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Nick Fallon Investigations #5
Murder in the Desert
A 'clothing optional' gay resort is threatened by a vandal with perhaps more than just destroying property on his mind.
When Nick Fallon is hired to investigate a series of threatening phone calls and vandalism at a gay resort in Palm Springs, he and his husband, Eric Jamieson, are given first class treatment by the owners... when they first arrive.
Coming face to face with a group of men who all seem to have something to hide, except their dislike for one another, frustrates Nick as he tries to sift through the lies and deception.
A fire, and a seemingly senseless murder, complicates Nick's search for the truth. As he uncovers details of past criminal records and a murky family history that includes arson and violence, his frustration grows.
Which of these men had motive and means to commit murder? The answer is-all of the above.
When Nick Fallon is hired to investigate a series of threatening phone calls and vandalism at a gay resort in Palm Springs, he and his husband, Eric Jamieson, are given first class treatment by the owners... when they first arrive.
Coming face to face with a group of men who all seem to have something to hide, except their dislike for one another, frustrates Nick as he tries to sift through the lies and deception.
A fire, and a seemingly senseless murder, complicates Nick's search for the truth. As he uncovers details of past criminal records and a murky family history that includes arson and violence, his frustration grows.
Which of these men had motive and means to commit murder? The answer is-all of the above.
- GenresM M Romance
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 22, 2015
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Bowie
136 books232 followersJ.P. Bowie was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland. He wrote his first (unpublished) novel – a science fiction tale of brawny men and brawnier women that made him a little suspect in the eyes of his family for a while.
Leaving home at age eighteen for the bright lights of London, he found himself in the midst of a “diverse and creative crowd” that eventually led him to the performing arts. For the next twelve years he sang, danced and acted his way around the theatres of London and the provinces, appearing in shows with many famous British singers, actors and comedians.
After immigrating to the US and living for many years in Las Vegas where he worked for that incomparable duo, Siegfried and Roy, J.P. found himself entranced by the fair city of San Diego where he currently lives with his partner, Phil.
J.P. loves to hear from his readers and can be contacted at jpbowie@cox.net
Leaving home at age eighteen for the bright lights of London, he found himself in the midst of a “diverse and creative crowd” that eventually led him to the performing arts. For the next twelve years he sang, danced and acted his way around the theatres of London and the provinces, appearing in shows with many famous British singers, actors and comedians.
After immigrating to the US and living for many years in Las Vegas where he worked for that incomparable duo, Siegfried and Roy, J.P. found himself entranced by the fair city of San Diego where he currently lives with his partner, Phil.
J.P. loves to hear from his readers and can be contacted at jpbowie@cox.net
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 24, 2015
Now I did not read the previous books in this series before this one and I would not suggest reading this one as a stand alone because I was a little lost on Nick and Eric's relationship. I really wish I would have read the others first because I did love Nick and Eric together and would have loved to see them when there relationship first started.
So Nick is asked to investigate threats that are being made against a gay resort. Eric goes with him to spend time with him and help him.
You get some steam and so much action in this book along with this mystery while Nick is trying to figure out who is behind everything that has been happening.
I really loved the authors pretense of this story and the way this author wrote these characters along with many other different characters you meet in this book. Now I was a little lost but as soon as I started this book I could not put it down. I really do not want to give away any spoilers because you really need to read this one for yourself. So I will leave this review with...
All together I really loved this story and these characters and I would definitely recommend this book!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
So Nick is asked to investigate threats that are being made against a gay resort. Eric goes with him to spend time with him and help him.
You get some steam and so much action in this book along with this mystery while Nick is trying to figure out who is behind everything that has been happening.
I really loved the authors pretense of this story and the way this author wrote these characters along with many other different characters you meet in this book. Now I was a little lost but as soon as I started this book I could not put it down. I really do not want to give away any spoilers because you really need to read this one for yourself. So I will leave this review with...
All together I really loved this story and these characters and I would definitely recommend this book!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
March 24, 2016
Private investigator Nick Fallon and Eric, his husband, have dinner with some friends and acquaintances one night. Nick ends up getting hired by a couple who own a resort that caters to gay men. It seems there have been some acts of vandalism and the resort owners hope that Nick can figure out who's behind all the destruction.
Seeing it as a kind of working vacation, Nick and Eric spend a few days meeting men who all seem to be hiding something. When the vandalism escalates to murder, Nick realizes time is running out...
This is Book 5 in the Nick Fallon series.
It's a pretty standard mystery/detective novel with the slight "twist" that 98% of the characters happen to be gay men. There's a private investigator, a somewhat interesting group of suspects, and many red herrings.
What I liked
+ Although it might not be the freshest take on gay mysteries, there was just enough to keep me reading for the first 60% of it or so. FTR, there were a few instances where Nick or Eric alluded to events that occurred in previous books, but I didn't feel like I was missing out on vital information.
+ I enjoyed the dynamic between Nick and his husband Eric: half-banter, half-tender words, it was neat to see them together. Even though this was my first time meeting them, they were fully realized people. Their sex scenes, some which were a tad hurried, worked because they were intimate in the way established relationships in romance novels are.
+ The rest of the characters were developed as well: everyone had very distinct personalities. So it was easy to figure out motivations and behaviours.
What I didn't like
- I did feel that the villain was way too easy to guess. His characterization kind of fell apart in the last 1/3 of the book (which knocked a whole star from my rating).
- Another thing was that there are literally only 2 women in the whole book. (TWO!):
* Monica, Nick's secretary (who doesn't show up until near the end)
* Dorothy Hallifax--the former owner of the resort where the vandalism happens (she's dead way before the story begins).
And, that's pretty much it. Since the story does take place in not only in a large city but also in the current time period, it's a little weird that there aren't any more female characters around. #IJS
- Then there's the villain. He was SO obvious that, once the reveal happened, I thought it was a double-bluff of sorts.
-
TL;DR: It's not an innovative gay mystery but it's not a terrible book.
Seeing it as a kind of working vacation, Nick and Eric spend a few days meeting men who all seem to be hiding something. When the vandalism escalates to murder, Nick realizes time is running out...
This is Book 5 in the Nick Fallon series.
It's a pretty standard mystery/detective novel with the slight "twist" that 98% of the characters happen to be gay men. There's a private investigator, a somewhat interesting group of suspects, and many red herrings.
What I liked
+ Although it might not be the freshest take on gay mysteries, there was just enough to keep me reading for the first 60% of it or so. FTR, there were a few instances where Nick or Eric alluded to events that occurred in previous books, but I didn't feel like I was missing out on vital information.
+ I enjoyed the dynamic between Nick and his husband Eric: half-banter, half-tender words, it was neat to see them together. Even though this was my first time meeting them, they were fully realized people. Their sex scenes, some which were a tad hurried, worked because they were intimate in the way established relationships in romance novels are.
+ The rest of the characters were developed as well: everyone had very distinct personalities. So it was easy to figure out motivations and behaviours.
What I didn't like
- I did feel that the villain was way too easy to guess. His characterization kind of fell apart in the last 1/3 of the book (which knocked a whole star from my rating).
- Another thing was that there are literally only 2 women in the whole book. (TWO!):
* Monica, Nick's secretary (who doesn't show up until near the end)
* Dorothy Hallifax--the former owner of the resort where the vandalism happens (she's dead way before the story begins).
And, that's pretty much it. Since the story does take place in not only in a large city but also in the current time period, it's a little weird that there aren't any more female characters around. #IJS
- Then there's the villain. He was SO obvious that, once the reveal happened, I thought it was a double-bluff of sorts.
-
TL;DR: It's not an innovative gay mystery but it's not a terrible book.
April 7, 2016
This is the 5th book in the Nick Fallon mystery series and it should be called Secrets & Lies.Nick is asked to come to Palm Springs by a couple who have purchased a landscape painting from Peter's art gallery for their hotel.The two men have been receiving threatening phone calls and before they even can give Nick more details, an act of vandalism.Nick is hesitant to go, but Eric really wants to go to Palm Springs, so they decide to go.The hotel is clothing optional ( which brings out the prude in Nick) and Nick soon discovers that the men will only let Nick's investigation go so far.The men don't want the police involved and keep stressing for Nick to be discreet.The more Nick question, the more he's lied to or told half-truths....even by his clients.This is a short book, any story with Nick & Eric is a good read!
September 27, 2016
2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Murder in the Desert by J.P. Bowie
This book is a great read, but it is part of an ongoing series so I would strongly recommend reading the books in order so that you get the complete feel of the world created by the author.
This book is a great read, but it is part of an ongoing series so I would strongly recommend reading the books in order so that you get the complete feel of the world created by the author.
September 28, 2024
Awesome stories!
The portrayal of each character was perfect. The individual stores were very compelling and made it hard to put my iPad down to tend to anything I needed to do. It is after midnight but I finished the fifth book. J. P. Bowie is an amazing author.
The portrayal of each character was perfect. The individual stores were very compelling and made it hard to put my iPad down to tend to anything I needed to do. It is after midnight but I finished the fifth book. J. P. Bowie is an amazing author.
August 30, 2016
3.75 stars
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews