Quick off the Mark

Alex Quick #2

by Susan Moody

Alex Quick investigates the murder of a close family friend in this intriguing, intricately-plotted mystery
In her former career as a police detective, Alex Quick was exposed to some brutally violent crimes - but none as horrific as this. A badly mutilated corpse is discovered in a field, the victim castrated, the word 'cheat' carved across his chest. The dead man was a close family friend of Alex, and his sister has asked her to find out who killed him - and why.

Although they'd been friends as long as she can remember, how well did Alex really know the late Tristan Huber? Why would someone murder him in such a violent and cruel way? Whoever she questions, Alex finds that people are reluctant to talk, keeping things back from her - including Tristan's sister, Dimsie. The more Alex uncovers, the clearer it becomes that Tristan Huber was not who, or what, he appeared to be. But is she prepared for the shocking truth?

Genres: Crime

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2022

About the author

She grew up in Oxford then moved to Tennessee for 10 years. She published two historical novels and the novelisation of the Nescafe Gold Blend advertisements under the pen name Susannah James. More recently she has also used the nom de plume, Susan Madison. She is a former Chairman of the Crime Writer's Association, served as World President of the International Association of Crime Writers, and was elected to the prestigious Detection Club. Susan Moody has given numerous courses on writing crime fiction and continues to teach creative writing in England, France, Australia, the USA and Denmark

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in the Alex Quick series and it involves some gory and gruesome murders. Alex has recovered from the murder of Helena in the previous book and is continuing to work on putting together books on art history and specific themes. She used to be a DCI when she was in the police force and she still has contacts like her friend, Fliss. Her personal life is a bit of a disaster, and to get her out and about, she has joined a local amateur dramatic group. A fellow resident, Major Horrocks, and his newly acquired dog discover a horrifically tortured and murdered body with the word cheat on his chest.

The victim turns out to be Tristan Huber, whom Alex has known and liked most of her life. His fraught and distraught sister, Dimsie, pushes Alex to investigate who committed this heinous act. Upon delving into Tristan's life, she finds it a mysterious affair and it is not completely clear exactly what he did for a living. Dimsie upon being pressed for details is tight lipped and unco-operative. It soon becomes transparent that Tristan was involved in some shady dealings. To muddy the waters further, more deaths with a similar modus operandi occur. However, leads are few and far between. Eventually it does become clear who is behind the killings.

I found this a fragmentary read, where there are parts that are well written and plotted but also aspects that are poorer in quality. I had to make myself continue to the end. It felt as if it could have benefitted from better character development and greater thought put into plotting to achieve a more coherent read. Others may well like it more than I did. Thanks to Severn House for an ARC.

[Magdalena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read about Alex Quick. I was intrigued by the cover and description and decided to give it a go. The book starts off with a close friend of Alex is found in a field tortured to death. And, the man's sister begs Alex to look into it since Alex used to be a cop. But, it's not that easy, Tristan, the dead man, seems to have many secrets, and then more people are getting murdered and Alex is at a loss to what they all have in common.

I got a strong Midsomer Murders vibe when I read this book. I could see how the old man is walking his dog when he spots the body, cut to the intro music, and then the murder investigation start. Well, of course, if Barnaby had been a woman, and not a policeman anymore. But, still. Alex had been a cop and just like in a Midsomer Murders episode the bodies started to pile up.

I quite liked reading the book. The story was engaging and interesting, and Alex was an easy character to like. And, one of her best friends; Sam, is a hot single bookstore owner that seems to like her quite a lot. I wasn't sure about what who was behind all the murders until around the end when I started to see a pattern, or rather, suspect that I knew what linked all the murdered people together. Although I had some problem with the book, like for instance, I forgot one of the murdered men, I had to go back and reread a part in the beginning to fresh up my memory. It was a bit odd when the person was mentioned in the book and I was totally blank to whom the hell he was. But, then again, there were terribly many deaths. Also, like A Midsomer Murders episode was this book quite nice, but still I can't say that I found it to be that thrilling to read. It was an OK book, the characters didn't bother me, the case was interesting, but I was not entranced with the book.

I want to thank Severn House Publishers for providing me with a free copy through Netgalley for an honest review!

[CL · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read the first Alex Quick book but I still enjoyed this book. A great murder mystery. Alex is trying to get back to normal and has joined a group and a member of the group finds a body. It turns out to be a man whom she has known for most of her life and as she tries to find out who has murdered him she finds out things about him she would never have believed he was involved in. Then more bodies and few clues as to who the murderer is but as she continues to search for clues it becomes clear who the murderer is. Great read. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC and to apologize for the late review.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and although second in a series, it works well as a stand-alone.

Alex gets a hysterical visit from a friend, Dimsie, who arrives with news that her brother, Tristan, was murdered. Dimsie wants Alex to look into it as Alex was once an officer of the law.

Tristan was found in a field, brutally murdered. He had been tortured and left with the word CHEAT carved into his chest. Chunks of skin and muscle had been removed.

Alex and Tristan had grown up together, at one time they were really close, but decided it was more important to stay friends rather than lovers.

Alex consents to a little investigating on the side but what she finds is baffling. She thought she knew Tristan well, but there are so amy parts of his life that are missing.

And then another body is found.. in the same condition... and then a 3rd body is found.

How are they all connected? Why are these men dying? And who wants them dead?

Alex Quick is a multi-layered character. Once a Homicide Detective, she left after a contentious divorce and the loss of a child she was carrying. She is now an Art Historian and she's happy with what she does. She has feelings for the man who runs the bookstore, but won't take that first step. She's also attracted to the man who runs the drama productions, but there's something about him that she doesn't trust.

This was a well-written suspense. Lots of suspects ... but then there are all those lies and secrets that some people don't want to see the light of day. It's going to take Alex a lot of digging for the truth about her friend. And she may not like what she finds.

Many thanks to the author / Severn House Publishers Netgalley for the digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Sarah Joint · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't aware this was part of a series when I requested it, so this is my first Alex Quick story. I found it entertaining but a bit graphic, as some other reviewers have commented. It wasn't enough to really bother me, but might turn off the very squeamish!

It's been years since Alex has been a police detective... but when a friend of hers is found brutally murdered, she can't resist acquiescing to his sister's request to investigate. The victim, who she's known since she was a child, was tortured and castrated. The word "cheat" is left carved into his chest. This cannot be random, but Alex has no idea who would have such a vendetta against Tristan. As far as she knows, he didn't have any major enemies. But digging into his past raises a lot of questions... that no one who knew him seems to want to answer. What could this man Alex has such fond memories of have done to deserve such a gruesome end?

The ending was a little abrupt for me and I had a little bit of difficulty keeping track of all the characters. Alex is interesting, but I felt like I didn't know her as well as I should. Possibly because I missed the first book, but I think books in a series work best when they can easily be read as standalones. A good amount of twists and surprises made it a satisfactory read for me.

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Severn House Publishers, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

[Damaskcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.

This is a well plotted mystery with interesting characters which is let down by its much too graphic descriptions of torture and murder. The first few pages of the book is enough to put off the squeamish. However, if you are squeamish, you could skip the prologue as it doesn't add anything to story and it is perfectly possible to read the book without having read the prologue.

I like Alex Quick as a characters - picture anthologist, ex police detective and current investigator. In this book she investigates the violent death of an old friend. She thought she knew everything about Tristan Huber but she soon finds out that what she knew was really only the tip of the iceberg. This is only the first death in a series of violent events which seem as though they must be connected somehow.

If you can get past the violence then this is a well written mystery with interesting character and a complex plot. Unfortunately the descriptions of violent death put me off to the extent that it spoilt my enjoyment of the rest of the story.

[Elite Group · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling mystery lacking some essential ingredients

Ex-detective Alexandra Quick is contacted by her childhood friend Dimsie Drayton, who wants Alex to investigate the murder of beloved brother, Tristan. Tristan has been horrifically tortured before being left to die and despite her initial misgivings and determination to leave the policewoman life behind her, Alex reluctantly finds herself drawn in to the investigation. What initially looks like a one-off sadistic killing turns into the possibility of a maniac on the loose, as further murders occur and patterns begin to emerge in the way that the victims are being dispatched. Quick begins to doubt how well she knew her old friend as a violent and dark criminal world begins to be uncovered, and she must use all her wits to catch the deranged killer before it’s too late.

This was an interesting detective story with a detailed and intriguing plot. The descriptions were excellent and almost too vivid at some points (such as when describing the killings) and the writing flowed well throughout making it very easy to read. Some of the characters were very likeable and well written (I particularly liked the Major Horlicks and wished he’d been more heavily involved in the story) and the author included little asides throughout her prose that perfectly captured the characters’ sudden thoughts and were unique and unlike any writing style I’ve encountered before.

Unfortunately, I found that this book lacked many elements needed to make a truly excellent thriller novel. The main character, Alex Quick, seemed to have an extremely variable personality that was altered to suit her situation – sometimes she was extremely vulnerable about her cheating ex-husband and desperate for companionship, other times she was abrupt and almost rude to the people around her. I found her relationships with most of the characters seemed fairly shallow and in actual fact didn’t particularly like her as a character, finding her a bit snobbish and self-centred. I thought that she treated those close to her, especially her friend/love interest Sam, quite badly, only using them to suit her own needs and help her achieve her goals. This inability to empathise with the heroine ruined the story a little for me, although perhaps if I had read the previous Quick novel I would have understood her personality more and found her more affable a character.

The storyline also had a few pitfalls that decreased my enjoyment of what was otherwise an attention-grabbing book. There seemed to be multiple times where Quick drove to random people’s houses and interrogated hem only to leave with a few vague but essential clues, which I found quite unrealistic (many of the people she interrogated had just suffered a tragic loss, and yet seemed extremely happy to talk to a complete stranger about it). I was also able to guess quite early on who the murderer was and Alex seemed unable to deduct this for quite some time from the multiple clues presented to her. When the perpetrator was eventually revealed, it was a bit of an anti-climax and there was no dramatic ending – rather, the story just petered out with quite a few threads left untied. The main characters were never in any real danger and in fact there were never really any alternative suspects or ‘red herrings’ for the murderer, all of which contributed to make the story less fast-paced and high-tension than other mysteries I have read. Finally, there were multiple characters and locations in the story that the author focussed a lot of time and pages crafting and describing but in the end, they didn’t seem at all relevant to the plot (for example, the con-man ‘Todd’ seemed a totally random, albeit entertaining, inclusion in the story).

Overall, this was an enjoyable mystery with a well-crafted plot but lacked a few things that, in my opinion, make for a truly enjoyable read. A bit more finesse and character development would have improved this book massively for me, as well as perhaps a more shocking reveal of the eventual murderer in a more high stakes situation (although maybe that is a bit of a cliché!) The writing was good but its content was less so, and I believe that the author’s unique style would be even better if she were writing in other genres where build-up of suspense and genuine tension are less necessary.

Daenerys

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.

[Lizzie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Quick, a former police detective now an art historian is lingering over a cup of tea at the breakfast table and pondering on her single status, and her one or two unsuccessful romantic encounters following the demise of her marriage to Jack the Love Rat, when her reverie is broken by a frenzied banging at her front door. Opening the door reveals Dimsie Drayton, a drama Queen to the core, who immediately begins sobbing. Eventually, informing Alex that her brother Tristan is dead having been found in a field - tortured – his knees smashed, and bits cut off his body and castrated. Alex is dumfounded, Tristan had always appeared the most harmless of men, languid in a particularly English way. Who would want to harm him, let alone carve the word ‘Cheat’ across his chest?

Reluctantly, Alex agrees to Dimsie’s entreaties try to find the killer of her beloved brother. Although a long standing friend of the family Alex had only a surface knowledge of Tristan Huber, but as she talks to his business acquaintances, friends and even his family, it becomes clear that people are not too keen to talk about Tristan and that he was not what he appeared to be. With very little to go on Alex visits the rural area to see the crime scene, only a short walk from the house of Major Horrocks who had found Tristan’s body or rather his dog had. Major Horrocks is a stereotype of what you would expect for a Major Horrocks, but definitely a sweetie. He explained that Marlowe wasn’t his dog but his neighbour’s Nell Roscoe who went into the hospital and never returned. Despite her enquires Major Horrocks can tell her no more and Alex heads for home. Passing Sam’s bookshop, she decides to call in and unburden. To cheer her up Sam suggests a drink with his neighbour Edward. But while enjoying a glass of wine Edward takes a call informing him of the murder of his friend Kevin Fuller.

As the body count rises Alex is no further forward, but as she continues to investigate several things seem to her a little off. Like the affable con-man about whom she knows nothing but accidentally runs into in a different situation which sparks her interest. And still conscious of her need to meet people she joins the drama group, but all may not be what it seems even here.

This is a true mystery, surrounded by well-fleshed out characters you want to know all about and would so like to meet. I own to being completely baffled right to the end. And if you want a murder mystery, then look no further this one will keep you on your toes. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett

[Margaret Duke-Wyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given Quick Off the Mark by Susan Moody by NetGalley via Kindle in return for an honest review.

Quick Off the Mark is not my style of book. It reminded me of the Golden Age of Detectives (something like an Agatha Christie) although it was set in current times with plenty of references to technology etc. Even though the murders were graphic and awful the tone of the book still suggests a much slower pace of life and a somewhat 'removed' viewpoint. The plot was clever and the book well written and I am sure many people will enjoy the book. However for me, it lacked a sense of excitement. That said, I finished the book and was not dis-satisfied.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book two in this series is even more disturbingly graphic than the first novel. So I won't be reading any more. As far as I could see, there was no real need for the details or for the severity of the crimes. I also felt that there were far too many stretches to be conceivable. No on my list of favorite British mystery series.

[Myth Button · Rating 2 out of 5]

3 / 10. This is another example of how well Susan Moody can write individual conversations, but is lacking in the field of putting together an intriguing plot. The few twists and turns scattered throughout all the filler scenes barely have any thrills to them, and the resolution is so half-assed that I found myself angry at the way it was handled.

[Lu Power · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed this book. Only got it though because she is Princess Mary's stepmother.

[Cristina Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

pRETTY EXPLICIT DETails on gross murder, awful details, but these things happen and the investigations yields many surprises, very clever interwoven plot and outcome

[Karen]

When the badly mutilated body of a man is found in a field, former police officer, Alex Quick, is horrified to discover that it is Tristan Huber, a close family friend. After being asked by the dead man’s sister, Dimsie, to conduct her own investigation into the murder, Alex soon realises that Tristan had many secrets and that he was not exactly who he said he was. With people reluctant to share information, will Alex be able to uncover the true facts about his life and death, and is she prepared for what she is about to find out?

This is the second in the ‘Alex Quick’ series and, after reading the first, I was intrigued to find out where the author was going to take the plot. Like the previous book, Quick and the Dead, Susan Moody does not spare us any detail – the descriptions of the mutilated body are very graphic and leave you in no doubt as to the horrific nature of the crime.

I admit to struggling with this book and it took nearly two weeks for me to read it – this is a rare occurence! At several points, I felt as though I could have abandoned it but I persevered and found that, at about three-fifths of the way through, the story picked up and became much more enjoyable. My main concerns with the book were the amount of characters which, at times, became very confusing as I couldn’t remember their role in the plot. I, also, found it difficult to relate to any of the characters – I even found it difficult to like Alex due to her treatment of her friend Sam.

Although the plot is a genuinely interesting one, I felt that it was dragged out slightly due to the quite lengthy descriptions – it could have been concluded much earlier. There are a lot of positives for this book, but after the first instalment, I was hoping for a lot more.

With thanks to Net Galley and Severn House Publishers for the ARC.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for a review copy of Quick Off The Mark, the second of Ms Moody's novels to feature ex DCI Alex Quick.

Alex's childhood friend Tristan Huber has been murdered in an extremely gruesome fashion and his sister, Dimsie, asks her to do a bit of investigating to keep her in the loop. Dutifully, if reluctantly, Alex complies and soon finds out that Tristan's life is shrouded in mystery and has no obvious connection to the other bodies that have turned up in the area.

Quick Off The Mark is a bit of a mixed bag. It is fairly humourous initially but that peters out as the investigation takes over. I would class it as a cosy except for the violence in the deaths and the gratuitous bad language which seems out of place. The plot is well thought out and held my attention but the perpetrator is sign posted early on and Alex is anything but quick off the mark in her deductions. It is hard to imagine her as once being the youngest DI on the force.

The novel is an easy, undemanding way to pass a few hours with a plot intricate enough to hold your attention and some pleasant characters.

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex Quick is asked by her good friend Dimsie to look into the murder of her brother Tristan. He was tortured, the word 'cheat' carved into his chest and tossed away like a piece of garbage, still alive, to die an agonizing death. As Tristan was a good friend of Alex as well, she agrees. A former police officer, she's well equipped to solve the mystery, but finds it surpringly difficult to get straight answers, even from Dimsie. Soon ugly rumors start swirling around and she starts to wonder if she knew Tristan at all...
Thank you, Netgalley and Severn House Publishing for the ARC.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting off a little too graphic for me but I persevered with the read. It is an easy way to spend a few hours but did not really capture my attention. The plot and characters were interesting enough but just not the book for me. Thank you Net Galley for my copy.