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The Chicago summer is heating up…
In a luxurious hotel off Michigan Avenue, Detective Gavin Nolan arrives on a grisly scene. Two men have been brutally murdered, and one of the victims has a familiar face. The twisted display is like nothing Gavin has ever seen, but it’s the message scrawled in blood on the bathroom mirror that leaves him reeling: Gavin, you could have saved me.
Other men have been viciously slain as well over the last few weeks. As he dives further into the victims’ lives, Gavin and his partner, Derrick, discover that each of the men have a common thread—one that Gavin shares. It’s a reality he has suppressed for years.
On top of Gavin’s personal chaos, the killer is displaying the bodies in a series of specific designs to depict a long ago memory. Recognizing the pattern, Gavin soon is forced to recall the dark event. In order to catch the killer, Gavin must reconcile his past.
Before he becomes the final victim himself.
GAVIN is a sexual thriller that will leave you breathless…
WARNING: This book contains graphic scenes, explicit language, and violent, sexual situations.
In a luxurious hotel off Michigan Avenue, Detective Gavin Nolan arrives on a grisly scene. Two men have been brutally murdered, and one of the victims has a familiar face. The twisted display is like nothing Gavin has ever seen, but it’s the message scrawled in blood on the bathroom mirror that leaves him reeling: Gavin, you could have saved me.
Other men have been viciously slain as well over the last few weeks. As he dives further into the victims’ lives, Gavin and his partner, Derrick, discover that each of the men have a common thread—one that Gavin shares. It’s a reality he has suppressed for years.
On top of Gavin’s personal chaos, the killer is displaying the bodies in a series of specific designs to depict a long ago memory. Recognizing the pattern, Gavin soon is forced to recall the dark event. In order to catch the killer, Gavin must reconcile his past.
Before he becomes the final victim himself.
GAVIN is a sexual thriller that will leave you breathless…
WARNING: This book contains graphic scenes, explicit language, and violent, sexual situations.
- GenresThriller
487 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2017
10 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Russell .
4 books62 followersFor nearly two decades, Russell was an Executive Chef in the Restaurant Industry, in which he created succulent entrees and managed various types of kitchen operations. In the last seven years, he began to teach future culinarians achieve their professional goals in hands-on classroom and lecture settings. With his recent graduate work in the field of Sociology, his interests centered on organizational behaviorism, social theory and food insecurity. Russell has been writing for the majority of his life. Last year, he published a Second Edition on his freshman novel, The Tale of Old Man Fischer. Slipping into alternative universes allows Russell to enjoy the process of creativity from the novel’s conception to its final draft. Most importantly, inspiration is a continuous piece of his work and results from the world around him. Currently, he lives in Up State New York with two children and several cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 5, 2017
WARNING: This book contains graphic scenes, explicit language, and violent, sexual situations.
MORE WARNING: This book contains also rape and child abuse. AND It is NOT a ROMANCE. If you look for a sweet emotional relationship drama, with a little bit mystery in a background, then it is not for you. I'm not even sure that I can recommend this book to a vanilla mystery reader, because this book IS BRUTAL.
I am glad that I gave this book one more chance, because I was VERY closed to give up at 10% . I actually HAD given up, but this decision left me feel rather uneasy, and after a bit more deliberation I picked it up again.
The book starts with a crime scene (yes, with a graphic and brutal one). When Detective Gavin Nolan and his partner detective Derrick Williamson arrive at the scene they find two men brutally murdered - I will spare you the details- and a message, written in blood upon the mirror: Gavin, you could save me.
My main reason why I wanted to give up at around 10% was a presumption that this book was solely about a hate crime. I was not in the mood for a serial killer who hates gay men, hunts them and carries out his sick fantasies killing them in a especially perverse way. Homophobia/bigotry is not my thing.
However, the main character, Gavin Nolan got my attention from the very beginning: recently divorced, he’s just moved into his new apartment in downtown. It was something mysterious, enigmatic about an attractive athletic and smart detective by the Homicide Division in Chicago that kept me on reading.
Does Gavin have something to hide, from the world? Was there something in his past that he does not want to recall and tries to forget? What kind of connection can have a CPD cop and a murderer?. The victims didn’t know each other, they have various age ranges, different backgrounds, social circles, but it doesn’t look like the killer chosen them randomly. It has to be a connection between all the victims. Though what can they all have in common? And how Gavin could fit in this schema?
It is a tough (because of the topic, see the warning) but extremely thrilling read. After my initial difficulties to get into the story (mostly because I misinterpreted it), I couldn’t put it down, and swallowed almost 500 pages in three days (it is a very unusual reading speed for me).
I normally do not like when flashbacks take a lot of place in the plot, but here exactly the interplay between past and present, memories and actual places made the story.
I found the writing became also better as the story unfolded. I would describe it simple but fluent and entertaining. There were some really shining moments, but there was also some parts that appears amateurish. To say it in other words, this book is not perfect, it has its issues, but all in all I honestly enjoyed it (I know that to talk about enjoying sounds a bit perverse, considering the topic), and I am looking forward to the next sequel.
A horror fast paced mystery full of surprises, a provoking and gripping story-line, complex and unusual characters.
***ARC provided to Gay Book Reviews by the author in exchange for an honest review.***
April 21, 2017
Over the last few weeks, several men have been brutally murdered, tortured, strangled, eyeballs taken, and posed by hanging wires. Today, Detective Gavin Nolan and his partner, Derrick Williamson are called to a hotel to look at two more bodies... both men, tortured, strangled,,, but this time there is a message written in blood for Gavin.
Each of these men had a secret ... one that Gavin shares.
And Gavin must come to terms about his growing up years to catch this killer ..before he becomes the next victim.
WARNING: This book contains graphic scenes, explicit language, and violent, sexual situations.
The book goes back and forth between the present day investigation and Gavin's childhood. It's not a childhood he is particularly proud of, but he must remember what really happened.
Well written, the book is dark and scary and realistic. Characters lend credibility to the story. The ending is explosive! There is a small cliff hanger which segues into his next book of the series ...Derrick.
Many thanks to the author / Russell Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of GAVIN. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Each of these men had a secret ... one that Gavin shares.
And Gavin must come to terms about his growing up years to catch this killer ..before he becomes the next victim.
WARNING: This book contains graphic scenes, explicit language, and violent, sexual situations.
The book goes back and forth between the present day investigation and Gavin's childhood. It's not a childhood he is particularly proud of, but he must remember what really happened.
Well written, the book is dark and scary and realistic. Characters lend credibility to the story. The ending is explosive! There is a small cliff hanger which segues into his next book of the series ...Derrick.
Many thanks to the author / Russell Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of GAVIN. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 26, 2017
A great thriller about a gruesome savage serial killer chased by a cop with a dark past and lots of secrets.
Unfortunately, I didn't find the writing as good as the plot. The sex scenes were quite awkward and somehow prudish compared to the extremely graphic murders
August 20, 2018
I was intrigued by Gavin and Nolan they were Chicago finest Detectives at there best had me in the edge of my seat with ghastly mysteries with flashbacks secrets brutal and ruthless murders. I thought there lifestyle gave the story some spice and the tremendous plot was amazing! I was drawn with every word on every page it was well written this story will make you think days to come. I recommend this astonishing book.
April 27, 2017
To start: This book is dark. Very dark. It contains some very intense scenes involving sexual abuse and childhood abuse. Those that are looking for a light, warm-hearted read should pick another book. But for those that want to try a mystery/thriller with just a touch of horror: this book is an amazingly suspenseful thriller that will leave you begging the author for more.
The novel begins as Gavin Nolan and his partner - homicide detectives in the Chicago PD - are summoned to a crime scene in which two men are brutally murdered. The killer, who they've been investigating for weeks, also leaves a personal message for Gavin: "You could have saved me." The investigation doesn't seem to be going anywhere as Gavin wracks his brain for any connection between the victims. How are these seemingly random (and quite, frankly, douche-baggy men that no one seems to really miss) victims connected? And how doe Gavin fit in? We're about to find out.
Like I said, this novel does not shy away from anything, from the descriptions of the crime scenes, to the events that ultimately connect all the dots. It is not for those with a weak stomach. But I couldn't stop reading; I was sucked in from almost the very first page. The author leaves a trail that is intriguing and keeps you guessing, while handing you little clues throughout. For example, I had a theory that I formed about halfway through - I was wrong. But that's part of the fun with these types of novels.
The personal storylines were also good. They contributed to the storyline, but didn't take away from the mystery. And the author does a good job of advancing them throughout the story - the characters grow and develop throughout the novel in a way that is really satisfying - I hate when characters stay stagnant.
The ending also promises more from these characters, which is great. Normally, I'm not a fan of cliffhangery-type endings, but this one was done in a really great way that gave closure to the story at hand, while promising more excitement coming.
I'll definitely be reading the next in this series.
The novel begins as Gavin Nolan and his partner - homicide detectives in the Chicago PD - are summoned to a crime scene in which two men are brutally murdered. The killer, who they've been investigating for weeks, also leaves a personal message for Gavin: "You could have saved me." The investigation doesn't seem to be going anywhere as Gavin wracks his brain for any connection between the victims. How are these seemingly random (and quite, frankly, douche-baggy men that no one seems to really miss) victims connected? And how doe Gavin fit in? We're about to find out.
Like I said, this novel does not shy away from anything, from the descriptions of the crime scenes, to the events that ultimately connect all the dots. It is not for those with a weak stomach. But I couldn't stop reading; I was sucked in from almost the very first page. The author leaves a trail that is intriguing and keeps you guessing, while handing you little clues throughout. For example, I had a theory that I formed about halfway through - I was wrong. But that's part of the fun with these types of novels.
The personal storylines were also good. They contributed to the storyline, but didn't take away from the mystery. And the author does a good job of advancing them throughout the story - the characters grow and develop throughout the novel in a way that is really satisfying - I hate when characters stay stagnant.
The ending also promises more from these characters, which is great. Normally, I'm not a fan of cliffhangery-type endings, but this one was done in a really great way that gave closure to the story at hand, while promising more excitement coming.
I'll definitely be reading the next in this series.
July 14, 2018
‘Gavin’ is a deeply descriptive murder mystery based in Chicago. The characters are very well constructed and realistic. You feel what they are going through as the writing pulls you in and almost forces you to explore what happens next (in a good way). It’s almost the definition of gritty but with the quality of writing and plot that keeps you enthralled. As you go deeper into the present and previous life of the main character, Gavin, you discover how this is intertwined with the gruesome murders. This is neatly constructed in the narrative.
The writing style is raw with the darkness in the plot shown in great detail, creating the nasty world the characters are experiencing. It’s well written and effective but certainly for ‘grown-ups’. I enjoyed it. This is a highly recommended read for all grisly noir crime thriller readers.
The writing style is raw with the darkness in the plot shown in great detail, creating the nasty world the characters are experiencing. It’s well written and effective but certainly for ‘grown-ups’. I enjoyed it. This is a highly recommended read for all grisly noir crime thriller readers.
May 3, 2017
Oh, Gavin…
I did not like this book at first. I did, in fact, almost put it down after the first twenty-five pages or so.
It wasn’t the sexual subject matter, or the language. It wasn’t the graphic descriptions of violence, and it wasn’t the blood. I don’t fear these things when they’re necessary to a story. To be honest, I don’t know exactly what it was that nearly made me close the book prematurely. Going through other reviews of Russell’s novel I found I’m not the only one who felt this way. Maybe it’s something the author will take note of for future work.
The point that I’m taking way too long to get to is that this is a good book, and I’m glad I stuck with it. If you’re a fan of the genre, you shouldn’t be disappointed. It’s a solid murder mystery; one that left this reader guessing all the way to the end. The title character is well fleshed-out and makes an interesting protagonist. The secondary characters are also well-drawn and believable. I don’t do spoilers but the ending suggests this may not be the ending at all.
So if you’re not too queasy, and like a good suspense thriller, pick up a copy of Gavin…just don’t eat first.
I did not like this book at first. I did, in fact, almost put it down after the first twenty-five pages or so.
It wasn’t the sexual subject matter, or the language. It wasn’t the graphic descriptions of violence, and it wasn’t the blood. I don’t fear these things when they’re necessary to a story. To be honest, I don’t know exactly what it was that nearly made me close the book prematurely. Going through other reviews of Russell’s novel I found I’m not the only one who felt this way. Maybe it’s something the author will take note of for future work.
The point that I’m taking way too long to get to is that this is a good book, and I’m glad I stuck with it. If you’re a fan of the genre, you shouldn’t be disappointed. It’s a solid murder mystery; one that left this reader guessing all the way to the end. The title character is well fleshed-out and makes an interesting protagonist. The secondary characters are also well-drawn and believable. I don’t do spoilers but the ending suggests this may not be the ending at all.
So if you’re not too queasy, and like a good suspense thriller, pick up a copy of Gavin…just don’t eat first.
June 22, 2017
I received a copy of this books as a Goodreads giveaway. that being said I think that this book is nothing at all like I expected of a typical murder/mystery. Definitely full of very adult content. Held my attention from start to finish. The writing just pulled you close in to each of the characters. Definitely kept me guessing until the end. So different and unexpected from most of what is out there. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward the the author's next book
February 19, 2018
Gavin is a sexy, gritty murder mystery. This is a wonderful dark story filled with true to life characters and a carefully crafted storyline that hooks you in on page one.
There is only one small warning though - this is book is meant for 18 and over. There are a few sex scenes and Mr. Russell does a great job of describing the horrific murder scenes, so be prepared when you jump in for the ride of your life. I loved it.
There is only one small warning though - this is book is meant for 18 and over. There are a few sex scenes and Mr. Russell does a great job of describing the horrific murder scenes, so be prepared when you jump in for the ride of your life. I loved it.
February 9, 2018
I red this novel on my e reader indle. This was a hard novel to rate for me. I am pretty tired of the serial iller genre, really don't read it that much. That being said this was novel. The victims were not the normal female. The first half is very gritty and intense and has the feel of 7 or silence of the lambs to it. I thought it moved at a good pace and did not get bogged down. I did not enjoy a few things however and that's what made this a hard rating to give. I though the two scenes mid point between main character and captain should have been severly edited and maybe be one more scene towards the end. This is a 500 page novel, saying a lot should have been edited. I will not read the next novel in the series which I hate to say because of the main characters life style choice which is not mind. I would say read the novel. I give 4.0 on the dot.
June 12, 2018
No-nonsense detectives, a sexy flirtation medical examiner, and a pile of brutally murder people with their eyes remove and their bodies displayed in vile, sadistic poses specifically for detective Gavin Nolen, what more could a mystery read want—grave dark secrets that tie the detective to the victims possibly?
This macabre crime-mystery is admiringly written and composed—though lengthy. The story evokes a dark graphic sexual theme with raw violence that some reader may find too intense.
Russell has created a tense twisted tale this is not for the faint of heart. A suspenseful yet complicated story that brings its readers to the pinnacle of a meandering tangled climax.
This macabre crime-mystery is admiringly written and composed—though lengthy. The story evokes a dark graphic sexual theme with raw violence that some reader may find too intense.
Russell has created a tense twisted tale this is not for the faint of heart. A suspenseful yet complicated story that brings its readers to the pinnacle of a meandering tangled climax.
August 22, 2021
This being my first book by Russell, I didn't know what to expect. I was blown away! It's a story of a police detective in Chicago who is investigating a serial killer that is targeting men in a very gruesome fashion. The detail that the scenes are descried make you feel like you are there, seeing, smelling and feeling everything Gavin is. I really loved Gavin, he follows in his fathers footsteps and joined the force. He has a brilliant mind and could of had his choice of colleges yet when his dad is murdered it changed his course forever. He has just ended a marriage to a woman he loved but the job and life got in the way. He also has some secrets in his closet that find their way to the surface in his current investigation. Lots of great supporting characters, lots of suspects and victims to sort. How they are all connected takes some time to uncover, but once it starts to unfold, it really makes you sit up and suck in a breath. Loved the suspense and the mystery to unravel. It was a real page turner, I read it in two days, just couldn't wait to see what was waiting around the next corner! I am hurrying off the book 2 Derrick, now, I must have more of Gavin Nolan!
January 3, 2022
For years, Chicago PD Detective Gavin Nolan has suppressed the memory of a violent incident in his youth and its involvement with a life-changing self-discovery. But then he investigates a series of brutal, staged murders of closet homosexual men and a personal, cryptic message left for him at the crime scenes. All the while his boss in the police department has figured him out. When Gavin allows the memory to emerge, he realizes who the killer is. But is it too late?
Russell deftly moves the reader through Gavin’s life as a cop and his relationships with his fellow men in blue and the professionals who work with them, and his personal life struggles. We are taken through the often gory details of the murder investigation but don’t get Gavin’s epiphany before he does. The remainder of the novel is heart-thumping tense as we are drawn into the live-action horror created by a maniac killer.
Not for the squeamish, but for mystery and visceral suspense, we’ll worth the read.
Russell deftly moves the reader through Gavin’s life as a cop and his relationships with his fellow men in blue and the professionals who work with them, and his personal life struggles. We are taken through the often gory details of the murder investigation but don’t get Gavin’s epiphany before he does. The remainder of the novel is heart-thumping tense as we are drawn into the live-action horror created by a maniac killer.
Not for the squeamish, but for mystery and visceral suspense, we’ll worth the read.
August 1, 2017
This is my kind of mystery, dark and thrilling! Love when authors "go there."
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
March 21, 2019
Really interesting and detailed.
June 25, 2017
An adult Detective story, with some twists that might not be to everyone's tastes. But if you like a good crime story and have an open mind I think you will enjoy Gavin.
May 29, 2018
A dark, disturbing, shocking thriller
This edge-of-the seat read kept me turning pages late into the night. It has shocking twists that I didn’t expect and a big reveal about detective Gavin Nolan that I didn’t see coming. For fans of grisly thrillers, I highly recommend Gavin but reader be warned: The novel contains graphic, violent sexually explicit content. The crime scenes are depicted in detail with the killer leaving clues especially for Nolan. Some of the scenes in the book aren’t for the faint at heart, and I even paused to take a breath before reading on.
I enjoy a suspenseful story with multiple plot lines where the stakes are high, and the author definitely delivers on the promise with a powerful conclusion, tying up every loose end and bringing every character to a close.
Russell’s writing is superb, and pacing is spot-on. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Gavin Nolan series, Derrick.
This edge-of-the seat read kept me turning pages late into the night. It has shocking twists that I didn’t expect and a big reveal about detective Gavin Nolan that I didn’t see coming. For fans of grisly thrillers, I highly recommend Gavin but reader be warned: The novel contains graphic, violent sexually explicit content. The crime scenes are depicted in detail with the killer leaving clues especially for Nolan. Some of the scenes in the book aren’t for the faint at heart, and I even paused to take a breath before reading on.
I enjoy a suspenseful story with multiple plot lines where the stakes are high, and the author definitely delivers on the promise with a powerful conclusion, tying up every loose end and bringing every character to a close.
Russell’s writing is superb, and pacing is spot-on. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Gavin Nolan series, Derrick.
April 17, 2019
Gripping, shocking, oh my freakin’ word! A Chicago-based crime novel that’ll choke you, almost literally! Russell turns words into that unnerving 3 a.m. feeling when you can’t sleep, when you’re sitting in the cold, dark house alone—after being raped in the worst nightmare you could ever imagine. The novel is well edited and Russell’s storytelling is absolutely brilliant. He covers facts as though he has the mind of a computer, and all of it, the dynamic, seemingly alive conglomeration continues to shock, sadden—even uplift. It all works together. Masterfully sculpted synergy. Tore the heart from my chest over and over, and over again. And the end, just wait for it. You will never guess, I didn’t. And when he started calling him J__n, I almost sh_t right then and there. I knew something big was coming and it did, like a jet airliner crashing into my living room. Cold steel chopping off the—
The culmination of events blew my mind!
Really—wait for it!
It is sexual to the point of sickening—for some no doubt—but all of it, every bit of the detailed story makes its way full circle—and creeps into the sequel I suspect. All details matter. Eye opening, perspective enlightening, WOW. It taught me something new—yes, I can actually say that. I’d never ventured there before but am glad I did. It’s a story with the potential to jolt your nervous system, send a fusillade of icy needles to assault the marrow of your every bone—and open your eyes. It did mine, and was heartwarming in unique way for me. Six stars out of five for a novel that delivers on a multitude of levels, levels not only staggering, ghastly, sickening…but touching, fun and adventurous like those risque times of one’s youth. And it made me reflect. On all the crazy things I had did in “those” days, those wild, reckless, exploratory days. While I can’t say I had ventured, partied, or walked in the same river, far from it, but the author had absolutely no problem of pulling me into the mindset of times past. When you ran with your group of close friends, close you had thought… When you strode together like bad asses, partied, peeked into that window to catch a glimpse. The great times and scary ones, trying-something-new-for-the-first-time times. Gavin ran with those dudes, learned, evolved, and grew up. Grew up like a punch to the groin, worse. And together he and the crew built that “special place” just for them, a place that would eventually…
But I won’t spoil it by saying more. There are a million particulars that fit together like a puzzle made by artificial intelligence, and any one could do just that. So, take a chance if you can stomach a brutal crime scene here and there, and some hot, sweaty moments of quavering passion, and terror that’ll suffocate you. You won’t be disappointed. Experience Russell’s gripping psychological thriller, and wait for it, just wait for it, because it is going to grab you right by the—
And there’s a sneak peek of the sequel at the end! I’m reading that tonight!
The culmination of events blew my mind!
Really—wait for it!
It is sexual to the point of sickening—for some no doubt—but all of it, every bit of the detailed story makes its way full circle—and creeps into the sequel I suspect. All details matter. Eye opening, perspective enlightening, WOW. It taught me something new—yes, I can actually say that. I’d never ventured there before but am glad I did. It’s a story with the potential to jolt your nervous system, send a fusillade of icy needles to assault the marrow of your every bone—and open your eyes. It did mine, and was heartwarming in unique way for me. Six stars out of five for a novel that delivers on a multitude of levels, levels not only staggering, ghastly, sickening…but touching, fun and adventurous like those risque times of one’s youth. And it made me reflect. On all the crazy things I had did in “those” days, those wild, reckless, exploratory days. While I can’t say I had ventured, partied, or walked in the same river, far from it, but the author had absolutely no problem of pulling me into the mindset of times past. When you ran with your group of close friends, close you had thought… When you strode together like bad asses, partied, peeked into that window to catch a glimpse. The great times and scary ones, trying-something-new-for-the-first-time times. Gavin ran with those dudes, learned, evolved, and grew up. Grew up like a punch to the groin, worse. And together he and the crew built that “special place” just for them, a place that would eventually…
But I won’t spoil it by saying more. There are a million particulars that fit together like a puzzle made by artificial intelligence, and any one could do just that. So, take a chance if you can stomach a brutal crime scene here and there, and some hot, sweaty moments of quavering passion, and terror that’ll suffocate you. You won’t be disappointed. Experience Russell’s gripping psychological thriller, and wait for it, just wait for it, because it is going to grab you right by the—
And there’s a sneak peek of the sequel at the end! I’m reading that tonight!
May 4, 2017
Gavin Nolan is working a serial murder case with his partner Derrick Williamson. Someone has killed three older men then posed them with a message. The story starts with the fourth killing. Although it could be a hate crime it doesn’t fit the other three profiles. Then there is the message with Gavin’s name. Somehow Gavin is linked with this killer but to find that link Gavin is going to have to back. He does not have a happy past and the last thing he wants to do is start remembering but this is going to be the only way to stop the serial killer.
This is a dark and descriptive story and filled with some things that can bother readers. Be warned.
Having said that, this is a great mystery. Gavin is a great detective although you could tell that his commitment to hunting down the bad guy has almost ruined his personal life. But the thing that got me was how these different people share the same secret as Gavin. You will bounce between present day and Gavin’s past which is painful to relive both for Gavin and as a reader.
The killer was brutal and I did not expect the ending. There is a cliff-hanger but as good as this story was I will be happy to read that one too. If you like dark thrillers this is one story that you need to check out.
I received Gavin from Sage’s Blog Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
This is a dark and descriptive story and filled with some things that can bother readers. Be warned.
Having said that, this is a great mystery. Gavin is a great detective although you could tell that his commitment to hunting down the bad guy has almost ruined his personal life. But the thing that got me was how these different people share the same secret as Gavin. You will bounce between present day and Gavin’s past which is painful to relive both for Gavin and as a reader.
The killer was brutal and I did not expect the ending. There is a cliff-hanger but as good as this story was I will be happy to read that one too. If you like dark thrillers this is one story that you need to check out.
I received Gavin from Sage’s Blog Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
October 23, 2017
FOR 18+ ONLY – GRAPHIC SEX AND VIOLENCE SECTIONS. Chicago Detective Gavin Nolan and his partner, Derrick, have taken on a media frenzy case of several vicious and vengeful murders, where the serial killer has staged his postmortem victims in very sadistic poses. However, as the investigation deepens, Gavin discovers a deep connection between the victims and his own personal secrets and history. For the most part, this grim mystery is very well constructed, blending in strong police procedural elements with biographical flashbacks that evoke dark themes. Specific thematic explorations into sexual lifestyles may turn off some readers, but mystery buffs with open minds will find themselves drawn into the twisted tale. The suspenseful, tortuous climax felt a little stretched in trying to build maximum tension, but nothing that audiences might have experienced in some hyped-up “Criminal Minds” television episodes.
June 1, 2017
I had a really hard time with Russell's "Gavin". It took me a long time to read it and I kept setting it down and coming back to it. Sometimes the sentences in this book ran on forever (like Faulkner, lol) and while the native Chicagoan in me loved all the glimpses of home, sometimes the details seemed to bog the book down. Also the book is dark, with graphic murder, sexual and childhood abuse. Yet it was a suspenseful thriller, which I love. Gavin Nolan and his partner Derek are Chicago PD homicide detectives on the trail of a serial killer who seems to have some mysterious connection to Gavin. I had to keep coming back to the book, for no matter how disturbing the writing, I just had to know how it was going to all play out. (like in scary movie when you want to shut your eyes... but you can not resist the urge to peek). The story was just that good.
July 16, 2019
This is the first book I have read by this author. Extremely well written but the violence, rape and murder scenes are very graphic, so please be warned if you are thinking of reading this book.
The story follows Gavin Nolan, a Chicago detective who is trying to catch a serial killer who leaves his victims displayed in various positions and brutally mutilated. Derrick is the sidekick detective, more homely and balanced. The two make a great pair in cracking the case. However, this case is personal, someone knows Gavin's secret from his past and is connecting him to the gruesome murders.
I am a fan of James Patterson's detective Alex Cross, so I really like this kind of book. Definitely worth a read, fast paced, brilliant characters, you won't want to put it down.
The story follows Gavin Nolan, a Chicago detective who is trying to catch a serial killer who leaves his victims displayed in various positions and brutally mutilated. Derrick is the sidekick detective, more homely and balanced. The two make a great pair in cracking the case. However, this case is personal, someone knows Gavin's secret from his past and is connecting him to the gruesome murders.
I am a fan of James Patterson's detective Alex Cross, so I really like this kind of book. Definitely worth a read, fast paced, brilliant characters, you won't want to put it down.
January 15, 2020
13% in and I have some notes...
There is no 55th Street in Chicago. It’s Garfield Boulevard. The issue that’s been tugging at me so far is the sense of disorientation while reading about the city. It does not map onto how Chicago actually is. Another example—stashing a large group of white Eastern European women out on the West side does not make sense in the context of sex trafficking. The West side is mostly Black and Latinx, and the politics and structure of the city don’t quite fit with the way this detail is casually presented. If the author was referencing the Polish neighborhoods on the Northwest Side, that would make some sense, but to mix them up or lump them together shows a limited or misguided view of the city. A crime novel in a large city has to be well grounded in the city it calls home. Little details like this are enormously distracting. A police officer would know the right terms and have a much deeper understanding of the city than the narrative provides.
Maybe it will get better from here? The gore and violence are a twisted delight, and well written.
16% - The author's inept attempts at reproducing AAVE (African American Vernacular English) are abhorrent, inaccurate, and racist. I now believe that he has spent only a few hours in Chicago, and probably never met any Black folks' while he was here, maybe even avoided us, despite how many of us live here and his clear desire to add us in as a part if "local color".
20% - The word transsexual is being used carlessly in a book published in 2019, and everyone is misgendering this dead girl. But the strangest implication of all is that trans people mysteriously go into hiding and don’t work or exist until medical transition is complete... Dear Russell. Don’t write about things you don’t know and refuse to learn about.
I think I’m exclusively in it for the eyeless cis-male corpses at this point.
25% - “My question is, how did Miguel meet McNeal?”
“Their social circles do not easily intertwine with each other. A white reputable sales VP and a gay Mexican ex-hooker don’t really hang out.”
GRINDR. IT'S CALLED GRINDR.
Meanwhile, the racism just gets more intense. A wake in a Mexican household characterized by weeping matrons speaking in semi-broken english and teenage gang members loitering around the front door is just a lazy, disgusting set of offensive stereotypes. Also, Russell I know you don’t know this, but while adding the lyrics to a Sevendust song from 16 years ago to the start of a chapter does make the story more gay, it is only in the slash fanfic, teen baby queer sort of way, a type of writing I can respect. Unlike what you’ve written here.
28% - DNF. The carelessness of the writers choice of subject--he has no working knowledge of the people or places being discussed, and portrays them through almost exclusively through offensive stereotypes--does inherently make this a poorly written book.
There is no 55th Street in Chicago. It’s Garfield Boulevard. The issue that’s been tugging at me so far is the sense of disorientation while reading about the city. It does not map onto how Chicago actually is. Another example—stashing a large group of white Eastern European women out on the West side does not make sense in the context of sex trafficking. The West side is mostly Black and Latinx, and the politics and structure of the city don’t quite fit with the way this detail is casually presented. If the author was referencing the Polish neighborhoods on the Northwest Side, that would make some sense, but to mix them up or lump them together shows a limited or misguided view of the city. A crime novel in a large city has to be well grounded in the city it calls home. Little details like this are enormously distracting. A police officer would know the right terms and have a much deeper understanding of the city than the narrative provides.
Maybe it will get better from here? The gore and violence are a twisted delight, and well written.
16% - The author's inept attempts at reproducing AAVE (African American Vernacular English) are abhorrent, inaccurate, and racist. I now believe that he has spent only a few hours in Chicago, and probably never met any Black folks' while he was here, maybe even avoided us, despite how many of us live here and his clear desire to add us in as a part if "local color".
20% - The word transsexual is being used carlessly in a book published in 2019, and everyone is misgendering this dead girl. But the strangest implication of all is that trans people mysteriously go into hiding and don’t work or exist until medical transition is complete... Dear Russell. Don’t write about things you don’t know and refuse to learn about.
I think I’m exclusively in it for the eyeless cis-male corpses at this point.
25% - “My question is, how did Miguel meet McNeal?”
“Their social circles do not easily intertwine with each other. A white reputable sales VP and a gay Mexican ex-hooker don’t really hang out.”
GRINDR. IT'S CALLED GRINDR.
Meanwhile, the racism just gets more intense. A wake in a Mexican household characterized by weeping matrons speaking in semi-broken english and teenage gang members loitering around the front door is just a lazy, disgusting set of offensive stereotypes. Also, Russell I know you don’t know this, but while adding the lyrics to a Sevendust song from 16 years ago to the start of a chapter does make the story more gay, it is only in the slash fanfic, teen baby queer sort of way, a type of writing I can respect. Unlike what you’ve written here.
28% - DNF. The carelessness of the writers choice of subject--he has no working knowledge of the people or places being discussed, and portrays them through almost exclusively through offensive stereotypes--does inherently make this a poorly written book.
May 23, 2017
I'll give Russell an A for effort with Gavin but a D for subject matter. I almost didn't make it through the prologue, and the content finally drove me away about halfway through. I just didd't have any interest reading about the homosexual encounters in this book (or really sexual encounters in any book that are "over the top"), as well as the language. I have a huge stack of books to read and can't justify spending time reading something that doesn't appeal to me. Perhaps I sold it short by not reading to the end, but I just couldn't get there. Sorry, Russell.
May 24, 2017
Nothing at all like I expected of a typical "murder/mystery". Definitely full of very adult content. Held my attention from start to finish. The writing just pulled you close in to each of the characters. Definitely kept me guessing until the end. So different and unexpected from most of what is out there. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward the the author's next book (Derrick). I won this book in a GoodReads Giveaway.
October 18, 2022
From the past to the present led a detective to figure out the unsolved murders of all time...Even though he has a partner Derrick tagging along, Detective Gavin took it personally when murder cases are interfering with something that happened in his past. A very well detailed and written book that would keep you on edge trying to figure out who done it. I love how the characters are written, especially the sassy medical examiner (lol) I cannot wait to read the next one...
November 11, 2019
I read this book because the blurb got my attention. I was looking for something edgy and new. Yeah, I so got it! This book is addictive. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. Absolutely enjoyed it from beginning to end. Took my a little while to read because I am swamped with real life. Iread it every chance I got. Definitely an author to look out for. Great job Russell.
November 8, 2021
Gavin by Russell.
Gavin Nolan's biography #1.
I nearly gave up on this book. Slow to begin with. But it's very very gruesome. Very disturbing. 4*.
Gavin Nolan's biography #1.
I nearly gave up on this book. Slow to begin with. But it's very very gruesome. Very disturbing. 4*.
December 31, 2019
Author Russel takes you on a dark journey of a serial killer who is out for revenge, and escalating his deranged acts with deadly results. Detective Gavin Nolan is on the case filled with family secrets, abusive pasts and grotesque violence. The serial killer taunts Gavin with each murder, but why? With each new kill, Gavin the hunter becomes Gavin the hunted.
Gavin is a suspense filled thriller that takes you through the darkest of deranged journeys. You feel the haunting pain of past abuses and the rage that causes the mind to snap. As Gavin closes in on the killer and their connection, he faces and comes to terms with his past, and decides his future. A very steamy, chilling read that keeps you turning the pages! Read this with the lights on---highly recommended!
Gavin is a suspense filled thriller that takes you through the darkest of deranged journeys. You feel the haunting pain of past abuses and the rage that causes the mind to snap. As Gavin closes in on the killer and their connection, he faces and comes to terms with his past, and decides his future. A very steamy, chilling read that keeps you turning the pages! Read this with the lights on---highly recommended!
May 8, 2017
Gavin Nolan is a detective, newly single, who runs for stress relief. Derrick Santiago has a young family and is his partner in the police force. Creighton is their commanding officer.
A gruesome murder is discovered with a bloody message left at the crime scene for Gavin. As evidence is collected he realizes the crime scene is in a direct line of sight to his apartment. In the days which follow more bodies are found and Gavin suspects they all have a connection to traumatic events in his past.
The reader will discover some people have not been true to themselves and others are keeping secrets. Working out who will be the hard part!
The crime/murder scenes were very descriptive so parts of this book might be too gory for some but I definitely don’t have any complaints. I loved getting caught up in the atmosphere it created for me. There were a few spots I had to resist the urge to skim through eg when the Pilsen neighbourhood was described. All I wanted to do after reading action/murder/police interaction was to get on to the next section of the same. My impatience is not any fault of the writer.
Without giving too much away and although I enjoyed the early sex scenes involving Gavin they did leave me a little confused. Initially I wasn’t sure if the novel was directed at a particular market or the scenes were included as a surprise twist for the reader. Also, I felt several references to women with large breasts seemed a little out of place. I wasn’t offended although I did think the story didn’t need it. Once is fine just not three or more references. I don’t mention this as a complaint more that it seemed a bit odd to me.
Glad I hung around till the ending because it certainly had the wow factor for me. The prologue from the next instalment was included with this book. Let me just say the contents were definitely a lure to read the next book.
The digital format of the book was in wide space formatting which I found a bit distracting and especially when I couldnt I reduce the spacing. I assume the released version will have this altered?
Anyone interested in reading a new crime/murder/serial killer with sex thrown in story should give this book a try and the second instalment promises even more.
A digital copy of the draft paperback version was obtained from the publisher via Netgalley and the review is solely mine.
A gruesome murder is discovered with a bloody message left at the crime scene for Gavin. As evidence is collected he realizes the crime scene is in a direct line of sight to his apartment. In the days which follow more bodies are found and Gavin suspects they all have a connection to traumatic events in his past.
The reader will discover some people have not been true to themselves and others are keeping secrets. Working out who will be the hard part!
The crime/murder scenes were very descriptive so parts of this book might be too gory for some but I definitely don’t have any complaints. I loved getting caught up in the atmosphere it created for me. There were a few spots I had to resist the urge to skim through eg when the Pilsen neighbourhood was described. All I wanted to do after reading action/murder/police interaction was to get on to the next section of the same. My impatience is not any fault of the writer.
Without giving too much away and although I enjoyed the early sex scenes involving Gavin they did leave me a little confused. Initially I wasn’t sure if the novel was directed at a particular market or the scenes were included as a surprise twist for the reader. Also, I felt several references to women with large breasts seemed a little out of place. I wasn’t offended although I did think the story didn’t need it. Once is fine just not three or more references. I don’t mention this as a complaint more that it seemed a bit odd to me.
Glad I hung around till the ending because it certainly had the wow factor for me. The prologue from the next instalment was included with this book. Let me just say the contents were definitely a lure to read the next book.
The digital format of the book was in wide space formatting which I found a bit distracting and especially when I couldnt I reduce the spacing. I assume the released version will have this altered?
Anyone interested in reading a new crime/murder/serial killer with sex thrown in story should give this book a try and the second instalment promises even more.
A digital copy of the draft paperback version was obtained from the publisher via Netgalley and the review is solely mine.
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