2015
Wow! I read M.W. Griffith's first Montana Merrenger book The Runaway Train and REALLY liked it. He knows how to write suspense! In The Truth About Alex, he hit it out of the park even further. My fingernails are seriously in need of attention due to the suspense and mystery here in Alex. If you like well written suspense that WILL tug on your heartstrings, then this book is for you. I 100% recommend it!!
March 10, 2015
Really well done. A fantastic read.
Started slow but you will be so well rewarded as you read forward. This author is soon to be much better known, that's for sure. The writing is complex but surprisingly easy to follow. Story is the key and this is another great one. The main character is very likable and the reader is hungry to learn more about her with each installment. Highly recommended.
Started slow but you will be so well rewarded as you read forward. This author is soon to be much better known, that's for sure. The writing is complex but surprisingly easy to follow. Story is the key and this is another great one. The main character is very likable and the reader is hungry to learn more about her with each installment. Highly recommended.
July 23, 2015
After looking through the other reviews, I wonder if I've got anything to add to what's already been said.
The story is engaging, he weaves together the past and present storylines seamlessly, and the twists are gratifying.
Like other folks, I'm excited about the next book by M.W.
The story is engaging, he weaves together the past and present storylines seamlessly, and the twists are gratifying.
Like other folks, I'm excited about the next book by M.W.
April 17, 2015
I flew through both Montana Marrenger novellas!
I am looking forward to the novel-length MM crime-thriller.
I am looking forward to the novel-length MM crime-thriller.
November 5, 2017
Interesting plot in a plot
So many twists and turns in this one. But at the end, you won't be surprised. You'll tell yourself "I knew that".
So many twists and turns in this one. But at the end, you won't be surprised. You'll tell yourself "I knew that".
February 10, 2015
It's amazing when an author makes such a leap between one story and the next, and Griffith does it. While I liked the first one it did have some faults, but this one I loved without reservation. I found the story engaging, well paced, gripping while intelligently proving the moments to breathe. It says written without the end to be gory or do anything that would make it step outside the boundary of YA without being written for YA explicitly.
Ultimately, I found it more-ish, meaning that I want to see more from the author. I'm really looking forward to what he has up his sleeve next.
Well, well worth it.
Ultimately, I found it more-ish, meaning that I want to see more from the author. I'm really looking forward to what he has up his sleeve next.
Well, well worth it.
September 8, 2016
Too short
I enjoy this author, and appreciate, very much, the ability to weave in a variety of angles and surprises. I've already read the cold bending light, and it was a far more fulfilling read. This appears to have been done as a test or something, when in reality, they should have written with more complexity. I'm glad I read something else first, but all in all, it has begun the process of filling in the holes for Montana.
I enjoy this author, and appreciate, very much, the ability to weave in a variety of angles and surprises. I've already read the cold bending light, and it was a far more fulfilling read. This appears to have been done as a test or something, when in reality, they should have written with more complexity. I'm glad I read something else first, but all in all, it has begun the process of filling in the holes for Montana.
November 1, 2015
The Truth About Alex is an engaging, fast paced mystery novella. However, it's short length, about 100 pages, let me craving for more characterization and details--in general more development.
In summary, The Truth About Alex is a fast, entertaining read.
In summary, The Truth About Alex is a fast, entertaining read.
July 6, 2016
Keeping in mind this is a novella - I enjoyed the style, the plot and the characters. Rather an abrupt ending, which would have been enhanced with more detail leading up to it.
I will, however, look forward to reading more by M.W. Griffith.
I will, however, look forward to reading more by M.W. Griffith.
December 13, 2016
An excellent beginning to this series!
At just novella length, this was a pretty quick read, one which I really enjoyed! I liked the no nonsense attitude the FBI agent brings to this storyline. It's a series I plan to follow!
At just novella length, this was a pretty quick read, one which I really enjoyed! I liked the no nonsense attitude the FBI agent brings to this storyline. It's a series I plan to follow!
December 29, 2016
A child goes missing and twelve years later a 60 year old man is found dead with the identity of the child. Selena Marrenger with the FBI is called in to work the case with the local police. Good plot and characters. I rate this a 3.3
May 30, 2016
very good story, everything just fit together from characters to action ! Good !
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews