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Mark Kane #1
Forget Me Not
A devoted husband has planted a blanket of Forget-Me-Nots in memory of his wife who has recently died from complications following the rapid progress of Alzheimer’s disease…Or has she?
Greg Philips’ wife, Gloria, has recently died after suffering from chronic dementia, leaving her long-lost illegitimate daughter, Susan, a large slice of her estate. But is Susan who she claims to be? And was Gloria mentally competent when she made her will or was she manipulated in some way? Boston Investigator Mark Kane is hired to discover the truth, but as the investigation proceeds he soon finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery, and as the suspects mount up he needs all his wits about him to find out the truth, and prevent Greg’s adult sons from financial ruin or worse. As usual, Kane’s longtime companion Lucy is there to lend him a helping hand, but will she be able to help him solve the mystery?
READ THE FIRST FIVE CHAPTERS AT www.johnhemmings.net.
GET BOOK FIVE: ‘MISSING’ FREE OF CHARGE at www.johnhemmings.net
Greg Philips’ wife, Gloria, has recently died after suffering from chronic dementia, leaving her long-lost illegitimate daughter, Susan, a large slice of her estate. But is Susan who she claims to be? And was Gloria mentally competent when she made her will or was she manipulated in some way? Boston Investigator Mark Kane is hired to discover the truth, but as the investigation proceeds he soon finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery, and as the suspects mount up he needs all his wits about him to find out the truth, and prevent Greg’s adult sons from financial ruin or worse. As usual, Kane’s longtime companion Lucy is there to lend him a helping hand, but will she be able to help him solve the mystery?
READ THE FIRST FIVE CHAPTERS AT www.johnhemmings.net.
GET BOOK FIVE: ‘MISSING’ FREE OF CHARGE at www.johnhemmings.net
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2015
2186 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
John Hemmings
27 books21 followersJohn Hemmings is an experienced criminal attorney and writer of crime fiction with a one hundred percent record as a criminal trial lawyer - not one of his clients has ever been executed...yet!
He graduated in English literature and spent five years as a post-graduate lecturer before turning to a life of crime - on the right side of the fence of course. Each of his books features Boston private investigator Mark Kane and his long-time companion Lucy.
Many of the stories are inspired by actual events and people the author has met and worked with during his career, but names and locations have been changed to protect the innocent - and sometimes the guilty.
On his website: www.johnhemmings.net you can read the first 5 chapters of each of his books in the Mark Kane Mysteries series (and even read the first 4 chapters of the next book in the series: 'Missing'. which is due to be published in approximately 6 weeks).
Check out his book promotions and freebies at www.johnhemmings.net
He graduated in English literature and spent five years as a post-graduate lecturer before turning to a life of crime - on the right side of the fence of course. Each of his books features Boston private investigator Mark Kane and his long-time companion Lucy.
Many of the stories are inspired by actual events and people the author has met and worked with during his career, but names and locations have been changed to protect the innocent - and sometimes the guilty.
On his website: www.johnhemmings.net you can read the first 5 chapters of each of his books in the Mark Kane Mysteries series (and even read the first 4 chapters of the next book in the series: 'Missing'. which is due to be published in approximately 6 weeks).
Check out his book promotions and freebies at www.johnhemmings.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
September 7, 2020
3+ out of 5 stars to John Hemmings's Forget Me Not, the first book in his "Mark Kane" mystery series. I downloaded this book when it was free several months ago and found it again yesterday when trying to clean up what I had and hadn't read between Kindle for my PC, iPad and iPhone. Technology's just too much sometimes! But this book wasn't... it was just right and a surprising find.
A fun fact: this was a male author and a male protagonist, which is rare in a "cozy" mystery, so it was a good change of pace for my normal reads... But I wouldn't exactly call it a cozy mystery (although there is no violence, no sex), especially since the author wants to follow in the footsteps of a Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe or Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade. I have only read a few of those books, but it did evoke some reminders of the literary mystery classics... enough to push me to add a few more to my TBR list for future reads.
The protagonist, Mark Kane, is a PI who left law school and the police department, focusing on his analytical skills. He shares an office with some colleagues and has a Girl Friday, Lucy, his full-time friend and part-time lover. Kane, as he goes by, takes on a case to confirm whether a long-lost daughter is truly the girl Gloria gave up for adoption 40 years ago. Widower Greg is happy to share the inheritance between his two sons and his late wife's daughter from a previous relationship, assuming the girl is telling the truth. Kane investigates, learns a few additional secrets along the way and stumbles upon a much more complicated family drama full of mystery. In the end, he's forced to face a moral consequence of what is the right thing to do in a bad situation.
I like Kane. He's funny, smart and direct. I didn't like the Lucy character. She was a little too whiny and didn't come across like the heroines of the classic mysteries. She felt like an afterthought, and her personality was a little immature as Kane's counterpart. But she made several good points and highlighted when Kane treated her a bit poorly. Overall, she has potential and I'm hoping in future books, her character evens out a bit more.
The mystery was strong. It had all the right elements from the family drama whodunit to the necessary large inheritance and the mysterious death circumstances. And the supporting cast was fairly integrated without taking up too much side story space.
The writing was OK. Sometimes funny, sometimes very adept. But on too many occasions, I felt like it was repetitive, a re-hash of the facts. Some of it was when Kane was informing his client of progress, but several pages before, Kane was informing Lucy of his progress. It could have been merged better.
I'll give the next book a chance as it's a nice change of pace. Hopefully these smaller items often found in a debut of a series are ironed out.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
A fun fact: this was a male author and a male protagonist, which is rare in a "cozy" mystery, so it was a good change of pace for my normal reads... But I wouldn't exactly call it a cozy mystery (although there is no violence, no sex), especially since the author wants to follow in the footsteps of a Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe or Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade. I have only read a few of those books, but it did evoke some reminders of the literary mystery classics... enough to push me to add a few more to my TBR list for future reads.
The protagonist, Mark Kane, is a PI who left law school and the police department, focusing on his analytical skills. He shares an office with some colleagues and has a Girl Friday, Lucy, his full-time friend and part-time lover. Kane, as he goes by, takes on a case to confirm whether a long-lost daughter is truly the girl Gloria gave up for adoption 40 years ago. Widower Greg is happy to share the inheritance between his two sons and his late wife's daughter from a previous relationship, assuming the girl is telling the truth. Kane investigates, learns a few additional secrets along the way and stumbles upon a much more complicated family drama full of mystery. In the end, he's forced to face a moral consequence of what is the right thing to do in a bad situation.
I like Kane. He's funny, smart and direct. I didn't like the Lucy character. She was a little too whiny and didn't come across like the heroines of the classic mysteries. She felt like an afterthought, and her personality was a little immature as Kane's counterpart. But she made several good points and highlighted when Kane treated her a bit poorly. Overall, she has potential and I'm hoping in future books, her character evens out a bit more.
The mystery was strong. It had all the right elements from the family drama whodunit to the necessary large inheritance and the mysterious death circumstances. And the supporting cast was fairly integrated without taking up too much side story space.
The writing was OK. Sometimes funny, sometimes very adept. But on too many occasions, I felt like it was repetitive, a re-hash of the facts. Some of it was when Kane was informing his client of progress, but several pages before, Kane was informing Lucy of his progress. It could have been merged better.
I'll give the next book a chance as it's a nice change of pace. Hopefully these smaller items often found in a debut of a series are ironed out.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
June 24, 2016
Repetitive
I was able to skip through many of the pages due to excessive details and I felt the author repeated himself a lot. How many times was it necessary to explain his relationship with his assistant? Once was plenty.
I was able to skip through many of the pages due to excessive details and I felt the author repeated himself a lot. How many times was it necessary to explain his relationship with his assistant? Once was plenty.
February 14, 2016
I liked this Martin Kane mystery suspense thriller because of the numerous twists and turns in the plot, which the author was exceptionally good at. Each time I felt I knew who the villain was, much to my chagrin I was proved wrong - over and over again - up to the well-written end of the story. I was able to finish the book within 24 hours, primarily because of my curiosity as to whodunnit.
I will definitely have to read more of his books to become better acquainted with this talented author.
I will definitely have to read more of his books to become better acquainted with this talented author.
August 7, 2019
Forget Me Knot
I like the character of Mark Kane, tough but kind. The book was good because of all the twist and turns. It will keep you guessing until the very. Good read.
I like the character of Mark Kane, tough but kind. The book was good because of all the twist and turns. It will keep you guessing until the very. Good read.
November 11, 2023
I love this author's style. Definitely reading more of these books and have already downloaded next in series "Ice".
September 24, 2016
It was a great plot with lots of twists and turns and I didn't expect the mystery to end that way. I thought it was clever and also enjoyed reading a mystery novel from a male point of view. I struggled a little with the casual nature of Mark Kane's relationship with his assistant; it felt to have no real substance but the author carries it off with the almost blase attitude of Kane to most things. It's a neat series. Can recommend.
December 25, 2016
Free for a limited time on Amazon.ca.
It starts with a beautiful story of a well-off older couple (Greg and Gloria) and is cut-off by Gloria's death; so tragic. Gloria's illegitimate daughter - Susan - comes into the picture before Alzheimer eats away all of Gloria's past (Is this just a coincidence?). Gloria has not seen Susan since Susan's birth and adoption not long after so no one can tell if it's really HER and Gloria left her an hefty sum of money. Greg has no problem giving Susan the money but he wants to make sure he's giving it to the correct person so he engages a P.I. to do the job. The story starts slowly by putting all the players into place: There's the P.I., the husband, the P.I.'s pushy secretary, the daughter and the couple's two sons. The experts (doctor, etc.) play a secondary role. Then the pace starts moving faster and you kind of just get into it head-on. It's a mystery with some suspense (some say romance, but I did not see that). It's well-written, and best of all, there are no cliffhangers as the author ties all the knot he had unraveled. Looking forward to read book #2.
It starts with a beautiful story of a well-off older couple (Greg and Gloria) and is cut-off by Gloria's death; so tragic. Gloria's illegitimate daughter - Susan - comes into the picture before Alzheimer eats away all of Gloria's past (Is this just a coincidence?). Gloria has not seen Susan since Susan's birth and adoption not long after so no one can tell if it's really HER and Gloria left her an hefty sum of money. Greg has no problem giving Susan the money but he wants to make sure he's giving it to the correct person so he engages a P.I. to do the job. The story starts slowly by putting all the players into place: There's the P.I., the husband, the P.I.'s pushy secretary, the daughter and the couple's two sons. The experts (doctor, etc.) play a secondary role. Then the pace starts moving faster and you kind of just get into it head-on. It's a mystery with some suspense (some say romance, but I did not see that). It's well-written, and best of all, there are no cliffhangers as the author ties all the knot he had unraveled. Looking forward to read book #2.
December 28, 2015
Very good read
I really enjoyed this book and its characters, especially Kane the main center. I like his investigation style and I enjoyed the friendly banter between him and his secretary Lucy, but what I enjoyed most was the fact that there was no romance involved in this book instead it focused on the investigation and only a slight mention of the fact that they were friends with benefits. Can't wait to get into his other books, would highly recommend.
I really enjoyed this book and its characters, especially Kane the main center. I like his investigation style and I enjoyed the friendly banter between him and his secretary Lucy, but what I enjoyed most was the fact that there was no romance involved in this book instead it focused on the investigation and only a slight mention of the fact that they were friends with benefits. Can't wait to get into his other books, would highly recommend.
December 30, 2015
Mark Kane investigates the death of an Alzheimer's patient per the request of her husband. Too many people have a reason to want her dead so that her money can be distributed quickly. I liked the book but would have preferred a little more background on Mark and his assistant, Lucy.
March 2, 2020
I would compare this novel to a child's rollercoaster. It starts out boring, small hills of interest, then more boring. No wonder they offer the second book for free. Who would pay to read this garbage?
November 21, 2019
Fun, well written, but not Christian fiction
Book 1 & 2 in the series are quick reads. Mr. Hemmings has a penchant for displaying a wonderfully rich vocabulary. His main characters, involved in a "friends with benefits" relationship, signalled this is not Christian fiction. There are several forays into the bedroom without the sordid details, but it is not clear why this relationship arrangement adds value to the storyline. Perhaps this will become a factor in later books? The plot lines are complicated enough to keep the reader's attention, but the use of epilogues to tie up loose ends seem rather anticlimactic.
Book 1 & 2 in the series are quick reads. Mr. Hemmings has a penchant for displaying a wonderfully rich vocabulary. His main characters, involved in a "friends with benefits" relationship, signalled this is not Christian fiction. There are several forays into the bedroom without the sordid details, but it is not clear why this relationship arrangement adds value to the storyline. Perhaps this will become a factor in later books? The plot lines are complicated enough to keep the reader's attention, but the use of epilogues to tie up loose ends seem rather anticlimactic.
April 26, 2019
Mark Kane is a private investigator that only takes on certain cases so when he gets a new one it should just be a simple quick one. But as Kane digs everything isn't that straightforward. He just needs to find out the truth about a dead woman's long last daughter he needs to prove that she is either the genuine daughter or a fraudster. But what he finds can change everything about this case. He has a choice to tell the police or let it go as the family has already suffered so much.
A good read.
A good read.
May 10, 2017
A tragic death turns out to be murder
Private investigator Mark Kane is hired to determine if a surprise claimant to a wealthy woman's fortune is really her illegitimate daughter whom she gave up for adoption forty years ago. John Hemmings has a way with words and has written a witty,well-told story. I could have given it five stars but for the irritating proofreading mistakes.Hemmings has real talent.
Private investigator Mark Kane is hired to determine if a surprise claimant to a wealthy woman's fortune is really her illegitimate daughter whom she gave up for adoption forty years ago. John Hemmings has a way with words and has written a witty,well-told story. I could have given it five stars but for the irritating proofreading mistakes.Hemmings has real talent.
June 5, 2017
The book held my interest. I found the plot original and the 2 or 3 main characters well developed. I do like a mystery that follows the detective's methodology a little more closely than this book did. Also, I got the idea from the author's opening comments that his detective, Mark Kane, was modeled after some of the more hard-boiled detectives of the genre. I didn't find it to be so. I enjoyed the book and plan on reading subsequent books in the series.
September 2, 2018
great, clean mystery with plenty of twists
Forget Me Not is the first book in a private detective mystery series, that is a good, clean version of a noir detective novel. Mark Kane is an idea protagonist in this mystery, he fits the private detective character down to the last detail. I also like the details that are put into this so it's a very relatistc procedural. The mystery has plenty of twist and turns, and it's well written.
Forget Me Not is the first book in a private detective mystery series, that is a good, clean version of a noir detective novel. Mark Kane is an idea protagonist in this mystery, he fits the private detective character down to the last detail. I also like the details that are put into this so it's a very relatistc procedural. The mystery has plenty of twist and turns, and it's well written.
July 13, 2019
Mark Kane is hired by a wealthy man to see if his deceased’s wife long lost daughter is really who she says she is! While investigating he comes across another mystery! Both adopted sons need the money from the will ASAP. The investigation takes a long a boring road! Probably more like real life but the book drags in spots. There are no shortage of suspects and characters. The characters aren’t exactly inspired and rather dull. Despite this it was an interesting read and realistic story.
August 3, 2019
Good clean read
I love reading good suspense, but too many books are loaded with crude language and explicit sex. John Hemmings has the gift of constructing a good suspense novel without relying on sex and "four letter words" in his delivery. His character, Mark Kane, is not a perfect man, but has empathy for his clients, as well as a drive to reveal the truth. Some may not agree with how he handles the resulting truth, but cannot disagree with his desire to help others.
I love reading good suspense, but too many books are loaded with crude language and explicit sex. John Hemmings has the gift of constructing a good suspense novel without relying on sex and "four letter words" in his delivery. His character, Mark Kane, is not a perfect man, but has empathy for his clients, as well as a drive to reveal the truth. Some may not agree with how he handles the resulting truth, but cannot disagree with his desire to help others.
September 13, 2022
Couldn't put down
As far as criminal mysteries is concerned, this one hits the nail on the head.
Following Inspector Kane gather his evidence to disprove the identity of the woman named in a will kept me guessing the whole time. Then given a twist in his search proved to add to the question of who dunnit?
Not quite edge of your seat reading, but for me, it definitely kept me thinking.
As far as criminal mysteries is concerned, this one hits the nail on the head.
Following Inspector Kane gather his evidence to disprove the identity of the woman named in a will kept me guessing the whole time. Then given a twist in his search proved to add to the question of who dunnit?
Not quite edge of your seat reading, but for me, it definitely kept me thinking.
February 5, 2019
A clean book....
This may well be reason enough to go from free ebooks to paying the price of a series book. While I frequently use f### (fudge?), I don't much care to encounter it in a book; once or twice is fine, but many times is too often. Brian (GBR) provides a good narrative style.
This may well be reason enough to go from free ebooks to paying the price of a series book. While I frequently use f### (fudge?), I don't much care to encounter it in a book; once or twice is fine, but many times is too often. Brian (GBR) provides a good narrative style.
April 7, 2019
No drama mystery
Regular people’s common problems, adopted children, gambling habits, old age, dementia, pretentious life style, which resulted intertwined non drama mysteries of different life. The chemistry between Mark and Lucy is the sour spot, like children playing wedding party in doll house.
Regular people’s common problems, adopted children, gambling habits, old age, dementia, pretentious life style, which resulted intertwined non drama mysteries of different life. The chemistry between Mark and Lucy is the sour spot, like children playing wedding party in doll house.
May 19, 2020
Surprising twist.
I was totally surprised that the husband did it alone, I kept thinking it was the boys trying to get help to themselves faster but never the loving, supportive, spouse. I loved the way they waited to the very end to let you see what should have been obvious from the beginning.
I was totally surprised that the husband did it alone, I kept thinking it was the boys trying to get help to themselves faster but never the loving, supportive, spouse. I loved the way they waited to the very end to let you see what should have been obvious from the beginning.
June 19, 2018
A good mystery
Private investigator Kane gets a case where he has to prove the identity of a woman due to inherit quite a bit of money. Lots of twists and turns in this book and it was very enjoyable. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Private investigator Kane gets a case where he has to prove the identity of a woman due to inherit quite a bit of money. Lots of twists and turns in this book and it was very enjoyable. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
August 9, 2018
I hadn't come across this writer before but decided to give the book a go. I found it well written and fast paced with great characters. Readers who love excellent crime thrillers will enjoy this exciting series.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this great series.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this great series.
February 2, 2019
This was a good read, with a well thought out progression in 'finding the truth' in the thing. I'll be reading more of these Mark Kane books, for sure. It's been months since I read this and still I remember the gist of the story. So not just good, but a memorable story. Believable.
February 11, 2019
Good book!
I enjoyed this author! Kane is the detective and Lucy is his best friend and secretary. Kane solves the case he was hired for but there was an additional plot twist you don't see coming! I can't wait to read the next book.
I enjoyed this author! Kane is the detective and Lucy is his best friend and secretary. Kane solves the case he was hired for but there was an additional plot twist you don't see coming! I can't wait to read the next book.
February 26, 2019
A Fun Read
I liked everything about this book. It was delightful to read. I like the relationship between Kane and Lucy. No sex, violence, curse words, etc. I'll read more in this series.
I liked everything about this book. It was delightful to read. I like the relationship between Kane and Lucy. No sex, violence, curse words, etc. I'll read more in this series.
March 1, 2019
Dragged on and on.
Although it kept me turning pages, there were times I flipped three 4-5pages at a time. Has a lot of twists and turns, loads of suspects. But the reason the suspect committed the act was a surprise.
Although it kept me turning pages, there were times I flipped three 4-5pages at a time. Has a lot of twists and turns, loads of suspects. But the reason the suspect committed the act was a surprise.
September 14, 2019
Great mystery
Forget me not is interesting and I liked it because it was easy reading . Some mysteries try to make them too complicated . Just putting in too much but Mark Kane doesn't. He gets on with the story without a lot of fluff. Look forward to his next book.
Forget me not is interesting and I liked it because it was easy reading . Some mysteries try to make them too complicated . Just putting in too much but Mark Kane doesn't. He gets on with the story without a lot of fluff. Look forward to his next book.
May 7, 2024
A very good crime novel. A man who really loves his wife loses her to alzheimer's disease. He then has to deal with someone claiming to be her daughter who she gave up for adoption. A mystery you can't solve before you reach the end of the book.
February 15, 2017
Interesting Read
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and will be reading more by the Author. Nicely edited also. A must read for mystery lovers.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and will be reading more by the Author. Nicely edited also. A must read for mystery lovers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews