Unknown Remains

by Peter Leonard

Jack McCann is a high–stakes Wall Street trader who sneaks into his office early one morning to try and clear out his things and get out of dodge; he knows he's in trouble, deep legal trouble, a fact highlighted by the urgent phone calls from his boss. Outside his office window, Jack hears a booming sound, and then the worst thing imaginable. He works in the World Trade Center, and it is September 11, 2001.His wife in Connecticut, Diane, is visited the next day by a grief counselor, and then the mob, where she learns her husband owes them $750,000. Their personal bank accounts have been emptied. She's totally and utterly broke. Lost in grief and now shock, Diane soon learns her husband was not the loving spouse he appeared to be. But neither is she, owing to that Beretta she keeps tucked into her handbag.The perfect summer read, Unknown Remains boasts an exciting crime story, inventive plot twists, and a cast of rogues, who just might be using a national tragedy to cover up their own deep transgressions and greed.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2016

About the author

Son of Elmore Leonard.

Peter Leonard lives in Birmingham, Michigan with his wife and four children. He is a partner in the ad agency Leonard, Mayer & Tocco, Inc.

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike those who didn't like this novel, I actually found it quite intriguing and entertaining. It didn't take long for me to get sucked into it. I found it to be a well-written novel that included an array of characters that engaged me right up to the end.

I really liked Diane, Jack's wife; talk about a woman who has confidence and strength, and knows what she wants. She doesn't let two goon-collectors (Cobb and Reuben) intimidate her; and she certainly doesn't let her two-timing husband, who has no qualms about stealing a 90-year old's life savings, or leaving his wife and the world think he's dead, or never thinking how his actions may affect his wife - Jack. Talk about an idiot. It really makes me wonder how Diane could've stayed married to him. No wonder it was so easy to con him with a beautiful woman. Weak and gullible.

""You cheated on her and cleaned out your savings. She wants to know why. Can you blame her?"

"She's got the house, and she'll get the life insurance," Jack said, trying to make himself feel better. "Diane's tough; she'll get through it."

"You left Diane in a tough position. You didn't pay whatever you owe, so they're going to get it from her."

"Once they realize she doesn't have any money, they'll leave her alone.""

Seriously?! He's taken on a debt of $750,000 for his girlfriend from the mafia, stolen money from his client, and thinks they (mafia/employer) will leave his wife alone? Is he high? Did he have a lobotomy?

I have to say that Cobb and Reuben sucked at their job; so many chances to grab Jack and always, always failing and because of this I found them both entertaining.

So why four stars and not five? Easy. The ending, which was a huge letdown. I don't know why a lot of authors follow this formula of just ending it quickly, tying up a few loose ends while also leaving some questions unanswered. I mean, what happened to Jack? Was Jack's employer going to demand Diane pay what he stole or take her to court? Did she get the life insurance and take off? I would've liked it more had Jack been cuffed, charged and taken to court. Just my opinion. But I guess you have to end the story at some point. No matter, still an entertaining novel.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Very fast paced and some hard core dialog make this one a really good read. Besides being son of Elmore Leonard, the reader knows it's going to be a surprising and very interesting read to say the least. A must read !

[Timothy M. Gorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some things didn't mesh. Read it, you'll see. But not too bad an attempt to write like his father.

[Dan Downing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I have read "Unknown Remains" only one question remains: where did the missing 125 pages go? Because my signed First Edition, First Printing copy runs to 250 numbered pages plus a few blanks and miscellaneous data holders. But Goodreads claims it is a 375 pager. Hmmm.

Well, onto the meat of the matter. Leonard's book is just fine at 250 pages. The characters are well-drawn and the plot suitably twisty. Peter isn't his father, but whoever is? He stands by himself quite well, confident enough to mention in the Acknowledgements that his first title was changed after his father offhandedly suggested using "Unknown". Elmore must have liked that word, as he used it in a title himself. In any event, the novel is
Recommended.

[Jon Spoelstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read, but if I could I would deduct a half star bringing it to 4.5.

From the get-go the book was a racehorse, and it was impossible to predict what was going to happen next. The writing was crisp, nothing wasted. A book you could race through like you were on skates.
The ending, alas, seemed forced and not real and therein lies my half-star deduction.

Although the ending was a disappointment, it didn't stop me from immediately buying another book by Peter Leonard, Back From the Dead. From the first chapter, I realized I had just strapped on my skates and was going on another wild ride.

[Pat Harmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed, it started well then fizzled. It was interesting to start, it wasn’t a page turner but I was enjoying it until the end. Very poor finish, it didn’t make much sense. As I turned the last page expecting a prologue or at least another chapter there was nothing. Left me very unsatisfied. It was the first book I have read by him, not sure if I’ll try another.

[Cathy Nunn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took his father 's book, changed it a bit, left out the humor. This was not "Get Shorty"

[Karen Koskinas · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s okay

It’s not great, but keeps you interested enough to finish. The plot itself is feasible, but it’s very unrealistic. Disappointing!

[Elena Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique premise, executed well enough to keep me reading, but had some rough patches.

[Kathy LeJeune · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Peter Leonard and it was awesome. I am a huge fan of Elmore, his characters are amazing. I was not disappointed with this book. Now I will read his other books.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter does a good job of continuing on his father's style/legacy, although this one seems a bit messier than his dad's usual confident writing.

[Ben Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good old fashioned crime writing: understated, tight and straight to the point

[Bob Lafary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Peter Leonard book to read--it won't be the last. As opposed to the reviewer who said Leonard had no talent--I disagree 180 degrees. Most people would say 360 degrees--but that just gets you back to where you were--or, in other words, agreeing with the other person. And I would certainly hate to do that. I very much enjoyed the read. Since 9/11, most authors have beeen quite reluctant to write of that horrid episode in our past. But Peter took it upon himself to tell a tale of what might have happened to one man, who had extreme problems, and what he saw as a way out of those problems following 9/11. Do yourself a favor and read this novel. It is easy reading. It is a fun read. You will enjoy it. But watch out for whatever you may do in the future--you never know what unintended consequences may follow.

[Bryan Higgs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this novel on the new books shelf at our library, and its premise intrigued me.

However, I was disappointed. I felt like the author had missed an opportunity to write a much more interesting and intriguing novel. Instead, he wrote a run-of-the-mill gangster novel, where the main male character is pursued by gangster tough guys trying to find him so he can pay back a large loan.

It kept my attention, but ultimately it was unsatisfactory.

It could have been so much better, with better characters, a better plot, more suspense and a lot less straightforward.

[Cathie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It kept me very interesting and reading daily until I finished it. After husband apparently dies in Tower 9/11, his wife find out he was having an affair and embezzled from a client and has lost his job as well as he cleaned out their bank accts. Two thugs come after her for money he promised to pay the mafia, so she starts to follow them and unravels the mystery. I would recommend this book for sure.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I'm a huge Elmore Leonard fan, so when I ran out of Elmore's books to read (RIP) I somehow discovered his son Peter's book. What a great discovery. He writes exactly like his dad, and who can blame him--I've been trying to copy his dad for years. What a treat!
Elmore Leonard fans, give this a try. And if you like crime thrillers, this is a very fun read. Can't wait to read more of Peter's books.

[Bill Huntley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Leonard writes books that are fun to read.

Noir fans rejoice. Leonard never fails to hit the mark. Fast paced, full of great dialog, Unknown remains grabs you in the first line and never lets up.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

mediocre. makes me miss his dad even more.

[Jim Hunter]

Please stop writing you have no talent

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The son is not the father.

[Dot Heimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.First book of his I have read.

[Ty Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book,

fast ending though

[Lynn Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't know if I'm completely comfortable enjoying a 9/11 thriller. But why not? I've read Holocaust thrillers for years

[Carol Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. Read it for an author event I'll be attending soon.