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Joe Gunther #19
The Catch
Joe Gunther gets the call that every law enforcement person hates and every friend and family member of a policeman fears–-a cop has been murdered in the line of duty. Deputy Sheriff Brian Sleuter has been shot to death during a routine traffic stop on a dark country road. From what can been seen on the cruiser’s tape recorder of the killers, it is believed that they are a couple of Boston-based drug runners who were stopped by the deputy on their way from Canada down to Boston. That brings Gunther and his major crimes team into the investigation―-and eventually to Alan Budney, the disaffected son of a Maine lobsterman, now a drug kingpin, who uses the closed, clannish lobster fishing community, and his extended family in particular, to move drugs along the New England coast.
274 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2008
118 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Archer Mayor
43 books732 followersOver the years, Archer Mayor has been photographer, teacher, historian, scholarly editor, feature writer, travel writer, lab technician, political advance man, medical illustrator, newspaper writer, history researcher, publications consultant, constable, and EMT/firefighter. He is also half Argentine, speaks two languages, and has lived in several countries on two continents.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
September 20, 2021
I love the Joe Gunther series, I really do. I've given most of these books four-and five-star reviews. This one was a big disappointment. Most of the action in this book takes place in Maine, and while the reason for Joe's presence in Maine is marginally plausible, it's still not enough to build a whole book around. I had the impression that the sole purpose of this book was to cement the relationship between Joe and his new girlfriend, Lyn Silva, by making him some kind of knight in shining armor, rescuing her from a sketchy family history and - presumably - cementing her place in Joe's life with fans who may have been less than impressed by this replacement for longtime girlfriend Gail Zigman. There were other ways to make her at least a little more palatable, a little more fleshed-out and real. That said, I'd go ahead and at least read the book - as with all series, it provides a thread in the continuum. Then put it back on the shelf and forget about it.
January 31, 2019
A quick enjoyable read but not as good as some of Mayor's previous Joe Gunther mysteries. Too many characters were introduced and because Mayor did not give most of them much of a backstory, it was hard to follow their stories or even care about them. I did appreciate the unexpected twist at the end, especially since Mayor isn't know as a twists and turns author.
July 30, 2017
PROTAGONIST: Joe Gunther
SETTING: Maine
SERIES: #19
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Ambitious cop Brian Sleuter is killed during a traffic stop in a remote area in Vermont. His dash cam reveals the killer, who is associated with drug dealing and appears to work primarily in Maine. Joe Gunther of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation goes to Maine to work with various authorities there. They partner with him but are more interested in their own problems. It was a nice change of setting for this solid series. The ending, however, was a letdown.
SETTING: Maine
SERIES: #19
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Ambitious cop Brian Sleuter is killed during a traffic stop in a remote area in Vermont. His dash cam reveals the killer, who is associated with drug dealing and appears to work primarily in Maine. Joe Gunther of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation goes to Maine to work with various authorities there. They partner with him but are more interested in their own problems. It was a nice change of setting for this solid series. The ending, however, was a letdown.
November 19, 2019
The catch is another good Joe gunther story, this story kept me guessing to the end and what happens. This brings closer to family members. Drugs are a big deal and these stories are being the drug front and center as they are in today world. Gunther is always a good person to read about.
April 21, 2009
After the last few Gunther novels, my expectations were low. (While on my latest reading jag, I read one of the books without even realizing I had already read it before!)
This one was a bit better. Once again, most of the action takes place outside of Vermont, but this time it did not seem as forced as the last few novels. Most of the references to Joe's age have been muted (I think, if the timeline for his life established way back in Open Season was still being followed, Gunther would be over 70 years old) and the background stuff for new readers did not seem so ham-fisted.
While with a lot of Mayor's books, the ending seems slightly rushed and dependent on far too many coincidences, overall it was worth reading, especially if you are a fan of the genre, had given up on Mayor or have a couple of days to kill.
This one was a bit better. Once again, most of the action takes place outside of Vermont, but this time it did not seem as forced as the last few novels. Most of the references to Joe's age have been muted (I think, if the timeline for his life established way back in Open Season was still being followed, Gunther would be over 70 years old) and the background stuff for new readers did not seem so ham-fisted.
While with a lot of Mayor's books, the ending seems slightly rushed and dependent on far too many coincidences, overall it was worth reading, especially if you are a fan of the genre, had given up on Mayor or have a couple of days to kill.
November 4, 2014
There was nothing extraordinary that stands out in 'The Catch.' It's a typical Archer Mayor novel--and there's nothing wrong with that AT ALL.
The story was good, albeit a touch confusing in the middle. But as always, it's very easy to identify and feel for the same ol' cast of characters--Joe, Sammie, Willy, Les, etc...plus the secondary characters are also developed well.
Mr Mayor, as always, does a fine job of bringing fictional characters to life with simple words, actions and dialogue. The book was entertaining, a fast easy read (read it in 2 nights) with a couple of very good twists at the end.
Keep it up, Mr. Mayor
The story was good, albeit a touch confusing in the middle. But as always, it's very easy to identify and feel for the same ol' cast of characters--Joe, Sammie, Willy, Les, etc...plus the secondary characters are also developed well.
Mr Mayor, as always, does a fine job of bringing fictional characters to life with simple words, actions and dialogue. The book was entertaining, a fast easy read (read it in 2 nights) with a couple of very good twists at the end.
Keep it up, Mr. Mayor
October 14, 2017
I didn't like "The Catch" as well as other Archer Mayor books, probably because of the topic. Drug running & drug dealers just don't interest me. That said, "The Catch" is a very well-written book with a complex plot and interesting characters. Vermont Bureau of Investigation leader Joe Gunther heads to Maine to assist a task force with the murder of a Vermont state trooper whose killer is thought to be part of a gang involved in smuggling drugs across the Canadian border. The group takes several wrong turns and spends a great amount of time on the hunt, with little to show for their efforts. Of course, Gunther is the one who finally puts the pieces together and solves the murder. Mayor is a very good writer, so I'll definitely continue reading his books. But this one just fell a little short, in my opinion.
April 10, 2024
investigating the shooting of a traffic cop leads Joe Gunther and his team into Boston and Maine chasing a drug dealer suspect
September 22, 2024
Great book! The ending was a total surprise
December 14, 2019
This was okay.
September 7, 2008
Deputy Sheriff Brian Sleuter stops a suspicious vehicle for a routine traffic stop. Before he is able to complete his paperwork life comes to an end for Sleuter. Joe Gunther is called in to investigate. Joe is head of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation. Sleuter’s vehicle was equipped so that he would be taped while making the stop and his killer was caught on tape.
Gunter has officers checking Sleuter’s background just to be sure that there was nothing underhanded in his history that could have been the cause of the execution. He doesn’t really believe that Sleuter was crooked but Joe wants to be very sure so that he isn’t faced with surprises in the investigation.
While local officers are investigating Sleuter, Joe is chasing the man suspected of the murder. This chase leads him to believe that the suspect is heavily involved in trafficking drugs along the New England coast. Joe is working with more than one department in trying to uncover every lead in the case.
Joe’s girl friend Lyn Silva even lends a hand in trying to track down the killer. Her brother Steve was previously involved with drugs and Steve and Lyn step up to aid Joe.
The chase is exciting and Gunther finds himself in a position many times where he is in great danger. The characters introduced in The Catch, both the good guys and the bad, make for a very interesting story.
This is the 19th Joe Gunther novel and the books just get better and better.
Gunter has officers checking Sleuter’s background just to be sure that there was nothing underhanded in his history that could have been the cause of the execution. He doesn’t really believe that Sleuter was crooked but Joe wants to be very sure so that he isn’t faced with surprises in the investigation.
While local officers are investigating Sleuter, Joe is chasing the man suspected of the murder. This chase leads him to believe that the suspect is heavily involved in trafficking drugs along the New England coast. Joe is working with more than one department in trying to uncover every lead in the case.
Joe’s girl friend Lyn Silva even lends a hand in trying to track down the killer. Her brother Steve was previously involved with drugs and Steve and Lyn step up to aid Joe.
The chase is exciting and Gunther finds himself in a position many times where he is in great danger. The characters introduced in The Catch, both the good guys and the bad, make for a very interesting story.
This is the 19th Joe Gunther novel and the books just get better and better.
December 23, 2016
As the Joe Gunther books are generally set in Vermont, as am I, I enjoy this mystery series. This one strays into Maine, which is not a problem in itself, but it does bring in many characters, none of whom are developed. There were also some loose ends and coincidences, which may be realistic but left me unsatisfied. Even Gunther gets frustrated when it seems his cop-killer case veers into something of more interest to the Maine police than the Vermont Bureau of Investigation. I applaud anyone who can write 19 adequate to very good novels in a series (and as this was written in 2008, Mayor has added about seven more), but this one felt rushed. If you don't know Mayor's work, I highly recommend starting at the beginning with "Open Season" and "Borderlines."
January 10, 2022
-1 star for a terrible reader. I've only stuck with the series this long because it's familiar, comfortable, and still has regional appeal for someone who grew up adjacent to New England. Switching readers on Book 19 is jarring on its own. Switching to a reader who does primary characters as if auditioning for the Simpsons almost put this in the DNF column.
Happily, the next installment switches readers again for a solid, conventional performance.
Happily, the next installment switches readers again for a solid, conventional performance.
May 2, 2023
3.25. Different audiobook narrator was not to my liking. Plot fell flat, ended abruptly and wasn’t my favorite.
First read 10/5/2020. Second read 5/2/2023. Still prefer the other narrator. I didn’t care for this one at all and they call the author Arthur at the beginning of the book. Seriously WTF if you can’t even get the author’s name right?!?
First read 10/5/2020. Second read 5/2/2023. Still prefer the other narrator. I didn’t care for this one at all and they call the author Arthur at the beginning of the book. Seriously WTF if you can’t even get the author’s name right?!?
March 1, 2022
I thought it was another excellent book in the Joe Gunther series. Along with other readers I did agree that there were many characters in this book that were not flushed out. I was having trouble tracking who everybody was I will say the ending had a serious twist that was fantastic not everyone agrees about that but I thought it was a fantastic twist. I was a reader that did not like Gail Zigman. I am not a huge fan of Lyn, however, it’s a step up for me anyway, like a breath of fresh air in his love life. Now I’m going to complain about the darn narrator again I probably got about two more books to go it seems with this narrator before we go back to the wonderful one. This one makes Joe’s voice sound like a funny superhero from a Saturday morning cartoon and I just can’t even describe what he’s trying to do with Willys voice! The female voices are fair. I have listened to other books with this narrator and he didn’t use voices such as the one he uses for Joe and Willie before that I have heard. There’s nothing to say about those two voices except they are terrible- no one talks like that and poor Joe who had the best voice ever like a young wise grandfather to all that was listening; now sounds like a failed superhero with just his voice left.
December 22, 2025
#19 in the Vermont police 50 something year old lieutenant joe Gunther mystery series. This a very good police procedural series showing the nitty gritty day-to-day investigating work to solve a mystery. Former Brattleboro, Vermont, cop, Joe is now the #2 man of the new Vermont Bureau of Investigation (VBI), a joint task force charged with statewide responsibility for major crimes and now works collaboratively with the various other police units in the state to aid in their investigations.
Joe Gunther gets the call that every law enforcement person hates and every friend and family member of a policeman fears–-a cop has been murdered in the line of duty during a routine traffic stop on a dark country road. From the cruiser’s tape recorder of the killers, it is believed that they are a couple of Boston-based drug runners who were stopped by the deputy on their way from Canada down to Boston. So what starts as seeking the murderer ties in with drug smuggling and dealing in Maine so most of the action takes place in Maine where the policeman's death t is secondary to the drug investigation by various Maine and U.S. government agencies.
Joe Gunther gets the call that every law enforcement person hates and every friend and family member of a policeman fears–-a cop has been murdered in the line of duty during a routine traffic stop on a dark country road. From the cruiser’s tape recorder of the killers, it is believed that they are a couple of Boston-based drug runners who were stopped by the deputy on their way from Canada down to Boston. So what starts as seeking the murderer ties in with drug smuggling and dealing in Maine so most of the action takes place in Maine where the policeman's death t is secondary to the drug investigation by various Maine and U.S. government agencies.
September 18, 2022
3.5. Yes, I'm addicted to Joe Gunther series, but this 2008 one isn't my favorite.
Title might refer to young, ambitious and vicious fisherman, ALAN BUDNEY, who gets out of prison where he plotted how to take over a drug operation and make him a Big Man.
JOE GUNTHER is head of Vermont Bureau of Investigation (VBI), special crimes, and gets involved in all manner of major crimes across his state, including bordering Canada, and into other states as needed. This novel revolves around a state trooper being murdered by druggies.
Joe’s relationship with Lyn is continuing, and her brother is now out of prison for drug charges and trying to turn over a new leaf.
For me, it was mainly the ironies scattered throughout that I enjoyed. This one was’t as good a read as other of his novels. Although realistic, except for the actual cop-killing itself for which I can’t get past the flaws, the end of the story was discouraging.
Title might refer to young, ambitious and vicious fisherman, ALAN BUDNEY, who gets out of prison where he plotted how to take over a drug operation and make him a Big Man.
JOE GUNTHER is head of Vermont Bureau of Investigation (VBI), special crimes, and gets involved in all manner of major crimes across his state, including bordering Canada, and into other states as needed. This novel revolves around a state trooper being murdered by druggies.
Joe’s relationship with Lyn is continuing, and her brother is now out of prison for drug charges and trying to turn over a new leaf.
For me, it was mainly the ironies scattered throughout that I enjoyed. This one was’t as good a read as other of his novels. Although realistic, except for the actual cop-killing itself for which I can’t get past the flaws, the end of the story was discouraging.
March 23, 2020
More than adequate entry in the Joe Gunther series, as he and his squad of Vermont Bureau of Investigation agents investigate the brutal murder of a deputy sheriff during a late night traffic stop. The apparent killer is caught on the cruiser's camera, leading Gunther to a drug smuggling ring that has the VBI expanding its search into Massachusetts and Maine. The case also has a personal tie to Gunther, as his new girlfriend Lyn's estranged brother has knowledge of the smuggling that could crack the case.
As with the other books in this series, it is a solid police procedural with solid leads and dead ends that lead to a satisfying conclusion of the case. It is the effect that the case has on Joe and Lyn's relationship that has the wait for the next book to be addressed. Very recommended, especially if one has started the series from the beginning.
As with the other books in this series, it is a solid police procedural with solid leads and dead ends that lead to a satisfying conclusion of the case. It is the effect that the case has on Joe and Lyn's relationship that has the wait for the next book to be addressed. Very recommended, especially if one has started the series from the beginning.
July 12, 2018
What I liked about this book: the developing relationship between Joe Gunther and Lyn Silva; the ongoing work relationships in the Vermont Bureau of Investigation; Joe's becoming more reflective as he ages; the character of the murdered cop's mother-in-law; the descriptions of Vermont and Maine, the landscape and the people who live there.
What I didn't like: too many characters mentioned but not fleshed out; a Portuguese-American character referring to himself as "Hispanic" (he would never do that!); too many coincidences; an ending that depends on Willy Kunkle never having viewed the video up to that point and then seeing something unexplained that lets him identify the murderer.
I enjoyed reading the book but felt disappointed at the ending.
What I didn't like: too many characters mentioned but not fleshed out; a Portuguese-American character referring to himself as "Hispanic" (he would never do that!); too many coincidences; an ending that depends on Willy Kunkle never having viewed the video up to that point and then seeing something unexplained that lets him identify the murderer.
I enjoyed reading the book but felt disappointed at the ending.
March 24, 2024
This is a review for the audiobook version narrated by Christopher Graybill.
I’ve devoured these books in a mix of audiobooks and print. I may go back and book-read this one because I really enjoy these characters; However, Christopher Graybill just doesn’t portray any of them convincingly, or even consistently. Book 18 was released twice: one with his narration and one from Tom Taylorson, who had narrated most of the series previously. Book 19 was only available with Graybill’s narration and I actually returned the title because, although I had let it play, could not engage with the flat, almost automaton-like rendition. The story may be fantastic, but I could not honestly tell due to the narration.
I’ve devoured these books in a mix of audiobooks and print. I may go back and book-read this one because I really enjoy these characters; However, Christopher Graybill just doesn’t portray any of them convincingly, or even consistently. Book 18 was released twice: one with his narration and one from Tom Taylorson, who had narrated most of the series previously. Book 19 was only available with Graybill’s narration and I actually returned the title because, although I had let it play, could not engage with the flat, almost automaton-like rendition. The story may be fantastic, but I could not honestly tell due to the narration.
May 24, 2022
An ambitious ME cop is killed and it looks like it's related to the ME drug trade (turns out it was and ex-military person he knew). Drugs are becoming a bigger issue in VT via Portland and !Rockland! New people are taking over. The ex-con son of a nasty lobsterman sets up his older brother and father to take a big fall.
Joe is with Linda who now owns a Brattleboro bar. All is going great till the end when Joe stumbles upon the boat that her father and brother supposedly died in at sea. A drug guy has it, says he found it....who knows? Linda is so blindsided and upset, she doesn't want to see Joe for awhile to get her head together.
Joe is with Linda who now owns a Brattleboro bar. All is going great till the end when Joe stumbles upon the boat that her father and brother supposedly died in at sea. A drug guy has it, says he found it....who knows? Linda is so blindsided and upset, she doesn't want to see Joe for awhile to get her head together.
July 5, 2023
This was one of the Joe Gunther books I skipped because it was not available in the Audible Plus catalogue for free -- I paid for this one, although not a lot. Since I knew what had happened to one Joe's current girlfriend Lyn Silva this one just filled in what I had missed in her relatively short presence in the series. Most of the action takes place in Maine, where a rather unbelievable criminal (the background on how he got to where he was did not ring true) schemes to be a drug king pin. Definitely not the best of the Gunther series but I know that later ones are better.
December 17, 2024
Honestly, this isn't my favorite of Mayor's books. the ending was rushed and the big reveal felt more like a cop-out than a twist. there were waaaaay too many character's and points of view, with a lot of unnecessary side stories that didn't move the plot forward. it felt like maybe there were two different books here, and Mayor couldn't decide which one to write so he sort of half-wrote both.
then, the weird resolution of Lyn's family backstory - like, why?
Archer! I expect better from you!
then, the weird resolution of Lyn's family backstory - like, why?
Archer! I expect better from you!
January 23, 2025
Another solid story in the Gunther anthology. Book #19 follows along as Joe, in the 8th edition detailing his head role in the state-wide VBI, works to find the person(s) responsible for killing a VT sheriff during a drug trafficking stop. There is a regional view as we Joe meets with ICE agents in Boston en route to much time in Maine working to find the suspect while seeing how the drug trade was evolving. We also find an interlude during the chase into the life of Joe's new girlfriend, Lyn. The ending might just stump you!
March 11, 2020
Let's call it three and a half stars.
A little bit of a detour from the usual Gunther story as Joe and the some of the VBI team spend some time in Maine where they end up tracking down some drug activities while their real purpose is to find the killer of a cop in Vermont. A lot of peripheral characters in this one and not the most intriguing story line, but I do like Joe and the team and this was a pretty quick read.
A little bit of a detour from the usual Gunther story as Joe and the some of the VBI team spend some time in Maine where they end up tracking down some drug activities while their real purpose is to find the killer of a cop in Vermont. A lot of peripheral characters in this one and not the most intriguing story line, but I do like Joe and the team and this was a pretty quick read.
August 7, 2021
I have read the entire series in order and this was by far the worst book in the group. It was boring, ponderous and the characters were one dimensional. Joe has a new girlfriend but it was too much effort to go through the relationship. It just was. Former girlfriend who he is supposed to be friends with is not mentioned. The book seemed like it was written by someone other than Archer Mayor.
June 7, 2022
Super police procedural. Joe Gunther VBI agent (Vermont Bureau of Investigation) solves his cop killer case but along the way works with ICE, MDEA (Maine DEA), and FBI on a multi-state dugs smuggling operation.
I like Joe Gunther. He’s all-cop, honest, has a heart, establishes boundaries well and honors the chain of command. His agency is tiny but then Vermont has fewer residents than Fulton County (Atlanta), GA.
I like Joe Gunther. He’s all-cop, honest, has a heart, establishes boundaries well and honors the chain of command. His agency is tiny but then Vermont has fewer residents than Fulton County (Atlanta), GA.
March 23, 2025
Not one of the best Gunther books. It starts out as a search for a cop-killer but soon expands to a hunt for a Maine-based drug lord. Because the latter is not Gunther’s problem—his jurisdiction is Vermont—he begins to lose interest and the book’s focus diffuses. Mayor tries to get him more interested by involving his new girlfriend’s family (I miss Gail!), but it doesn’t amount to much. As always, though, the book is well-written and thoughtful.
February 20, 2021
Good book, but not my favorite in the series. Too many holes left open for me...the main story, a cop being killed during a traffic stop, was solved. Been in course of the story about two other stories were started and not completed. I know they'll come up later in another book, but I don't like stories left open.
September 4, 2021
Didn’t actually finish it—got about half thru’ it and decided I wasn’t interested enough to read any more. I have read several of his books and this was definitely the worst—too many characters, too much description of procedural stuff, etc. I felt like I simply couldn’t get to rhe heart of the real story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews