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Where I Can See You
Haunted by the disappearance of his mother when he was eight years old, detective Hud Matthews begins his own investigation to find out what really happened so many years before. When a rare murder occurs in the lakeside community, Hud's veteran skills are called upon to capture the killer. Pulled deep into the threads of the community with ties to the past, Hud quickly becomes a target, not only of the killer, but of those who wish the past to be left alone. As Hud gets closer to discovering the truth about the crimes, he has to face a choice of enforcing the law, or stepping outside of it to make sure that his version of justice is served.
255 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2017
31 people are currently reading
855 people want to read
About the author
Larry D. Sweazy
46 books116 followersLarry D. Sweazy (pronounced: Swayzee) is the author of nineteen novels and five series: the Trusty Dawson series (LOST MOUNTAIN PASS, THE BROKEN BOW), WHERE I CAN SEE YOU, a standalone thriller, the Marjorie Trumaine Mystery series (SEE ALSO MURDER, SEE ALSO DECEPTION, SEE ALSO PROOF), the Sonny Burton series (A THOUSAND FALLING CROWS, THE LOST ARE THE LAST TO DIE, WINTER SEEKS OUT THE LONELY), the Lucas Fume Western series (VENGEANCE AT SUNDOWN, ESCAPE TO HANGTOWN), the Josiah Wolfe, Texas Ranger series (THE RATTLESNAKE SEASON, THE SCORPION TRAIL, THE BADGER'S REVENGE, THE COUGAR'S PREY, THE COYOTE TRACKER, THE GILA WARS, and THE RETURN OF THE WOLF), and THE DEVIL'S BONES, a standalone mystery.
He won the WWA Spur award for Best Short Fiction in 2005 and for Best Paperback Original in 2013, and the 2011 and 2012 Will Rogers Medallion Award for Western Fiction for books the Josiah Wolfe series. He was nominated for a Derringer award in 2007, and was a finalist in the Best Books of Indiana literary competition in 2010, and won in 2011 for THE SCORPION TRAIL. In 2013, Larry received the inaugural Elmer Kelton Fiction Book of the Year for THE COYOTE TRACKER, presented by the Academy of Western Artists. He received the Willa Award in 2019 and was shortlisted for the Indiana Authors Award in 2020, both for SEE ALSO PROOF. The Western Fictioneers (WF) awarded THE RETURN OF THE WOLF the Peacemaker Award for Best Western in 2020.
Larry has published over one hundred nonfiction articles and short stories, which have appeared in ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE; THE ADVENTURE OF THE MISSING DETECTIVE: AND 25 OF THE YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES!; BOYS' LIFE; HARDBOILED; Amazon Shorts, and several other publications and anthologies. He is also a freelance indexer and written over 1000 indexes since 1998. He lives in Indiana with his wife, Rose, and is hard at work on his next novel.
He won the WWA Spur award for Best Short Fiction in 2005 and for Best Paperback Original in 2013, and the 2011 and 2012 Will Rogers Medallion Award for Western Fiction for books the Josiah Wolfe series. He was nominated for a Derringer award in 2007, and was a finalist in the Best Books of Indiana literary competition in 2010, and won in 2011 for THE SCORPION TRAIL. In 2013, Larry received the inaugural Elmer Kelton Fiction Book of the Year for THE COYOTE TRACKER, presented by the Academy of Western Artists. He received the Willa Award in 2019 and was shortlisted for the Indiana Authors Award in 2020, both for SEE ALSO PROOF. The Western Fictioneers (WF) awarded THE RETURN OF THE WOLF the Peacemaker Award for Best Western in 2020.
Larry has published over one hundred nonfiction articles and short stories, which have appeared in ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE; THE ADVENTURE OF THE MISSING DETECTIVE: AND 25 OF THE YEAR'S FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES!; BOYS' LIFE; HARDBOILED; Amazon Shorts, and several other publications and anthologies. He is also a freelance indexer and written over 1000 indexes since 1998. He lives in Indiana with his wife, Rose, and is hard at work on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 21, 2016
When Hud Matthews was 8 years old, his mother got dressed up & went out for a night on the town. She never came back. He was raised by his grandmother Gee, the only family he had in the small lakeside community. She did her best but Hud grew up haunted by his loss, the not knowing.
After high school, he fled to Detroit & started a new life as a cop. Now a shootout under murky circumstances has left him with bullet wounds & a lot of time on his hands. But the biggest blow is news of Gee’s death. He heads back to deal with her estate & the ghost that has been waiting for his return.
When chief of police Paul Burke offers him a job, Hud sees an opportunity to dig into his mother’s disappearance & find some peace. It’s time.
But the sleepy little town is jolted awake when a young woman’s body is discovered by the lake. And she won’t be the last.
Game on. We follow Hud as the investigation takes some nasty turns & he’s tested by new colleagues. Murder is rare in these parts & Hud brings experience to the job but he’s not exactly welcomed with open arms. His past is the elephant in the room & you get the feeling several of these characters know much more than they’re willing to tell. Hud’s questions are met with stony silence & slammed doors. His frustration is palpable & it’s in these moments we catch glimpses of the little boy who just wants his mom to come home.
He’s also trying to reconcile his memories of a placid, sunlit resort town with the present day reality of a place hit hard by the economic downturn & people hardened by shuttered businesses & dead end jobs. It’s interesting to note we’re never given the name of the town. Instead, the author uses well defined characters & descriptions of crumbling buildings to give the place its identity. It creates an uneasy undercurrent that runs through the story, of something lurking just around the corner.
The author does a great job of describing small town life where everyone knows your business & secrets are handed down through generations like the family silver. Finding a killer isn’t easy when no one will talk & there are more than a few surprises in store as we gradually learn the connections between past & present.
There are passages scattered through the story where Hud is being questioned by an anonymous interrogator. It’s not immediately clear when or where this is taking place & it’s only after the hair raising finish that we understand the significance of these sessions.
This is a richly atmospheric book chock full of suspense & misdirection with a MC who will break your heart. Hud is a smart, strong yet flawed man nursing an old wound, reminiscent of Reed Farrel Coleman’s character of Gus Murphy from “Where it Hurts”. It’s an engrossing, well paced read that keeps you guessing & although the killer is unmasked, not everything is neatly tied up. The ending makes it clear there is much more to Hud’s story & I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for book #2.
September 26, 2016
Who's shooting down the denizens of Demmie Lake? In Larry D. Sweazy's WHERE I CAN SEE YOU, Hud Matthews returns to his childhood home to join the police as a detective. The once proud Midwestern resort town of Demmie Lake has fallen into decay, its ghostly attractions, souvenir shops, and lakeside cabins moldering under the gray afternoon skies and cold, wet nights. Against orders, Hud searches for answers to a mystery no one wants to discuss: the disappearance of his mother decades before. Then a string of murders shatters the peace of Hud's homecoming and threatens to drive the last nail into the coffin of the dying resort.
A master of narrative description, Sweazy paints from a cold palette. Hauntingly poignant, WHERE I CAN SEE YOU rips the scabs off old wounds and long-buried secrets, revealing a tragic hero on a quest to unearth the truth of what happened to his beloved mother. Hud Matthews is a tough-as-nails, introspective cop who can take an oar upside the head and come back swinging. Rich and compelling, WHERE I CAN SEE YOU is a moody tale of longing and loss, a quest through the haunted past to the violent present.
A master of narrative description, Sweazy paints from a cold palette. Hauntingly poignant, WHERE I CAN SEE YOU rips the scabs off old wounds and long-buried secrets, revealing a tragic hero on a quest to unearth the truth of what happened to his beloved mother. Hud Matthews is a tough-as-nails, introspective cop who can take an oar upside the head and come back swinging. Rich and compelling, WHERE I CAN SEE YOU is a moody tale of longing and loss, a quest through the haunted past to the violent present.
April 8, 2017
This is the third book I have read by this author. A haunting interview transcription is enmeshed within the telling of a story that brings a man back to the lakeside community where he had grown up. The people of the area are worse than flawed, and the events of the past are forcing their way to the surface as several people are killed off. On his return Hud is hired by his childhood friend Burke, now the police chief. Hud had killed his snitch in Detroit while working undercover in order to preserve his own life. Burke knew Hud was an excellent detective so he was willing to take a chance on him, but he hoped he could leave the past in the past. Hud's mother had disappeared when he was eight and he could not easily put to rest his desire to find her killer. The action is rather deadly for a small community, but so is the cigarette smoking...that which annoyed me the most. Otherwise it was a quick and enjoyable read.
January 18, 2017
Soon after accepting a law enforcement job in the town where he grew up, veteran detective Hud Matthews has reasons to question why he wanted to come home.
The lakeside community has gone seedy in his absence, his boss (a boyhood friend) has a sour disposition, other cops on the force are resentful of his skills and Hud is haunted by the unresolved disappearance of his mother when he was a child.
Before he has time to deal with these issues, a young woman is murdered on the shores of the lake, quickly followed by more murders with questionable similarity in motive. Then a married woman he idealized as a boy thrusts herself into his arms.
Talk about conflict.
Hud has a bunch to deal with and things get even more complicated as he irritates friend and foe by bringing up questions about his mother's cold case. These questions and his musing on the past are spread through the narrative and may be confusing at first. But, don't worry, Sweazy unravels it in a stunning conclusion.
Sweazy's poetic and descriptive prose delivers a sure sense of place. Coupled with skilled plotting, well-drawn characters and plenty of suspense, it makes for a compelling read.
The lakeside community has gone seedy in his absence, his boss (a boyhood friend) has a sour disposition, other cops on the force are resentful of his skills and Hud is haunted by the unresolved disappearance of his mother when he was a child.
Before he has time to deal with these issues, a young woman is murdered on the shores of the lake, quickly followed by more murders with questionable similarity in motive. Then a married woman he idealized as a boy thrusts herself into his arms.
Talk about conflict.
Hud has a bunch to deal with and things get even more complicated as he irritates friend and foe by bringing up questions about his mother's cold case. These questions and his musing on the past are spread through the narrative and may be confusing at first. But, don't worry, Sweazy unravels it in a stunning conclusion.
Sweazy's poetic and descriptive prose delivers a sure sense of place. Coupled with skilled plotting, well-drawn characters and plenty of suspense, it makes for a compelling read.
February 4, 2017
Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
Detective Hud Matthews moves from Detroit back to his hometown in Indiana. He is hired by the local police chief to work as one of the town's three detectives. A series of murders begin soon after he begins the job.
What I loved...
I really liked the characters, especially Hud. I loved that he was deeply flawed while still being a great detective. Many of Hud's faults seemed to revolve around the disappearance of his mother, which made sense to me. I also loved the characters of Burke and Goldie. They were very 'rough around the edges' and had interesting back stories.
The scenery of the story was beautiful. The descriptions of the Indiana summer resort painted vivid pictures in my mind. I could envision the crumbling cottages and rusting ferris wheel. I found Gee's old shop to be especially interesting and more than just a little creepy.
What left me wanting more..
The identity of the murderer was well done. I can usually spot the murderer in a book right away but this one surprised me .I was,however, confused as to the motivation of the murders. The motive just didn't come together for me. I also didn't totally understand the revelation of the details of Hud's mother's disappearance.
My final verdict...
As far as police thrillers go, I think this one is unique and had great characters and an amazing setting. I did find the story to be somewhat slow-paced and disjointed.I was also often confused as to what was happening in a particular scene.
A major issue for me was that the stories ending. I would like to have had Hud's story wrapped up a little better. I would defiantly read any sequel that let us know what happened next. I did, overall, enjoy 'Where I Can Find You' and would recommend for lovers police detective novels.This review was originally posted on The Book return...
Detective Hud Matthews moves from Detroit back to his hometown in Indiana. He is hired by the local police chief to work as one of the town's three detectives. A series of murders begin soon after he begins the job.
What I loved...
I really liked the characters, especially Hud. I loved that he was deeply flawed while still being a great detective. Many of Hud's faults seemed to revolve around the disappearance of his mother, which made sense to me. I also loved the characters of Burke and Goldie. They were very 'rough around the edges' and had interesting back stories.
The scenery of the story was beautiful. The descriptions of the Indiana summer resort painted vivid pictures in my mind. I could envision the crumbling cottages and rusting ferris wheel. I found Gee's old shop to be especially interesting and more than just a little creepy.
What left me wanting more..
The identity of the murderer was well done. I can usually spot the murderer in a book right away but this one surprised me .I was,however, confused as to the motivation of the murders. The motive just didn't come together for me. I also didn't totally understand the revelation of the details of Hud's mother's disappearance.
My final verdict...
As far as police thrillers go, I think this one is unique and had great characters and an amazing setting. I did find the story to be somewhat slow-paced and disjointed.I was also often confused as to what was happening in a particular scene.
A major issue for me was that the stories ending. I would like to have had Hud's story wrapped up a little better. I would defiantly read any sequel that let us know what happened next. I did, overall, enjoy 'Where I Can Find You' and would recommend for lovers police detective novels.This review was originally posted on The Book return...
April 17, 2017
Detroit has nothing for him now and Hud Mathews has come home to work for his small hometown police force. It is tough to come back as the area holds so many very painful memories as well as unresolved questions. Some locals are unhappy that Hud is back as it means somebody else is in their way up the ladder of local law enforcement. Some are unhappy because Hud’s return means he will again try to find out why his mother disappeared all those years ago.
Detective Hud Mathews’ first case begins three days after he is hired and it is a difficult one. A young woman, shot in the back of the head, is found dead on the shoreline of the local lake. She may have been executed there or dumped after being killed elsewhere. Corner Bill Flowers, who has been around for decades, isn’t sure as he doesn’t see any obvious powder burns at the impact point. The autopsy should tell him more.
According to a local resident who comes forward to talk to the investigators at the crime scene, the deceased woman was a mom to an eight-year-old boy. The boy is missing and the witness is very concerned for obvious reasons. Detective Mathews and Deputy Moran go to the trailer where the family was staying and do not find him there. Detective Hud Mathews has some ideas where the boy is as he grew up in the area and roamed far and wide to avoid stress at home. There is a boy to be found and that comes before the current murder or the case he has never been able to solve--- the disappearance of his mother.
Where I Can See You is a first rate mystery full of complicated characters, dark secrets, and deep emotion. The author has created a diverse cast of complicated and very real characters that are each doing their best to survive their pasts while functioning in the present. As the pages pass, readers are drawn into a dark and complicated cast of folks that are hiding much and yet slowly giving away everything they hold dear.
This is one of those books that is extremely difficult to review without giving away too much. Where I Can See You is one of those books that really must be read and will surprise you throughout. It works from both a reader standpoint as well as a writer standpoint as there is a very nice storytelling technique used throughout the book that works exceptionally well. Intense and compelling, Where I Can See You is highly recommended.
For another perspective, check out Lesa Holstine’s review from last January.
Where I Can See You
Larry D. Sweazy
http://www.larrydsweazy.com
Seventh Street Books
http://www.seventhstreetbooks.com
2017
ISBN# 978-1-63388-211-9
Paperback (eBook also available)
255 Pages
$15.95
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2017
Detective Hud Mathews’ first case begins three days after he is hired and it is a difficult one. A young woman, shot in the back of the head, is found dead on the shoreline of the local lake. She may have been executed there or dumped after being killed elsewhere. Corner Bill Flowers, who has been around for decades, isn’t sure as he doesn’t see any obvious powder burns at the impact point. The autopsy should tell him more.
According to a local resident who comes forward to talk to the investigators at the crime scene, the deceased woman was a mom to an eight-year-old boy. The boy is missing and the witness is very concerned for obvious reasons. Detective Mathews and Deputy Moran go to the trailer where the family was staying and do not find him there. Detective Hud Mathews has some ideas where the boy is as he grew up in the area and roamed far and wide to avoid stress at home. There is a boy to be found and that comes before the current murder or the case he has never been able to solve--- the disappearance of his mother.
Where I Can See You is a first rate mystery full of complicated characters, dark secrets, and deep emotion. The author has created a diverse cast of complicated and very real characters that are each doing their best to survive their pasts while functioning in the present. As the pages pass, readers are drawn into a dark and complicated cast of folks that are hiding much and yet slowly giving away everything they hold dear.
This is one of those books that is extremely difficult to review without giving away too much. Where I Can See You is one of those books that really must be read and will surprise you throughout. It works from both a reader standpoint as well as a writer standpoint as there is a very nice storytelling technique used throughout the book that works exceptionally well. Intense and compelling, Where I Can See You is highly recommended.
For another perspective, check out Lesa Holstine’s review from last January.
Where I Can See You
Larry D. Sweazy
http://www.larrydsweazy.com
Seventh Street Books
http://www.seventhstreetbooks.com
2017
ISBN# 978-1-63388-211-9
Paperback (eBook also available)
255 Pages
$15.95
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2017
December 16, 2016
MY THOUGHTS
A mystery that takes place in a small town. The author gives you so many surprises that you don't know what will happen when you turn that page. The main character, Hud Matthews is quite the man, he is intelligent, stick to your guns, good looking and is very alert to people's feelings. That may come from being haunted since he was a little boy and his mother had been murdered. He's been in pain ever since and is bound and determined to find the answer to her murder. Not only that but he wants to know the answers to some of the secrets of his home town. It seems like there's a darkness around every corner and every closet holds a ghostly skeleton. The town used to be a favorite vacation spot, now it's full of drugs, violence and decay. WHY? Those skeletons grip hold of you and don't let go, not even after the last page is turned. The author doesn't use that nitty gritty graphic violence to get his point across. Instead he uses his characters to catch the reader's interest. He slowly picks at that wound inside Hud until it is exposed and Hud goes on the search of his life. He has to solve this and while doing so, he may come across more than he had any idea was there. Three things are digging at Hud's heart: A young woman's body found by Demmie Lake. What happened to him in Detroit that made him come back and go back to being a Detective? Then there's the mystery of his mother's death. This book is a bit of a take away from the author's normal western novels. The emotions this book brings out are pure raw. You hurt for Hud and at the same time you're pushing him forward, knowing he's got the guts of steel that will bring him out on the winning end. At least you hope so! The author not only gives you a solid plot, very well described characters but brings those emotions and feelings into play. It's written on a serious note, and serious Hud is.
This could happen in your small town. Think about it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Night Owl Reviews and voluntarily decided to review it.
A mystery that takes place in a small town. The author gives you so many surprises that you don't know what will happen when you turn that page. The main character, Hud Matthews is quite the man, he is intelligent, stick to your guns, good looking and is very alert to people's feelings. That may come from being haunted since he was a little boy and his mother had been murdered. He's been in pain ever since and is bound and determined to find the answer to her murder. Not only that but he wants to know the answers to some of the secrets of his home town. It seems like there's a darkness around every corner and every closet holds a ghostly skeleton. The town used to be a favorite vacation spot, now it's full of drugs, violence and decay. WHY? Those skeletons grip hold of you and don't let go, not even after the last page is turned. The author doesn't use that nitty gritty graphic violence to get his point across. Instead he uses his characters to catch the reader's interest. He slowly picks at that wound inside Hud until it is exposed and Hud goes on the search of his life. He has to solve this and while doing so, he may come across more than he had any idea was there. Three things are digging at Hud's heart: A young woman's body found by Demmie Lake. What happened to him in Detroit that made him come back and go back to being a Detective? Then there's the mystery of his mother's death. This book is a bit of a take away from the author's normal western novels. The emotions this book brings out are pure raw. You hurt for Hud and at the same time you're pushing him forward, knowing he's got the guts of steel that will bring him out on the winning end. At least you hope so! The author not only gives you a solid plot, very well described characters but brings those emotions and feelings into play. It's written on a serious note, and serious Hud is.
This could happen in your small town. Think about it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Night Owl Reviews and voluntarily decided to review it.
February 19, 2017
This is all tell, no show, a cardinal sin for a novelist. Characters are not introduced - they are merely described, as are all their actions and how the reader is supposed to feel about them and perceive them. This isn't storytelling - it's just writing.
July 19, 2025
I had to DNF this book. From reading the description on the back of the book I was expecting a more fast paced thriller mystery. Instead it was a very very slow paced mystery. I didn’t care for any of the characters in this book. I read more than half of the book hoping it would pick up the pace and it never did.
January 1, 2017
Where I Can See You by Larry D. Sweazy is a very highly recommended police procedural - and a man looking for past answers.
Hud Matthews has accepted a position as a homicide detective somewhere where he said he'd never return to - his home town, a decaying vacation/destination lakeside community. After recovering from a gunshot wound while with the Detroit PD, Hud has accepted a position from a childhood buddy who, like his father before him, is now the police chief, Paul Burke. Hud is still haunted by the disappearance of his mother. When he was eight years old she walked out to get into a big, shiny black car and never returned. Hus spent his childhood searching for her, with Gee, his grandmother. Now Gee has passed away and Hud is back, still wondering what happened to his mother years earlier.
When the body of Pamela Lynn Sizemore is found half in and half out of Demmie Lake, Hud's skills are needed on the investigation. It appears that Pamela was cooking meth and a drug dealer, but as bodies and questions mount, the answers may not be as simple as a drug deal gone badly. Even as Hud works on the current investigation, he is still trying to find out what happened to his mother years earlier. And it appears that the locals aren't exactly forthcoming with answers to his questions on either case.
Sweazy keeps the gloom and doom atmosphere heavy in this investigation, and not only because it is set in the fall. The former resort community is decaying and has lost all of its former charm. People are struggling to get by and a series of murders is not good for what little business they have left. Hud's investigation into the murders and his mother's disappearance seems to have upset more than one person in the community.
In between current chapters are transcripts from Hud being interrogated by an anonymous person. At first you think it might be the therapist he had to talk to in order to be cleared for work, but soon it seems that something else is going on that we aren't privy to yet, something to do with his mother. It helps keep the tension up as the current investigations continue. Hud is a flawed, well-developed character. The ending surprised me and was well done.
The only problem I had with Where I Can See You was Hud's interaction with Goldie. It was a gratuitous sex scene that really didn't add anything to the plot. After he had been gone for so many years and since he had no personal relationship with her in his youth, the immediate I-see-you-and-am-hot-for-you-now sex seemed stupid and absurd for such a analytical, deliberate man. Sure he has flaws, but I didn't think foolishness was among them. It would have been more believable if she had flirted with him and he reciprocated in kind, but kept her at a distance, knowing she might have information he needed in the future.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House.
Hud Matthews has accepted a position as a homicide detective somewhere where he said he'd never return to - his home town, a decaying vacation/destination lakeside community. After recovering from a gunshot wound while with the Detroit PD, Hud has accepted a position from a childhood buddy who, like his father before him, is now the police chief, Paul Burke. Hud is still haunted by the disappearance of his mother. When he was eight years old she walked out to get into a big, shiny black car and never returned. Hus spent his childhood searching for her, with Gee, his grandmother. Now Gee has passed away and Hud is back, still wondering what happened to his mother years earlier.
When the body of Pamela Lynn Sizemore is found half in and half out of Demmie Lake, Hud's skills are needed on the investigation. It appears that Pamela was cooking meth and a drug dealer, but as bodies and questions mount, the answers may not be as simple as a drug deal gone badly. Even as Hud works on the current investigation, he is still trying to find out what happened to his mother years earlier. And it appears that the locals aren't exactly forthcoming with answers to his questions on either case.
Sweazy keeps the gloom and doom atmosphere heavy in this investigation, and not only because it is set in the fall. The former resort community is decaying and has lost all of its former charm. People are struggling to get by and a series of murders is not good for what little business they have left. Hud's investigation into the murders and his mother's disappearance seems to have upset more than one person in the community.
In between current chapters are transcripts from Hud being interrogated by an anonymous person. At first you think it might be the therapist he had to talk to in order to be cleared for work, but soon it seems that something else is going on that we aren't privy to yet, something to do with his mother. It helps keep the tension up as the current investigations continue. Hud is a flawed, well-developed character. The ending surprised me and was well done.
The only problem I had with Where I Can See You was Hud's interaction with Goldie. It was a gratuitous sex scene that really didn't add anything to the plot. After he had been gone for so many years and since he had no personal relationship with her in his youth, the immediate I-see-you-and-am-hot-for-you-now sex seemed stupid and absurd for such a analytical, deliberate man. Sure he has flaws, but I didn't think foolishness was among them. It would have been more believable if she had flirted with him and he reciprocated in kind, but kept her at a distance, knowing she might have information he needed in the future.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House.
February 18, 2017
Review can be read at It's About The Book
This novel set the tone immediately, with a vivid word picture describing the slow, inevitable destruction of a small town and the secrets and lies that impacted the people who lived there. When Hud Matthews returned to the lakeside community he’d grown up in, he had a separate agenda than the one he was showing on the outside.
Hud was going to take a job as a detective for the police department in his old hometown. Ostensibly because he wanted to get out of Detroit and the bad memories from his time on the force there. However, his true motives were more complicated. His mother had disappeared in that very town when he was eight years old, and the mystery of why and where she’d gone had never been solved. So Hud’s working overtime finding the killer running amuck in town as well as hunting down clues from his mother’s closed case.
Of course, the people in the town have their own secrets and memories, and they definitely don’t want Hud messing around in the past. As he becomes the target of a killer, he’s forced to consider that the current killings may have everything to do with his mother’s disappearance in the past.
You’re not going to see the surprise coming up in the end. This was a solid mystery with a lot of red herrings and pretty deep character development for the main character–it’s also begging DESPERATELY for another book. The ending!!!!!!!! Oy. I’m worried about Hud!
This novel set the tone immediately, with a vivid word picture describing the slow, inevitable destruction of a small town and the secrets and lies that impacted the people who lived there. When Hud Matthews returned to the lakeside community he’d grown up in, he had a separate agenda than the one he was showing on the outside.
Hud was going to take a job as a detective for the police department in his old hometown. Ostensibly because he wanted to get out of Detroit and the bad memories from his time on the force there. However, his true motives were more complicated. His mother had disappeared in that very town when he was eight years old, and the mystery of why and where she’d gone had never been solved. So Hud’s working overtime finding the killer running amuck in town as well as hunting down clues from his mother’s closed case.
Of course, the people in the town have their own secrets and memories, and they definitely don’t want Hud messing around in the past. As he becomes the target of a killer, he’s forced to consider that the current killings may have everything to do with his mother’s disappearance in the past.
You’re not going to see the surprise coming up in the end. This was a solid mystery with a lot of red herrings and pretty deep character development for the main character–it’s also begging DESPERATELY for another book. The ending!!!!!!!! Oy. I’m worried about Hud!
August 12, 2017
Story about a man, Hud Matthews, who was a Chicago detective. One of his contacts turned on him and shot him and Hud ended up killing the snitch which put him on leave as a Chicago cop. Hud decides to not go back to that job, but to return to his hometown and join the force there after his grandma passes on. When Hud was 8 years old his mom disappeared and this event has haunted him since. He thinks that he can now track down what happened to his mom all those years ago while serving on the force there.
As soon as he starts work there is a string of murders. One suspect after another is realized then discarded as he tried to solve the case. Bad luck seems to follow him as he is attacked and shot at and he doesn't really understand why. As the case progresses, he slowly starts to piece it all together along with what happened to his mom all those years ago. Shocking ending as he solves the case, comes face to face with the killer and learns about how his mom disappeared all those years ago.
***I received a copy of this book as part of a goodreads giveaway***
As soon as he starts work there is a string of murders. One suspect after another is realized then discarded as he tried to solve the case. Bad luck seems to follow him as he is attacked and shot at and he doesn't really understand why. As the case progresses, he slowly starts to piece it all together along with what happened to his mom all those years ago. Shocking ending as he solves the case, comes face to face with the killer and learns about how his mom disappeared all those years ago.
***I received a copy of this book as part of a goodreads giveaway***
August 11, 2023
Detective Hudd longs to solve the mystery of his mother's disappearance years ago when he was a child. As he investigates a modern day murder he is threatened. someone is trying to stop him from solving the murder, but is it the current murder or a murder that happened years ago?
I listened to the audiobook version. I greatly enjoyed the main narrators voice. However, there was little vocal distinction of the different characters, making it difficult to distinguish which character was speaking at times.
I listened to the audiobook version. I greatly enjoyed the main narrators voice. However, there was little vocal distinction of the different characters, making it difficult to distinguish which character was speaking at times.
December 7, 2016
I won a copy of this book from goodreads.
3.5 stars
I liked this book. It was a little confusing for me in the beginning, and a little slow reading. It took me a little bit to figure out who the italicized parts were. But the further i got into the book the more I enjoyed. If you enjoy dectivitve point of view mysteries you will like this one.
3.5 stars
I liked this book. It was a little confusing for me in the beginning, and a little slow reading. It took me a little bit to figure out who the italicized parts were. But the further i got into the book the more I enjoyed. If you enjoy dectivitve point of view mysteries you will like this one.
July 24, 2017
The only thing i take away from this book is the setting. The story was slow. There were some parts where the story grips you, other times it just sneaks up on you. Over all, personally I like stories that are more involved. This one seemed too short. I was left wanting more. Its like ordering a delicious meal and only ending up with the smallest portions. Not enough to devour.
January 14, 2018
The mystery piece was ok as was the supporting cast but I became so annoyed with the self-absorbed main character that I just skimmed to the end.
April 26, 2019
Interesting enough mystery for a train ride but not especially well written
January 12, 2021
Good Thriller. Thank god.
March 11, 2023
This is a good example of modern noir.
January 17, 2024
Good plot and characters but tighter editing of chatty conservation during tense action moments would have made the story flow better.
December 11, 2024
Twisty crime mystery. Hud is looking for his mother that disappeared when he was a boy.
October 13, 2017
Vividly atmospheric with distinct characters. Sweazy makes moments come alive.
February 24, 2017
Author Larry D. Sweazy sets this stand-alone thriller in the midwest. WHERE I CAN SEE YOU brings us Detective Hud Matthews who has always been haunted by the disappearance of his mother when he was only eight. Now, Hud begins his own pursuit into the cold case that is extremely personal to him.
While Hud is able to use all his many skills acquired through years of work as a Detective he is not fully prepared for what he will uncover about his mother and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. A decent and small novel, almost a novella, that allows readers to face the personal and controversial choices along with Hud Matthews as he moves outside of the law in order to enforce it.
While Hud is able to use all his many skills acquired through years of work as a Detective he is not fully prepared for what he will uncover about his mother and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. A decent and small novel, almost a novella, that allows readers to face the personal and controversial choices along with Hud Matthews as he moves outside of the law in order to enforce it.
December 18, 2016
Hud Matthews leaves behind his career as a Detroit cop after being shot. His grandmother has died, leaving her lakeside cottage to him. So he returns to Demmie Lake where he spent his childhood. The lakeside town holds good and bad memories for Hud. He remembers summers spent on the lake helping his Grandmother run her shop selling trinkets and t-shirts to tourists. But still haunting him is the memory of his mother's disappearance. One night when he was 8-years old she got dressed for an evening out, kissed him goodbye....and never came home.
Hud returns to Demmie Lake to recouperate, then joins the local police force. His boss warns him to just do his job and not start digging into his mother's disappearance. When a young woman's body is found on the shore of the lake, Hud's detective skills are needed and he rises to the occasion. But, he never forgets the cold case that haunts his every day....what happened to his mother?
The setting and the tone of this book are very dark. It's off-season at the lake. Rainy, cold and depressing. Hud's mood is also cold and depressing as he investigates shocking murders in the small lakeside community, and also looks into the disappearance of his mother.
The pace was a bit slow for me. The story is well-written for the most part, just slow to develop. And, I have to admit that I didn't like the ending. Was it realistic? Probably. But just a bit of a letdown. After reading all the build-up to the end, I expected a thrilling close. It never really materialized. The tone and pace was low key to the very last page. And the last page....... Well. No spoilers from me......read it, and see what you think. I found myself talking back to the book as I shut it and logged in to write my review.
Good book. Well-written. Interesting plot. Just not my cup of tea.
Readers who enjoy police procedurals and murder mysteries will enjoy this book.
Larry Sweazy also writes the Marjorie Trumaine mystery series. Find out more about the author and his books on his website: http://www.larrydsweazy.com
Hud returns to Demmie Lake to recouperate, then joins the local police force. His boss warns him to just do his job and not start digging into his mother's disappearance. When a young woman's body is found on the shore of the lake, Hud's detective skills are needed and he rises to the occasion. But, he never forgets the cold case that haunts his every day....what happened to his mother?
The setting and the tone of this book are very dark. It's off-season at the lake. Rainy, cold and depressing. Hud's mood is also cold and depressing as he investigates shocking murders in the small lakeside community, and also looks into the disappearance of his mother.
The pace was a bit slow for me. The story is well-written for the most part, just slow to develop. And, I have to admit that I didn't like the ending. Was it realistic? Probably. But just a bit of a letdown. After reading all the build-up to the end, I expected a thrilling close. It never really materialized. The tone and pace was low key to the very last page. And the last page....... Well. No spoilers from me......read it, and see what you think. I found myself talking back to the book as I shut it and logged in to write my review.
Good book. Well-written. Interesting plot. Just not my cup of tea.
Readers who enjoy police procedurals and murder mysteries will enjoy this book.
Larry Sweazy also writes the Marjorie Trumaine mystery series. Find out more about the author and his books on his website: http://www.larrydsweazy.com
January 10, 2017
A small town mystery that has big time consequences for criminals being chased by Hud Matthews in his quest to find the truth.
Hud Matthews became a detective partly to find out what happened to his mother. She disappeared when he was eight and he is still searching for the truth to what happened to her. He has moved back home and joined the force their just in time to try and help catch a killer. He quickly becomes a target. But the killer is not the only one after him. Many in town wish he would leave the past buried and move on with his life. The closer he moves to uncover the truth about the recent crimes, the more he also discovers about his mother’s disappearance. The question arises, how far will he go to make sure justice is served?
Where I Can See You had an interesting style to it. There was a back and forth between the actual story and a dialogue between Hud and someone. Sweazy keeps you in total suspense through the entire book until the very end to uncover who he is talking to and what it is really about. Even so, all the transitions kept me confused for a large portion of the book. Looking back, I can see how it fits in but I think it could have been done a little better to make the story flow smoother. Sweazy wrote a very interesting story making the main character sympathetic but at times a little hard to like and even relate to. None of the characters fully meshed to bring the story to life in a way I would have really enjoyed. There was some harsh language and some sex scenes that don’t make this a suitable read for anyone very young. I think mystery lovers will really enjoy this read, but you do have to be prepared of the back and forth to not get lost in the story. Overall it was an enjoyable read but I will let other readers make their own call about this being one that they keep on the shelves to pick up again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Hud Matthews became a detective partly to find out what happened to his mother. She disappeared when he was eight and he is still searching for the truth to what happened to her. He has moved back home and joined the force their just in time to try and help catch a killer. He quickly becomes a target. But the killer is not the only one after him. Many in town wish he would leave the past buried and move on with his life. The closer he moves to uncover the truth about the recent crimes, the more he also discovers about his mother’s disappearance. The question arises, how far will he go to make sure justice is served?
Where I Can See You had an interesting style to it. There was a back and forth between the actual story and a dialogue between Hud and someone. Sweazy keeps you in total suspense through the entire book until the very end to uncover who he is talking to and what it is really about. Even so, all the transitions kept me confused for a large portion of the book. Looking back, I can see how it fits in but I think it could have been done a little better to make the story flow smoother. Sweazy wrote a very interesting story making the main character sympathetic but at times a little hard to like and even relate to. None of the characters fully meshed to bring the story to life in a way I would have really enjoyed. There was some harsh language and some sex scenes that don’t make this a suitable read for anyone very young. I think mystery lovers will really enjoy this read, but you do have to be prepared of the back and forth to not get lost in the story. Overall it was an enjoyable read but I will let other readers make their own call about this being one that they keep on the shelves to pick up again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
December 6, 2016
Synopsis: Detroit cop returns to small town where he grew up, gets a job and solves crime.
The best thing about the whole book is the setting. The home that the protagonist (Matthews) returns to is a run down lakeside resort which used to be popular many years ago when he was a kid but now many buildings stand derelict and run down. The weather and the people are also depressing and the author gets that across real well.
Writing style: The pace is slow, which actually adds to the depression. And the plot is interspersed with snippets of dialogs every so often. The snippets appear to be contiguous but come without context so you don't really know what they are. They make more sense as you get towards the end but on the whole, they just end up being annoying. As you read on, you finally discover why Matthews left Detroit but I felt that was largely irrelevant to the story at hand and only added a little to his character development. I say that because by the time you find out why, you've already formed your opinion of Matthews.
Story: More than one incident takes place and Matthews investigates with the grudging help of his fellow law enforcement officers. Even the weather is dismal and it doesn't help that my local weather is similarly dismal either. The frequency of events accelerate as you get towards the end. In fact, they accelerate so fast that I wonder how they're going to tie everything together. I found the reveal to be wholly unsatisfactory after the long build up. It was basically just one ah-ha moment that somewhat tied all the crimes (current and past) together without a detailed explanation of how or why it was done.
Summary: So overall you've got a great physical setting, a small cast of characters who were quite well developed, a generally slow paced story and an ending that was unsatisfactory to me. I liked the parts which were good but I probably wouldn't recommend this as a mystery book. I received this as a free review copy.
The best thing about the whole book is the setting. The home that the protagonist (Matthews) returns to is a run down lakeside resort which used to be popular many years ago when he was a kid but now many buildings stand derelict and run down. The weather and the people are also depressing and the author gets that across real well.
Writing style: The pace is slow, which actually adds to the depression. And the plot is interspersed with snippets of dialogs every so often. The snippets appear to be contiguous but come without context so you don't really know what they are. They make more sense as you get towards the end but on the whole, they just end up being annoying. As you read on, you finally discover why Matthews left Detroit but I felt that was largely irrelevant to the story at hand and only added a little to his character development. I say that because by the time you find out why, you've already formed your opinion of Matthews.
Story: More than one incident takes place and Matthews investigates with the grudging help of his fellow law enforcement officers. Even the weather is dismal and it doesn't help that my local weather is similarly dismal either. The frequency of events accelerate as you get towards the end. In fact, they accelerate so fast that I wonder how they're going to tie everything together. I found the reveal to be wholly unsatisfactory after the long build up. It was basically just one ah-ha moment that somewhat tied all the crimes (current and past) together without a detailed explanation of how or why it was done.
Summary: So overall you've got a great physical setting, a small cast of characters who were quite well developed, a generally slow paced story and an ending that was unsatisfactory to me. I liked the parts which were good but I probably wouldn't recommend this as a mystery book. I received this as a free review copy.
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January 12, 2017After killing a snitch who’d shot and wounded him, Hud Matthews was politely asked to leave the Detroit PD. Now he’s back home working for police chief Paul Burke, a man he’s spent most of his life not much liking. On “the perfect kind of day for someone to find a dead body,” someone leaves the corpse of Pamela Lynn Sizemore, a jobless junkie, half in and half out of Demmie Lake. The obvious suspect would seem to be some unpaid dealer who wanted to make an example of her, unless it’s one of the dozens of lowlifes her downward path has crossed. The case gets seriously complicated by the murder of Kaye Sherman, who worked in a medical office that could have been feeding Pam’s habit, and even more baffling when Kaye’s husband, Conservation Officer Leo Sherman, who’s gone on the run, gets shot down just as Hud’s finally at the point of taking him in. As Burke aptly notes, however, Hud’s heart isn’t really in the case no matter how tangled and violent it gets. What he really wants to do is solve the mystery of his mother’s disappearance back when he was 8 years old. Certain that she wouldn’t have abandoned him, he’s convinced she was murdered. But what are the chances of bucking Burke to solve an ancient crime nobody else even believes was a crime when the townsfolk are stuck in a much more obvious nightmare?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2019
Fun mystery for sure, I read it on vacation. Easy to read!
April 3, 2017
The author has a good way of describing the mental processes of the main character, of showing his reaction and deductions from the information before him. I cannot say that I liked the ending and I hope there is a subsequent book about HUD because I think he is a good character.
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