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Charlie Crawford Mystery #1
Palm Beach Nasty
Burned out by high-profile murders in New York and his love life splashed all over Page Six, homicide cop Charlie Crawford heads south and signs on with the Palm Beach PD.
After months of petty crimes, he's first on scene to find a man hanging from a banyan tree.
Prime suspects are a hedge-fund billionaire with a thing for young girls and a bartender with a sketchy past and a ten-out-of-ten creep factor. Right in the middle of it all is Crawford's girlfriend, a beautiful, conniving gallery owner, ready to do whatever it takes to move up a bracket or two. Add to the mix a sultry real estate broker who knows where all the bodies are buried, a gorgeous forensic cop often one step ahead of Crawford, a Mutt and Jeff combo of stone cold killers and you've got Palm Beach Nasty.
After months of petty crimes, he's first on scene to find a man hanging from a banyan tree.
Prime suspects are a hedge-fund billionaire with a thing for young girls and a bartender with a sketchy past and a ten-out-of-ten creep factor. Right in the middle of it all is Crawford's girlfriend, a beautiful, conniving gallery owner, ready to do whatever it takes to move up a bracket or two. Add to the mix a sultry real estate broker who knows where all the bodies are buried, a gorgeous forensic cop often one step ahead of Crawford, a Mutt and Jeff combo of stone cold killers and you've got Palm Beach Nasty.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2015
3693 people are currently reading
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About the author
Tom Turner
76 books35 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
May 29, 2017
Great read..
OK, let me start by saying I almost didn’t get this book because of the name. Usually if a book has the word “nasty” in it nine out of ten times it’s an erotic book, or porn. But I decided to go with it since it was called a Charlie Crawford Mystery.
I admit I was confused for a while, wondering why Nick was even part of this book since he didn’t have a thing to do with the dead guy, Darryl Bill, or any bad guy. But then later on he was mixed into the story and I was no longer confused, I was excited to see what would happen next to all the players.
The bad guy, Jaynes, was some kind of idiot. He was a Billionaire and too stupid not to kill someone? Unbelievable!! And the other two were only interested in killing to make a name for themselves. Oh, and there was Nick, too. He just thought way too much of himself.
I did like the main players, though: Charlie, Dominica, Ott and Misty. The boss was somewhat of an idiot. BUT I loved Alcie. He was an awesome character.
There was no sex in this book, (so it wasn’t “Nasty,”) and the F-bomb was used 65 times. The word “said” was used 885 times in this 288 page book, that’s a lot. But other words were used enough for it not to be quite so annoying.
As to the narration: Hmmm…I liked him a lot then I didn’t like him at all. His men’s voices were simply fabulous but his women’s weren’t worth a damn. Fortunately, there weren’t’ that many women in the book. I would definitely listen to him again.
OK, let me start by saying I almost didn’t get this book because of the name. Usually if a book has the word “nasty” in it nine out of ten times it’s an erotic book, or porn. But I decided to go with it since it was called a Charlie Crawford Mystery.
I admit I was confused for a while, wondering why Nick was even part of this book since he didn’t have a thing to do with the dead guy, Darryl Bill, or any bad guy. But then later on he was mixed into the story and I was no longer confused, I was excited to see what would happen next to all the players.
The bad guy, Jaynes, was some kind of idiot. He was a Billionaire and too stupid not to kill someone? Unbelievable!! And the other two were only interested in killing to make a name for themselves. Oh, and there was Nick, too. He just thought way too much of himself.
I did like the main players, though: Charlie, Dominica, Ott and Misty. The boss was somewhat of an idiot. BUT I loved Alcie. He was an awesome character.
There was no sex in this book, (so it wasn’t “Nasty,”) and the F-bomb was used 65 times. The word “said” was used 885 times in this 288 page book, that’s a lot. But other words were used enough for it not to be quite so annoying.
As to the narration: Hmmm…I liked him a lot then I didn’t like him at all. His men’s voices were simply fabulous but his women’s weren’t worth a damn. Fortunately, there weren’t’ that many women in the book. I would definitely listen to him again.
March 5, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this excellent mystery novel from EBookDiscovery and the author, Tom Turner. Palm Beach Nasty is the first in a series featuring Charlie Crawford. Charlie resigned from the NYPD, packed up his Upper West Side apartment, and hoofed it down to Florida to begin the second half of his life. Now working with the police department in Palm Beach, he is a man with a simple plan - Palm Beach hasn't had a murder in years. Easy Street. Or is it? Because crime seems suddenly rampant, and he can't seem to get a handle on the bad guys. He knows who they are, just has nothing tying them to the nasty crimes coming out of West Palm. A cop can get frustrated when that happens. Charlie knows how to handle it, though.
Reviewed on March 4, 2023, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for review on Kobo or GooglePlay.
Reviewed on March 4, 2023, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for review on Kobo or GooglePlay.
August 27, 2017
Skip it!
This book was boring until about three fourths of the way. Then it picked up and had a nice ending. The thing that really ruined it was all the f bombs. One is too many but this was ridiculous. I think that is the only word Ott knew. Can't somebody write a book without profanity?
This book was boring until about three fourths of the way. Then it picked up and had a nice ending. The thing that really ruined it was all the f bombs. One is too many but this was ridiculous. I think that is the only word Ott knew. Can't somebody write a book without profanity?
August 18, 2017
A very good crime thriller involving billionaires, art, conmen, murder and two world weary cops trying to figure what's going on, makes for great holiday reading
February 1, 2022
This was a slow starting book and at first was a little confusing. Too many bad guys all doing different things but then it all started making sense and coming together and I couldn't put the book down. I loved Charlie and his partner Mort Ott. They work well together and throw in the beautiful CSI woman and you have the makings of a great series. This is so well written and I will be reading the rest of this series.
April 4, 2018
A fun read. More than just a police detective story. This one is full of secondary characters that really enhance the story. Con men, killers, old society women looking for love. It has it all. Enjoyable.
March 24, 2017
A fun & light read
Having just finishing a autobiography, was looking for some lighter fare. This really fit the bill, was able to raise a few chuckles.
Having just finishing a autobiography, was looking for some lighter fare. This really fit the bill, was able to raise a few chuckles.
September 7, 2022
The first book in the series with Detective Charlie Crawford and his sidekick Mort Ott.
Charlie signs on with the Palm Beach police department wanting a quieter life than his former job in New York.
However, after a year of tracking down mail fraud and trying to find out who flattened the neighbors poodle with their Ferrari, Charlie is hoping for a little more action.
Charlie is called to figure out a murder where a teenager is found hanging from a tree.
A couple of suspects come up...one is a bartender with a sketchy past who is working on an art fraud scheme. Another is a big time trader who likes young girls and seems to feel he is above the law. Mix in a real estate agent who knows all the secrets of the rich and famous and a scheming gallery owner who wants to move up in the world any way she can.
Lots of twists and turns and a crazy plot twist to get the bad guys.
Great series.
Charlie signs on with the Palm Beach police department wanting a quieter life than his former job in New York.
However, after a year of tracking down mail fraud and trying to find out who flattened the neighbors poodle with their Ferrari, Charlie is hoping for a little more action.
Charlie is called to figure out a murder where a teenager is found hanging from a tree.
A couple of suspects come up...one is a bartender with a sketchy past who is working on an art fraud scheme. Another is a big time trader who likes young girls and seems to feel he is above the law. Mix in a real estate agent who knows all the secrets of the rich and famous and a scheming gallery owner who wants to move up in the world any way she can.
Lots of twists and turns and a crazy plot twist to get the bad guys.
Great series.
May 2, 2021
(3 1/2). I have a read of few of the other Charlie Crawford books and they have been very entertaining. This is the initial one in the series and it has a lot more substance than most of the others. This is a very solid police procedural with all kinds of action. Good dual plot lines, entertaining bad guys and side characters true to the Florida culture. Good stuff.
September 4, 2018
Exciting
I was gripped through out. Glad the bad guy got his comeuppance. Plenty of twists and turns with both past history and what is happening now to the lead of the book. Looking forward to reading book 2.
I was gripped through out. Glad the bad guy got his comeuppance. Plenty of twists and turns with both past history and what is happening now to the lead of the book. Looking forward to reading book 2.
December 16, 2020
This was much better than expected. There seems to be a glut of less than stellar mysteries set in Florida and, in particular, the Keys. But NASTY rose above. No trashy sunbathing nymphs or beer-slugging bar beach goers. It had good plots - not just one - and good characters. Not cardboard cutouts, I expect them to develop and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
August 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, which I didn't think I would because I'm more of. Non fiction guy. Easy chapters with suspense in each one keeps you wanting to read more. Highly recommend.
January 2, 2021
Set in Palm Beach Florida, when a body is found hanging from a banyan tree, Detective Crawford and his partner, Mort Ott are called in to investigate. Ott has been working with Crawford for two years and prior to that he spent over twenty years with Cleveland police.
August 22, 2015
The two cops who comprise the entire homicide division of the Palm Beach Police Department are both refugees from other venues: Charlie Crawford, a 36-year-old former “hero cop” from New York City, 6’ 2” and 180, and Mort Ott, described as a 51-year old homicide cop who looks 10 years older, 5’ 7” and 230 pounds, who for 23 years had been with the Cleveland P.D. Couldn’t be more different from each other, though they make for perfect partners, and work together like cogs in a well-oiled wheel.
Charlie is used to the hustle and bustle, not to say murder and mayhem, of New York, where he solved at least a couple of very newsworthy cases, and he finds the change a bit boring: “Palm Beach probably had fewer than twenty homicides in its entire recorded history”. As the book opens, however, he “finally (!) had himself a murder,” when he is called to the scene of a 19-year-old young man, pictured on the book cover showing just his legs from the knees down, dressed in black jeans and sneakers, which we soon find is his dead body, hanging from a banyan tree. And very soon after, there is another homicide, which has Charlie thinking “Two murders in a week in Palm Beach, after having gone fifteen years homicide-free,” but “I’ve never had two cases with so few suspects . . . ever.” We are told quite a lot about the rich and famous who live in Palm Beach, “one of the richest towns in America,” and a glimpse of how they got that way
Twenty-six-year-old Todd Tropez (born “Gonczik” and raised in Mineola, Long Island, a suburb of NYC, and now calling himself Nick Greenleaf) is a charming bartender with much higher aspirations. Those aspirations form the basis for much of the terrific plot. Though there is, obviously, violence in these pages, they contain a wonderful core of humor, and very well-drawn characters, including a few complex females about whom the reader is ambivalent.
Although it took me much longer than it should have liked to pick up this first book by Tom Turner, it was perfect timing – couldn’t have asked for a better late Summer “beach read” which I finished in a little over 24 hours! Happily, I have the sequel, Palm Beach Poison, to look forward to, as well as his most recent novel, Killing Time in Charleston – I have no doubt they will be as thoroughly enjoyable as Palm Beach Nasty, which is highly recommended.
Charlie is used to the hustle and bustle, not to say murder and mayhem, of New York, where he solved at least a couple of very newsworthy cases, and he finds the change a bit boring: “Palm Beach probably had fewer than twenty homicides in its entire recorded history”. As the book opens, however, he “finally (!) had himself a murder,” when he is called to the scene of a 19-year-old young man, pictured on the book cover showing just his legs from the knees down, dressed in black jeans and sneakers, which we soon find is his dead body, hanging from a banyan tree. And very soon after, there is another homicide, which has Charlie thinking “Two murders in a week in Palm Beach, after having gone fifteen years homicide-free,” but “I’ve never had two cases with so few suspects . . . ever.” We are told quite a lot about the rich and famous who live in Palm Beach, “one of the richest towns in America,” and a glimpse of how they got that way
Twenty-six-year-old Todd Tropez (born “Gonczik” and raised in Mineola, Long Island, a suburb of NYC, and now calling himself Nick Greenleaf) is a charming bartender with much higher aspirations. Those aspirations form the basis for much of the terrific plot. Though there is, obviously, violence in these pages, they contain a wonderful core of humor, and very well-drawn characters, including a few complex females about whom the reader is ambivalent.
Although it took me much longer than it should have liked to pick up this first book by Tom Turner, it was perfect timing – couldn’t have asked for a better late Summer “beach read” which I finished in a little over 24 hours! Happily, I have the sequel, Palm Beach Poison, to look forward to, as well as his most recent novel, Killing Time in Charleston – I have no doubt they will be as thoroughly enjoyable as Palm Beach Nasty, which is highly recommended.
January 8, 2015
The quiet posh community of Palm Beach is rocked by a murder and a mini wave of crime in Tom Turner's Palm Beach Nasty. Charlie Crawford a former NYPD Detective thinking he is leaving the action behind, feels the heat to get these cases solved. The pressure is on from the boss and the mayor in order to salvage the tourist season and the already fledgling economy. Turner's Palm Beach Nasty is a constantly evolving, surprising and entertaining crime drama. It fits perfectly among it's peers in this storied category. You won't be dragged over the river and through the woods with this story line but you will find some picturesque scenery, some amazing paintings, colorful characters, and a creative storyline.
Read more at www.blackdogspeaks.com
Read more at www.blackdogspeaks.com
November 2, 2021
Charlie Crawford left his career as a hard-boiled detective in NYC for Palm Beach, where murders rarely occur. But when one did, he and another 'northern' detective Ott are partnered up to solve it. It involves a hard-boiled hedge-fund investor who likes young girls, a bartender who knows he's destined for better things esp since he will beg, borrow or steal or kill for it, and an art gallery proprietress, who is Charlie's ex-girlfriend, as they look into the bodies that keep appearing in the land land of the rich and famous.
May 28, 2017
Fun and easy to read, somewhat predictable, but still entertaining...
I enjoyed the flow of the story, the knowledge of location made the story seem more compelling and believable. (I would like to see more descriptive sex... of course)
I thought the author, Tom Turner, kind of wrapped up the loose ends rather quickly. Seemed like he had a great story but didn't finish with a great ending.
I will read the next book in the series (It starts with snakes)!
I enjoyed the flow of the story, the knowledge of location made the story seem more compelling and believable. (I would like to see more descriptive sex... of course)
I thought the author, Tom Turner, kind of wrapped up the loose ends rather quickly. Seemed like he had a great story but didn't finish with a great ending.
I will read the next book in the series (It starts with snakes)!
April 10, 2018
Palm Beach Nasty -a review by Rosemary Kenny
Detective Charlie Crawford and partner Mort Ott take on deadly opponent Ward(well) Jaynes III in Tom Turner's all-action thriller of a murder-mystery,
that's sure to keep fans of Miami Vice and Starsky and Hutch- type characters entranced to the very end!
When 16 year-old hooker 'Misty's' pimp brother Darryl turns up very publicly dead hanging from a banyan tree, Crawford and Ott are soon hot on the trail of the killer.
Using Misty's older 'half-sister' Jennifer - newbie officer Dominica, undercover - as bait in a blackmail sting operation puts both girls in danger from the stop-at-nothing paedophile, while Crawford and Ott keep a close ear on the bug Dominica uses to incriminate the villain and his thugs.
Meanwhile, wanna-be master-crook 'Nick Greenleaf', a young man who changes his name like the seasons to avoid detection, implements his latest sting, in concert with Crawford's 'ex', art-dealer (and part-time hooker), Lil, by assuming the identity of Avery, dying millionaire Spence Roberts' long-absent grandson. Once established he starts selling off some of his 'Grandfather's' Old Masters paintings through Lil's gallery, before it becomes necessary to adapt his plan as circumstances change.
This excellent police procedural moves along at a cracking pace, with engaging characters in the three detectives and a wealth of luxury scenarios, compared and contrasted skillfully with the seamy underbelly of the paradise world of the rich and famous - I loved it and you will too...tell all your friends and get your copy today!
Detective Charlie Crawford and partner Mort Ott take on deadly opponent Ward(well) Jaynes III in Tom Turner's all-action thriller of a murder-mystery,
that's sure to keep fans of Miami Vice and Starsky and Hutch- type characters entranced to the very end!
When 16 year-old hooker 'Misty's' pimp brother Darryl turns up very publicly dead hanging from a banyan tree, Crawford and Ott are soon hot on the trail of the killer.
Using Misty's older 'half-sister' Jennifer - newbie officer Dominica, undercover - as bait in a blackmail sting operation puts both girls in danger from the stop-at-nothing paedophile, while Crawford and Ott keep a close ear on the bug Dominica uses to incriminate the villain and his thugs.
Meanwhile, wanna-be master-crook 'Nick Greenleaf', a young man who changes his name like the seasons to avoid detection, implements his latest sting, in concert with Crawford's 'ex', art-dealer (and part-time hooker), Lil, by assuming the identity of Avery, dying millionaire Spence Roberts' long-absent grandson. Once established he starts selling off some of his 'Grandfather's' Old Masters paintings through Lil's gallery, before it becomes necessary to adapt his plan as circumstances change.
This excellent police procedural moves along at a cracking pace, with engaging characters in the three detectives and a wealth of luxury scenarios, compared and contrasted skillfully with the seamy underbelly of the paradise world of the rich and famous - I loved it and you will too...tell all your friends and get your copy today!
January 2, 2021
Charlie Crawford retired from the NYPD at 36 and left New York because he was tired of the daily mayhem. He moved to the sunshine state, Florida, to Palm Beach, to be exact. He was ready to live the good life, but, much to his chagrin, he soon realized that the good life was a boring life. He soon discovered that he missed the madness and mayhem. He wanted to get back in the action and hired on with the Palm Beach PD. Compared to police work in the Big Apple, police work in Palm Springs was pretty routine and pretty boring too…at least it was until a jogger discovered a body hanging from a tree. Palm Springs hadn’t had a murder in years, but it wasn’t long after that first dead body was discovered that another one was discovered. Charlie was back in his element.
As Charlie and his partner, Detective Ott, investigates the murders they find themselves butting heads with one of Palm Springs riches, most powerful men, who makes it his goal in life to destroy Charlie before he can get enough proof to arrest him for the murder. The murderer is also a pedophile, and when one of his victims steps to be a witness against him, he hires two heavy hitters to take her and her “Big Sister” out. Let’s just say that things didn’t go according to plan and Charlie takes him down, but you’re going to read this brilliant book for yourself to see how that came about. I will not say anymore about that and spoil the book for you.
As Charlie and his partner, Detective Ott, investigates the murders they find themselves butting heads with one of Palm Springs riches, most powerful men, who makes it his goal in life to destroy Charlie before he can get enough proof to arrest him for the murder. The murderer is also a pedophile, and when one of his victims steps to be a witness against him, he hires two heavy hitters to take her and her “Big Sister” out. Let’s just say that things didn’t go according to plan and Charlie takes him down, but you’re going to read this brilliant book for yourself to see how that came about. I will not say anymore about that and spoil the book for you.
March 20, 2020
I mainly read this because I used to live in West Palm Beach and know Palm Beach pretty well. It's always nice to be familiar with the setting of a book, see what local stuff gets mentioned and how they try to change or disguise some locations. Overall, not a bad book, a basic detective story set in the world of the rich and famous.
The book uses one of the devices I hate in TV & books, that police detectives "transfer" from one department to another and keep their status as detectives. In real life, if you move from one PD to another, you start over as a uniformed officer and work your way up. If departments brought in outsiders to fill detective and other specialized slots, there would be no reason for their uniformed officers to have any motivation. Generally, the only time someone can keep their rank/position is in the higher command positions. A new chief will sometimes bring in people they know from their old department or other departments and have them be a deputy chief, assistant chief, etc. Those few command positions are generally not covered by civil service, so they can appoint people.
All in all, I'd probably read another book in this series, if I got it cheap and had nothing else to read at the time.
The book uses one of the devices I hate in TV & books, that police detectives "transfer" from one department to another and keep their status as detectives. In real life, if you move from one PD to another, you start over as a uniformed officer and work your way up. If departments brought in outsiders to fill detective and other specialized slots, there would be no reason for their uniformed officers to have any motivation. Generally, the only time someone can keep their rank/position is in the higher command positions. A new chief will sometimes bring in people they know from their old department or other departments and have them be a deputy chief, assistant chief, etc. Those few command positions are generally not covered by civil service, so they can appoint people.
All in all, I'd probably read another book in this series, if I got it cheap and had nothing else to read at the time.
June 17, 2024
“Palm Beach Nasty”, first in the 'Charlie Crawford Mystery' series, is a solid police procedural set in Palm Beach – a city where crime is pretty much non-existent.
Charlie had been a homicide cop in New York before taking early retirement but life doing nothing wasn't for him so he signed up in his new location.
When a murder eventually happens he's more than happy to take it on.
A young man was murdered (by hanging) in a remote area and the first clue leads to a ruthless billionaire with an unsavoury reputation.
Oddly enough almost everything he finds out leads to people he already knows, including his former girlfriend.
A second killing bears similarities to the first but Charlie reckons that isn't the case.
It was a bit like reading one of those mysteries set in a hotel which has been blocked from the outside world after an avalanche or severe snowstorm. If someone isn't at home Charlie is bound to meet them in the next place he visits and, quite often, they are meeting up with another piece of the puzzle. I am not a fan of 'closed loop' plotting - it is just lazy.
On the plus side Charlie is a solidly built characters with a decent backstory and a good sense of humour.
I really enjoyed the 'crime does pay' ending!
3.5 Stars, brought back to 3 Stars.
Charlie had been a homicide cop in New York before taking early retirement but life doing nothing wasn't for him so he signed up in his new location.
When a murder eventually happens he's more than happy to take it on.
A young man was murdered (by hanging) in a remote area and the first clue leads to a ruthless billionaire with an unsavoury reputation.
Oddly enough almost everything he finds out leads to people he already knows, including his former girlfriend.
A second killing bears similarities to the first but Charlie reckons that isn't the case.
It was a bit like reading one of those mysteries set in a hotel which has been blocked from the outside world after an avalanche or severe snowstorm. If someone isn't at home Charlie is bound to meet them in the next place he visits and, quite often, they are meeting up with another piece of the puzzle. I am not a fan of 'closed loop' plotting - it is just lazy.
On the plus side Charlie is a solidly built characters with a decent backstory and a good sense of humour.
I really enjoyed the 'crime does pay' ending!
3.5 Stars, brought back to 3 Stars.
July 30, 2018
Engrossing crime drama set among the rich and powerful.
Charlie Crawford, a NYC police detective transplant, is confronted with two grisly murders in posh Palm Beach, Florida. One, Danny Bill, is the brother of a minor, Misty Bill, who was seduced by a rich pedophile, Ward Jaynes. The second is an employee of the Poinciana Country Club, Cynthia Dexter, who got caught up with the con man, Nick Greenleaf. Haynes is used to getting what he wants and not pleased with anyone who tries to blackmail him for his crimes. Greenleaf poses as the grandson, Avery Robertson, of a super wealthy recluse, Spencer Robertson. Spencer is in his nineties, bedridden and demented. Crawford and his partner, Most Ott, need to figure out who committed these crimes and how to arrest them. Running around Palm Beach scouting leads, Crawford and Ott, come up with a plan to get Jaynes. They get a lead regarding Greenleaf from one of his accomplices, the Robertson's butler, Alcie. Crawford and Ott plan their takedowns and the details are worthy of the detective who brought down a NYC serial killer.
Charlie Crawford, a NYC police detective transplant, is confronted with two grisly murders in posh Palm Beach, Florida. One, Danny Bill, is the brother of a minor, Misty Bill, who was seduced by a rich pedophile, Ward Jaynes. The second is an employee of the Poinciana Country Club, Cynthia Dexter, who got caught up with the con man, Nick Greenleaf. Haynes is used to getting what he wants and not pleased with anyone who tries to blackmail him for his crimes. Greenleaf poses as the grandson, Avery Robertson, of a super wealthy recluse, Spencer Robertson. Spencer is in his nineties, bedridden and demented. Crawford and his partner, Most Ott, need to figure out who committed these crimes and how to arrest them. Running around Palm Beach scouting leads, Crawford and Ott, come up with a plan to get Jaynes. They get a lead regarding Greenleaf from one of his accomplices, the Robertson's butler, Alcie. Crawford and Ott plan their takedowns and the details are worthy of the detective who brought down a NYC serial killer.
September 28, 2023
I was actually pleasantly surprised by Palm Beach Nasty - not only was it an enjoyable read (and if you don't like the swears, why are you reading a mystery involving a former NYPD detective? Sheesh...), Charlie Crawford is one of the most surprising characters I've been introduced to. Sure, he *is* a former NYPD detective who moved south for a change of scenery, but rather than fitting the stereotype, he's also got a bunch of surprises under that semi-tough exterior. Charlie's partner, Mort Ott may also look like the stereotypical slob of a cop, but he too proves that looks are deceiving.
While the main plot involving the murder of a young man whose sister is involved in some shady actions involving a sleazy billionaire is pretty good, the subplot involving an art theft scheme takes a while to get going, but it really starts moving about halfway through the book. Throw in some appealing and unappealing characters, and you have Palm Beach Nasty.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the Charlie Crawford Mystery series!
While the main plot involving the murder of a young man whose sister is involved in some shady actions involving a sleazy billionaire is pretty good, the subplot involving an art theft scheme takes a while to get going, but it really starts moving about halfway through the book. Throw in some appealing and unappealing characters, and you have Palm Beach Nasty.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the Charlie Crawford Mystery series!
August 8, 2019
I do not endorse addiction to anything. But with Thom Turner’s Palm Beach series, all eight of them, I say buy all of them immediately. Each of these fine, comical, highly entertaining procedurals are outstanding and memorable. Once you meet Charlie, Mort, and the rest of the well-delineated characters, you will do what I did and hope wildly for more Palm Beach novels.
Discovering the series is like uncovering a Picasso in your grandmother’s garage. It appears to be ordinary but upon further inspection, you know you have a treasure. Which is precisely how I felt after reading the Palm Beach Nasty. That feeling stayed and only intensified as I plowed my way through Palm Beach Poison, Deadly, all the way until I finished number eight, Palm Beach Bedlam.
I do have good news – I understand that another book is on the way and perhaps even a new series. Stand by, but first, buy all of the Palm Beach books.
Discovering the series is like uncovering a Picasso in your grandmother’s garage. It appears to be ordinary but upon further inspection, you know you have a treasure. Which is precisely how I felt after reading the Palm Beach Nasty. That feeling stayed and only intensified as I plowed my way through Palm Beach Poison, Deadly, all the way until I finished number eight, Palm Beach Bedlam.
I do have good news – I understand that another book is on the way and perhaps even a new series. Stand by, but first, buy all of the Palm Beach books.
September 4, 2022
I read this because the blurbs on the back of the book brought up comparisons to Elmore Leonard. I wouldn't say that's true based on Palm Beach Nasty but Turner is a good, fun crime writer. His protagonist is Charlie Crawford, is a good looking cop that moved to Palm Beach for the quiet life but has found Palm Beach is not so quiet and he actually prefers danger. He has a partner, Ott, who is more your regular, hard cop. This first book quickly introduces Charlie, then jumps into a plot about a murder, Ward Jaynes (a Jeffery Epstein type character) and Nick, an imposter looking for the good life. It's a good read that could have used a little more focus on each of the characters but the pacing is quick and the reading is easy.
December 6, 2022
What a racist. So the book is very formulaic. But that’s not the worst part. There are at least two times where the authors true colors shining through marks. One is where the protagonist of interest, utter tirade of racial slurs, and then excuses it a way by saying she is one of them. No explanation. No forgiveness. The protagonist seems to laugh. Then later in the book towards the end, the cop’s partner refers to a black man by saying something like he sounding like a black man trying to be Prince Charles. This comes from just a phone call. The concept that it may not have been an African American is never even mentioned although this demeaning remark is just accepted. If you care at all about race and about trying to be respectful of other races I would probably skip this guy.
December 14, 2019
Turner never disappoints
This is the first in the Palm Beach Murders series but I read five others first - no problem as each can stand alone well. Turner is an excellent writer who never disappoints. He has a unique ability to mix sexy ladies, despicable characters, grisly murders, make-you-smile humor, and romance so nicely that the stories all come together in a pleasing and entertaining manner. Charlie and his sidekick Mort are a lovable pair of under-appreciated cops who get the job done one way or the other. This book has a more twisted plot than some, making it a great intro to the series.
This is the first in the Palm Beach Murders series but I read five others first - no problem as each can stand alone well. Turner is an excellent writer who never disappoints. He has a unique ability to mix sexy ladies, despicable characters, grisly murders, make-you-smile humor, and romance so nicely that the stories all come together in a pleasing and entertaining manner. Charlie and his sidekick Mort are a lovable pair of under-appreciated cops who get the job done one way or the other. This book has a more twisted plot than some, making it a great intro to the series.
January 21, 2019
Now I back on track reading the first book in the series. This is the get to know you book, where we get a lot of Charlie Crawford's background.Like why a WASP from Ct & Dartmouth becomes a NYPD cop? We also get a solid look at the kind of rich people who inhabit this fictionalized version of Palm Beach.
Here a body is found hanged that leads to an underage prostitute that leads to a rich man a rich man who has a lot to protect. And there's a con man on the loose. Keeping the detectives busy busy busy.
Here a body is found hanged that leads to an underage prostitute that leads to a rich man a rich man who has a lot to protect. And there's a con man on the loose. Keeping the detectives busy busy busy.
May 19, 2020
ANOTHER AWESOME READ!!
As I was Born and raised in Palm Beach County, I know, most of the locations in these books!! I also, worked for many years, as a Bartender there. These stories, remind me of stories, I heard, from friends, who were Deputies for PBSO.
Crawford and Ott are on the lookout for the people responsible for the hanging death of a boy. Who was found, hanging from a Banyan tree. In the hunt for the murderer, they also find out, that stolen paintings are involved.
A fast paced read!!
As I was Born and raised in Palm Beach County, I know, most of the locations in these books!! I also, worked for many years, as a Bartender there. These stories, remind me of stories, I heard, from friends, who were Deputies for PBSO.
Crawford and Ott are on the lookout for the people responsible for the hanging death of a boy. Who was found, hanging from a Banyan tree. In the hunt for the murderer, they also find out, that stolen paintings are involved.
A fast paced read!!
February 21, 2018
Fun, fast reading
Charlie Crawford is a Palm Beach homicide detective. He moved there after attracting too much attention in New York. A young man is found hanging from a tree in a local park and he and his partner are assigned the case. Their investigation leads them to local billionaires, art dealers, a CSI who really wants to be a cop, hired help and assorted other miscreants. It is fun reading and very visually written. It’s a great way to spend a weekend.
Charlie Crawford is a Palm Beach homicide detective. He moved there after attracting too much attention in New York. A young man is found hanging from a tree in a local park and he and his partner are assigned the case. Their investigation leads them to local billionaires, art dealers, a CSI who really wants to be a cop, hired help and assorted other miscreants. It is fun reading and very visually written. It’s a great way to spend a weekend.
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