After Johnny Careless, the “fast-moving classic crime novel” (John Sandford), comes the lively next installment in the Jeep Mullane series from veteran screenwriter and Blue Bloods showrunner Kevin Wade.
As a hurricane makes landfall on Long Island’s Gold Coast, local Police Chief Jeep Mullane responds to a plea for help at the estate of his longtime friend Jenny Racine, where she has been violently assaulted in a home invasion. Jenny was the girl next door growing up, now a rich and famous entrepreneur and, always, a compelling, infuriating, and magnetic presence in his life.
Though Jenny is adamant she wants no investigation of the incident, Jeep sets off on a lonely and dangerous path to find out who attacked her. As he makes alarming discoveries, he must pry open the secrets of Jenny's ex-military ex-husband, a fugitive police captain, officious federal agents, steely blue-blooded women, and two local biker gangs, casting aside his protocol as a police chief to challenge the criminals himself.
Unfolding across five action-packed days and twenty-five years of shared past, Jeep must grapple with his complicated history with Jenny, the thorny customs and secrets of his homeland, and a long-buried truth that leads him to the painful solution.
Thank you Celadon Books for the early copy of this book, I thought the story was okay but didn’t enjoy the going back and forth with the plot I felt the author could of gave us the time line in the order of how things transpired and I felt he could have made the mystery more interesting but it was a short read so I felt it wasn’t too bad, could have been better.
One Good Eye, Kevin Wade’s followup to his very likable Johnny Careless, has a solid novel somewhere inside its covers, but it never fully comes into focus.
The author’s strengths are clear—authentic dialogue, a believable setting, and flashes of sharp, engaging writing. Early on, it feels like the book is building toward something gritty and compelling. Unfortunately, however, the pacing drifts, and the story never quite develops the urgency it needs.
The protagonist, Long Island, NY police chief Jeep Mullane, has potential but feels uneven in this book, and most of the supporting cast doesn’t leave much of an impression. The plot itself is serviceable, but it lacks the tension and payoff that would have made Onr Good Eye memorable.
It’s not a bad book—just a frustratingly average one that hints at being better than it is.
Thanks to its publisher, Celadon Books, and Net Galley for giving me access to reading an advance copy of One Good Eye.
I really wanted to enjoy this second book of the series. I think however, this author just isn’t my style. The plot started out interesting enough, but the characters are just not memorable. Towards the middle of the book I was so uninterested I couldn’t remember who was who in the extended cast of characters. Also, as with the first book, the “mystery” is just not great. When you get to the climax of the plot it really just doesn’t deliver. I’m sorry I really wanted to like it more, but I can’t.
It’s a little unclear why Jeep and his girlfriend are so distant. And the flashback of the wedding.. was it her wedding? Did I miss something in the first book about Niven? Either way, the ending really lost me. I won’t spoil it, but the “cliffhanger” just doesn’t peak my interest for another installment of Jeep.
I loved Kevin Wade’s debut novel, Johnny Clueless, and One Good Eye is also an excellent read. Jeep, the Chief of Police of a small town on Long Island, is back and we meet some other figures from his past in this book. Jenny and Jeep have been good friends since childhood, and the book opens with Jeep coming to her home during a tropical storm after she is violently assaulted. As Jeep digs in to her life to find answers, he keeps coming back to the car accident she and Aaron, her husband, were in years ago.
This story is complex and has many moving parts that all come together in the end. Aaron’s brother Carl is another important character, part of a small motorcycle gang trying to join a larger criminal gang. Federal agents are involved, there is blackmailing, many entertaining law enforcement characters and interesting flashbacks. Jeep and Jenny have had a long friendship with many ups and downs, and while both are involved with other people, there has always been a question of whether they are more than friends.
The plot of this book was rich and the flashbacks to the past added a lot of depth to the present-day story. There are shocking surprises along the way, which added to the fast pace of the novel. I flew through this book, wanting to know what would happen next. The conclusion seems obvious in retrospect, but I had no idea how the story would end as I was reading it.
Wade’s longtime experience as a screenwriter is evident in his work. One Good Eye is a riveting, suspenseful thriller that keeps you guessing as you read it. Jeep’s character development is nuanced and thoughtful, and I loved getting to know him better. I enjoy reading novels most where the character development is extensive and detailed. We feel like we are in Jeep’s head in this book. I absolutely loved One Good Eye.
Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The second book in Jeep Mullane’s world as Chief of Police of his small Long Island seaside town was a short, suspenseful crime novel. The chapters alternated between the present and past timelines which gave the mystery more meaning and the characters depth. When Jeep’s best friend and old lover, Jenny, suffers an assault during a break in to her home, Jeep investigates on the down low. She doesn’t want to report it. This crime leads to a story of their history and the accident that cost Jenny her left eye. Like the first novel, there are a few investigations going on and Jeep’s honor is questioned. The “cop lingo” is well researched and hopefully Mr. Wade continues this small town cop’s story that is full of heart and grit.
Relationships and past sins complicate his latest case
Former NYPD detective Jeep Mullane is the Chief of Police for several small towns on Long Island's North Shore, including Bayville where he grew up. When he gets a distressed call from the home of his old friend Jenny Racine, the girl next door of his youth who rose from humble beginnings and a disfiguring accident to become a wealthy entrepreneur, he doesn't hesitate to head there. When he arrives he finds that Jenny was attacked by an intruder but she refuses to officially report it as a crime; she wants Jeep to look into it privately. As he does so, he uncovers all manner of problems in the area which may or may not be related to what's happened to Jenny. Biker gangs, drugs, blackmail, federal investigators and more rise to the surface, and when another friend of theirs turns up dead by what doesn't seem to be an accident it is clear that Jeep is running out of time. Can he find out who is blackmailing Jenny and put a stop to it before anyone else dies? One Good Eye is the sequel to author Kevin Wade's novel Johnny Careless, and is a solid addition to this new series featuring an engaging protagonist and a well-developed sense of place. The narrative takes place over the span of just a few days in the current day, interwoven with forays into the past to slowly unveil what happened to Jenny back when she and Jeep were in high school. The stage is then set for what is behind the blackmail, but it remains to be seen how the blackmailer got ahold of the alternative police report from the earlier situation. The area in which Jeep lives and works is home to both working class families like Jeep's (whose late father was also in law enforcement) and Jenny's as well as to the very wealthy, and thus is prey to "haves vs have nots" tensions. As in his earlier case (in Johnny Careless), Jeep has a complicated history with Jenny and many of the other players in the current situation, and he wrestles with what he should and shouldn't do in the interest of justice. Fans of the first book in the series will certainly enjoy this latest installment, as will readers of Nelson DeMille, John D, MacDonald and Dennis Lehane (particularly the Kenzie/Gennaro series). It is a very quick read. a solid character-driven procedural that I consumed in two sittings. It can be read as a standalone, but I encourage readers to read the first book in the series as well in order to have a full understanding of the characters' backstories. My thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review. Can't wait for the third Jeep Mullane tale to hit the shelves!
This series is promising to quickly become a favorite and this second installment is just adding to the love I felt for its predecessor.
I won't go into the blurb here but just say that this one in particular had it all. Added development/background for our main character (Jeep Mullane, a Chief of Police in smalltown North Shore of Long Island), not one but two (are they related?) interesting cases, and a pacing of the story that was spot on.
I must say that for me the real draw here is Jeep Mullane as I'm very much a character-driven reader. He's a bit mysterious in some ways, a bit tough guy/softie, a bit conflicted (both personally and professionally) and totally human and relatable. I find myself simultaneously rooting for and even at times chastising him which to me marks a wonderful, all-around protagonist. He struggles at times (as do we all) with again, both personal and professional dilemmas/decisions, and it's intriguing as a reader to be able to get inside his head and see his thought processes as he grapples. I will say that this particular book enticed me along the way as we see more of his past background (specifically teenage years) and how those relationships/decisions made a lasting impact on his current self (38ish now). There was a bit of a carrot dangle as I began to see a possible past relationship become more prominent as far as his present personal life was concerned. And to be honest, at its ending, I'm still not totally convinced how that storyline will carry through...so a bit of a cliffhanger there at least for me...but suffice it to say that I'm here for it.
Well-written (flows so nicely and easily), engaging plotlines and well-grounded in its Long Island atmosphere, if you haven't met Police Chief Mullane yet, I encourage you to do so. I think you'll find it a relationship well worth cultivating.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing the free early arc of One Good Eye for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
Full disclosure: I received an unsolicited ARC of this book in the mail from Celadon. They had previously sent me an ARC of Wade's previous book in this series, Johnny Careless. Apparently they liked my review of it enough to send me the follow-up? Anyway, shout out to the fine folks @celadonbooks ! Sending me free books does not guarantee a good review, but it does bring me joy.
So Jeep Mullane is still the Centre Brookville Chief of Police. An old friend, Jenny Racine, is assaulted in a home invasion, but refuses to file a complaint, and says she wants no investigation. Jeep can't resist asking a question or two, as events from their shared past prove to have deadly present-day consequences …
One Good Eye is a well-constructed Mystery novel in the classic tradition. The characters feel like real people, the setting feels authentic. Jeep makes a fine protagonist, and I'm always delighted to spend time with him. Events move at a brisk pace, with chapters mostly alternating between past and present as we learn Jeep and Jenny's history together.
So, for the second book in a row, we have a mystery involving characters with whom Jeep grew up. I'm skeptical that this formula can sustain a series for very long. On the other hand, here we are at book two, and I'm not bored yet. I guess I'll assume that Kevin Wade knows what he's doing, and see what happens next. I do note the revelation in this book of … something that I'll stay vague about to avoid spoilers, but that could easily provide a launching pad for a number of future books. Probably best to use it sparingly, but clearly Wade is keeping an eye out for ways to sustain his series.
All in all, One Good Eye is a worthy successor to Johnny Careless. Jeep is bound to run out of childhood friends eventually, but I'm on board for however long Kevin Wade wants to keep spinning this series out. He definitely has a few tricks up his sleeve. Recommended!
Johnny Careless, the first book in the Jeep Mullane series, was a pleasant surprise for me last year. Although I was familiar with some of the television shows and movies for which he had been the screenwriter, I had not been familiar with Kevin Wade by name. I greatly enjoyed the book and saw a lot of potential for the book to become a series.
Although I still believe that there are compelling stories to be told about Mullane, a New York police chief, I found One Good Eye was a small step backwards. The book’s description talks about a violent attack on a friend of Mullane’s, Jenny Racine, during a hurricane. My first red flag was that there was far less discussion of the hurricane than what I had expected, such that I wondered why it was even mentioned at all. That wasn’t the only time that I thought some plot point would have a bigger impact on the story than what it ultimately did. While I found the story of Jenny’s background interesting, particularly the retelling of a tragic accident that cost her an eye (leading to her new nickname, “Pirate Jenny”), I found the investigation of her home assault to be underwhelming.
There are things that I greatly enjoyed with this book. Wade’s strengths as a writer are apparent. He makes his characters relatable and their conversations feel real. The plot moves quickly. The book, despite what I believe to be its flaws, is very enjoyable. I find myself looking forward to a third novel even though I liked this one just a little bit less.
The audiobook was narrated by John Pirhalla. I loved his work on Johnny Careless and thought he was spot on again. I varied my listening between 1.25 and 1.50 speeds.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to listen to One Good Eye. The above opinions are my own.
✦ Book Review: One Good Eye (Jeep Mullane #2) by Kevin Wade ✧ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, @CeladonBooks ➊ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂 When Jeep Mullane's longtime friend Jenny Racine is brutally attacked during a hurricane on Long Island, the case immediately becomes personal. Jenny insists she doesn't want Jeep digging into what happened, but that isn't enough to keep him from searching for answers. As the investigation unfolds, the mystery becomes intertwined with the complicated history Jeep and Jenny have shared for decades, forcing him to confront both the crime in front of him and pieces of the past that never completely went away. ➋ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂 One Good Eye is a solid crime mystery that kept me interested from beginning to end. Kevin Wade does a particularly good job balancing the investigation with the characters and their history, giving the story enough depth that it never feels like we're simply moving from one clue to the next. Jeep is an enjoyable protagonist, and his connection to Jenny gives the investigation a personal element that raises the stakes without overwhelming the mystery itself. I also appreciated that the characters feel imperfect and occasionally make questionable decisions without becoming frustrating to read. The mystery moves at a good pace, the setting works well, and there was enough uncertainty surrounding what happened to keep me turning pages. It didn't completely knock me over, but it didn't need to. This was simply a well-written, entertaining mystery and an easy four stars for me.
Centre Brookville Chief of Police Jeep Mullane is conducting a “good neighbor” tour of Long Island’s North Shore, checking on folks before the promised hurricane strikes.
When he receives a message from Jenny Racine’s driver, Nicole, he heads toward Jenny’s house. There he discovers that the woman had been violently assaulted. But she does not want any investigation into the attack.
This does not sit well with Jeep, who sets out to find out who attacked Jenny . . . and why.
What will he discover?
=========
Second in the author’s Jeep Malone series, this story builds on the first book, but there is sufficient backstory for those who have not read the first one. The book works well as a standalone. Well-drawn characters and a strong sense of place pull readers into the telling of the tale and keep those pages turning.
The story alternates between the present, when Jeep is investigating Jenny’s attack, and the past where readers learn about the past that Jeep and Jenny share. The story is character-driven, the action swift, the mystery intriguing.
Readers who enjoyed the first book in the series as well as those who enjoy mysteries and character-driven stories will find much to appreciate in this difficult-to-set-aside book.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Celadon Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review. #OnedGoodEye #NetGalley
I'm not quite sure how to categorize this book. It's kind of a police procedural, kind of a romance, kind of a murder mystery – but whatever you call it, it works.
The main character is Jeep Mullane, the police chief out on Long Island's North Shore. Jeep became a cop almost by default, following in his father's footsteps. He feels that he has a calling to help people.
The other main character is "Pirate Jenny" Racine. Jeep has known – and probably been in love with – Jenny since they were kids. But he never made his move, so he remains her best friend as she goes on to marry Aaron Stubblefield, the high school hunk. The three are lifelong friends.
The book is told through a series of flashbacks showing how this threesome evolved over the years. In the present day, Jenny has been attacked in her home, but refuses to let Jeep investigate. Her rationale has to do with secrets from the past which could hurt both her and her husband's reputations. As the story progresses, more plot lines are added including why Aaron's brother Carl is being investigated by the Feds; who murders Carl and why; and bizarrely, what Jenny and Aaron want Jeep to do as the ultimate gift for them.
This book is quirky but it will hold your interest. And the ending will leave you wondering if the author is planning another book around Jeep Mullane!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
One Good Eye is a fun, classic cop-procedural mystery. If you like the old-school, rough around the edges cop (but with his heart and morals in the right place), this could be a good book for you.
What I like about Kevin Wade’s writing is how detailed it is without forsaking the plot’s speed. I feel like I can picture every scene playing out in my head, yet I would still describe the book as fast-moving.
I also enjoyed the characters and the complicated relationships we are introduced to. I love that while Jeep clearly says he never loved Jenny, the chapters that dive into their shared past paints a muddier picture. And I’m hopeful that the ending is intentionally left open just enough that we will be seeing Jenny, Aaron, and Niven more in future installments!
I will say that I while I appreciated all the moving pieces in the plot, I did sometimes get confused with all the different names and who was tied to what part. Like I could always go back a few pages and quickly figure it out, but it was enough to pull me from the plot at times (e.g., switching from using the first vs last name, trying to remember the name of the different towns / police officers in those towns, etc)
Thanks to Kevin Wave and Celadon for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
One Good Eye is the second installment in the Jeep Mullane series and an excellent follow-up to Johnny Clueless. Once again Wade delivers a compelling mix of suspenseful investigation among a backdrop of friendship, history and loyalty. His experience as a screenwriter for the show Blue Bloods is once again evident in the sharp dialogue and layered characters. A hurricane brings more than just stormy weather to Long Island when Jeep’s longtime friend Jenny is assaulted in her own home. But she refuses to report the crime or even discuss it with Jeep. Unable to simply walk away, Jeep begins investigating on his own, quickly finding himself immersed in a web of suspects and secrets. The flashbacks provide a compelling dual timeline, taking us back to Jeep’s younger years growing up on Long Island and revealing the events surrounding his friendship with Jenny. I enjoyed these glimpses into Jeep’s past, which add another layer to his character explaining more about the man he is today. His personal and professional development continues to evolve. Jeep Mullane is becoming a character I’m quite invested in and I look forward to seeing where his story goes next. I companion listened to the audiobook narrated by John Pirhalla who delivered an excellent performance bringing Jeep to life and keeping the suspense on point.
Thank you @celdonbooks for an early copy of this book that comes out in August.
This is my first book from Kevin Wade. This is the second book in the Jeep Mullane series. I didn’t read the first book and after finishing this one I didn’t feel like I missed out on any information. I really enjoyed this thriller. It took place on Long Island, where I’m from. It adds a fun factor when you recognize the towns and places that are mentioned. There were so many LI references and quotes that I loved. (BEC-if you know you know). Even though Police Chief Jeep is investigating a crime, we get to hear about his friendship with Jenny from the very beginning. The crime involved someone blackmailing Jenny. Jeep did everything he could to solve it. I really enjoyed hearing about Jeep and Jenny’s friendship. It’s so special so have a friendship from childhood up to your adult years. I truly think they were in love with each other, but they were too afraid to ruin their friendship. The investigation didn’t only involve Jenny, it tuned bigger than that. I was very invested in this story the entire time. I have a feeling there will be a book three with the way the book ended. I’m dying to know what Jeep was going to say to Jenny.
First, thank you, Celadon Books, for the early copy of this book. This was the second book I had received from them. After reading One Good Eye by Kevin Wade, I have to say this one was an okay read for me. This is the second book in the Jeep Mullane series, following Johnny Careless. The story follows Police Chief Jeep Mullane as he investigates a violent attack involving someone from his past, bringing old secrets and complicated relationships back to the surface. The book had some interesting moments, and I enjoyed getting to know more about Jeep and the history behind some of the characters. Kevin Wade does a good job creating a small-town atmosphere and showing the challenges of a police chief who is personally connected to the people involved. That being said, the story just never fully grabbed me. I found the pacing a little uneven, and the back-and-forth between the past and present sometimes took me out of the flow of the story. The mystery had potential, but I felt like it could have been developed a little more and had a stronger payoff.
Overall, One Good Eye was not a bad book—it just wasn’t one that stood out for me. I finished it and enjoyed parts of it, but I was left wishing for a little more suspense and a stronger connection to the story.
This is my second Jeep Malone book and I found it just an engaging as the first. Jeep is pulled into a crime and mystery by his friend Jenny Racine. Only Jenny doesn't want to report the crime nor let Jeep know what is going on. However, Jeep being a cop and the guy who Jenny can count in can't help himself and starts investigating. His investigation has him stepping on other investigations with other jurisdictions, other government agencies and even old friends and people in his hometown area. What mysteries will he uncover? Will Jeep be able to help Jenny or unintendedly hurt her?
I like several things about this book, the fast pace of the book, the storytelling of the crime/mystery, the characters the reader can sense their history and friendship as genuine and the character of Jeep - he is part John Wayne and part Deadpool or maybe more like Sam Spade - a good man with an undercurrent of bad boy. Pick this up if you enjoy a good mystery and good writing. Thanks to Net Galley and Celadon Books.
Fast becoming one of my favorite series, Jeep Mullane is a police chief on Long Island, living in Bayville. In this entry, Jeep's teenaged crush, Jennie, has had her house broken into and been assaulted. She refuses to have the police involved. Jeep soon discovers she is being blackmailed for something that happened 20 years ago. Meanwhile, Jennie's estranged husband, Aaron, has his own problems as it looks like his brother, Carl, is being investigated by the Feds.
The story is told in alternating chapters, the current day, and the past, with every flashback moving forward in time. What, if anything, did Jennie do to result in blackmail?
This title is the second in the series. While it is not necessary to read Johnny Careless first as Wade fills in enough backstory for this to work as a standalone, I would strongly recommend doing so, if for no other reason than you don't want to miss out on another great read.
One Good Eye is the second book in Kevin Wade’s Jeep Mullane series. Jeep’s longtime friends, Jenny Racine and Adam Stubblefield, are central to the story. The plot moves between the present and the past, providing the backstory of Jeep’s relationship with Jenny. In the present, Jenny is attacked and badly beaten but refuses to have the assault investigated or to press charges. Jeep’s investigation into what happened makes up much of the rest of the story, and that is where the plot began to lose me. I wanted more focus on the characters and, especially, on the friendship Jeep and Jenny shared. Instead, more characters were introduced and Jeep’s increasingly complicated investigation took over. For me, the heart of the story became buried beneath the twists and turns, and the plot began to feel somewhat lost. I enjoyed Johnny Careless much more, but I like Jeep Mullane enough to stick with the series and see where Kevin Wade takes him next.
Y’all, One Good Eye rolls in like the hurricane at its center, building tension until it crashes into a storm of secrets, danger, and buried truths. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Police Chief Jeep Mullane is a stubborn, compelling hero, and his decades-long connection to Jenny Racine gives this investigation extra emotional bite as he digs into a brutal home invasion that unravels ex-military secrets, biker gangs, and corruption. Kevin Wade’s writing is sharp, atmospheric, and rich with authentic police detail—you can practically smell the salt air as the suspense closes in. The pacing was a little slow at first, but once it hit its stride, it held on tight. A gritty, character-driven crime thriller that’s well worth the ride.
Thanks to Celadon Books and Kevin Wade for a copy of One Good Eye for my honest, voluntary review.
One Good Eye is the second in a series featuring Police Chief Jeep Mullane. Jeep’s knowledge of the area and people where he grew up, and lives, on the North Shore of Long Island is a real asset. When a childhood friend, now very prosperous, is attacked in her home, Jeep is anxious to understand why, though she does not want him involved. Their backstory, along with the pasts of other friends, create a cast of very interesting characters. Haves and have nots also play a key role.
Blackmail, drugs, robbery, and murder intertwine in this story bringing with them politics between policing organizations. Mr. Wade once again displays his knowledge of police procedures and writes in a compelling style. This is a great follow up to Johnny Careless—a very enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy. Available August 11.
I just finished One Good Eye by Kevin Wade, and wow, it was such a fun ride! It follows Jeep Mullane, a former NYC cop turned coastal police chief who seriously reminds me of Alex Cross meets Alex Delaware.
The drama starts when Jeep's childhood friend and beauty mogul, Jenny "Pirate Jenny" Racine, gets targeted by a blackmailer. You instantly get sucked into this web of secrets where literally everyone is hiding something. It was so gripping to watch Jeep struggle with his own checkered past while trying to do his job and protect someone he cares about.
This book was exactly what I needed—an enjoyable, super quick, and easy read that keeps you entertained the whole way through. I totally recommend checking it out! Thank you to Celadon Books for this gifted book.
Wow, when I got to the end, I was half annoyed at the ending, and half thrilled that there will be a 3rd book in the series. I loved the first book, Johnny Careless, and this second book, One Good Eye, did not disappoint!!!! Wade's ability to develop great characters is a gift. It's not just a crime novel, it is a story with character depth that holds your interest. I love how he introduces new characters and they do not seem out of the blue, he ties them back to Jeep's past and you hope to see them again in a future book. It is well written, I saw absolutely no editing errors (kudos to the editing team), and the story just flows. I definitely recommend reading, and you do not necessarily have to have read Johnny Careless, but you would not want to miss it either.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this second one was a big miss for me.
The story follows the same formula as the first book, which worked for that one, but here it felt like rinse and repeat.
I absolutely did not need all the long flashbacks into Jeep’s teenage life. All of it could have been summed up in a few observations throughout the story.
The plot drags and meanders. My mind kept wandering, and I’d snap back to realize I hadn’t missed anything.
The audiobook narrator is the same from the first book. He does a great job capturing Jeep’s character, but it wasn’t enough to save this story for me.
*Thanks to Macmillan Audio (#MacAudio2026) for the free audiobook download.*
One Good Eye is the 2nd book in the Jeep Mullane series from Kevin Wade.
"Jeep takes a call from an old friend about an assault. She doesn't want to press charges but Jeep starts looking for answers. He must navigate obnoxious federal agents, ex-husbands and biker gangs to find answers."
John Pirhalla does a wonderful job on the audio. There are lots of voices - mail and female - he gets them all.
There's more backstory in this book than the first one. You see the connections with Jeep and Jenny. And you get a sense of the social divide on the island that both had to deal with as teens growing up.
This reads like a police procedural - Jeep follows leads - often in unexpected directions. The ending is a surprise, much like the previous book.
Happy publication day to author Kevin Wade! His newest book, One Good Eye, published by Celadon Books, is an engrossing, sharp-witted crime thriller featuring small-town police chief Jeep Mullane on Long Island's Gold Coast.
Highlights
Compelling Mystery: Taut pacing that unfolds across high-stakes action and decades of shared history.
Rich Character Depth: Features intimately real characters and a deeply engaging, grounded protagonist in Jeep Mullane.
Vivid Setting: Masterfully captures the distinct, tense tribal dynamics of Long Island's North Shore.
*This review was written with the help of Google AI. *
Also thank Celadon Books for advance copy for Little Library Reading Nook in Topeka, Kansas*
Jeep Mullane just can’t catch a break! Just as a hurricane is hitting he gets a call for help from a friend who was assaulted during a violent home invasion. But she (Jenny) is reluctant to have the situation investigated. Jeep must delineate the line between police chief and friend as he tries to find out what is going on. The fact that Jenny was ‘the girl next door’ only complicates matters. The difference between Jeep and other fictional law enforcement officers (LEOs) is the way Kevin Wade shows us his struggles; a man very much trying to balance law enforcement in both personal and professional situations.
One Good Eye is the second installment about police chief Jeep Malone, a lifelong Long Island native. He goes to the mansion of Jenny Racine, a long time dear friend, who has been severely assaulted. His investigation leads him to other mysteries and assaults, conflicting with other jurisdictions and generally increasing the danger and intrigue. I wish it had the tension it seems to need. As I felt about the first book, the author writes witty dialogue and Jeep is is a well developed character, among a large cast of characters. The past and present weave and propel the plot along. With thanks to Netgalley and Celadon Books for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
Police Chief Jeep Mullane is checking on storm damage when he receives a call about a long time friend being assaulted in her home. When he arrives, Jenny implores him to not make it a case. Just leave it. While Jeep agrees to her request, he does not not investigate. While this story lasts thru one week in real time, it covers the last twenty-five years of history between Jeep and Jenny and their close family and friends and the events and secrets that have ruled their lives, good and bad for all these years. And makes them all re-evaluate what they have done and why. Great series with believable characters. (Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy)
I received this book at a Goodreads Giveaway. Since it was the second in a series I read the first book, Johnny Careless, first which I enjoyed and reviewed. This book was equally good with some of the original characters and some new. It could be read as a stand-a-lone but I think it helped to have read the first book. I loved the lead character and am hoping for more. This author is an experienced screen writer but new to writing crime novels instead of writing screenplays including for the the TV series Blue Bloods. It was obviously a seamless transition. Highly recommend this author and this series.