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Leo Waterman #6
The Deader The Better
Seattle p.i. Leo Waterman isn't looking for trouble when he and his forensic pathologist girlfriend Rebecca escape into the Washington wilder for a few days of relaxation -- it just seems to find him. An old friend has purchased some choice property here in North America's only rain forest and his posting of "No Trespassing" signs has incurred the wrath of every sportsman for miles around. But what starts as irksome harassment by the offended locals soon escalates into the real of the lethal. And it's just Waterman's luck to be in the epicenter of this murderous mess at the very moment it bursts into flames.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 8, 2000
141 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
G.M. Ford
35 books220 followersGerald M. Ford was the author of the widely praised Frank Corso novels, Fury, Black River, A Blind Eye, Red Tide, No Man's Land, and Blown Away; six highly acclaimed mysteries, featuring Seattle private investigator Leo Waterman; and the stand-alone thriller Nameless Night. A former creative writing teacher in western Washington, Ford lived in San Diego.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 28, 2011
Private investigator Leo Waterman returns in this book, looking to solve the murder of his pathologist girl friend Rebecca's god-daughter's husband. This tale is set out on the peninsula, rather than in Seattle, with a few of the cast of Leo's troupe of characters used to help solve the crime.
Often fun to see what part of the city GM Ford includes in his tales, this one mentioning the houses caught in the slide in the Roanoke area, visible from the I-5 freeway, a very real event and location.
Often fun to see what part of the city GM Ford includes in his tales, this one mentioning the houses caught in the slide in the Roanoke area, visible from the I-5 freeway, a very real event and location.
March 6, 2014
If you like the tv show Leverage you will love, love, love this book. action packed, some comedic moments, sympsthetic moments and bigger personal issues also surface after a personal friend is murdered, his widowed wife and children shot at in their home- which is then torched. To the rescue comes almost family member P.I. LEO WATERMAN. I cant decide which one of his other novels I want to read next.
Read
April 5, 2014Funny, funny, improbable and lovable characters. Set in Seattle where the lone P.I. solves cases with the help of his version of the Baker Street regulars, a bunch of winos from downtown's Pioneer Square. Well written, political humor and atypical shamus investigations form the basis of these novels.
August 27, 2012
I really enjoyed the story and the picturesque descriptive style of G.M. Ford. I would love to read more Leo Waterman mysteries in the future. His band of misfit helpers against the bad guys band of misfits made for great fun .
June 9, 2019
Originally published in 2000.
Private Investigator Leo Waterman is a well-connected man in Seattle. His dad was a mover and shaker in the best and worst uses of the term. He knew all of the "beautiful people" at the top and he knew all of underworld people as well. Leo has not chosen to go into politics. But, he uses those family connections to help people who come to him, including a group of homeless drunks that Leo watches after because they all worked for his father in one capacity or another. Leo also hires them to do surveillance because no one really wants to notice the homeless guy shambling down the street.
This book starts out with a missing persons case - a thirteen year old girl has run away from a sexually abusive home and is now on the streets. Leo tracks her down to a certain pimp and swings into action.
After that case, Leo and his serious girlfriend head out of town to meet some friends - a couple and their children who are trying to start a fishing camp for high rollers. But, he is having trouble. He claims the local government officials are after him and are trying to force him out of business. Leo dismisses the whole idea. But, when they visit a few months later, they find the house has been shot up, is partially burned, the husband is dead and the wife and kids have disappeared.
So, Leo swings into action with a whole crew of from Seattle...
According to my blog, I haven't read a Leo Waterman book for 15 years. That really surprised me. But, it felt like I hadn't skipped a beat. These are not amazing mysteries, but they are certainly unique and entertaining.
I rate this book 4 stars out of 5.
https://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2019...
Private Investigator Leo Waterman is a well-connected man in Seattle. His dad was a mover and shaker in the best and worst uses of the term. He knew all of the "beautiful people" at the top and he knew all of underworld people as well. Leo has not chosen to go into politics. But, he uses those family connections to help people who come to him, including a group of homeless drunks that Leo watches after because they all worked for his father in one capacity or another. Leo also hires them to do surveillance because no one really wants to notice the homeless guy shambling down the street.
This book starts out with a missing persons case - a thirteen year old girl has run away from a sexually abusive home and is now on the streets. Leo tracks her down to a certain pimp and swings into action.
After that case, Leo and his serious girlfriend head out of town to meet some friends - a couple and their children who are trying to start a fishing camp for high rollers. But, he is having trouble. He claims the local government officials are after him and are trying to force him out of business. Leo dismisses the whole idea. But, when they visit a few months later, they find the house has been shot up, is partially burned, the husband is dead and the wife and kids have disappeared.
So, Leo swings into action with a whole crew of from Seattle...
According to my blog, I haven't read a Leo Waterman book for 15 years. That really surprised me. But, it felt like I hadn't skipped a beat. These are not amazing mysteries, but they are certainly unique and entertaining.
I rate this book 4 stars out of 5.
https://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2019...
November 21, 2018
This tale is about a private detective whose thoughts and asides are an irreverent, funny take on the seedier side of Seattle and rural western Washington State. He is a man who is quite unsure that settled life has any true merits or attraction for him.
Growing up with a couple of generations of municipal public figures with questionable motives and a tradition of using the skills of those who get the job done how ever they can, he is not unused to the company of souses, cons and jailhouse technicians. This is a guy able to assemble a tough crew of colourful ne’er-do-wells who have come to have a fierce loyalty to the ”boss” to help him solve his nastier cases.
A fun but serious story of a detective driven by his own, unique sense of what is acceptable behaviour where the premise is that ends will justify the means when up against a whole town of desperate rednecks and corrupt officials who kind of deserve what they get. Good read!
Growing up with a couple of generations of municipal public figures with questionable motives and a tradition of using the skills of those who get the job done how ever they can, he is not unused to the company of souses, cons and jailhouse technicians. This is a guy able to assemble a tough crew of colourful ne’er-do-wells who have come to have a fierce loyalty to the ”boss” to help him solve his nastier cases.
A fun but serious story of a detective driven by his own, unique sense of what is acceptable behaviour where the premise is that ends will justify the means when up against a whole town of desperate rednecks and corrupt officials who kind of deserve what they get. Good read!
August 19, 2018
I read this author years ago and enjoyed his early books. I suddenly remembered him the other day and thought I'd try this one. It's about as good as the title. Pretty much a routine blend of murder mystery and caper novel, with the detective and his band of merry men laying an elaborate trap for some bad guys. Everything goes as you would expect.
November 30, 2011
Very interesting and I think the best Leo Waterman mystery. It starts with a murder, but isn't a very conventional murder mystery. You find out who did it at the end, but most of the time revolves around things not really focused on solving that mystery directly.
February 17, 2015
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant
Absolutely outstanding. The plot construction, growing the characters, and the writing- oh the writing- are all flawless. Even the dialogue is sharp and witty!
Absolutely outstanding. The plot construction, growing the characters, and the writing- oh the writing- are all flawless. Even the dialogue is sharp and witty!
October 17, 2012
new author for me. love his style! go thru his books quickly, can't put them down.
September 28, 2014
Fast and fun.
Good, fast story. Funny at times. Believable if you're in the mood for a story. Author writes for guys. Girls, not so much.
Good, fast story. Funny at times. Believable if you're in the mood for a story. Author writes for guys. Girls, not so much.
August 22, 2020
Leo Waterman is a fairly easygoing guy – but when he and his longtime girlfriend, Dr. Rebecca Duvall, are almost murdered in “North America’s only rain-forest” (loc786) he puts together his own Impossible Mission Force consisting of “two drunks, two thugs, two wiremen, a burglar and a call girl” (loc3903) and stealthily goes after the malefactors. Unfortunately, Mister Liberryhead sussed out the main villain of THE DEADER THE BETTER in chapter nine of forty-two. It took Leo quite a bit longer, but he had relationship distractions. BTW, the series timeline has advanced to 1999 and poor Leo confesses: “I’m feeling like an old fart” (loc2500).
February 6, 2020
Jeez.....What a book!
My favorite Leo Waterman yet! Such a good plot, and it was nice to get Leo out of Seattle for a bit. To be fair, I figured out the mastermind about 40% of the way through, but it was still a great bit of fun watching Leo and his crew put things right. Spoiler! Also glad that Rebecca has hit the bricks. I have disliked her from the beginning, and I hope Leo can start finding happiness with someone who isn’t such a shrew.
My favorite Leo Waterman yet! Such a good plot, and it was nice to get Leo out of Seattle for a bit. To be fair, I figured out the mastermind about 40% of the way through, but it was still a great bit of fun watching Leo and his crew put things right. Spoiler! Also glad that Rebecca has hit the bricks. I have disliked her from the beginning, and I hope Leo can start finding happiness with someone who isn’t such a shrew.
August 27, 2020
Better and better
I liked Leo Waterman from the first page of his first book.; Now I LOVE this chatacter! GM Ford just keeps upping his game, as Leo`s character becomes deeper, more sardonic and loveable as more of his personality is revealed. The supporting cast on this caper expands with entertaining results. I hope some of Leo's new friends and associates stick around for his next tale!
I liked Leo Waterman from the first page of his first book.; Now I LOVE this chatacter! GM Ford just keeps upping his game, as Leo`s character becomes deeper, more sardonic and loveable as more of his personality is revealed. The supporting cast on this caper expands with entertaining results. I hope some of Leo's new friends and associates stick around for his next tale!
January 11, 2018
The sixth in the entertaining Leo Waterman, private eye series. Waterman’s girlfriend suggests a relaxing weekend on the Peninsula, tossing in a quick visit with her goddaughter. The quick stop leads to mystery, and Waterman brings in plenty of misfit help to solve this one. Laughs and surprises reign in this rain forest adventure.
March 23, 2019
As much as I enjoy this series, there is the occasional book that is not as satisfying for many reasons. I felt there was gratuitous violence, some far fetched plotting, and the small town stuff felt like a cliche.
I never thought Rebecca was a very well developed character, but it was going better. I want to see her continue as a strong character.
I never thought Rebecca was a very well developed character, but it was going better. I want to see her continue as a strong character.
July 6, 2021
There is lot of bad-guy/good-guy interaction here and the plot is what you might anticipate for a couple adventurers penetrating the wilderness. Once known, the details of the bad-guy installation unfold with a chilling certainty that will have you nodding and saying, of course, but you will not anticipate them. If you liked Deaver's Goodbye Man, you will also like Ford's Deader-Better.
October 16, 2025
This is an amazing series. GM Ford has done it again in "The Deader The Better". There is always a lot of humor in a Leo Waterman novel, this one not quite as much. There is a lot of action and Ford's insightful wit. There's also that Leo Waterman flair to solving the problem or circumstance. GM Ford may you RIP.
June 19, 2017
Leo camps out at a fishing lodge with 2 of the "boys" and some other "friends" to solve the death of a friends husband. Something is going on in the small town that the lodge is near and what happened to the previous owner of the land the lodge is on?
May 4, 2020
Read this book
These Watermsn books never disappoint. This is a really good one. Several threads tie up at 5he conclusion. And even though we know the broad story there are some neat twists and turns that serve to make this a very satisfying read.
These Watermsn books never disappoint. This is a really good one. Several threads tie up at 5he conclusion. And even though we know the broad story there are some neat twists and turns that serve to make this a very satisfying read.
February 10, 2019
Good plot although I got a little mixed up as to who was who. Maybe a 3.8
August 1, 2020
Not my favorite book in the series. Don't know if it is because it was not set in Seattle or if it was because it was mainly a revenge story.
April 16, 2014
Leo Waterman is a PI in Seattle, tough when needed, fair, he cares but doesn’t show it, good at zingers and says it like it is. The entertaining aspect of these books is his ‘staff’. When he needs help finding or tracking people he uses a group of locals who live in questionable places and always have a brown bag bottle handy. As Leo has noted, they are invisible to society at large and, therefore, get the answers he needs without being noticed. The interchanges he has with them are a highlight of these stories.
This story takes Leo out of town into a small community where 'something' is going on and a friend is murdered. For some reason I just didn't trip through this book as I have the others, maybe because he is out of town. He brings in his teams to ferret out the 'truth' but it is not as entertaining as previous books.
This story takes Leo out of town into a small community where 'something' is going on and a friend is murdered. For some reason I just didn't trip through this book as I have the others, maybe because he is out of town. He brings in his teams to ferret out the 'truth' but it is not as entertaining as previous books.
May 23, 2014
This is the most challengingly complex plot that I have seen in the Waterman series. The warp and weft of seemingly disparate elements come together by the end of the novel in a way that made me appreciate the multi-layered plot. I can't say this is my favorite Leo Waterman novel as a few of the character interactions appear to be extraneous plot branches that serve to color the story but remain incrementally unimportant. The disposition of Hand and Russell appeared a bit contrived and likely to lead to future discovery due to inadequate "disposal".
Still, I think GM Ford has moved up my list of good PI authors to a level comparable with R Crais.
Still, I think GM Ford has moved up my list of good PI authors to a level comparable with R Crais.
August 3, 2014
Leo Waterman is a delight! (Providing you don't mind a bit of slightly off-color life...) And his assistants, those wonderful, off the wall, on the street "boys"....
In this case, the case begins in the woods, where Leo and his "friend" Rebecca have retreated for a little well-deserved R & R. Instead, they find vandalism, cruelty, harassment, and, yes, murder.
Leo and his crowd chase down the villains (or rather, try to trip them up in order to catch them, as they are the locals). As things always do in a G. M. Ford book, things roll faster and faster, with the suspense stronger and more intense, until it is finally overwhelming, and the end, as it must, finally comes.
In this case, the case begins in the woods, where Leo and his "friend" Rebecca have retreated for a little well-deserved R & R. Instead, they find vandalism, cruelty, harassment, and, yes, murder.
Leo and his crowd chase down the villains (or rather, try to trip them up in order to catch them, as they are the locals). As things always do in a G. M. Ford book, things roll faster and faster, with the suspense stronger and more intense, until it is finally overwhelming, and the end, as it must, finally comes.
May 8, 2015
I've read three of Ford's books featuring Leo Waterman and this is the one I've liked the most.
Essentially, Leo's friend of a friend buys some riverside property in the back of beyond and is then hounded into bankruptcy by crooked local officials and lawmen. Or is he just a paranoid conspiracy theorist?
Things escalate. People die. And Leo has to recruit an A-Team of drunks, heavies and prostitutes (and a gay cat-burgler) to set things right.
Essentially, Leo's friend of a friend buys some riverside property in the back of beyond and is then hounded into bankruptcy by crooked local officials and lawmen. Or is he just a paranoid conspiracy theorist?
Things escalate. People die. And Leo has to recruit an A-Team of drunks, heavies and prostitutes (and a gay cat-burgler) to set things right.
July 23, 2015
#6 in the Leo Waterman series. Finalist 2001 Shamus Award for Best Novel. Leo Waterman is a Seattle PI.
Leo Waterman and girlfriend Rebecca, visit friends and the husband describes a conspiracy, wherein everyone is out to get him and ruin his business. Leo thinks he is exaggerating, but a few weeks later he's dead. Leo and Rebecca are almost killed and Leo, with underworld acquaintances, strikes back. Leo's refusal to back off threatens his relationship.
Leo Waterman and girlfriend Rebecca, visit friends and the husband describes a conspiracy, wherein everyone is out to get him and ruin his business. Leo thinks he is exaggerating, but a few weeks later he's dead. Leo and Rebecca are almost killed and Leo, with underworld acquaintances, strikes back. Leo's refusal to back off threatens his relationship.
December 29, 2007
The Deader the Better - G
Ford, G. M. - 6th in Leo Waterman series
Visiting his fisherman friend in Washington state, freelance sleuth Leo Waterman is drawn into a mystery when his friend is killed and the man's cabin is burned to the ground.
At least he didn't kill off the girlfriend.
Ford, G. M. - 6th in Leo Waterman series
Visiting his fisherman friend in Washington state, freelance sleuth Leo Waterman is drawn into a mystery when his friend is killed and the man's cabin is burned to the ground.
At least he didn't kill off the girlfriend.
May 31, 2015
This is the first time I have read G.M Ford and I really liked this. I will be reading more in the future. The plot revolves around a conspiracy murder and how Waterman goes about solving the crime. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews