Slow Burn

Leo Waterman #4

by G.M. Ford

G.M. Ford's unconventional private detective, Leo Waterman, jolts the p.i. scene like a double shot of espresso from a sleek Seattle coffee bar. Aided by his band of scruffy irregulars -- "the Boys," a team of residentially challenged connoisseur of inexpensive spirits -- Leo remains Seattle's most unorthodox p.i. Now, SLOW BURN ignites the fuse on the most combustible entry in the waterman cannon. Anticipating disaster, a prestigious global restaurant convention hires Leo as Special Security Officer. His monitor the movements of two adversarial steakhouse competitors whose "beef" has previously made for some nasty confrontations and a food critic who's caught in between the warring factions. Leo sends the Boys off to shadow all three parties and report back to him. But even the simplest of plans can casade into catastrophe. And Leo soon finds himself served up as the prime suspect in a murder...realizing that both his life and career are at stake.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Audiobook, Humor, Fiction, Thriller, Murder Mystery

300 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Gerald 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.

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This entry in the Leo Waterman series is interesting and has the usual homeless gang acting as his detectives, but it has a major problem: too many characters to keep separate in your mind. Steakhouse rivals over a prize bull is the basic plot, but Ford makes it too difficult to properly follow. Recommended only to G.M. Ford fans.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story has far too many characters, all similar and engaged in similar businesses and shenanigans. After they were interviewed the first time, I could no longer keep track of who was who. Finally I just went along for the ride and enjoyed the story. It is an enjoyable story.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one from fairly early in the series is an homage to Rex Stout. The dedication is to him as the creator of...and then it lists 32 characters starting with Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. I recognized about the first half. The detective here is a lot like Archie, and he has a client who is very reminiscent of Wolfe. There may be other resemblances too subtle for me. But there is a cast of thousands, and several large crowd scenes. Keeping things straight under those conditions is not something G.M. Ford is especially good at. But the humor is still there, and lots of snappy dialogue. And it's a pretty good mystery. At one point the detective walks into a crowded gay bar looking for a guy who he sees far in the back. "As I strolled the length of the room, I tried to ignore the feeling that I was in Atlantic City walking down the Miss America runway without my swimsuit. I told myself to lighten up. These guys had no interest in me. They were gay, not blind."

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow Burn by title and slow burn in terms of storytelling. Slow Burn is told in an easy going, relaxed style with an undercurrent of gentle humour. The story features a set of larger than life characters and has a good set up. The narrative is workmanlike, with a good flow between scenes. What the story lacks, however, is tension. The story does build towards a climax, but it is without a real sense of urgency. Whilst there is a nice twist with regards to the identity of the killers, the rest of the ending is fairly predictable. Overall, an enjoyable, gently humorous read that lacked a bit of bite.

[Darcey Tomasino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but too many characters/names

I like Ford's Waterman series, for the most part. The only things I dislike are his habit of randomly referring to a character by his/her surname when he typically uses the first name--in a book like this, with dozens of characters, it's nearly impossible to keep track of them all--I also dislike the many obscure allusions; I feel like I'm on the outside of an inside joke.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#4 in the Leo Waterman series.

Leo Waterman, Seattle PI, and his street people friends are engaged to track the movements of the principals of two warring steakhouse businesses. What starts off as a publicity stunt involving the barbecuing of a prize bull turns more serious when murder is involved.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another off the wall Leo Waterman PI investigation with his band of homeless people. This one involving a couple of restaurant people and a bull named Bunky. His wit throughout the novel makes it another enjoyable read!

[Cynthia Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you love gritty Seattle, this is a fun read!

[Paul Edlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo is always an entertaining read.

[Wpayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow Burn

Had a little trouble following this one but old Leo kept me reading. The barbecue scene was so descriptive felt like I was there! Still laughing over that.

[Pam Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series about Leo Waterman and his "boys" and his descriptions of one of my favorite places to visit, Seattle. The author continues to develop the characters as well as Leo's relationship with Rebecca and their new house. Anticipating disaster, Le Cuisine Internationale, a prestigious global restaurant convention, hires Leo as its own Special Security Officer. His relatively simple assignment is to monitor the movements of the society's bone of contention: two adversarial steakhouse competitors, whose "beef" has previously made for some nasty confrontations; and the food critic who's caught in between the warring factions. Cleaning up the Boys, Leo sends them off to shadow the entourages and report back to him at day's end. But Leo finds himself as the prime suspect in a murder, gets thoroughly grilled by the police, and realizes that both his life and career are at stake.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Slow Burn”, fourth in the 'Leo Waterman' series, really lives up to the title as it takes forever to get to the point.
Leo is tasked with looking after security for a food extravaganza at a local hotel.
Foodies, gourmets and big names in the industry are all in town, and in the same hotel.
Then there's the small matter of a prize bull which one restaurateur intends to BBQ live(ish) to revive his flagging steak chain.
And Leo is supposed to be moving in with Rebecca!
The problem is that there are too many characters, all whizzing around and generally cluttering up the plot.
At the end there is a suitably impressive chaotic rampage on the Seattle streets.
It's an easy read but one that is difficult to keep up with - just let it flow over you.
3 Stars.

[MisterLiberry Head · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le Cuisine Internationale, staging a prestigious global restaurant convention in Seattle, hires unconventional homeboy PI Leo Waterman to handle security and prevent feuding steakhouse magnates from causing the group massive mortification in the media. Waterman finds himself falling into a “Looney Tunes universe” (p243) of eccentric gastronomes. At the same time, he’s finally moving in with the not-amused woman he’s “been dating for nineteen years” (p63). As fans know, Leo’s platoon of street operative are mostly scruffy, homeless drunks who dine from Dumpsters. Nothing could go wrong, n’est-ce pas??

[M. Sprouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a very humorous and exciting read. The scope of this novel is far greater than the first 3 in the series. At times it was a bit difficult to stay up with and keep straight. Probably the reason for many of the three and four star ratings. However, G.M. Ford was thinking big and though not perfect in the big scenes, it's still pretty darn impressive. Why? Because this book has all the great components that have made this series successful: action, wit, extraordinary quirkiness and suspense. It's strengths really obliviate it's puny weaknesses.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Leo Waterman series, but of all the books, so far, this one has to be the most ho hum of scenarios. And its interesting come from the previous books, that usually have 2 cases going at once which is also really fun. Otherwise a great book and read, and the ending was not what I saw coming, that is for sure.

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not as compelling a read..

Have enjoyed this series immensely but this one was a grind to get through. Characters felt less original, possibly too many new ones, and just felt like an anonymous read where I never got emotionally involved in it to care. Still love Leo’s character, but far better ones in series.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finally gave up at 148 pages. I’ll never get that time back. Plot is convoluted and stupid. Characters are stupid. The author seems more interested in crafting what he thinks is witty repartee than a coherent story. It’s rare that I quit on a book but this wasn’t worth another second of my time.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second time reading the Leo Waterman series. Love the main character and his crew of homeless people that he uses for surveillance. This story deals with the 2 owners of competing steakhouse chains and who is sabotaging one of them and how he tries to prevent it.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another hilarious tale in the Leo Waterman series. Seattle Private Investigator, Leo Waterman is hired to ferret out who is trying to sabotage the other in a best steakhouse competition. Waterman hires his crew of homeless misfits to help out, and it's nonstop fun all the way.

[Marion Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual a perfect read.

Good easy to read book. I would like to see numbers on the front to make reading them in order easier, but that doesn't detract from the content at all many thanks

[Mike Tumy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like mystery novels to have interesting plots, unique characters and to have a dash of humor thrown in. G. M. Ford's novels deliver the goods! The audible version of "Slow Burn" made a long road trip fly by. I enjoyed it - read it!

[Hjordes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, with a large dab of Nero Wolfe

I won't say more on Nero Wolfe. If you're a fan you'll catch it right off the bat. If not, you'll still enjoy the craziest romp yet in the Waterman series. Have fun!

[Mark Stapleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Another enjoyable chapter in the Leo Waterman series, love the cast of characters and the new ones were just as entertaining

[rebecca O. webber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been enjoying this offbeat series. This book’s plot was a little far fetched for me, so three stars instead of four.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[MR S Bellard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow Burn Review

Very good book I have really enjoyed the series so far would definitely recommend and will be looking out for more by this author.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same old jokes, but new ones too! 3.5 stars

[Kimberly Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I could re experience as a new reader. Lotta Nero Wolfe Easter Eggs. Great tribute.

[kathy dornhecker]

Love the Leo Waterman series. Always a hoot to picture the characters and situations. If you want laugh out loud action.....read this series! Always a surprise somewhere.

[Karen Roth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am So fed up with GoodReads search engine! This book Slow Burn should easily be found yet all kinds of US comes up even when you press title! I am fed up!!!!