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The Stateroom Tryst
A seasoned private detective.... a rich, sexy client keeping tabs on her husband.... a gambling ring, and a host of people following the husband.....
Rick "Clay" Clayton is hired by an attractive, affluent woman who wants to learn the truth behind her husband’s overnight “business” trips and spending binges. She suspects gambling, and Clay sets out to solve the mystery. When her husband is murdered among an entourage of people tailing him, Clay realizes this is no ordinary marital investigation. His tenacity leads him to uncover a dangerous alliance that takes even his hardened experience by surprise.
About the Series:
San Diego private detective Rick “Clay” Clayton goes to work for the Doubleday Detective Agency after 17 years with the Pinkertons. He has built a career working solo, solving crimes and bringing down organized crime rings. Untrusting of other private eyes and certain of the incompetence of police detectives, he moves through the dark underbelly of the city to ferret out his targets. Enlisting the computer skills of an unconventional friend, Clay tracks down clues and nails the guilty with uncanny precision.
Rick "Clay" Clayton is hired by an attractive, affluent woman who wants to learn the truth behind her husband’s overnight “business” trips and spending binges. She suspects gambling, and Clay sets out to solve the mystery. When her husband is murdered among an entourage of people tailing him, Clay realizes this is no ordinary marital investigation. His tenacity leads him to uncover a dangerous alliance that takes even his hardened experience by surprise.
About the Series:
San Diego private detective Rick “Clay” Clayton goes to work for the Doubleday Detective Agency after 17 years with the Pinkertons. He has built a career working solo, solving crimes and bringing down organized crime rings. Untrusting of other private eyes and certain of the incompetence of police detectives, he moves through the dark underbelly of the city to ferret out his targets. Enlisting the computer skills of an unconventional friend, Clay tracks down clues and nails the guilty with uncanny precision.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2017
5 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
P. Wesley Lundburg
8 books87 followersP. Wesley Lundburg has been an Alaska Charter Boat Captain, Coast Guardsman, college English professor, and professional editor. Wes holds a B.A. in English, Masters degrees in Literature and in Philosophy, and a Ph.D. in Education. He works full-time in higher education, and writes in his spare time.
Wes launched his fiction-writing career in 7th grade with a teacher-acclaimed UFO abduction story, became addicted to writing, and hasn't stopped since. Most of his published work has been creative essays, particularly cross-country skiing and hiking/backpacking pieces, and he has written many outdoor travel articles. He has also published academic papers, and presented papers and workshops in his areas of Literature and Communication. His greatest joy has been in writing fiction, however.
Raised in San Diego, California, Wes has lived in various parts of the U.S., but draws the material for much of his writing from his more than 17 years in Alaska, where he ran a one-boat fishing charter company and hiked or Nordic-skied many miles through the Alaska Wilderness, in addition to being a charter boat captain. Wes has returned home to San Diego, where he lives with his wife and kids, spending leisure time at the beach or hiking with his wife, or among the coyotes and jack rabbits on his mountain bike.
You can email Wes at pwesleylundburg@gmail.com
or visit his website at:
www.pwesleylundburg.net
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 23, 2017
What a breath of fresh air this one is! First of all, check out that cover. And how about that cool title? My attention was grabbed immediately. P. Wesley Lundburg is one of those very talented indie authors out there who needs more attention. Well, here’s my attempt to get some of that for him.
Now I have never read any of those old time detective books featuring Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe, but one reviewer likens PI Rick “call me Clay” Clayton to those investigators, except that Clay’s work is set in the present day. All I know is that it was a pleasure to attach myself to Clay and experience the ride totally first hand. This was made possible by first person (Clay’s) narration and the inclusion of Clay in virtually every scene. Thus the reader has a very clear view of how this PI goes about his business.
In a nutshell, Clay is hired by a wealthy woman to find out if her husband is dallying about with other women. Well, things end up being way more interesting than that. Clay finds himself dealing with plenty of deception and corruption and people trying to “dissuade him” from digging into things. Oh, and murders. Several of them.
The book stays on plot and moves quickly. You fast readers out there could get through this one in a long afternoon. The narrative is punctuated with a series of nifty twists and revelations. There are also some fun action scenes. What I liked best was watching Clay break down the case using old-fashioned hard work, keen thinking, and expert help from his core of friends and associates.
I really liked Clay. Basically, Clay is a loner, but he has a small core of people around him through whom we learn more about him. There’s his computer hacker friend Clifford and Clifford’s mother, Tia Louise, both of whom Clay has known since boyhood. Clay has no family of his own, and goes out of his way to visit these two every week. Clifford has some sort of affliction (my guess would be something along the Asperger’s spectrum) that makes him different; Tia Louise appreciates the PI for maintaining a long term friendship with her son. Clay also seemingly eats most of his meals at the Harborview Diner, and he is very tight with the owner/cook, Lionel. They do lots of favors for each other. Then there’s his sage elderly boss who owns the agency and the boss’s sons, aka the Tweedles. Clay’s kind side glows when he is dealing with these people. I see a lot of potential in this supporting cast.
I understand this is the first book of a planned series. I was definitely entertained by The Stateroom Tryst and will most certainly pick up book 2 when it becomes available. I highly recommend this novel for a fast and different sort of PI story. I have also downloaded the author’s other two novels (from the Frank Mattituck series) and look forward to digging into those soon.
Great job, and thanks for being different, Mr. Lundburg!
Now I have never read any of those old time detective books featuring Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe, but one reviewer likens PI Rick “call me Clay” Clayton to those investigators, except that Clay’s work is set in the present day. All I know is that it was a pleasure to attach myself to Clay and experience the ride totally first hand. This was made possible by first person (Clay’s) narration and the inclusion of Clay in virtually every scene. Thus the reader has a very clear view of how this PI goes about his business.
In a nutshell, Clay is hired by a wealthy woman to find out if her husband is dallying about with other women. Well, things end up being way more interesting than that. Clay finds himself dealing with plenty of deception and corruption and people trying to “dissuade him” from digging into things. Oh, and murders. Several of them.
The book stays on plot and moves quickly. You fast readers out there could get through this one in a long afternoon. The narrative is punctuated with a series of nifty twists and revelations. There are also some fun action scenes. What I liked best was watching Clay break down the case using old-fashioned hard work, keen thinking, and expert help from his core of friends and associates.
I really liked Clay. Basically, Clay is a loner, but he has a small core of people around him through whom we learn more about him. There’s his computer hacker friend Clifford and Clifford’s mother, Tia Louise, both of whom Clay has known since boyhood. Clay has no family of his own, and goes out of his way to visit these two every week. Clifford has some sort of affliction (my guess would be something along the Asperger’s spectrum) that makes him different; Tia Louise appreciates the PI for maintaining a long term friendship with her son. Clay also seemingly eats most of his meals at the Harborview Diner, and he is very tight with the owner/cook, Lionel. They do lots of favors for each other. Then there’s his sage elderly boss who owns the agency and the boss’s sons, aka the Tweedles. Clay’s kind side glows when he is dealing with these people. I see a lot of potential in this supporting cast.
I understand this is the first book of a planned series. I was definitely entertained by The Stateroom Tryst and will most certainly pick up book 2 when it becomes available. I highly recommend this novel for a fast and different sort of PI story. I have also downloaded the author’s other two novels (from the Frank Mattituck series) and look forward to digging into those soon.
Great job, and thanks for being different, Mr. Lundburg!
July 13, 2017
He has an eye for clues, the ability to uncover the hidden and to look beyond the obvious. Now private detective Rick Clayton is on what appears to be a marital investigation when one wealthy woman hires him to discover who or what her husband is doing on his overnight business trips. Could he have a gambling problem? Seemed pretty cut and dried until the husband becomes the victim of murder.
With all of the grit and gristle of old murder mysteries, THE STATEROOM TRYST by P. Wesley Lundburg is a fresh take on who-dunnits and while Clay is the consummate detective, he is more soft-boiled, than hard. Smart enough to know that computers and computer geniuses are his friends, Clay uses the talents of one contact to help him dig deep into the underbelly of this investigation, only to find the warts hidden to the untrained eye.
If you like fast-paced plots with enough twists to confound even the most seasoned mystery lovers, P.Wesley Lundburg’s style will have you following the clues right along with Clay helping him plan his next move! Clay is a wonderfully drawn character, loyal to his small circle of friends, but truly a loner at heart, it is his brilliant mind and skills of deduction and clever repartee that brings him to full spectrum life!
Once again, I owe an Indie author a huge thank you for requesting a review!
I received this copy from P. Wesley Lundburg in exchange for my honest review.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Series: Clayton Chronicles - Book 1
Publisher: Gaslamp Scriveners Press (May 6, 2017)
Publication Date: May 6, 2017
Genre: Mystery | Suspense
Print Length: 236 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
With all of the grit and gristle of old murder mysteries, THE STATEROOM TRYST by P. Wesley Lundburg is a fresh take on who-dunnits and while Clay is the consummate detective, he is more soft-boiled, than hard. Smart enough to know that computers and computer geniuses are his friends, Clay uses the talents of one contact to help him dig deep into the underbelly of this investigation, only to find the warts hidden to the untrained eye.
If you like fast-paced plots with enough twists to confound even the most seasoned mystery lovers, P.Wesley Lundburg’s style will have you following the clues right along with Clay helping him plan his next move! Clay is a wonderfully drawn character, loyal to his small circle of friends, but truly a loner at heart, it is his brilliant mind and skills of deduction and clever repartee that brings him to full spectrum life!
Once again, I owe an Indie author a huge thank you for requesting a review!
I received this copy from P. Wesley Lundburg in exchange for my honest review.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Series: Clayton Chronicles - Book 1
Publisher: Gaslamp Scriveners Press (May 6, 2017)
Publication Date: May 6, 2017
Genre: Mystery | Suspense
Print Length: 236 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 8, 2018
San Diego hometown native son and author P. Wesley Lundberg had me cornered into a game of cat and mouse. Fortunately, I was only an observer. The main protagonist Rick Clayton, who preferred to go by Clay was well-drawn. Highly regarded as one of the best in his profession. A private investigator. Right off the bat, I could sense he was not one to be messed with. Turned out I was right. I didn't have to wait long. Suspense and action rocked the scenes. The narrative spoke to me with a demanding presence. Kept me riveted. The storyline was easy-to-follow which made for smooth reading. Just the way I like it.
Clay, age 41 is a private detective in America's Finest City - San Diego. Truth be told, that's its moniker. After being in the employment of the Pinkerton's for seventeen years, he decided it was time for a change. Another local PI company, Doubleday Agency was quick to scoop him up. They knew he'd be a valuable asset to the company.
Off to a quick start. Clay's first assignment had been waiting in the shadows. He'd been hired to trail a husband and find out about his unknown whereabouts. The client, his wife wanted to know what had been keeping him out late on many a night. Plain vanilla for PI work.
It all started off unremarkably. The usual stuff - follow and surveil. Everything was going smoothly until a cyclone hit. The author threw a monkey wrench into the works that stirred everything up. I shifted to the edge of my chair. Suspicion mounted with violent action that cascaded along the pages. There was no putting the book down. The once innocuous case had escalated far above marital misgivings. Murder and mayhem had begun to consume the storyline. Clay soon found himself intertwined with the police, another PI firm and some shady dealing thugs. The action shifted into overdrive. It all seemed so palpable. An uneasiness tugged at my stomach.
Author P. Wesley Lundberg knocked this one out of the park. Being a native of the city contributed authenticity to the storyline. It concluded with a whirlwind ending that rattled me from head to toe. It was everything I could ask for. If you're looking for a breakaway novel that you won't be able to put down, look no further. You've found it.
Clay, age 41 is a private detective in America's Finest City - San Diego. Truth be told, that's its moniker. After being in the employment of the Pinkerton's for seventeen years, he decided it was time for a change. Another local PI company, Doubleday Agency was quick to scoop him up. They knew he'd be a valuable asset to the company.
Off to a quick start. Clay's first assignment had been waiting in the shadows. He'd been hired to trail a husband and find out about his unknown whereabouts. The client, his wife wanted to know what had been keeping him out late on many a night. Plain vanilla for PI work.
It all started off unremarkably. The usual stuff - follow and surveil. Everything was going smoothly until a cyclone hit. The author threw a monkey wrench into the works that stirred everything up. I shifted to the edge of my chair. Suspicion mounted with violent action that cascaded along the pages. There was no putting the book down. The once innocuous case had escalated far above marital misgivings. Murder and mayhem had begun to consume the storyline. Clay soon found himself intertwined with the police, another PI firm and some shady dealing thugs. The action shifted into overdrive. It all seemed so palpable. An uneasiness tugged at my stomach.
Author P. Wesley Lundberg knocked this one out of the park. Being a native of the city contributed authenticity to the storyline. It concluded with a whirlwind ending that rattled me from head to toe. It was everything I could ask for. If you're looking for a breakaway novel that you won't be able to put down, look no further. You've found it.
December 5, 2017
Another hit by P. Wesley Lundburg. This is the beginning of a very interesting series and a different world from the one portrayed in Skipper's Oath and Poacher's End. Clay seems like a deeper character than Frank (from the Mattituck series), but I'm not sure who I liked better (maybe both equally but in different ways). Lundburg's books bring me back to my love for the Hardy Boys as a child, but with a new adult maturity and 21st century style. I probably haven't read any detective type stories for a long time, but Lundburg's opened up a whole new genre for me to enjoy.
February 6, 2021
Atmosphere, personality with a bit of swagger, old-style detective work blended with modern-day techniques - The Stateroom Tryst by P. Wesley Lundburg has it all. After reading Lundburg’s Frank Mattituck series, this has long been on my radar. Finally, finally I picked it up, and it was a pleasure to read.
Rick Clayton, who prefers to be called Clay, has long been employed by the Pinkerton Detective Agency until one day, he’s not. He’s recruited by a small, independent agency run by a guy called Doubleday – named for Abner Doubleday, the purported inventor of baseball. Thomas Burke, the owner, is an interesting fellow, and after they size each other up, the two men decide they’re a good fit. Along with the deal come Burke’s two sons, whom he fondly refers to as “the Tweedles,” which is sort of self-explanatory. Did I mention that there’s a bit of humor in this book?
The narrative is in first person, which seems quite appropriate for this story. It often has the feel of a 40s private eye yarn, complete with lots of Batman-style BAM! BIFF! POW! kinds of encounters, tails and counter-tails (guys in khakis following Clay, who is shadowing his subject, and sometimes even more tails. I know, it gets confusing.) For a guy who must be pushing 40, Clay can really take a hit – and dish out a few. But he’s a surfer dude, so I guess that keeps him in shape. For a tough guy with street smarts, I wouldn’t have expected him to use such perfect grammar and usage, but he does. He’s a smart guy. He’s got a lot going for him, including experience, which proves invaluable.
There are some very colorful characters in this novel. As you might expect, Clay is used to working alone, but he calls upon his cop friend, Lieutenant Grady, when he needs information or police backup. They have a mutually beneficial arrangement. For technical help, Clay’s go-to-guy is a fellow named Clifford, who lives with his mom. Clifford is likely somewhere on the Asperger’s spectrum, but he’s a genius when it comes to finagling his way into certain online records. I almost forgot to mention Lionel, Clay’s restaurant buddy. Not only does he prepare Clay’s favorite meals on a regular basis, sometimes on the spur of the moment, but he also lets him borrow his Mustang on occasion when the need arises for a faster vehicle than Clay’s Scout. What a friend!
All of this excitement is because the wife of a well-to-do businessman has hired the Doubleday Agency, in the person of Clay, to find out why her husband is withdrawing tons of money from their bank account and whether he’s having an affair. Things get far more complex than that, and Clay proves he’s worth his mettle, but not without a few challenges.
There’s never a dull moment. The writing is fast-paced, witty, and colorful. The characters are people I’d like to meet again – even Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum! I like their dad, too. He’s a thoughtful, fair-minded fellow. I hope he doesn’t retire any time soon.
4 stars
May 17, 2021
Start of a new Detective Series
I read this book in a couple of days-- couldn't put it down. Hard-boiled detective Rick Clayton is hired to investigate a rich woman's husband that she suspect is having affairs and maybe a gambling problem. But things are not all as they seem-- the woman's manner was not quite right, there seem to be people trailing him in association with this case, and then the husband is murdered. Another great read by this entertaining author. I read this as a traveling book for a book club on goodreads.
I read this book in a couple of days-- couldn't put it down. Hard-boiled detective Rick Clayton is hired to investigate a rich woman's husband that she suspect is having affairs and maybe a gambling problem. But things are not all as they seem-- the woman's manner was not quite right, there seem to be people trailing him in association with this case, and then the husband is murdered. Another great read by this entertaining author. I read this as a traveling book for a book club on goodreads.
January 17, 2018
Rick "Clay" Clayton is a Pinkerton PI veteran who switches to a smaller boutique agency called Doubleday, and it's not long before he's up to his neck in an intriguing case involving gambling, drugs and infidelity.
Author P. Wesley Lundburg carries on the tradition of hard-boiled gumshoe detectives, but brings them to life in a contemporary setting. I've not been to San Diego, but I feel I have after reading this book.
The author shows great skill in characterisation and pacing (fast!). No padding, just a great story that kept me turning the pages until I reached the satisfying conclusion.
I look forward to reading more from Lundburg! Good stuff.
Author P. Wesley Lundburg carries on the tradition of hard-boiled gumshoe detectives, but brings them to life in a contemporary setting. I've not been to San Diego, but I feel I have after reading this book.
The author shows great skill in characterisation and pacing (fast!). No padding, just a great story that kept me turning the pages until I reached the satisfying conclusion.
I look forward to reading more from Lundburg! Good stuff.
May 23, 2017
"The Stateroom Tryst" (Book 1 in The Clayton Chronicles) is a unique story. It accomplishes what the author says he wanted to do: Take the old hard-boiled detective out of the 1940s and plop him down in modern-America. This book really does have a foot in the old Chandler/Hammett style of detective protagonist while the other foot is in the modern-day setting. The protagonist is focused--as were the Continental Op and Philip Marlowe--on solving crime in a direct, no-nonsense way. He's cynical about cops and police detectives, and probably everybody else as well, except a few close friends. I'm not clear on the condition of Clay's (the protagonist) childhood computer-whiz friend, but I'm guessing he's autistic or Asperger's. The author doesn't make it a major factor, except that Clay's loyalty and commitment to his friend adds something important to Clay's character. He also has a friend who owns a diner (another taste of the 1940s style detective!), who shows us more of who Clay is as a person. This "human" side of Clay helps keep us from thinking of him as a flat character.
The story moves very quickly, just like the author's other series (The Frank Mattituck Series), with quick dialog and fast action. The plot is intricate, leaving the reader guessing until close to the end just what exactly is going on. While reading it, I did think that maybe there was a bit of the unrealistic in the fact that Clay always wins the fights he's in (except one, where he intentionally loses to maintain his cover), but then I remembered this is a noir, nostalgic character who is supposed to be a classic hero.
If you enjoy detective novels and mysteries, add this author to your list. This is the fourth book I've read by him, and his work is consistently good. I think I can officially say I'm a fan now.
The story moves very quickly, just like the author's other series (The Frank Mattituck Series), with quick dialog and fast action. The plot is intricate, leaving the reader guessing until close to the end just what exactly is going on. While reading it, I did think that maybe there was a bit of the unrealistic in the fact that Clay always wins the fights he's in (except one, where he intentionally loses to maintain his cover), but then I remembered this is a noir, nostalgic character who is supposed to be a classic hero.
If you enjoy detective novels and mysteries, add this author to your list. This is the fourth book I've read by him, and his work is consistently good. I think I can officially say I'm a fan now.
January 20, 2018
“The Stateroom Tryst” by author P. Wesley Lundburg raises hopes readers would never have to say goodbye to the Clayton Chronicles mystery series.
After 17 years with the Pinkertons, San Diego private detective Rick “Clay” Clayton goes to work for the Doubleday Detective Agency. Throughout his career so far he has been solving crimes and brining down bad guys functioning mostly as a lone ranger. With his proneness to solo work, with his distrust of other private eyes and police detectives, his wisecracking as well as with the first-person narrative, Clay is reminiscent of a classical character for the genre – Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlow.
In “The Stateroom Tryst” Clay is hired by an attractive and rich woman who wants to learn what hides behind her husband’s overnight “business” trips and spending lots of money. She thinks he has started gambling and Clay undertakes the task to solve the mystery. But when the client’s husband is murdered, the private detective understands there is more behind this investigation. Clay would never give up an investigation before unearthing the truth and this leads him to uncover a dangerous alliance that is responsible for the murder.
The narrative is fast-paced with a lot of surprising turns and leads the detective must follow in order to reach the truth and this keeps the reader interested till the end of the book. Having read several of Mr. Lundburg’s novels already, his story-telling and character building skills were no surprise for me, but a confirmation that I have come across a first-rate author.
“The Stateroom Tryst” was a fantastic read that I enjoyed and that made me go back to old time mystery classics.
I am very much curious how Clay Clayton will unfold in future installments from the series. On Mr. Lundburg’s website Late Spring or Early Summer have been set as the expected release period for the second book called “The Desert Throwdown” and I am certainly looking forward to reading it.
After 17 years with the Pinkertons, San Diego private detective Rick “Clay” Clayton goes to work for the Doubleday Detective Agency. Throughout his career so far he has been solving crimes and brining down bad guys functioning mostly as a lone ranger. With his proneness to solo work, with his distrust of other private eyes and police detectives, his wisecracking as well as with the first-person narrative, Clay is reminiscent of a classical character for the genre – Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlow.
In “The Stateroom Tryst” Clay is hired by an attractive and rich woman who wants to learn what hides behind her husband’s overnight “business” trips and spending lots of money. She thinks he has started gambling and Clay undertakes the task to solve the mystery. But when the client’s husband is murdered, the private detective understands there is more behind this investigation. Clay would never give up an investigation before unearthing the truth and this leads him to uncover a dangerous alliance that is responsible for the murder.
The narrative is fast-paced with a lot of surprising turns and leads the detective must follow in order to reach the truth and this keeps the reader interested till the end of the book. Having read several of Mr. Lundburg’s novels already, his story-telling and character building skills were no surprise for me, but a confirmation that I have come across a first-rate author.
“The Stateroom Tryst” was a fantastic read that I enjoyed and that made me go back to old time mystery classics.
I am very much curious how Clay Clayton will unfold in future installments from the series. On Mr. Lundburg’s website Late Spring or Early Summer have been set as the expected release period for the second book called “The Desert Throwdown” and I am certainly looking forward to reading it.
December 13, 2018
I enjoyed this book a lot!
Fast-paced. Lots of thrills and plenty of mystery in a refreshingly familiar murder-mystery type setting.
Lots of plot twists and stunning revelations to wrap your mind around.
Great characters with smart, fun dialogue.
Action scenes a-plenty.
Written well with witty prose and clever scenes!
Definitely a read worth adding to your list and one I will no doubt enjoy again in the future.
NOTE: I read this as part of a Goodreads "Traveling Book" journey, through Feeding the Kindle Addiction . . . with HOT FREEBIES! Thanks guys! This one was a lot of fun!
Fast-paced. Lots of thrills and plenty of mystery in a refreshingly familiar murder-mystery type setting.
Lots of plot twists and stunning revelations to wrap your mind around.
Great characters with smart, fun dialogue.
Action scenes a-plenty.
Written well with witty prose and clever scenes!
Definitely a read worth adding to your list and one I will no doubt enjoy again in the future.
NOTE: I read this as part of a Goodreads "Traveling Book" journey, through Feeding the Kindle Addiction . . . with HOT FREEBIES! Thanks guys! This one was a lot of fun!
June 3, 2017
P. Wesley Lundburg has another hit series on his hands. You might be a fan of a great detective series, San Diego, or some of the areas of San Diego, such as, La Jolla Shores, Pacific Beach, or Del Mar to point out a few.
The detective Rick Clay is a unique character to get to know, he has so many different levels to him. It's amazing how much we get to see of him in this fast paced action packed read. Other characters have developed through the story, these characters might be part of his next books in the series, one relationship that brings on a softer side of him.
The story hits on all of the points of what you really want in a book. You want a strong person, a good story line, action is always fun, and it always helps if you get answers to the end of story. Mr. Lundburg has fulfilled what I just described.
If you want a good quick read full of fun and adventure this is a good book to choose. This is the fourth book I have read by this author and I am not disappointed. Thank you for another great book.
The detective Rick Clay is a unique character to get to know, he has so many different levels to him. It's amazing how much we get to see of him in this fast paced action packed read. Other characters have developed through the story, these characters might be part of his next books in the series, one relationship that brings on a softer side of him.
The story hits on all of the points of what you really want in a book. You want a strong person, a good story line, action is always fun, and it always helps if you get answers to the end of story. Mr. Lundburg has fulfilled what I just described.
If you want a good quick read full of fun and adventure this is a good book to choose. This is the fourth book I have read by this author and I am not disappointed. Thank you for another great book.
May 26, 2017
Kudos to Mr. Lundburg! I loved The Stateroom Tryst, especially Clay and his witty, sarcastic comebacks. Having read Skipper's Oath and Poacher's End, and really enjoying the main character Mattituck, I wasn't sure what to expect from Clay. However, I might have to say that Clay may be perhaps my favorite character. Clay reminds me of Rick from Casablanca, that rough-around-the-edges, no nonsense man who isn't afraid to speak his mind. If you are a fan of the old school detective story, then you will love The Stateroom Tryst.
June 27, 2017
In typical noir fashion … think Sam Spade and The Maltese Falcon … a sexy femme fatale hires San Diego PI Clay Clayton to tail her possibly philandering husband. Things quickly turn ugly when her husband is murdered. Author Wesley Lundburg gives us a quirky assortment of California characters, from surfer dudes to Clayton's crotchety boss and a hard-boiled San Diego cop. After a continuously twisty plot, Lundburg closes The Stateroom Tryst with a fitting surprise. An entertaining neo-noir with a hip series protagonist. Here's a series to watch!
July 25, 2017
The Stateroom Tryst is an action-packed crime detective novel packed full of tension that sets the tone right away. Clay, the protagonist, is an experienced detective and seems to be in great demand. The beginning of the action has Clay being hired by a new detective agency and leaving his current agency. He immediately is put on a case, and has these two brothers, family of the owner, to juggle. It is a little humorous, as he can't let them get in his way, but he doesn't make waves while maneuvering the situation. And so we learn about the diplomatic character of Detective Clay who doesn't make waves unnecessarily, yet knows exactly how to fight to the death and how to solve the crime. I am no expert on the hard-boiled detective character, but I've read one or two of Raymond Chandler's books and have loved how involving they are and how the characters and situations pull a reader in. Clay is a very likable, yet calculating character, and the plot is riveting, the clues unfolding one by one until the situation gets extremely perilous. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! *I read this book on Kindle Unlimited.
January 4, 2018
Downloaded it today, read it today. It's well worth your time: an engrossing mystery with twists and turns, secrets, murders and intrigue. Not to mention a set of interesting characters: private detectives, cops and criminals, hackers and hit men. Didn’t even bother trying to figure out ‘who done it’ because it could have been anybody. BUT there is a twist at the end, anyway. The main characters are full-blown, with backgrounds, likes and dislikes, who adhere to a set of morals and care about their circle of friends. I recommend this book to everyone that enjoys a fast-paced, mystery filled with suspense.
Mr. Lundburg writes a great mystery.
Mr. Lundburg writes a great mystery.
January 21, 2018
Fun detective novel. Good start to a new series
January 24, 2019
(This was a “Traveling Book” with my girls at Feeding The Kindle Addition.)
This is my second P. Wesley Lundburg book (the first was A Skipper’s Oath which I gave 5 stars) and I find that I really like his straightforward writing style and the way things are constantly developing in his stories. There is always some twist or new information coming to light. I bought a copy of A Skipper’s Oath as a Christmas gift and also got a signed copy of the sequel, Poacher’s End, for myself. So I already knew I enjoyed the author, but when I received this book in the mail I was in the midst of drowning myself in YA fantasy so I wasn’t sure how quickly I could switch gears and get wrapped up in a thriller. Well…it took about 2 pages. The main character here, a private investigator by the name of Rick Clayton, is always on the move and as a result the reader is never bored. He ends up investigating a man who is supposedly having an affair and nursing a gambling addiction, but when this man winds up dead, secrets start coming to light.
Interestingly enough this book unexpectedly contained one of the more gruesome deaths I’ve read (be careful when pulling people out of windows!) It was a complete page-turner for me and I went from not being sure if I was “in the mood” for suspense, to finishing it in a matter of days. I know it’s a series so I’ll be adding the next book to my TBR. I wish I could keep this paperback for my shelf but I have to mail it off to the next recipient! I hope they enjoy it as much as I did!
This is my second P. Wesley Lundburg book (the first was A Skipper’s Oath which I gave 5 stars) and I find that I really like his straightforward writing style and the way things are constantly developing in his stories. There is always some twist or new information coming to light. I bought a copy of A Skipper’s Oath as a Christmas gift and also got a signed copy of the sequel, Poacher’s End, for myself. So I already knew I enjoyed the author, but when I received this book in the mail I was in the midst of drowning myself in YA fantasy so I wasn’t sure how quickly I could switch gears and get wrapped up in a thriller. Well…it took about 2 pages. The main character here, a private investigator by the name of Rick Clayton, is always on the move and as a result the reader is never bored. He ends up investigating a man who is supposedly having an affair and nursing a gambling addiction, but when this man winds up dead, secrets start coming to light.
Interestingly enough this book unexpectedly contained one of the more gruesome deaths I’ve read (be careful when pulling people out of windows!) It was a complete page-turner for me and I went from not being sure if I was “in the mood” for suspense, to finishing it in a matter of days. I know it’s a series so I’ll be adding the next book to my TBR. I wish I could keep this paperback for my shelf but I have to mail it off to the next recipient! I hope they enjoy it as much as I did!
February 19, 2023
P. Wesley Lundburg has done it again, Rick Clayton achieves on land what Frank Mattituck does on the sea.
I loved Clayton's paranoid habit of taking mass transit. Having worked in Manhattan, where you drove nowhere and vacationed in So Cal where I perceived everyone drove everywhere. This was so insightful, it gave me such a meaningful look at life on the streets of San Diego. P. Wesley Lundburg has such a talent for giving you an intimate look at his local as he does for his characters.
The more obvious part was Allison DuPonte. She was straight out of every film noir I've ever seen. From Humphery Bogart to Peter Gunn the "Dame" Allison fit every stereotype of every jilted damsel I've ever seen. The only thing missing was her Sharon Stone leg crossing.
I even bought into Clay as having honed into his craft at the Pinkerton Agency. Yes, this was the agency that spurred the F. B. I. during the wild wild west. But as with all renegades, Clay drifts to the chance of autonomy with the Doubleday Agency.
Lindburg is able to take the Doubleday connection from baseball to San Francisco. While Doubleday did bring the streetcar to San Francisco and lived in Cooperstown. NY he had little nothing to do with baseball. His only strike was thrown in the form of a return volley to the Citadel cadets at Ft. Sumter.
This does for me shed light on how the Antebellum South tagged with Civil War Generals became the moniker of the west coast tribal gambling fleet. Clay ended up on the JEB Stuart, the eyes, and ears of the Northern VA Army. This is where the murder took place so Clay turned to his eyes and ears cyber friend Clifford McCormick. Author Steig Larson convinced me that most counter espionage would occur in Cyberspace.
The Stateroom Tryst turned to P. Wesley Lundburgs outstanding ability to twist and turn to the mysterious unexpected. His books rarely... never last over 48 hours with me. You just can't put them down. I look forward to Clayton Chronicles Book 2, but like P. Wesley Lundburg I most love the surf and smell of the sea beckoning me home.
Ken
I loved Clayton's paranoid habit of taking mass transit. Having worked in Manhattan, where you drove nowhere and vacationed in So Cal where I perceived everyone drove everywhere. This was so insightful, it gave me such a meaningful look at life on the streets of San Diego. P. Wesley Lundburg has such a talent for giving you an intimate look at his local as he does for his characters.
The more obvious part was Allison DuPonte. She was straight out of every film noir I've ever seen. From Humphery Bogart to Peter Gunn the "Dame" Allison fit every stereotype of every jilted damsel I've ever seen. The only thing missing was her Sharon Stone leg crossing.
I even bought into Clay as having honed into his craft at the Pinkerton Agency. Yes, this was the agency that spurred the F. B. I. during the wild wild west. But as with all renegades, Clay drifts to the chance of autonomy with the Doubleday Agency.
Lindburg is able to take the Doubleday connection from baseball to San Francisco. While Doubleday did bring the streetcar to San Francisco and lived in Cooperstown. NY he had little nothing to do with baseball. His only strike was thrown in the form of a return volley to the Citadel cadets at Ft. Sumter.
This does for me shed light on how the Antebellum South tagged with Civil War Generals became the moniker of the west coast tribal gambling fleet. Clay ended up on the JEB Stuart, the eyes, and ears of the Northern VA Army. This is where the murder took place so Clay turned to his eyes and ears cyber friend Clifford McCormick. Author Steig Larson convinced me that most counter espionage would occur in Cyberspace.
The Stateroom Tryst turned to P. Wesley Lundburgs outstanding ability to twist and turn to the mysterious unexpected. His books rarely... never last over 48 hours with me. You just can't put them down. I look forward to Clayton Chronicles Book 2, but like P. Wesley Lundburg I most love the surf and smell of the sea beckoning me home.
Ken
October 29, 2017
MAN I LOVE CLAY!!
He's so witty and sarcastic.
I can't begin to explain my love for Clay.
Honestly at the start my favorite character was Mr.Thomas Burke. Because he just had this like "cool old man" flare to him that I really liked:)
The plot was great. It flowed well, because sometimes when it doesn't flow right, I lose interest in the book. But this held my interest thoughout!
Mr. Lundburg is one of those amazing indie authors who are very underrated.
The only reason I gave this book four stars is becuz i had just minute issues with the writing.
• Firstly, It had excessive descriptions at some parts which I thought were unnecessarily(feel free to disagree)
•Secondly, It was a bit choppy here and there.
But Overall, an amaaaaaaaazing book and would definetly recommend it !!
*I WAS SENT A E-COPY BY THE AUTHOR
.
He's so witty and sarcastic.
I can't begin to explain my love for Clay.
Honestly at the start my favorite character was Mr.Thomas Burke. Because he just had this like "cool old man" flare to him that I really liked:)
The plot was great. It flowed well, because sometimes when it doesn't flow right, I lose interest in the book. But this held my interest thoughout!
Mr. Lundburg is one of those amazing indie authors who are very underrated.
The only reason I gave this book four stars is becuz i had just minute issues with the writing.
• Firstly, It had excessive descriptions at some parts which I thought were unnecessarily(feel free to disagree)
•Secondly, It was a bit choppy here and there.
But Overall, an amaaaaaaaazing book and would definetly recommend it !!
*I WAS SENT A E-COPY BY THE AUTHOR
.
September 28, 2017
I totally liked this book because Wesley Lundberg really reached into the soul and heart of his hard (an d soft) boiled detective Clay Clayton. He watches, he sees what others do not see, and remains cynically objective. And, true to the retro pattern of Sam Spade style detectives, he always wins his fights except for one he chose to lose. BTW, I learned a lot about techniques of fighting/defending from reading this book ;). It was fast paced, moving, and best of all when the ending came I saw all the clues that were there all along. Really a Good Read from GoodReads, yup.
October 13, 2017
4 Engaging Stars
Clay Clayton.
That's the name of the man that does not stop. A man with a sixth sense and a skill made just for what he does. Unknowingly entering much deeper waters than he expected. Good thing he's an expert. You'll learn about Clay "Rick" Clayton from those around him and that he's good at uncovering truths meant to stay hidden.
I loved the nonstop action. If you decide to pick this up, plan for an all nighter because you will not want to put this down.
Clay Clayton.
That's the name of the man that does not stop. A man with a sixth sense and a skill made just for what he does. Unknowingly entering much deeper waters than he expected. Good thing he's an expert. You'll learn about Clay "Rick" Clayton from those around him and that he's good at uncovering truths meant to stay hidden.
I loved the nonstop action. If you decide to pick this up, plan for an all nighter because you will not want to put this down.
May 27, 2017
The Stateroom Tryst was captivating - I couldn't put it down. I brought the book to work and began reading it between patients. I found myself not wanting to put the book down because I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. I definitely recommend it!
October 26, 2019
I enjoyed this fast paced story. It was more of a 4 1/2. When Clay is hired by a woman to see where money is going from her and her husbands joint accounts, he finds way more than just missing money. This is loaded with intrigue and twists. It’s faced paced and will keep your attention. I liked the writing style and enjoyed the way the information comes out.
October 28, 2023
Detective stories are not usually my go-to genre, but The Stateroom Tryst (Book 1 of the Clayton Chronicles) had been recommended by a friend and was a fun read, written with a lot of detail that allowed me to watch the action unfold. The characters were largely developed through their dialogue, which was engagingly reminiscent of film noir detective movies. A good weekend read!
January 28, 2025
Good mystery, good writing. I have read other books by this author and thoroughly enjoy his writing style and the way he weaves a mystery. I have heard he is in process of writing a new book for another series and hope to re-read the first three books and refresh my memory before book 4 is released.
This was the first of two books that pretty much take place in my home stomping grounds, which are also the authors home stomping grounds from his teen years because we attended the same high school. It is extra to be able to picture the description in my mind's eye for me from my own memory.
Somehow on Goodreads I accidentally left a one star review on one of his books and so I am a little unhappy with Goodreads and the way they leave the review page at the end on a kindle. I generally read without glasses and a Kindle is great for that but their informational pages aren't as easy to read as the actual pages of the book and I didn't realize I had left a review at all. There is no way to enlarge or make clearer the GoodReads page at the end and so today I logged in on a computer to finish fixing my reviews.
Authors who get bad ratings on GoodReads with no written review should maybe reach out to the reader and let them know. I had no idea I had done that to an author I like and I blame the medium for being unreadable and unadjustable, even when I went back on my device and tried to fix it. I wouldn't let me.
This was the first of two books that pretty much take place in my home stomping grounds, which are also the authors home stomping grounds from his teen years because we attended the same high school. It is extra to be able to picture the description in my mind's eye for me from my own memory.
Somehow on Goodreads I accidentally left a one star review on one of his books and so I am a little unhappy with Goodreads and the way they leave the review page at the end on a kindle. I generally read without glasses and a Kindle is great for that but their informational pages aren't as easy to read as the actual pages of the book and I didn't realize I had left a review at all. There is no way to enlarge or make clearer the GoodReads page at the end and so today I logged in on a computer to finish fixing my reviews.
Authors who get bad ratings on GoodReads with no written review should maybe reach out to the reader and let them know. I had no idea I had done that to an author I like and I blame the medium for being unreadable and unadjustable, even when I went back on my device and tried to fix it. I wouldn't let me.
August 19, 2023
A real treat
This is a very good tale written exquisitely. The mix of characters good and bad was brilliant. A good mystery too boot. Highly recommend
This is a very good tale written exquisitely. The mix of characters good and bad was brilliant. A good mystery too boot. Highly recommend
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