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Matt Royal Mystery #10
Mortal Dilemma
Jock Algren arrives on Longboat Key in a state of depression and hopelessness. His most recent mission for his secretive U.S. government intelligence agency has been disastrous and his friends Matt Royal and J. D. Duncan aren’t sure they’ll be able to pull him out of his despair—then the bad guys show up and danger erupts on all fronts.
Longboat Key Detective J. D. Duncan is investigating a cold case when the brother of the victim shows up on the island and complicates the investigation. A grizzled sailor—described by Matt as “the meanest man I’d ever known”—brings his boat into a local marina and bodies begin to accumulate. A Middle East jihadist intent on revenge locks on to Jock’s clandestine past, bringing a deadly chase to the last outpost in the continental U.S.—Key West. Three prongs of evil descend, clashing violently. How could all this malice be interconnected?
Longboat Key Detective J. D. Duncan is investigating a cold case when the brother of the victim shows up on the island and complicates the investigation. A grizzled sailor—described by Matt as “the meanest man I’d ever known”—brings his boat into a local marina and bodies begin to accumulate. A Middle East jihadist intent on revenge locks on to Jock’s clandestine past, bringing a deadly chase to the last outpost in the continental U.S.—Key West. Three prongs of evil descend, clashing violently. How could all this malice be interconnected?
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2016
99 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
H. Terrell Griffin
18 books91 followersAward-winning novelist H. Terrell Griffin is a board-certified trial lawyer who practiced in Orlando for thirty-eight years. He and his wife, Jean, divide their time between Longboat Key, Florida, and Maitland, Florida. Griffin is also the author of Blood Island, Murder Key, and Longboat Blues. Blood Island was named an award-winning finalist in the 2008 National Best Books Awards, Fiction & Literature: Mystery/Suspense category.
Series:
* Matt Royal Mystery
Series:
* Matt Royal Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 27, 2017
Good mystery.
Horrible things happening in the beautiful places. Every twist in the story makes you sit still and read, until you find out another twist in the story. Two plots runs parallel, one is murder two years ago and Matt and J.D. in danger. Understand how the one pulled the trigger feels afterwards, gives you a glimpse of how our soldiers feels after coming home.
Horrible things happening in the beautiful places. Every twist in the story makes you sit still and read, until you find out another twist in the story. Two plots runs parallel, one is murder two years ago and Matt and J.D. in danger. Understand how the one pulled the trigger feels afterwards, gives you a glimpse of how our soldiers feels after coming home.
October 10, 2017
Griffin is great.
I've read all them all. As a former Sarasota resident I'm familiar with the places he haunts and enjoy his local references. The characters are both believable and bizarre. I hope Matt lives a long life.
I've read all them all. As a former Sarasota resident I'm familiar with the places he haunts and enjoy his local references. The characters are both believable and bizarre. I hope Matt lives a long life.
July 23, 2021
Another great Matt Royal Mystery. The characters in the book have undergone a marked change but still are the same compelling people. The plot goes in many unexpected directions that tie up all the loose threads that seemed to be unrelated but were all part of the same conspiracy. Excellent fast read, a real page turner.
February 27, 2025
Incredible Mystery!!
Just another great read following another incredibly interesting story about Jock and Matt and JD!! Unfortunately, I only have one more Matt Royal book to read and I really hate coming to the end of this series! I just hope that you all have enjoyed reading each of the first ten books as I have!!!
Just another great read following another incredibly interesting story about Jock and Matt and JD!! Unfortunately, I only have one more Matt Royal book to read and I really hate coming to the end of this series! I just hope that you all have enjoyed reading each of the first ten books as I have!!!
January 26, 2018
Good continuation
Have been hoping for awhile for another Matt Royal book was not disappointed. Lots of action and suspense. If you have not read H Terrell Griffin books your missing a good read
Have been hoping for awhile for another Matt Royal book was not disappointed. Lots of action and suspense. If you have not read H Terrell Griffin books your missing a good read
December 15, 2017
Average thriller, but I always like the Florida Keys setting.
October 23, 2017
A wild ride
There is a lot of action and interesting story line. The characters are vivid. I read it almost straight through
There is a lot of action and interesting story line. The characters are vivid. I read it almost straight through
July 19, 2018
The story line concerning Jock was what made this series effort different and interesting. The rest was pretty much normal and at a certain point I skipped to the ending.
January 9, 2019
Another good book in the Matt Royal series!
February 12, 2019
Griffin delivers again.
Intricate plot, exciting action, character flaws, all combine for another good read. Kudos to H.T. Griffin once again for the entertainment.
Intricate plot, exciting action, character flaws, all combine for another good read. Kudos to H.T. Griffin once again for the entertainment.
March 23, 2019
Great
I love all of his books couldn't put them down. Love the Matt Royal series it is probably going to be a repeat read
I love all of his books couldn't put them down. Love the Matt Royal series it is probably going to be a repeat read
August 2, 2020
Great story
I really like the characters in this series. The book is fast paced and exciting. There are plenty of changes in locations.
I really like the characters in this series. The book is fast paced and exciting. There are plenty of changes in locations.
August 15, 2020
Lynnie
Another fantastic book. Fantastic characters, story line and fantastic writing.
Now did I say FANTASTIC book and Series, and Writer. !
Another fantastic book. Fantastic characters, story line and fantastic writing.
Now did I say FANTASTIC book and Series, and Writer. !
August 18, 2020
Mortal Dilemma
Another good Matt Royal Mystery by Mr. Griffin. I have enjoyed each and every Matt Royal Mystery I have read. Looking forward to the next one.
Another good Matt Royal Mystery by Mr. Griffin. I have enjoyed each and every Matt Royal Mystery I have read. Looking forward to the next one.
May 1, 2021
Another fun read, fast read. Jock has had a very bad time on his last mission, and it follows him to Longboat Key. Matt and JD become targets.
June 17, 2022
I'm SO sad H. Terrell Griffin has died. Sure have enjoyed his books especially since I am very familiar with Sarasota and Long Boat Key.
March 4, 2017
For anyone who loves a good, solid murder mystery, this is one to pick up!
Read full review in the 2017 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2017 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
August 25, 2016
This is the tenth book in the Matt Royal series, but if you haven't read any of the others this can easily be read as a stand alone. This is a well-written, exciting book which moves along at a fast clip taking the reader with it.
Matt Royal is a retired Florida lawyer living on Longboat Key near Sarasota. His girlfriend, the only detective on the Longboat Key police force, is J D Duncan. Matt's closest friend from junior high is Jock Algren who works for a nameless spy agency and comes to visit occasionally. Jock often works as an assassin killing terrorists, and in this book he has come to Longboat Key to deal with what essentially is PTSD. Meanwhile, JD is dealing with a three-year-old cold case for which she has had to go out of town. An attempt is made on her life, while at the same time Jock reveals that a determined terrorist and his cohorts are after Jock. I won't say more because I dislike spoilers.
One of the things that I liked best about this book was that there was no effort to portray the terrorists as anything other than the evil monsters they are. Too many books try to be "even-handed," and end up in effect excusing the inexcusable. Islamic terrorism is the scourge of the world and there is no theory under which it should be acceptable, and Griffin, thankfully, makes no bones about it. This novel, like life, is a contest between good and evil, and the lines are clearly drawn.
If I had to quibble, even a little, about this book, I would have to say that in a couple of places the editor was asleep, but these are minor and only annoyed me because I get too pedantic and petty at times. All in all, this is a very fine book, and well worth reading. I am looking forward to number eleven and the further adventures of Matt Royal and his merry band of stalwarts.
I was given an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest opinion.
Matt Royal is a retired Florida lawyer living on Longboat Key near Sarasota. His girlfriend, the only detective on the Longboat Key police force, is J D Duncan. Matt's closest friend from junior high is Jock Algren who works for a nameless spy agency and comes to visit occasionally. Jock often works as an assassin killing terrorists, and in this book he has come to Longboat Key to deal with what essentially is PTSD. Meanwhile, JD is dealing with a three-year-old cold case for which she has had to go out of town. An attempt is made on her life, while at the same time Jock reveals that a determined terrorist and his cohorts are after Jock. I won't say more because I dislike spoilers.
One of the things that I liked best about this book was that there was no effort to portray the terrorists as anything other than the evil monsters they are. Too many books try to be "even-handed," and end up in effect excusing the inexcusable. Islamic terrorism is the scourge of the world and there is no theory under which it should be acceptable, and Griffin, thankfully, makes no bones about it. This novel, like life, is a contest between good and evil, and the lines are clearly drawn.
If I had to quibble, even a little, about this book, I would have to say that in a couple of places the editor was asleep, but these are minor and only annoyed me because I get too pedantic and petty at times. All in all, this is a very fine book, and well worth reading. I am looking forward to number eleven and the further adventures of Matt Royal and his merry band of stalwarts.
I was given an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest opinion.
July 4, 2016
Terrorists hell bent on revenge.
Jock Algren works for a very secret organisation in the USA whose main task is to silence terrorists threatening attacks on American soil. He’s just returned from one such mission and is staying with his best friend Matthew Royal and Matt’s girlfriend, Jennifer Diane Duncan (known to all as JD) – a detective with the Longboat Key Police Department.
Over the years, Jock has taken strain with the amount of jobs he’s been given to “neutralise” people suspected of being terrorists, but this latest case has made him sink into a severe depression and alcohol binge. He is also acting in a completely irrational way and appears to have flaunted his true identity to some very nasty people who not only want him dead, but to see his friends, Matt and JD killed as well.
There is plenty of action in the book and I see that it’s one of several written by H Terrell Griffin with Matt Royal as the lead protagonist. The author has very successfully achieved no references to these previous books, so it works perfectly as a stand-alone.
The author has come up with an original idea and the book is well written, but I just didn’t engage with the whole rather twisted storyline. I think because it raised so many questions, with my main question being: Why was the agency who employ Jock not more aware of the psychological pressure they’d put on him? But then, I suppose we wouldn’t have had a story where Matt and JD’s lives are at risk because of Jock’s desire to quit his job!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Jock Algren works for a very secret organisation in the USA whose main task is to silence terrorists threatening attacks on American soil. He’s just returned from one such mission and is staying with his best friend Matthew Royal and Matt’s girlfriend, Jennifer Diane Duncan (known to all as JD) – a detective with the Longboat Key Police Department.
Over the years, Jock has taken strain with the amount of jobs he’s been given to “neutralise” people suspected of being terrorists, but this latest case has made him sink into a severe depression and alcohol binge. He is also acting in a completely irrational way and appears to have flaunted his true identity to some very nasty people who not only want him dead, but to see his friends, Matt and JD killed as well.
There is plenty of action in the book and I see that it’s one of several written by H Terrell Griffin with Matt Royal as the lead protagonist. The author has very successfully achieved no references to these previous books, so it works perfectly as a stand-alone.
The author has come up with an original idea and the book is well written, but I just didn’t engage with the whole rather twisted storyline. I think because it raised so many questions, with my main question being: Why was the agency who employ Jock not more aware of the psychological pressure they’d put on him? But then, I suppose we wouldn’t have had a story where Matt and JD’s lives are at risk because of Jock’s desire to quit his job!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
March 15, 2016
I tried, really I did. The premise of the story immediately caught my attention. I wanted to read it, to be absorbed by it, to love it. But, no, that didn't happen at all.
On a positive note, I did like the author's phrasing and pacing. His style has an easy flow, inviting us in and letting us see events unfold.
But...
Almost immediately, there is a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep track of. I have not read any of the prior Matt Royal novels, and perhaps I wouldn't have felt so off balance if I'd been familiar with the characters at the start. There is little character development here, and consequently the characters fell flat. Because of this, I'd recommend starting at the beginning of the series if you have interest.
I could have dealt with the scattered directions and multitude of characters, if I'd been able to buy into the story. I couldn't. Nothing about the plot felt believable to me. Examples are difficult to give without spoilers, and I don't want to ruin the story for anyone. In this case, though, examples aren't all that necessary because I didn't believe any of it, not the various storylines and not the characters. This is the kind of book I could have put down midway and never thought about again.
Being the voice of doom is uncomfortable. We always want to love the books we choose to read. This one didn't work for me, but it might be perfect for you.
*I received an advance ebook copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
On a positive note, I did like the author's phrasing and pacing. His style has an easy flow, inviting us in and letting us see events unfold.
But...
Almost immediately, there is a lot going on and a lot of characters to keep track of. I have not read any of the prior Matt Royal novels, and perhaps I wouldn't have felt so off balance if I'd been familiar with the characters at the start. There is little character development here, and consequently the characters fell flat. Because of this, I'd recommend starting at the beginning of the series if you have interest.
I could have dealt with the scattered directions and multitude of characters, if I'd been able to buy into the story. I couldn't. Nothing about the plot felt believable to me. Examples are difficult to give without spoilers, and I don't want to ruin the story for anyone. In this case, though, examples aren't all that necessary because I didn't believe any of it, not the various storylines and not the characters. This is the kind of book I could have put down midway and never thought about again.
Being the voice of doom is uncomfortable. We always want to love the books we choose to read. This one didn't work for me, but it might be perfect for you.
*I received an advance ebook copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
April 24, 2016
I read this book as a pre-release e-book obtained through NetGalley, provided by the publisher.
Gritty, fast-paced intelligent thriller, with a sprinkling of romance alongside Machiavellian skullduggery, brutal intrigue, double-cross, and murder. Governmental organizations, law enforcement, banks, and al Qaeda have their places within this suspenseful story.
Although the book seemed slow getting started, after I got through the first two chapters which were descriptive of the setting, people, and their relationships to one another, the book quickly went into fast-action, intrigue, crime, and international terrorism. Characters include those in banking, finance, members of criminal gangs, common thugs, gamblers and loan sharks, sleazy private investigators, vicious members of al Qaeda, law enforcement personnel on local, state, and federal levels, alongside agents of a shady government agency involved in counter-terrorism and espionage which is too secret to be named. The story was in chronological order of the events, narrated by a semi-retired attorney who served in the Army. The author pulled no punches when describing the brutal, secret events – which included murder-for-hire, criminal gangs, torture, and financial skullduggery. Each chapter left the reader wanting more.
This fast-paced book was difficult to put down.
I found after I read the book that it is part of a series of books with the same settings and characters. It stands on its own. I look forward to reading the other books by H. Terrell Griffin.
Gritty, fast-paced intelligent thriller, with a sprinkling of romance alongside Machiavellian skullduggery, brutal intrigue, double-cross, and murder. Governmental organizations, law enforcement, banks, and al Qaeda have their places within this suspenseful story.
Although the book seemed slow getting started, after I got through the first two chapters which were descriptive of the setting, people, and their relationships to one another, the book quickly went into fast-action, intrigue, crime, and international terrorism. Characters include those in banking, finance, members of criminal gangs, common thugs, gamblers and loan sharks, sleazy private investigators, vicious members of al Qaeda, law enforcement personnel on local, state, and federal levels, alongside agents of a shady government agency involved in counter-terrorism and espionage which is too secret to be named. The story was in chronological order of the events, narrated by a semi-retired attorney who served in the Army. The author pulled no punches when describing the brutal, secret events – which included murder-for-hire, criminal gangs, torture, and financial skullduggery. Each chapter left the reader wanting more.
This fast-paced book was difficult to put down.
I found after I read the book that it is part of a series of books with the same settings and characters. It stands on its own. I look forward to reading the other books by H. Terrell Griffin.
April 18, 2016
Matt Royal is back for this 10th book that also features his girlfriend, Detective J. D. Duncan and his best friend, Josh Algren. Josh is staying at Matt's house temporarily trying to shake the depression of his job ... basically working for a government agency with lots of initials, he's an assassin.
J. D. is looking into a 3-year-old cold case, A brother of the victim shows up and does nothing but complicate the investigation .. until he, too, is found dead.
Josh winds up in the hospital with a gunshot to the arm. Someone has tried to kill J. D. And a sailor lands his boat in the marina .. and bodies seem to mount up.
Are these all connected? Or is each being targeted for a different reason?
If you like a lot of action, you will absolutely love this book. Guns, bodies, possible terrorists abound all over the place. The characters have evolved over time and their interpersonal relationships work well. The author has captured the background of Key West in an authentic way.
Even though this is 10th in the series, it does well as a stand-alone. There are a few short references to things that have happened in the past ... but it will only whet your appetite to start with Book 1 and have a reading marathon.
Many thanks to the author / Oceanview Publishing / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
J. D. is looking into a 3-year-old cold case, A brother of the victim shows up and does nothing but complicate the investigation .. until he, too, is found dead.
Josh winds up in the hospital with a gunshot to the arm. Someone has tried to kill J. D. And a sailor lands his boat in the marina .. and bodies seem to mount up.
Are these all connected? Or is each being targeted for a different reason?
If you like a lot of action, you will absolutely love this book. Guns, bodies, possible terrorists abound all over the place. The characters have evolved over time and their interpersonal relationships work well. The author has captured the background of Key West in an authentic way.
Even though this is 10th in the series, it does well as a stand-alone. There are a few short references to things that have happened in the past ... but it will only whet your appetite to start with Book 1 and have a reading marathon.
Many thanks to the author / Oceanview Publishing / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
April 6, 2016
4 STARS
This is back to Matt fighting bad guys with guns not law. Though Jock is not up to do anything much except drink. Somebody is trying to kill JD.
Matt Royal is a retired lawyer who lives on Longboat Key FL His girl friend is J.D. She is a Police detective.
J.D. is working a 3 year old murder case when someone tries to kill her.
Jock works for a secret agency he can call the President up. He is sent in to kill bad guys. He has no family but considers Matt family and best friend.
Mortal Dilemma deals a lot with how the different characters feel about killing bad guys. Jock can't do it anymore.
Lots of action, drama, humor and violence. There are terrorists trying to make Jock suffer like he made them suffer by taking out there father.
The setting in this book is Florida key Islands.
I like Matt Royal Mysteries and look forward to reading more of them in the future.
I was given this ebook from NetGalley and Oceanview Publisher. In return I agreed to give a honest review of Mortal Dilemma.
This is back to Matt fighting bad guys with guns not law. Though Jock is not up to do anything much except drink. Somebody is trying to kill JD.
Matt Royal is a retired lawyer who lives on Longboat Key FL His girl friend is J.D. She is a Police detective.
J.D. is working a 3 year old murder case when someone tries to kill her.
Jock works for a secret agency he can call the President up. He is sent in to kill bad guys. He has no family but considers Matt family and best friend.
Mortal Dilemma deals a lot with how the different characters feel about killing bad guys. Jock can't do it anymore.
Lots of action, drama, humor and violence. There are terrorists trying to make Jock suffer like he made them suffer by taking out there father.
The setting in this book is Florida key Islands.
I like Matt Royal Mysteries and look forward to reading more of them in the future.
I was given this ebook from NetGalley and Oceanview Publisher. In return I agreed to give a honest review of Mortal Dilemma.
May 5, 2016
matt and his girlfriend are being attacked. she is investigating a old case of murder for hire of a woman. she thinks the brother did it for money, only then the brother is killed. they are also being targeted by terrorists who are after jock. jock has it bad and cant shake it off after his last 'hit'. matt is very concerned about him. matt was given permission to 'take out' as many terrorists he could find and hes doing just that in order to help his long time friend.
they eventually captured matt, they wanted to kill him and his girlfriend to make jock suffer before he died. jock rallied and along with the girlfriends help killed the bad guys and rescued matt. hope jock will be ok now!
thrilling ending!
they eventually captured matt, they wanted to kill him and his girlfriend to make jock suffer before he died. jock rallied and along with the girlfriends help killed the bad guys and rescued matt. hope jock will be ok now!
thrilling ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2016
It's been a while since I've read Collateral Damage, the only other book I've read by the author, so I'm not as familiar with the characters and their back stories as other readers may be. Having said that, I still found the descriptions of their history throughout this current edition thorough enough to keep you in line with what you need to know. More would have been better in some spots, but there was sufficient to get you though. Enough was given to keep you reading to fill in what gaps there were. These gaps were not annoying large, but enough to keep you interested and entertained.
April 13, 2016
Griffin's books are just so much fun to read. Matt, Jock and J.D. are great characters that kinda feel like old friends. The setting, the mystery and the thrills never dissapoint. He can't write these books fast enough for me.
This one took on the Global Terrorism that is at the front of our minds right now. It depicts the evil in a way that we all need to admit plagues the World today.
This one took on the Global Terrorism that is at the front of our minds right now. It depicts the evil in a way that we all need to admit plagues the World today.
April 9, 2016
MORTAL DILEMMA
I have enjoyed all of the Matt Royal books; this one was good also. Jock brings danger home to Longboat Keys, he's broken and needs to heal. Matt picks up the reins to keep them all safe. A lot of action, suspense, romance and humor. Good series, hope there are many more.
I have enjoyed all of the Matt Royal books; this one was good also. Jock brings danger home to Longboat Keys, he's broken and needs to heal. Matt picks up the reins to keep them all safe. A lot of action, suspense, romance and humor. Good series, hope there are many more.
April 8, 2016
5star of course!
Another gripping story that made me wish I was a speed reader but I always feel lost when the book is completed!
Kudos to Mr. Griffin for another superb read. Wish he was able to release another book in the series monthly!!
Another gripping story that made me wish I was a speed reader but I always feel lost when the book is completed!
Kudos to Mr. Griffin for another superb read. Wish he was able to release another book in the series monthly!!
July 9, 2016
A Matt Royal mystery. Although the characters aren't as rich and the plot is less plausible, this reminds me of John MacDonald's books. In this one terrorists cause or contribute to a very high body count over a few days in various Florida Keys.
May 3, 2016
I adore Matt Royal, Jock, JD and the rest of the Longboat Key gang.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews