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Jack McMorrow Mystery #3
Lifeline
Sensing a good story in Donna Marchant, an abused woman, reporter Jack McMorrow is horrified when Donna is murdered after his article is published and the suspicion falls on her boyfriend and him. Reprint.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 16, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 2, 2019
Jack McMorrow was formerly a reporter for the New York Times, but his circumstances changed and he moved to Maine to take a job as the editor of a small town newspaper. Things there went bad as well, and now Jack has retreated deeper into the woods of the state with his girlfriend, Roxanne, who's a social worker. Jack is content for the moment to spend his days in the woods watching birds and his nights drinking beer, but Roxanne is losing patience with him and wants him to get off his dead end and make something of himself again.
Jack finally agrees to at least make an effort and takes a job two days a week as the court reporter for the Kennebec Observer. The editor expects Jack to sit in the courtroom all day and file a simple summary of the cases that go before the court. But on his first day on the job, Jack is intrigued by the case of Donna Marchant, a young woman who comes to the court seeking a restraining order against her abusive boyfriend.
Jack interviews the woman and then writes a story about her appearance without mentioning her name. But it's a small town and when the story hits the paper, Jack discovers that he's antagonized a lot of people, including his editor who didn't see the article before it was printed. He's also angered Donna's boyfriend who vows revenge against Jack for exposing his dirty linen. Things escalate from there and before long, someone's going to turn up dead and Jack is going to find himself in deep trouble on a lot of fronts, including in his relationship with Roxanne. But as readers of the previous two novels in this series are aware, Jack McMorrow is a tenacious kind of guy and once he gets his teeth into a problem, he won't let go, irrespective of the consequences, until he finds a resolution.
This is another very entertaining entry in this series and, as in the first two books, Gerry Boyle excels in particular at creating the setting. He's captured perfectly the people and the places of rural Maine, and this continues to be an excellent regional mystery series.
Jack finally agrees to at least make an effort and takes a job two days a week as the court reporter for the Kennebec Observer. The editor expects Jack to sit in the courtroom all day and file a simple summary of the cases that go before the court. But on his first day on the job, Jack is intrigued by the case of Donna Marchant, a young woman who comes to the court seeking a restraining order against her abusive boyfriend.
Jack interviews the woman and then writes a story about her appearance without mentioning her name. But it's a small town and when the story hits the paper, Jack discovers that he's antagonized a lot of people, including his editor who didn't see the article before it was printed. He's also angered Donna's boyfriend who vows revenge against Jack for exposing his dirty linen. Things escalate from there and before long, someone's going to turn up dead and Jack is going to find himself in deep trouble on a lot of fronts, including in his relationship with Roxanne. But as readers of the previous two novels in this series are aware, Jack McMorrow is a tenacious kind of guy and once he gets his teeth into a problem, he won't let go, irrespective of the consequences, until he finds a resolution.
This is another very entertaining entry in this series and, as in the first two books, Gerry Boyle excels in particular at creating the setting. He's captured perfectly the people and the places of rural Maine, and this continues to be an excellent regional mystery series.
October 11, 2023
Lifeline is a corker! This novel has some terrific plot twists and an ending that took me by surprise. Great job of misdirection by the author, and some enjoyable characters to meet along the way to that delicious ending.
Since I've come into the series at #3 (yeah, I know...), I had no expectations of nor familiarity with Jack McMorrow, a doggedly stubborn reporter who seems to be burned out from his work at the NY Times and hiding out in rural Maine. He loves his hobby of birding and, like Thoreau, seems most at peace when in the woods, mosquitoes and black flies be damned. Unfortunately, his girlfriend Roxanne, with whom he's been living, isn't as transfixed by the idyllic life as he, and needs a change from her work and locale. If Jack had half a brain, he'd move with her and live happily ever after. But what kind of mystery novel would that make?
So, she goes and he remains behind, working a crap temporary job at the small town local paper reporting on court proceedings, such as traffic fines and misdemeanors, twice a week. Seems like a no risk job, but when a case of domestic violence and abuse comes before the court seeking an order of protection, things become interesting rather quickly. To say much more would give away too much, so suffice it to say that Boyle has woven a very entertaining and well constructed story, filled with characters with whom I could relate and sympathize. Pacing and development seem spot on and as I mentioned earlier, the ending just might surprise you. An excellent book.
Since I've come into the series at #3 (yeah, I know...), I had no expectations of nor familiarity with Jack McMorrow, a doggedly stubborn reporter who seems to be burned out from his work at the NY Times and hiding out in rural Maine. He loves his hobby of birding and, like Thoreau, seems most at peace when in the woods, mosquitoes and black flies be damned. Unfortunately, his girlfriend Roxanne, with whom he's been living, isn't as transfixed by the idyllic life as he, and needs a change from her work and locale. If Jack had half a brain, he'd move with her and live happily ever after. But what kind of mystery novel would that make?
So, she goes and he remains behind, working a crap temporary job at the small town local paper reporting on court proceedings, such as traffic fines and misdemeanors, twice a week. Seems like a no risk job, but when a case of domestic violence and abuse comes before the court seeking an order of protection, things become interesting rather quickly. To say much more would give away too much, so suffice it to say that Boyle has woven a very entertaining and well constructed story, filled with characters with whom I could relate and sympathize. Pacing and development seem spot on and as I mentioned earlier, the ending just might surprise you. An excellent book.
October 19, 2019
This is the third book in the Jack McMorrow series. This time, Jack is working as the court reporter for the local paper. On his first day he meets a young woman seeking a protection from abuse order. Her story interests him and she agrees to an interview. The article in the next day’s paper brings trouble to Jack as well as the unfortunate woman.
This story, like all in this series so far, is very good. I admit I still have problems with the narration as far as pace and accents go. The women’s voices are not great. But I have gotten used to it a bit and it isn’t as distracting as it once was. The young girl, however, does a superb job.
I finished this yesterday and I’m still thinking of the ending. It blew me away.
This story, like all in this series so far, is very good. I admit I still have problems with the narration as far as pace and accents go. The women’s voices are not great. But I have gotten used to it a bit and it isn’t as distracting as it once was. The young girl, however, does a superb job.
I finished this yesterday and I’m still thinking of the ending. It blew me away.
May 17, 2020
Another good but longish read. Jack encounters the woman during his part time job as court reporter in his small town as she is petitioning for a restraining order against an abuser. The plot unfolds in a kind of laid back sardonic way as she is found murdered and Jack finds himself on the suspect list. That, and the real injustice of her murder ramp up his determination to ignore everyone else to avenge her. Solid plot with plenty of distractions, twists, red herrings, and characters who really engage the imagination.
The audio is mainly narrated by Michael A. Smith who has a real gift for it within his voice range.
The audio is mainly narrated by Michael A. Smith who has a real gift for it within his voice range.
May 24, 2020
Curiosity about an abuse woman, Jack investigates further, and then when he finds she has been murder. He is even more Determinded to get answers. Good series, and one likes the tenaciousness of Jack
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
December 14, 2020
I don't know why I read these. I really do not like McMorrow as a human being. Frankly, I can't figure out why the love of his life continues to give him second (and 3rd and 4th) chances. None the less, Boyle delivers a good plot line.
February 27, 2019
My third in the series, continues to be very enjoyable... except Jack always seems to find trouble... Looking forward to the next!
November 16, 2020
Another real good book!
December 12, 2021
Since I stumbled on to Jack McMorrow, I've been "trying" to space them out some....to make this series last. Gerry Boyle is the real deal.
September 25, 2023
Raises some very interesting issues, and his sense of humor/sarcasm is a treat.
December 16, 2025
Another good who dun it by Jack Mcmorrow reporter. My third Gerry Boyle based in Maine novel. I'll keep on reading as these are great stories about places I know.
January 12, 2015
I sure do like sardonic, smartass Jack McMorrow and his love of birds, a bit less his love of Ballantyne Ale.
Chock full of neat characters, most shady and often sordid, McMorrow again becomes involved in a violent series of incidents in trying to find the truth about Donna Marchant's death.
Suffice it to say that there's lots of ick, lots of great dialog and scenery, and a touchy relationship with Roxanne, she who proves in many ways stronger than Jack.
This time we're in central Maine - Augusta, Albion, Jefferson, China, Palermo - and Boyle again captures hardscrabble life. Again recognized alot of the places and buildings he uses as a backdrop for the story.
Bloodlines do matter, for better and for worse.
Chock full of neat characters, most shady and often sordid, McMorrow again becomes involved in a violent series of incidents in trying to find the truth about Donna Marchant's death.
Suffice it to say that there's lots of ick, lots of great dialog and scenery, and a touchy relationship with Roxanne, she who proves in many ways stronger than Jack.
This time we're in central Maine - Augusta, Albion, Jefferson, China, Palermo - and Boyle again captures hardscrabble life. Again recognized alot of the places and buildings he uses as a backdrop for the story.
Bloodlines do matter, for better and for worse.
August 9, 2012
When I started this book I didn't realize I had read the first 2 books of the series before. The main character, Jack McMorrow, is reporter who used to work for the New York Times and got into problems and had to get away. He now lives in the wilds of Maine. I don't like his character too well except that he won't stop until he has the WHOLE story otherwise he's a basket case. His girl friend gets him to go to work for the local paper and his reporting of court cases starts a series of events that even Jack couldn't forsee. And the ending is a twist I didn't see coming and don't know if it was "solved" in the correct way or not.
December 31, 2008
This is the series of three novels with Jack McMorrow, reporter, as the main character. He's a wiseass that you can't help but like, who gets involved with the murder of a woman he was interviewing after she had been in court trying to get a restraining order against her abusing boy friend. The DA is not a nice woman at all! The small town newspaper Jack took a job with (after leaving the NY Times) is a joke, and, well it goes on from there. A good read. I should read the first two.
August 29, 2018
This was a great book! I love these types of action-packed suspenseful murder mysteries, and this one was a gem. Get crazy! The characters are well developed, the story is well written, and the narration was awesome. I was on the edge of my seat! This is the first book in the series I've read/listened to, and it certainly won't be my last. Love this! Try it, you know you want to :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
October 22, 2008
LIFELINE - VG
Boyle, Gerry - 3rd in Jack McMorrow series
In his newest case, McMorrow senses a good story in Donna Marchant, an abused woman. But after the article is published and Donna is found murdered, he finds suspicion has fallen not only on her boyfriend but on himself as well.
I really like this series. Great character, great setting, well plotted.
Boyle, Gerry - 3rd in Jack McMorrow series
In his newest case, McMorrow senses a good story in Donna Marchant, an abused woman. But after the article is published and Donna is found murdered, he finds suspicion has fallen not only on her boyfriend but on himself as well.
I really like this series. Great character, great setting, well plotted.
October 9, 2013
My only problem with Gerry Boyle's books is the lack of likable lead characters. His stories are really good, enough action that you don't get bored but not too much that you can't visualize and enjoy the people and places. Having met alcoholic hero Jack McMorrow in other books, I really just can't spend more time with him. Just my humble opinion.
May 31, 2014
This is the third book in the Jack McMorrow mystery series. Deadline was the first in the series and I found that story to have a terrific "who dun it" plot...Lifeline not so much. I found this book to be rather dull that just plodded along. Even the ending left me a bit disappointed. I have not read the second in the series, Bloodline, and will definitely read it sometime in the future.
June 5, 2014
Another fine entry in this series featuring a newspaper reporter formerly of the New York Times now working in small town Maine. I really like the main character and thought the plotting in this book was quite good.
August 20, 2008
Loved the mystery, loved the common characters - and there was always a Maine setting for his books.
October 13, 2014
Roxanne moves to Portland.
Court reporter 2 days a week.
Abused woman is killed.
Court reporter 2 days a week.
Abused woman is killed.
December 26, 2022
Did NOT see the twist coming!!! ok gerry!!!
October 4, 2015
I've now read the first three books in this ten-book series set in Maine.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews