Courtney Johnson brings the house down in the heart of the vibrant Dallas Arts District. Later, shrills pierce the hallways of Wyle Theater when Courtney, a budding Broadway musical star, is found dead, a single bullet to the head.
Driven to find the killer before panic tears apart the arts community and all those who support it, private investigator Booker T. Adams discovers evidence of a professional hit, then uncovers a lovers ' triangle that takes him all the way to the mean streets of Boston.
And then it happens again. Another performer killed, someone Booker had met. Rocked by the shocking murders, performers and patrons alike fear that a serial killer is on the loose, and no one knows when and or where another dead body will show up.
But professional obligations quickly morph into personal vendettas. Running against an unforgiving clock, Booker is forced to solicit the help of a crime boss, The Shark.
With his life threatened at almost every turn, and his heart being put through a meat grinder, Booker taps into every resource at his disposal to stop more than just a killer.
But at what price?
Full of unforgettable characters, bone-chilling suspense and stunning thrills, BOOKER - Tap That is a wild ride that will test even the most fervent reader's quest for a luminous reading experience.
Fans of Alex Cross and Jack Reacher will enjoy this private investigator thriller novel full of suspense, action, and crime.
Q&A with author John W. Mefford:
Q: What made you want to write a private investigator series?
JWM: I've always had strong desire to write private investigator thriller novels. When I was young, I was drawn to books, TV shows, and movies that featured a private detective with a little bit of attitude, a rebellious streak so to speak, a determined, gritty soul who used every gift they possessed to solve the case, but for a higher purpose than just paying the rent. I enjoy private detective novels that know how to create and build suspense...and then deliver a mind-splitting thriller with plenty of crackling action.
Q: What can we expect out of the BOOKER Private Investigator Thriller Series of Crime and Suspense?
JWM: To put it simply -- a roller-coaster ride brimming with action and suspense. The characters are tested to their limits, Booker in particular, which adds all sorts of interesting layers to his evolution. There's always a bit of humor mixed in, along with a healthy dose of pulse-pounding thrills. Born in South Dallas, Booker is driven to do anything in his power to protect the mixed bag of people living in his city. But even with the best intentions, Booker is dragged into seedy situations, slammed into obstacles that seem insurmountable. The man's got substance, though, which make his thriller moments even more powerful.
Q: How many books are you planning to publish in the BOOKER Private Investigator Thriller Series of Crime and Suspense?
JWM: Six and a half. Sort of. Six full BOOKER private investigator thriller novels are planned for release in 2015. And I might have a BOOKER novella to share with my readers as well. It's in the surprise bucket that I hope to open in the next couple of months. After that, there could be more. I can envision at least two more stories.
BOOKER Private Investigator Thriller Series of Crime and Suspense eBook categories include: Private Investigator Series Private Investigator Thriller Series Private Investigator Thriller Novels Private Investigator Suspense Thriller Series Private Investigator Action
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.
John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.
A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.
Another amazing case with Booker T. Adams, Private Eye!! What twists in this story, as Booker becomes closer to his new girlfriend, Britney, and he receives a new case when a young actress is killed! The Arts Society for the city do Not want folks afraid to attend any of their events, so hire Booker to close the case of the girl's death as quickly and quietly as possible. Of course he still is watching Dax and David, after David tricked his best friends' sister in a scheme, and his old nemesis from the police, Sims, seems to be keeping up his evil ways. And every case ends up on fire at the same time...Actually meeting the others in the middle!! A story that will hold your interest from the start through so many bumps in the road that you will feel sore by the surprising ending!! An ending that I sure did Not see coming!! I received an ARC from the author and I happily offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review!!
Booker Tap That is the second book in the Booker series. After completing Booker: Streets of Mayhem I was looking forward to the second installment as there were questions that were left unanswered. I had great expectations for this installment based on the following
My previous experience with the author’s work.
The reviews posted by other readers.
Based on the above, I was looking forward to a fast paced, action packed and an exciting read. Unfortunately, that was not the case. This is not to say that the story was not good it was just not what I was hoping for. The story picked up from where Booker, Streets of Mayhem left off. Due to the overlap in stories it would be best to read the first book before proceeding to volume 2. It started out pretty slow and it kept that pace for almost 70% of the book. It was at this stage that things began heating up. The action was minimal. It was not enough to provide me with that edge of your seat read. What I like about this installment was
The way the author incorporated events from the previous installment in the story.
That all my questions from the previous installment were finally answered.
The mystery which was not easy to figure out. I would never have guessed who the killer was. When it was revealed I was speechless.
I was given more insight into Booker’s past.
Although there was more than one case being solved, the story flowed seamlessly. The characters were likeable and sufficient back story was provided making it easy to understand what motivates them. Although it took me some time to get into the story due to its slow pace I found it to be an ok read. Personally for me it was not as good as the first book in the series, but it’s good enough for me to recommend it to mystery fans.
( Format : ebook ) "Naughty boy." Author. John Mefford has an exceptional talent of carrying his readers in a story bubble, visual, sometimes funny, always led by strongly filled out characters: their ongoing lives are as important as the situations in which they find themselves. A celebrity, someone Booked and his new girlfriend had recently met and admired, has been murdered. But who, and why, would someone want to kill her? And, of course, there are still those compromising photos of Stan 'that d*ckless piece of lard' Pittman and the luscious Lola to be snapped for Mrs.Pittman.
Tap That is an exciting but quick and easy read, thrilling but fun. And recommended..
A budding Broadway musical star is found dead, a single bullet to the head. Then it happens again, someone Booker knew. This became more a personal obligation than a professional one and running against time before another murder happens Booker is forced to solicit the help of a crime boss.
My thoughts in a few words:
I am a huge fan of this author and through the years I have read a fair number of his books and thought they were an excellent escapism that offered mainly exciting stories for us to enjoy. I have to make an exception with this one. This latest was so slow and so drawn out I lost focus many time and couldn’t even remember what I had just read. The story lacked the usual intense action to keep my attention at bay. I wasn’t even trying to outsmart Booker in his quest to do whatever he was set to do. In previous books I felt often challenge to be one step ahead of the protagonist not here. Yes, I found this book somewhat boring. Although to his credits, Mr. Mefford writes with a strong hand and doesn’t shy from giving us a story with a mysterious side ...maybe a little too much this time. I am not giving up on this author and will continue to be one is faithful fans and read book #3 “Hate City” shortly.
This is the way I see it. But don’t shy away from this author you may love “Tap That”
This book picks up shortly after the end of the first in the series (see below), but it is not necessary to have read the first to enjoy the second.
Booker has opened a PI office above his friend's bar and has hired an assistant who just happens to be one of the barmaids. He is romantically involved with a society girl--whose fiancee was murdered in the first book. This relationship gives him the opportunity to investigate a series of deaths in the arts community while still trying to bring down the dirty cops who got him removed from the police force.
I enjoyed this book just as much as the first and still find a lot of similarities between Booker and James Patterson's Alex Cross. There is action, intrigue, humor, romance, and lots of surprises all in one book. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries/thrillers/action.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours. All the opinions above are 100% my own.
Booker deals with the complexities of trying to bring down drug dealing cops, sustaining a relationship with his hot new girlfriend and finding the killer of two ballet dancers. He even finds himself involved with a Chicago crime boss. Very highly recommended. I can't wait to read Booker #3.
As the heading implies, there is quite a lot of both in this book. While I enjoyed the crime element more, the book as a whole was very interesting, at least in part because blacks and whites, men and women, gays and straight people were treated with respect and as equals I never guessed who was the villain, but in retrospect I think this didn't involve trickery on the part of the author. I wish I had not read the books out of order. I am going to read the more of Mefford's books, starting with the first in this series.
Just has in the first book the writer continues to give you a well written detective story filled with mystery,gangsters,bad cops ,crazy girlfriends and really good comedic timing.You are going to really enjoy this story not only does it flow effortlessly but it will keep you guessing until the end.
Book 2 in the Booker Series is even better than the book one which I thoroughly enjoyed. Crooked cops and a crime boss keep Booker on his toes. This is turning out to be a fantastic series! Lots of twists and turns and an ending I certainly did not expect. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Wow. Booker's life sure is getting outrageous. His business is growing one body at a time. John's story telling gets better with each book. Loo,in forward to the next in series.
I was lucky enough to have gotten a ARC copy of this book from the author. I am volunteering to leave this review. Great book plenty of twist and turns and ending that will surprise you.
Booker, ex police detective turned private investigator with headquarters above his friends bar and with the bar maid as a very able assistant has finally found the woman he thinks he might be able to open up to besides his daughter. His current girlfriend is a high society type who enjoys ballet, art galleries and shopping. We must not forget that she was the fiance of the guy in the first book who was hung on a clock tower and then a bomb went off.
Meanwhile Booker is asked to find and photo a cheating husband--ah ha-a paying client! Then ballet dancers seem to be dying or should I say killed. He is asked to look into this as well. Meanwhile he is still trying to get the con artist chef from the first book to keep up with his payments to his first ever client!
The action is fast and furious with twists and turns and poor Booker getting beat up frequently--and then there is that pesky neighbor who is still trying to get him to "like" her. Oh--we must not forget his parrot ----whose beak should be washed out with soap! Booker's Mom also makes an appearance! Do they find out who the murderer is? Read the book--
Do you like fast action and lots of it? This is the series for you. I do suggest you read the first in the series Streets of Mayhem ( my review here ) as a lot is brought into this one.
I received a copy of the book for reviewing purposes; however, all opinions are 100% my own.
This is book number two in the Booker series and can be read as a standalone; however, I suggest reading the first book so you can get an idea of what makes Booker tick. Knowing what makes Booker who he is makes these books even more intriguing! I love how this series seems to be developing Booker deeper and deeper as a character not only as an individual man, father, etc. but also his private investigator side too.
If you love suspenseful books with a mysterious side, then you’ll want to start this series immediately! Booker is a no-nonsense, non-crap-taking, high-strung, edgy guy but he’s great at what he does. Because of the nature of his job, he finds himself constantly fighting a battle of his job and personal life crossing into the same path. Can he handle keeping the two under control?
There is so much more than one case going on in this book that you’ll love the diversity of the mixture. Every little piece fits together like a puzzle to open up to another door of more trouble – and Booker is there and ready to take it all down. Can he keep personal matters and business matters separate? I’ll never tell – you’ll have to read the book!
Booker: Tap That is the second book in the Booker series.
I read Booker: Streets of Mayhem and thoroughly enjoyed it. The same holds true for Tap That.
There is nothing I love more than a good ‘who dunnit’ mystery read and so far, that is exactly what the Booker series has been.
Tap That starts off with a big surprise that I don’t recall happened at the end of Streets of Mayhem (I’m not saying it didn’t happen or wasn’t hinted to… I just don’t remember it!)
I have to admit – that surprise started the book off on a great shocker and the shocks just kept coming. (And I hate that I can’t share it, but I don’t want it to ruin anything!)
The book involves much more than one case and is full of suspense.
There is murder, fighting, drug deals, surveillance, and a lot of sneaky sneakiness going on!
In Streets of Mayhem, the book was personal with his daughter and his ‘baby momma’ and Tap That does not skip on anything on a personal level with Booker.
The Booker series is really turning into a great series that I am loving. If you are a mystery/suspense fan that likes being surprised at the end – this series is definitely for you!
This book has a lot of action, a few story lines, and plot twists that you won’t quite expect. Through them all, Booker is tough, nearly unflappable, but just human enough to garner the readers loyalty. Although Tap That is not incredibly long, it is definitely complex enough to keep this readers attention and keep me deeply involved for the whole length of the book. I won’t give away anything, but I knew there was something amiss – only it was just out of reach almost all the way until it was revealed! That is good mystery writing in my opinion.
Having never read the first Book – Streets of Mayhem, I can reasonably guarantee it unnecessary to enjoy Tap That to the fullest. Mefford is good at this craft. I would love to see the characters more fully developed – especially Brittney – because I feel like they could all have so much more to share with us. Mefford could easily transition this into film, if not into a 4-500 page novel. These characters really come alive. I can see backstory for so many of them.
I definitely enjoyed each characters story line, and believe there is much more to come for fans of John W Mefford and Booker T. Adams, P.I.
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Booker T. Adams is a former Dallas Police Officer turned Private Investigator. He met his gorgeous girlfriend at the scene of the horrific murder of her fiance on their wedding day a few months prior. When a ballerina is found murdered at an event they are attending, Booker is hired to investigate the crime. Added to that, Scianti, the mob boss, is at it again; trying to show the Double Ds that he owns them. Meanwhile, at the same time, Booker is determined to take down the dirty cops that forced him into early retirement.
This is a suspenseful murder mystery that draws you in from the very beginning. I was at the edge of my seat and could not wait to see what happened next. There's also lots of humor, as Cindy throws herself at Booker repeatedly. Mr. Mefford has a great imagination and his series is one every mystery lover will absolutely love. Be sure to check out my review next month of Booker Hate City, the next book in the series!
In this second book of the series, author John Mefford does an excellent job of bringing us up to speed before the first body is discovered. Booker seems to be in improved circumstances. His work drags him further into conflict with organized crime and even seedier cases. His original investment scam case involved funeral homes and grieving widows. As the danger escalates we are privy to more human interest elements of Booker's life and relationships. Chasing bad cops makes Booker a much sought target. No one ends up being who we believed.
It is a deadly season for the ballet. Rivalry seems the simple motive but with so many twists, there is NOTHING simple about any of the crimes taking place. Even the psycho neighbor has qualities I didn't expect. Booker takes himself into the dragon's lair, never expecting what will follow. Each step takes everyone he knows further in danger.
I did receive this book in exchange for my honest review.
Booker Tap That is an intriguing tale of suspense and murder. I have read other books by JW Mefford and find his style of writing to be very engaging. In this book the author has woven a fast-paced tale with many twists and turns which kept me on the edge of my seat. You don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one but it does help the reader understand Booker’s character better and what makes him who he is. Booker is a straight-talking private investigator in the local police department with a mission to accomplish. And he should achieve his goal because he is good at what he does. But life isn’t just about his work, there is a personal side to it as well and one cannot help but wonder if he will be able to keep both under control. There are interesting characters who add to the excitement by the nature of their diverse personalities. If you lovely mystery and suspense you will love this book.
PI Booker Adams has been introduced to the fine arts by his new girlfriend Britney. After a lead dancer is murdered, he is hired to find the killer. When a second dancer is murdered, there is nothing to tie them together, so he concentrates on following clues to solve the first murder. In the meantime, he finds himself trying to take down his nemesis, Detective Sims, who is the cause of him leaving the police department. When cases start to cross, he finds himself in dangerous territory.
Booker always seems to have equal amounts of good and bad luck. It was fun watching the male perspective of momma meets girlfriend-of-different-background. Although I had my suspicions that proved to be correct, there was enough who-done-it clues to keep you guessing to the end. This is a great detective series that gets better with each installment.
The second installment of the BOOKER series delivers everything I expected it to including a couple of extra punches. It doesn't start with the same bang as the first novel (no pun intended) but it builds well and by half way through I was hooked! I love a good who dun it mystery and each time I thought I had this one figured out Mefford pulled the rug out from underneath me and the plot thickened. He builds on characters from the first installment and I find myself adoring Alisa and eveb finding a soft spot for the double D's and am keen to follow their journey in the next books. I don't include spoilers in my reviews but I have to say that this one came out of nowhere! A great twist and I am already hungry for the next installment.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
Ex cop and now PI Booker is being introduced to a more sophisticated world courtesy of his girlfriend Britney, and they are attending a number of cultural events including the ballet and the theatre, including the VIP 'meet and greet' with the cast after the show. At one of these events a young actress is shot. Worried about the effect on the arts scene a wealthy benefactor employs Booker to look into the murder and find out who killed the actress and why. His time is split by a new twist in a previous case which leads the normally very moral Booker to take actions which are in a legally very grey area. As usual with Booker things get ugly and there is plenty of action, lots of different characters, all of whom really come alive from the page and a plot which goes in totally unexpected directions. I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this review.
As always, Booker gets himself in some interesting positions. As a reality new PI, he ends up being asked to help with the death of a performer at the local Dallas theater. Of course he says yes, especially since he’s getting paid. The character Booker seems like such a loveable person and the way he interacts with others is great. You can see the warmth and caring type of person he is but he also does get the job done. When another performer ends up dead and is a friend of his, that’s when he really steps up the hunt for the killer. The author is great and comes up with good reads every time. I will also say the ending took me by surprise. I’ve never read a book that desires anything less than a 5 and some really deserves 10 stars!
This is the second book in this series, and the second book that I have read. There is nothing better than a great “Who Done It” book, and this was exactly that! It left me guessing from the beginning to the end! Tap That starts off with a big surprise and that surprise caused the start of the book to be a great big shocker and the next thing I knew, BAM!! The shocks and surprises kept on coming! And I’m sorry, but in order to find out more, you have to read the book!! It’s fantastic :) In this book, you will find murder, drugs, fighting, and a lot of sneakiness going on! The Booker series is turning into a wonderful series, and I can’t wait for the next one!!
This book was full of unexpected twists and turns. Booker is an interesting PI with a HUGE chip on his shoulder for the local PD. Which, in retrospect, totally makes sense, but it makes it a little hard to want him to be the hero.
We get to see a little into Booker's past as we take a mini trip down memory lane and meet his mother. She is is hoot! You should grab a copy now just to meet her.
I really enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from the first Booker PI novel and am looking forward to seeing more of his assistant/partner. She, I feel will have a much larger role to play in Booker's future escapades.
This is the second book in the Booker series. This is the third book of the series that I have read and so far the best. It is filled with all kinds of thrills and spills. The ending as to who the real killer was is so surprising. I could not believe it. I can't wait to read book three. You also won't believe all the things that happen to Booker in between. For your best reading experience I would recommend that you read them in order because each book carries over from the one before. If you love mysteries you will love this series. John Mefford is definitely on equal footing with Patterson, Childs, and Flynn with this series. Get one and see what all the excitement is about.
For those who think that second parts are not good, I dare you to read this series. I loved the first book and this one is even better, more action, more suspense and twists that will keep you in the edge of your seat. When a book is so good it's hard to write a review without giving away the plot and spoil the mystery, so, lets just say, this is a must read if you like to read extreme suspense. If you still haven't read the first book, you need to go get both now before the 3rd book is out. I honestly can not wait to know how John will give this story a closure.
Booker is a charming character although he is a little naive. He tends to jump in with both feet instead of testing the water. But, he gets the job done. This series of books is not quite as intense as the Alex Troutt series but the still give you shivers. This is the second book in a series that will leave you scratching your head and saying, "WTF???" .
This was my first read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. It took a little for me to get the character background but once the story started rolling I really enjoyed. Glad to be part of the Dream team and off to Hate City next
Booker finds himself investigating the deaths of women that have been performing in the local Arts program and working on his relationship with the ex of a victim in his last big case. Some interaction with a local crime kingpin and a surprise ending make this a lively read.