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Austin Carr Mystery #4
Big Shoes
Jersey Shore broker Austin Carr wants out of the stock and bond business but un-hooking from his mobbed-up partner won't be painless. Angelina "Mama Bones" Bonacelli needs Austin to help stop Johnny "The Turk" Korsay -- her rival in a boardwalk gambling crew -- from importing child sex slaves for Atlantic City. "Darkly comic, with an engaging protagonist." - T.J. MacGregor, Edgar Winner; "Gordon Gekko meets Janet Evanovich..." --Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and Mary Higgins Clark Award winning author of Truth Be Told
198 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2015
7 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
Jack Getze
13 books549 followersFormer newsman Jack Getze's screwball mysteries -- BIG NUMBERS, BIG MONEY, BIG MOJO, and BIG SHOES -- were published by Down and Out Books, as was a thriller, THE BLACK KACHINA, and a new family suspense novel, MAKING HEARTS. His short stories have appeared online at A Twist of Noir, Beat to a Pulp, The Big Adios, and several anthologies.
Series:
* Austin Carr Mystery
Series:
* Austin Carr Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 27, 2016
Austin Carr has been around for four books now, but he's still not getting old. In fact, he has a humorous charm that repeats itself in cycles as he keeps losing his common sense over a pretty woman, gets sucked into shady situations because of his business connections, and always somehow comes out on top like the lucky stockbroker he is.
In this fourth installment, the unusual but enjoyable Mama Bones plays an even larger role than before - sometimes the book is even told her from point of view. There's a slight distance from Austin due to this, but it didn't detract any enjoyment. There's still the same funny situations that leave me chucking, the suspenseful moments that make me practically gnaw my bottom lip off, and the out-of-nowhere twists that make my eyes pop open. I probably look like a cartoon reading these.
This time around Austin is smartening up and wanting out of his business, a job that at first probably seemed relatively harmless until it became mixed up with business partners - and their mothers - who have mob connections. Throw in a competing rival who is hunting Austin down while he has to join up with the people he was wanting to break away from, and another fun adventure takes place.
The story is strong enough on its own (seriously, how does Getze think of all these twists??), but it's made even more unforgettable because of characters you latch on to. I even had my doubts a time or two this time about long-time compadre Luis, but he's always scene-stealing when he walks on page. Mama Bones being a strange mixture of tough-as-nail criminal paired as the neighborhood homemaker is always a riot. Austin is himself with his never ending faith in his own "full-boat grin." Lady interests thrown in the books bring them a small brush of noir lore that completely works.
A sequel that charms as much as its predecessors, Austin Carr is still wooing me with his big grin, twisted situations, and bizarre luck. Since the other books were good, it had big shoes to fill, and I'm happy to say it did it with style.
October 20, 2016
I have been with Jack Getze’s Austin Carr since the beginning and if you are a fan of The Rockford Files, this stand alone series is a must read. Big Shoes is the latest edition to this rollicking good fun reading and I am very excited to share it with you.
In Big Shoes, Austin Carr is back from a ‘suggested’ vacation and I can’t help but wonder what is in store for him. I know there will never be a dull moment.
Austin Carr always seems to be dodging bullets and being drawn into dangerous situations through his relationships with the quirky, off the wall characters that come into and out of his life.
His biggest downfall is the dame and when she walks into the room, his common sense goes out the window. There is always one involved and he cannot say no to her. He is quick with words and it seems like every time he opens his mouth, he’s getting himself in deeper, pissing off those who would rather punch him than talk to him.
I love the pistol packing, Mama Bones. If organized crime were a comedy, Austin Carr and Mama Bones would be the stars. She carries a ‘bag of tricks’ and ya never know what she will pull from it.
Jack Getze’s marvelous characters and writing keep me cracking up as I weave through the mysteries. His pin-up girl would be Lucille Ball, so that gives you a hint of Jack Getze’s writing style.
If you are looking for a dark comedy mystery noir, Big Shoes and the Austin Carr series fits the bill to a T! The who, what, when, where, and why aren’t as important to me as the hilarious journey to the answers. Ya never know when the bullets will start flying, so be alert and DUCK!
I received a free copy of Big Shoes from Jack Getze.
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February 20, 2016
Big shoes is the story of a stock broker who is dragged into a mafia war. A thriller with fast pace action will definitely persuade the reader to cling onto the book.
Austin Carr who is a stockbroker is chasing a chance to get away from violence but circumstances and conscience drags him back to the mafia war. The book opens the raw wound in the hearts of every dutiful citizen who wants to fight child trafficking. Instead of plainly traversing through action, sex and violence, author addressed a consequential issue.
The writing style is not very complex. The story is a mix of first person narrative of Austin and third person narrative. Sudden switch in narrative style in some areas confuses the reader.
Seventy year old Mamma bones pouncing into a shootout scenario seemed exaggerated.
January 22, 2016
What's a nice guy like New Jersey stockbroker Austin Carr doing getting himself in the middle of a mafia war?
Austin wants out of the stock and bond business, but his temporary business partner, Angelina "Mama Bones" Bonacelli won't have any of it! Mama Bones is a tough old mafia lady who dabbles in racketeering on the Jersey shore, and has direct ties to a once powerful New York crime family. So when Mama Bones tells Austin that he can't leave the business, all hell breaks loose, and Austin finds himself caught up in the middle of a mafia war with a rival boardwalk crime crew. So who will end up wearing the big shoes in this humorous mystery tale?
In Big Shoes, the fourth book in the Austin Carr Mystery Series, author Jack Getze weaves an entertaining mystery tale that transports the reader to the New Jersey shore town of Branchtown to follow the latest madcap adventure of stockbroker Austin Carr.
This fast paced thriller of a crime story easily keeps the readers entertained as Austin and Mama Bones deal with Johnny "The Turk" Korsay, a local rival mob boss and his crew. I really enjoyed how the author provides the reader with a crime tale that has a great mixture of humor and mystery, you can't help but get hooked as Austin and Mama Bones deal with the rival mob crew, and finds themselves in some pretty crazy laugh out loud circumstances that will tickle your funny bone.
In Big Shoes, author Jack Getze weaves a well written tale that has an action packed storyline with intriguing twists and turns that will easily keep the reader turning the pages, and an interesting cast of characters who will keep the reader in stitches with their madcap interactions and quirky banter. I haven't read any of the previous books in the Austin Carr Mystery Series, but after following the charming big grin wearing Austin and my favorite Italian bossy lady Mama Bones, I find myself wanting to go back and read about Austin's past adventures. Big Shoes can be read in sequential order of the series, or it can be a stand alone read. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I really enjoyed the NJ shore setting, the author gets two thumbs up for providing the reader with a rich description of the local shore towns and attractions from my home state that are close to my heart.
If you are looking for a thoroughly entertaining mystery tale with an enticing mixture of comedy and noir intertwined, then look no further, Big Shoes is the book for you!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Sage's Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Austin wants out of the stock and bond business, but his temporary business partner, Angelina "Mama Bones" Bonacelli won't have any of it! Mama Bones is a tough old mafia lady who dabbles in racketeering on the Jersey shore, and has direct ties to a once powerful New York crime family. So when Mama Bones tells Austin that he can't leave the business, all hell breaks loose, and Austin finds himself caught up in the middle of a mafia war with a rival boardwalk crime crew. So who will end up wearing the big shoes in this humorous mystery tale?
In Big Shoes, the fourth book in the Austin Carr Mystery Series, author Jack Getze weaves an entertaining mystery tale that transports the reader to the New Jersey shore town of Branchtown to follow the latest madcap adventure of stockbroker Austin Carr.
This fast paced thriller of a crime story easily keeps the readers entertained as Austin and Mama Bones deal with Johnny "The Turk" Korsay, a local rival mob boss and his crew. I really enjoyed how the author provides the reader with a crime tale that has a great mixture of humor and mystery, you can't help but get hooked as Austin and Mama Bones deal with the rival mob crew, and finds themselves in some pretty crazy laugh out loud circumstances that will tickle your funny bone.
In Big Shoes, author Jack Getze weaves a well written tale that has an action packed storyline with intriguing twists and turns that will easily keep the reader turning the pages, and an interesting cast of characters who will keep the reader in stitches with their madcap interactions and quirky banter. I haven't read any of the previous books in the Austin Carr Mystery Series, but after following the charming big grin wearing Austin and my favorite Italian bossy lady Mama Bones, I find myself wanting to go back and read about Austin's past adventures. Big Shoes can be read in sequential order of the series, or it can be a stand alone read. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I really enjoyed the NJ shore setting, the author gets two thumbs up for providing the reader with a rich description of the local shore towns and attractions from my home state that are close to my heart.
If you are looking for a thoroughly entertaining mystery tale with an enticing mixture of comedy and noir intertwined, then look no further, Big Shoes is the book for you!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Sage's Blog Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
April 27, 2016
How the hell did I get myself into this mess—dead-ass center of a war between two crime families? — Austin Carr
Wondering how he ended up in yet another mess isn’t really a new question for Jersey Shore broker Austin Carr, who seems to have a unique talent for finding himself up to his eyes in one sticky wicket after another (Big Numbers, Big Money, Big Mojo). Unfortunately for Carr, he’s really gone and done it this time.
In a classic case of too little too late, Carr has finally decided to break ties with his partner at Shore Securities and make a fresh start. The hitch in that giddyap? His partner Vic Bonacelli is the son of infamous mobster Angelina “Mama Bones” Bonacelli, and no one just walks away from Mama Bones.
Complicating matters further, Carr’s best friend and confidant, Luis Guerrero, is arrested by crooked cops at the behest of mobster Johnny “The Turk” Korsay. Why? To put pressure on Carr, who witnessed The Turk commit a murder, or so The Turk is convinced.
And because Carr can never get out of his own way, he manages, in the midst of everything else, to turn his obsession with redheads into the ultimate Achilles’ heel when he hits on the wrong firebrand one too many times.
Now, Carr is caught between Mama Bones, who wants him alive to help run a part of her empire, and The Turk, who wants Carr dead because he’s the last piece standing between The Turk and expanding his empire into Mama Bones’ territory. Oh, and did I mention the illegal, underage sex ring and massive horse racing fix? Yeah… Carr is definitely in it up to his eyes. Again.
Author Jack Getze has created an unlikely lead in Austin Carr. After all, how many people are inclined to find a cocky, mouthy — Mama Bones calls him Smarty Pants — securities broker to be a sympathetic figure? Well, in Getze’s able hands Carr manages to strike just the right balance between ballsy and braggadocio, between serious and seriously funny. Getze also strikes just the right balance with the story’s tone, infusing some legitimately high-stakes situations and action — there are guns and death and motorcycle chases and sex and true peril —with just the right amount of humor to keep things from ever getting too dark.
In fact, if there is such a thing, Getze is the master of what I’d call the hard-core cozy: a story with enough real bite to be taken seriously, but which keeps a lighthearted undercurrent through the use of well-timed humor. And Carr definitely needs his sense of humor in Big Shoes, the fourth entry in the Carr series, as Getze has loaded up the obstacles for Carr to overcome. Luckily for both Carr and the reader, Carr’s ego, smart mouth, and patented “full-boat grin” are up to the challenge.
Wondering how he ended up in yet another mess isn’t really a new question for Jersey Shore broker Austin Carr, who seems to have a unique talent for finding himself up to his eyes in one sticky wicket after another (Big Numbers, Big Money, Big Mojo). Unfortunately for Carr, he’s really gone and done it this time.
In a classic case of too little too late, Carr has finally decided to break ties with his partner at Shore Securities and make a fresh start. The hitch in that giddyap? His partner Vic Bonacelli is the son of infamous mobster Angelina “Mama Bones” Bonacelli, and no one just walks away from Mama Bones.
Complicating matters further, Carr’s best friend and confidant, Luis Guerrero, is arrested by crooked cops at the behest of mobster Johnny “The Turk” Korsay. Why? To put pressure on Carr, who witnessed The Turk commit a murder, or so The Turk is convinced.
And because Carr can never get out of his own way, he manages, in the midst of everything else, to turn his obsession with redheads into the ultimate Achilles’ heel when he hits on the wrong firebrand one too many times.
Now, Carr is caught between Mama Bones, who wants him alive to help run a part of her empire, and The Turk, who wants Carr dead because he’s the last piece standing between The Turk and expanding his empire into Mama Bones’ territory. Oh, and did I mention the illegal, underage sex ring and massive horse racing fix? Yeah… Carr is definitely in it up to his eyes. Again.
Author Jack Getze has created an unlikely lead in Austin Carr. After all, how many people are inclined to find a cocky, mouthy — Mama Bones calls him Smarty Pants — securities broker to be a sympathetic figure? Well, in Getze’s able hands Carr manages to strike just the right balance between ballsy and braggadocio, between serious and seriously funny. Getze also strikes just the right balance with the story’s tone, infusing some legitimately high-stakes situations and action — there are guns and death and motorcycle chases and sex and true peril —with just the right amount of humor to keep things from ever getting too dark.
In fact, if there is such a thing, Getze is the master of what I’d call the hard-core cozy: a story with enough real bite to be taken seriously, but which keeps a lighthearted undercurrent through the use of well-timed humor. And Carr definitely needs his sense of humor in Big Shoes, the fourth entry in the Carr series, as Getze has loaded up the obstacles for Carr to overcome. Luckily for both Carr and the reader, Carr’s ego, smart mouth, and patented “full-boat grin” are up to the challenge.
January 13, 2016
With a calculated mix of mystery and humor, Jack Getze writes mysteries. In Big Shoes, Austin Carr, somewhat easily distracted by red-heads, finds himself in and out of scrapes more often than even he would like.
Fortunately, for Austin aka "Smarty Pants" a central character to his is Mama Bones. A fierce and strong woman, yet caring for those important to her, Mama Bones and Austin Carr enjoy a friendship bound by loyalty, trust, and mutual protection.
Coming up against the New Jersey mob is probably not Austin's finest hour, but his somewhat clumsy and vaguely familiar Inspector Closeau moments make for a fast read. Enjoy the chuckles Jack Getze provides while Austin is fearing for his life.
My first Austin Carr mystery was an enjoyable read over a rainy and gloomy weekend in Oregon. The author's creativity shines through in his use of humor, crafting plot lines, and developing interesting characters. You can't go wrong with Big Shoes.
FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via Sage's Blog Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed are mine.
Fortunately, for Austin aka "Smarty Pants" a central character to his is Mama Bones. A fierce and strong woman, yet caring for those important to her, Mama Bones and Austin Carr enjoy a friendship bound by loyalty, trust, and mutual protection.
Coming up against the New Jersey mob is probably not Austin's finest hour, but his somewhat clumsy and vaguely familiar Inspector Closeau moments make for a fast read. Enjoy the chuckles Jack Getze provides while Austin is fearing for his life.
My first Austin Carr mystery was an enjoyable read over a rainy and gloomy weekend in Oregon. The author's creativity shines through in his use of humor, crafting plot lines, and developing interesting characters. You can't go wrong with Big Shoes.
FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author via Sage's Blog Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed are mine.
January 26, 2016
This is a fast-paced thriller with adorable and quirky characters. Austin doesn't always choose the best path. Between women troubles and shady business dealings, he sometimes makes some questionable decisions. But, don't worry....he always comes out smelling like a rose!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the character Mama Bones. She is extremely unique and I kept wondering if she was based on a real person. I know some people very similar!! She absolutely is the best character I have read about in a long time..
This is the fourth installment in this series. I have not read the others. Well, guess what.. I MUST!! I really enjoyed this novel and can't wait to start at the beginning
I thoroughly enjoyed the character Mama Bones. She is extremely unique and I kept wondering if she was based on a real person. I know some people very similar!! She absolutely is the best character I have read about in a long time..
This is the fourth installment in this series. I have not read the others. Well, guess what.. I MUST!! I really enjoyed this novel and can't wait to start at the beginning
August 15, 2016
I won this book from Goodreads. I found it to be very interesting and amusing. Austin Carr finds himself in a mafia war and there is a lot of action. It definitely moves along quickly Mama Bones is my favorite character in the book. I now plan to read the first three books in the series by Jack Getze.
October 24, 2016
Big Shoes is book four in the Austin Carr Mysteries, though it stands alone just fine I could tell there was books before it that I hadn't read. there was enough backdrop that I followed along and wasn't lost, but I really would have liked to have read the first three.
Austin Carr is a bond salesman that is working for the mob. His partner in his business mother is a big mob bookie. I really liked Angelina or better known as Mama Bones a 70-year-old bookie. I loved the loyalty her family and employees all have for her and how she even watches out for Austin.
Austin seems to keep getting himself in trouble after trouble and have more lives than the proverbial cat. He has a thing for redheads that keep getting him in trouble too.
There is lots of humor in the story, mystery and suspense with a twist on nearly every page. I will definitely be reading the first three stories and if there are any more I will be reading them as well.
so if you are looking for a fun filled book with lots of twists and turns, charming characters, mystery suspense and humor this is the book for you.
Austin Carr is a bond salesman that is working for the mob. His partner in his business mother is a big mob bookie. I really liked Angelina or better known as Mama Bones a 70-year-old bookie. I loved the loyalty her family and employees all have for her and how she even watches out for Austin.
Austin seems to keep getting himself in trouble after trouble and have more lives than the proverbial cat. He has a thing for redheads that keep getting him in trouble too.
There is lots of humor in the story, mystery and suspense with a twist on nearly every page. I will definitely be reading the first three stories and if there are any more I will be reading them as well.
so if you are looking for a fun filled book with lots of twists and turns, charming characters, mystery suspense and humor this is the book for you.
January 22, 2016
I seem to be forever trying new authors, one of the advantages of being a blogger I guess. Once again I have gone into a series without reading the previous books but on this occasion it really didn’t matter.
This is written in such an easy style that makes it enjoyable to read, typically American & in New York style but it has moments of humour entwined with the mystery, lots of twists & ‘oh really’ moments.
Austin seems to like his women (preferably red-heads) & he manages to get into quite a few scrapes. it’s full of steamy action, guns, motorbikes, cops & a few colourful characters! Take a ride on the wild side & lose yourself in this for a while for some light-hearted entertainment.
Thanks to the author & Sage’s Blog Tours for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is written in such an easy style that makes it enjoyable to read, typically American & in New York style but it has moments of humour entwined with the mystery, lots of twists & ‘oh really’ moments.
Austin seems to like his women (preferably red-heads) & he manages to get into quite a few scrapes. it’s full of steamy action, guns, motorbikes, cops & a few colourful characters! Take a ride on the wild side & lose yourself in this for a while for some light-hearted entertainment.
Thanks to the author & Sage’s Blog Tours for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews