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Gibson Vaughn #2
Poison Feather
From Amazon.com:
Gibson Vaughn, hero of the bestselling novel The Short Drop, returns in a smoldering thriller.
When jailed billionaire Charles Merrick hints publicly that he has stashed a fortune in an offshore cache, a school of sharks converges upon his release from federal prison.
Among his swindled victims is Judge Hammond Birk, the man who saved Gibson Vaughn’s life when he was a troubled teenager. Now Gibson intends to repay that debt by recovering Merrick’s victims’ money.
But Gibson isn’t the only one on the trail of the hidden money.
The promise of billions has drawn a horde of ruthless treasure hunters, including an edgy ex-con, a female bartender with a mysterious history, a Chinese spy with a passion for fly-fishing, and a veritable army of hardened mercenaries. To stay ahead of the sharks and win justice for his mentor, Gibson will need all his formidable skills. But at the end of the road, he’ll still have to face “Poisonfeather”—a geopolitical secret that just might get Gibson killed…or worse.
Gibson Vaughn, hero of the bestselling novel The Short Drop, returns in a smoldering thriller.
When jailed billionaire Charles Merrick hints publicly that he has stashed a fortune in an offshore cache, a school of sharks converges upon his release from federal prison.
Among his swindled victims is Judge Hammond Birk, the man who saved Gibson Vaughn’s life when he was a troubled teenager. Now Gibson intends to repay that debt by recovering Merrick’s victims’ money.
But Gibson isn’t the only one on the trail of the hidden money.
The promise of billions has drawn a horde of ruthless treasure hunters, including an edgy ex-con, a female bartender with a mysterious history, a Chinese spy with a passion for fly-fishing, and a veritable army of hardened mercenaries. To stay ahead of the sharks and win justice for his mentor, Gibson will need all his formidable skills. But at the end of the road, he’ll still have to face “Poisonfeather”—a geopolitical secret that just might get Gibson killed…or worse.
Unknown Binding
First published October 4, 2016
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About the author
Matthew FitzSimmons
14 books1,391 followersMatthew FitzSimmons is the author of the bestselling Gibson Vaughn and Constance Series. His latest, The Slate, will be released in October, 2024. Born in Illinois and raised in London, England, he makes his home in Washington DC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 567 reviews
November 20, 2016
Find all my reviews on my blog: https://thesuspenseisthrillingme.com
Date Read: 09/30/16
Pub Date: 10/04/16
4 STARS
When jailed billionaire Charles Merrick hints publicly that he has stashed a fortune in an offshore cache, a school of sharks converges upon his release from federal prison.
Among his swindled victims is Judge Hammond Birk, the man who saved Gibson Vaughn’s life when he was a troubled teenager. Now Gibson intends to repay that debt by recovering Merrick’s victims’ money.
But Gibson isn’t the only one on the trail of the hidden fortune.
The promise of billions has drawn a horde of ruthless treasure hunters, including an edgy ex-con, a female bartender with a mysterious history, a Chinese spy with a passion for fly-fishing, and a veritable army of hardened mercenaries. To stay ahead of the sharks and win justice for his mentor, Gibson will need all his formidable skills. But at the end of the road, he’ll still have to face “Poisonfeather”—a geopolitical secret that just might get Gibson killed…or worse.
Some of you might remember my review of Short Drop, The last year; if not, it was in my top 10 books read in 2015 and you can find my review on my blog. Never have I been so engrossed in a political thriller; usually I just keep scrolling past those types, but that particular one caught my eye as it had such high ratings from nearly everyone. Currently, the book has 28,232 ratings/1,969 reviews and a 4.15 star average on Goodreads. All that being said, this set a fantastically high bar for a follow up book. The characters quickly became close friends, the action and suspense were as thrilling as possible, and the writing was as close to perfect as I could hope for; the author clearly has a way with words and oodles of talent. Short Drop, The left us with a bit of a cliffhanger and I have been waiting for this book like a teenage girl longing for the latest Kardashian Kraze. If you, like me, have been anxiously awaiting Poisonfeather, go ahead and enter the giveaway for a copy under my giveaway tab on my blog.
I just need to get something out of the way first, and I’ll keep this as spoiler free as possible for those who haven’t read Short Drop, The yet. For some reason I was expecting this book to pick up right where the previous one left off, and it DID in the fact that it follows chronologically right afterward, but story-wise this book is almost it’s own. I’ll admit that I whined a bit at the fact it wasn’t truly a sequel to our first Gibson Vaughn experience; this book is almost entirely a stand alone featuring our main character aside from the fact it is peppered ever so slightly with enough spoiler material that you can’t read it as a standalone. “Atlanta” and the other former characters are mentioned a handful of times, and then you have an amazing AHA ending that blazes the trail for book 3 to pick up where a good deal of book 1 left off. Once I was able to set that initial disappointment aside, I was able to enjoy this book for what it was. Now, on to the official review!
Poisonfeather is a high stakes thriller that kept me guessing until quite literally the last page. The beginning was a little slower in pace, as it had a good deal of setting up to do, but once the action started I couldn’t put it down. Matthew FitzSimmons clearly has a way with words; his writing style is so exquisite I sometimes forget I’m reading “just a thriller”. The descriptions of everything from the setting to the internal monologue of the characters is in a nutshell, perfection. This man could describe a dog taking a crap and make it sound eloquent while still easily understandable. True to what seems to be his signature move, FitzSimmons manages to take a cast of seemingly unrelated characters and slowly weave them together until the bombshell of an ending. His books, while intriguing and thrilling, are something to be savored and studied while experiencing the journey alongside his wacky cast of characters. Once again I’m left twiddling my thumbs wondering how to pass the time until the next book is written because DANG IT FITZSIMMONS you do this everytime! Once again, another well written thriller that will surely keep you guessing until the very last page. Definitely recommended to fans of the series looking for another engaging story featuring our flawed favorite Gibson Vaughn.
*I’d like to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing my copy in exchange for an honest and fair review. I’d also like to thank Wiley Saichek at Saichek Publicity for providing the copy of Poisonfeather as a giveaway!
Date Read: 09/30/16
Pub Date: 10/04/16
4 STARS
When jailed billionaire Charles Merrick hints publicly that he has stashed a fortune in an offshore cache, a school of sharks converges upon his release from federal prison.
Among his swindled victims is Judge Hammond Birk, the man who saved Gibson Vaughn’s life when he was a troubled teenager. Now Gibson intends to repay that debt by recovering Merrick’s victims’ money.
But Gibson isn’t the only one on the trail of the hidden fortune.
The promise of billions has drawn a horde of ruthless treasure hunters, including an edgy ex-con, a female bartender with a mysterious history, a Chinese spy with a passion for fly-fishing, and a veritable army of hardened mercenaries. To stay ahead of the sharks and win justice for his mentor, Gibson will need all his formidable skills. But at the end of the road, he’ll still have to face “Poisonfeather”—a geopolitical secret that just might get Gibson killed…or worse.
Some of you might remember my review of Short Drop, The last year; if not, it was in my top 10 books read in 2015 and you can find my review on my blog. Never have I been so engrossed in a political thriller; usually I just keep scrolling past those types, but that particular one caught my eye as it had such high ratings from nearly everyone. Currently, the book has 28,232 ratings/1,969 reviews and a 4.15 star average on Goodreads. All that being said, this set a fantastically high bar for a follow up book. The characters quickly became close friends, the action and suspense were as thrilling as possible, and the writing was as close to perfect as I could hope for; the author clearly has a way with words and oodles of talent. Short Drop, The left us with a bit of a cliffhanger and I have been waiting for this book like a teenage girl longing for the latest Kardashian Kraze. If you, like me, have been anxiously awaiting Poisonfeather, go ahead and enter the giveaway for a copy under my giveaway tab on my blog.
I just need to get something out of the way first, and I’ll keep this as spoiler free as possible for those who haven’t read Short Drop, The yet. For some reason I was expecting this book to pick up right where the previous one left off, and it DID in the fact that it follows chronologically right afterward, but story-wise this book is almost it’s own. I’ll admit that I whined a bit at the fact it wasn’t truly a sequel to our first Gibson Vaughn experience; this book is almost entirely a stand alone featuring our main character aside from the fact it is peppered ever so slightly with enough spoiler material that you can’t read it as a standalone. “Atlanta” and the other former characters are mentioned a handful of times, and then you have an amazing AHA ending that blazes the trail for book 3 to pick up where a good deal of book 1 left off. Once I was able to set that initial disappointment aside, I was able to enjoy this book for what it was. Now, on to the official review!
Poisonfeather is a high stakes thriller that kept me guessing until quite literally the last page. The beginning was a little slower in pace, as it had a good deal of setting up to do, but once the action started I couldn’t put it down. Matthew FitzSimmons clearly has a way with words; his writing style is so exquisite I sometimes forget I’m reading “just a thriller”. The descriptions of everything from the setting to the internal monologue of the characters is in a nutshell, perfection. This man could describe a dog taking a crap and make it sound eloquent while still easily understandable. True to what seems to be his signature move, FitzSimmons manages to take a cast of seemingly unrelated characters and slowly weave them together until the bombshell of an ending. His books, while intriguing and thrilling, are something to be savored and studied while experiencing the journey alongside his wacky cast of characters. Once again I’m left twiddling my thumbs wondering how to pass the time until the next book is written because DANG IT FITZSIMMONS you do this everytime! Once again, another well written thriller that will surely keep you guessing until the very last page. Definitely recommended to fans of the series looking for another engaging story featuring our flawed favorite Gibson Vaughn.
*I’d like to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing my copy in exchange for an honest and fair review. I’d also like to thank Wiley Saichek at Saichek Publicity for providing the copy of Poisonfeather as a giveaway!
October 28, 2016
The tiny town of Niobe, West Virginia is about to get larger and infinitely more dangerous. Business is suddenly booming at the local hotel. Just who are all these suits wearing sunglasses who have ensconced themselves in the lobby? Across the street, the taps are flowing freely at the Toproll tavern for regulars and visitors alike. Beware of eyeballing the pretty bartender or she will give you a stink-eye you won't soon forget.
Great characters abound within these pages. Swonger makes a bad first impression of being nothing more than a mean-stupid bully. He's like a gob of chewing gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe, can't rid yourself of him. Throw in a Chinese fisherman by the name of Fa, who may be casting about for bigger fish than trout. Gibson Vaughn, former Marine and champion computer hacker is back. Out of work, he finds himself right smack dab in the middle of a nefarious business. He's going to need that "pragmatic paranoia" of his to stay ahead of the game.
I was double lucky on this one, with a copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review, and also a Goodreads first-reads giveaway. Thank you!
Great characters abound within these pages. Swonger makes a bad first impression of being nothing more than a mean-stupid bully. He's like a gob of chewing gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe, can't rid yourself of him. Throw in a Chinese fisherman by the name of Fa, who may be casting about for bigger fish than trout. Gibson Vaughn, former Marine and champion computer hacker is back. Out of work, he finds himself right smack dab in the middle of a nefarious business. He's going to need that "pragmatic paranoia" of his to stay ahead of the game.
I was double lucky on this one, with a copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review, and also a Goodreads first-reads giveaway. Thank you!
August 13, 2016
I'm somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars, so I'll round up because I like the main character so much.
Last year, Matthew FitzSimmons took the literary thriller world by storm with his debut novel, The Short Drop . The story of Gibson Vaughn, convicted of hacking into a powerful congressman's files when he was a teenager, and his search for redemption (as well as his entanglement in a political mystery), that book was utterly fantastic and made my list of the best books I read in 2015.
Gibson Vaughn returns in Poisonfeather , FitzSimmons' newest thriller, and although this book is a little overly ambitious for its own good, FitzSimmons makes it clear he knows how to create memorable characters, ratchet up suspense, and write some pretty crackling action scenes.
Charles Merrick was a billionaire famous for bilking average citizens out of their fortunes in a scam similar to that of Bernie Madoff. (Merrick had nothing but disdain for Madoff, however, and felt his operations were much smoother and more sophisticated than Madoff's "Ponzi scheme.") For reasons no one following Merrick's case can understand, he was only sentenced to eight years in a minimum security prison, leaving countless people's lives destroyed by his greed.
As Merrick's release from prison draws closer, an interview he gives to a financial magazine draws quite a bit of attention, as it appears that he is hinting that he didn't actually lose all of the money he stole from his investors. This draws the ire of an unsavory cast of characters from all over the globe, and little by little, many of them converge on the small West Virginia town where Merrick's prison is located.
Vaughn is trying to rebuild his life after the events which occurred in The Short Drop , but with little success. He is summoned to meet with Hammond Birk, the judge who gave him the chance to join the Marines instead of sentencing him to prison for his crimes when he was younger. Judge Birk was among the victims Merrick swindled, and he convinced family members and those who worked for him to invest as well, with disastrous results. And although Birk does not want Vaughn to risk turning his life upside down to try and recover his money, Vaughn feels he owes the judge for the path he was able to take with his life, and begins building a plan to outsmart Merrick.
What Vaughn isn't expecting, however, is how many other people have similar ideas, and how dangerous they are. Not only does he have to contend with those he suspects have been helping Merrick from the inside and outside, he has to deal with the trigger-happy friend of Judge Birk's nephew, who got him involved in this whole scheme in the first place. And then there's a mysterious bartender, a Chinese government official with a passion for fly fishing, a band of dangerous thugs, a gang of criminals with a shoot-first-ask-questions-later philosophy, and the CIA. It's a little more than he bargained for, but all in the name of repaying a debt, right?
I love Vaughn's character, and thought there were a number of characters in this book that FitzSimmons drew quite well, and I hope that some of them might resurface in future books. Where Poisonfeather differed from The Short Drop is that the first book was really about Vaughn and his fight to clear his name, understand his past, and solve a mystery, while in this book, he often takes a back seat to other characters, some more interesting than others. I really felt at times there were just too many characters and too many side stories going on, and even though most of them were tied up by the end of the book, it made the plot more confusing and a little less solid.
FitzSimmons knows how to tell a story, there's no doubt about it. I just wish he trusted in his protagonist more and didn't try to overburden the plot with a gigantic cast of characters. And while it's fun to watch a greedy billionaire get his just desserts, the financial bent of this story took a little more time to explain. But at the end of the day, this is another strong thriller, full of tension, action, and a little emotion, all anchored by a pretty fantastic, complex, and flawed character. I'm looking forward to more from FitzSimmons and Gibson Vaughn in the future.
NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
Last year, Matthew FitzSimmons took the literary thriller world by storm with his debut novel, The Short Drop . The story of Gibson Vaughn, convicted of hacking into a powerful congressman's files when he was a teenager, and his search for redemption (as well as his entanglement in a political mystery), that book was utterly fantastic and made my list of the best books I read in 2015.
Gibson Vaughn returns in Poisonfeather , FitzSimmons' newest thriller, and although this book is a little overly ambitious for its own good, FitzSimmons makes it clear he knows how to create memorable characters, ratchet up suspense, and write some pretty crackling action scenes.
Charles Merrick was a billionaire famous for bilking average citizens out of their fortunes in a scam similar to that of Bernie Madoff. (Merrick had nothing but disdain for Madoff, however, and felt his operations were much smoother and more sophisticated than Madoff's "Ponzi scheme.") For reasons no one following Merrick's case can understand, he was only sentenced to eight years in a minimum security prison, leaving countless people's lives destroyed by his greed.
As Merrick's release from prison draws closer, an interview he gives to a financial magazine draws quite a bit of attention, as it appears that he is hinting that he didn't actually lose all of the money he stole from his investors. This draws the ire of an unsavory cast of characters from all over the globe, and little by little, many of them converge on the small West Virginia town where Merrick's prison is located.
Vaughn is trying to rebuild his life after the events which occurred in The Short Drop , but with little success. He is summoned to meet with Hammond Birk, the judge who gave him the chance to join the Marines instead of sentencing him to prison for his crimes when he was younger. Judge Birk was among the victims Merrick swindled, and he convinced family members and those who worked for him to invest as well, with disastrous results. And although Birk does not want Vaughn to risk turning his life upside down to try and recover his money, Vaughn feels he owes the judge for the path he was able to take with his life, and begins building a plan to outsmart Merrick.
What Vaughn isn't expecting, however, is how many other people have similar ideas, and how dangerous they are. Not only does he have to contend with those he suspects have been helping Merrick from the inside and outside, he has to deal with the trigger-happy friend of Judge Birk's nephew, who got him involved in this whole scheme in the first place. And then there's a mysterious bartender, a Chinese government official with a passion for fly fishing, a band of dangerous thugs, a gang of criminals with a shoot-first-ask-questions-later philosophy, and the CIA. It's a little more than he bargained for, but all in the name of repaying a debt, right?
I love Vaughn's character, and thought there were a number of characters in this book that FitzSimmons drew quite well, and I hope that some of them might resurface in future books. Where Poisonfeather differed from The Short Drop is that the first book was really about Vaughn and his fight to clear his name, understand his past, and solve a mystery, while in this book, he often takes a back seat to other characters, some more interesting than others. I really felt at times there were just too many characters and too many side stories going on, and even though most of them were tied up by the end of the book, it made the plot more confusing and a little less solid.
FitzSimmons knows how to tell a story, there's no doubt about it. I just wish he trusted in his protagonist more and didn't try to overburden the plot with a gigantic cast of characters. And while it's fun to watch a greedy billionaire get his just desserts, the financial bent of this story took a little more time to explain. But at the end of the day, this is another strong thriller, full of tension, action, and a little emotion, all anchored by a pretty fantastic, complex, and flawed character. I'm looking forward to more from FitzSimmons and Gibson Vaughn in the future.
NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
December 1, 2016
I took a serious like to the main character Gibson Vaughn in the first in series and in this the second my liking continues. Never had much of an interest in thrillers that featured financial misdoings but these books are so darn easy to read, assessable and just move so quickly. A Madoff type person is the bad guy here, arrogant and soon to be released from prison. Gibson, hacker extraordinaire owes an old man, a judge who he felt saved his life. So the story goes.
Likable character, a few new ones I also found favor with, so much action, wonderful antidote for holiday stress and lack of concentration. Don't get me wrong though, Gibson is an awfully smart man, and his partner this time is quite literate despite appearances to the contrary. The ending though was a bit much, a shootout at the okay corral type scenario though this takes place in an hotel. Got a bit confusing with all the players involved. Then of course a major cliffhanger, not too fond of those because by the time the next book comes out unless a reader has total recall, they are in danger of forgetting much from the precious book. At the least, the energy and forward momentum is gone. Gave it a four though, it kept my interest and as I said I do like this character.
Likable character, a few new ones I also found favor with, so much action, wonderful antidote for holiday stress and lack of concentration. Don't get me wrong though, Gibson is an awfully smart man, and his partner this time is quite literate despite appearances to the contrary. The ending though was a bit much, a shootout at the okay corral type scenario though this takes place in an hotel. Got a bit confusing with all the players involved. Then of course a major cliffhanger, not too fond of those because by the time the next book comes out unless a reader has total recall, they are in danger of forgetting much from the precious book. At the least, the energy and forward momentum is gone. Gave it a four though, it kept my interest and as I said I do like this character.
November 3, 2016
I loved The Short Drop and eagerly waited for the next Gibson Vaughn book. I was lucky to win Poisonfeather in a Goodreads Giveaway!
Once again, Gibson gets himself involved in a dangerous situation, and there are plenty of bodies to prove it. A rich swindler is about to get out of prison. Lots of interested parties are waiting for him for very different reasons.
Characterization is excellent, and dialogue riddled with wit and sarcasm makes the characters come alive. I adored Swonger! The storyline is interesting and the pacing was steady, but I didn't feel as much tension and anxiety as in the first book. There were some twists and turns involved, and then it was like hitting a brick wall.
That was not cool. That abrupt ending was totally unexpected and not cool. Major major cliffhangers there and not cool. Book #3 is expected September 2017.
Once again, Gibson gets himself involved in a dangerous situation, and there are plenty of bodies to prove it. A rich swindler is about to get out of prison. Lots of interested parties are waiting for him for very different reasons.
Characterization is excellent, and dialogue riddled with wit and sarcasm makes the characters come alive. I adored Swonger! The storyline is interesting and the pacing was steady, but I didn't feel as much tension and anxiety as in the first book. There were some twists and turns involved, and then it was like hitting a brick wall.
That was not cool. That abrupt ending was totally unexpected and not cool. Major major cliffhangers there and not cool. Book #3 is expected September 2017.
August 22, 2016
3.5 stars
When your first book is such a cracking read, the second one is always going to be a bit of a challenge, and this one suffers in comparison. The talent is still there, both in writing style and the creation of wonderfully memorable and idiosyncratic characters, but it didn't have quite the same feeling as the first. It lacked tension.
Well, it did until the end. Now anyone who has read The Short Drop knows that FitzSimmons is a master of 'the Ending'. Not one of those throw a few last tidbits in to surprise the reader, but a full blown smackdown of turnaround and denouement. This author's idea of tidying up the novel is not just a cliffhanger, he throws you right off the cliff and watches laughing while you desperately grapple for some kind of purchase to stop the fall into the abyss... You know what I'm saying. This is no different. It turned my involvement in the next book from possible to definite. In just a few pages. That's what I'm looking for from FitsSimmons and he has proved that he can still do it.... Whatever hard landing comes, I'll be there for it.
Many thanks to Matthew FitzSimmons, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
When your first book is such a cracking read, the second one is always going to be a bit of a challenge, and this one suffers in comparison. The talent is still there, both in writing style and the creation of wonderfully memorable and idiosyncratic characters, but it didn't have quite the same feeling as the first. It lacked tension.
Well, it did until the end. Now anyone who has read The Short Drop knows that FitzSimmons is a master of 'the Ending'. Not one of those throw a few last tidbits in to surprise the reader, but a full blown smackdown of turnaround and denouement. This author's idea of tidying up the novel is not just a cliffhanger, he throws you right off the cliff and watches laughing while you desperately grapple for some kind of purchase to stop the fall into the abyss... You know what I'm saying. This is no different. It turned my involvement in the next book from possible to definite. In just a few pages. That's what I'm looking for from FitsSimmons and he has proved that he can still do it.... Whatever hard landing comes, I'll be there for it.
Many thanks to Matthew FitzSimmons, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2016
Gibson Vaughn is back, and once again finds himself smack dab in the middle of another explosive mystery.
Charles Merrick, dubbed Maddoff Jr, is set to be released from prison. He has a lot of enemies out there, family and friends alike, who want nothing more than to see this man pay for the financial ruins he caused them. If he was smart, he would just quietly slip out and run-far far away....
But his ego is too much, and when a reporter comes to do a small piece on him, he gloats and insinuates things that cause many eyes to refocus on him. Including the government.
Gibson had little knowledge of Charles Merrick until approached by family of his old mentor-the Judge who put his life on the right track. After finding out how the Judge coerced his family members into investing in Merrick's ponzi scheme and they are all in dire financial straits, he realizes this is a chance to give back to the man he owes so much too.
What unfolds next is a wild ride filled with interesting characters and clever sub plots. The author does a great job of weaving the story lines to a peak, creating an explosive and so appropriate ending!
While lacking a bit in the suspense that was so much a part of his first book, this still kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed the relationships between Gibson and the motley crew that he worked with, begrudgingly at times. There is an element of sarcasm and wit that helped make these characters come alive for me.
With an ending left wide open for many possibilities, I'm excited to know that this isn't the end of Gibson Vaughn, and I eagerly await his return!
ARC from NetGalley, many thanks!
Charles Merrick, dubbed Maddoff Jr, is set to be released from prison. He has a lot of enemies out there, family and friends alike, who want nothing more than to see this man pay for the financial ruins he caused them. If he was smart, he would just quietly slip out and run-far far away....
But his ego is too much, and when a reporter comes to do a small piece on him, he gloats and insinuates things that cause many eyes to refocus on him. Including the government.
Gibson had little knowledge of Charles Merrick until approached by family of his old mentor-the Judge who put his life on the right track. After finding out how the Judge coerced his family members into investing in Merrick's ponzi scheme and they are all in dire financial straits, he realizes this is a chance to give back to the man he owes so much too.
What unfolds next is a wild ride filled with interesting characters and clever sub plots. The author does a great job of weaving the story lines to a peak, creating an explosive and so appropriate ending!
While lacking a bit in the suspense that was so much a part of his first book, this still kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed the relationships between Gibson and the motley crew that he worked with, begrudgingly at times. There is an element of sarcasm and wit that helped make these characters come alive for me.
With an ending left wide open for many possibilities, I'm excited to know that this isn't the end of Gibson Vaughn, and I eagerly await his return!
ARC from NetGalley, many thanks!
October 30, 2016
Once again Matthew FitzSimmons has me engrossed as I follow his main character, the always surprising and ethically ambiguous Gibson Vaughn on another thrilling adventure in his new book, POISONFEATHER.
The judge who changed the young Gibson’s path in life, his friends and family and many others have all been scammed by Charles Merrick for their life savings. Merrick is about to be released from prison after only an eight year sentence and he has hinted that he still has money working for him. Suddenly, everyone wants a piece of Merrick and his money and they will be waiting for him to walk out of prison.
Gibson wants to get the money for the judge, an ex-con wants the money to start a new life and a small town bartender wants revenge. These three need to work with each other to stay ahead of a CIA handler, a Chinese spy, hardened criminal gangs and mercenaries all set in a small town in West Virginia. Believe it or not, the author does make all of these characters come together into a wild and thrilling story.
Gibson Vaughn always seems to find himself trying to do the right thing for the right reason, but things always end up being more complicated. Mr. FitzSimmons is truly a master at seamlessly weaving his main plot with many subplots that all tie together into a fast paced thrill ride for Gibson and the reader. The cast of characters are all interesting, written with depth and motivations that make them fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
There are small references in regards to the first Gibson Vaughn book, The Short Drop, but it does not change the main focus of this book, which can easily be read as a standalone. Reader Alert: The ending is a BIG cliffhanger! I normally hate cliffhanger endings, but Mr. FitzSimmons made it work for me and I will be anxiously awaiting to find out the fate of Gibson Vaughn.
Thank you very much to Thomas & Mercer and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The judge who changed the young Gibson’s path in life, his friends and family and many others have all been scammed by Charles Merrick for their life savings. Merrick is about to be released from prison after only an eight year sentence and he has hinted that he still has money working for him. Suddenly, everyone wants a piece of Merrick and his money and they will be waiting for him to walk out of prison.
Gibson wants to get the money for the judge, an ex-con wants the money to start a new life and a small town bartender wants revenge. These three need to work with each other to stay ahead of a CIA handler, a Chinese spy, hardened criminal gangs and mercenaries all set in a small town in West Virginia. Believe it or not, the author does make all of these characters come together into a wild and thrilling story.
Gibson Vaughn always seems to find himself trying to do the right thing for the right reason, but things always end up being more complicated. Mr. FitzSimmons is truly a master at seamlessly weaving his main plot with many subplots that all tie together into a fast paced thrill ride for Gibson and the reader. The cast of characters are all interesting, written with depth and motivations that make them fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
There are small references in regards to the first Gibson Vaughn book, The Short Drop, but it does not change the main focus of this book, which can easily be read as a standalone. Reader Alert: The ending is a BIG cliffhanger! I normally hate cliffhanger endings, but Mr. FitzSimmons made it work for me and I will be anxiously awaiting to find out the fate of Gibson Vaughn.
Thank you very much to Thomas & Mercer and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2016
POISONFEATHER, a thriller by author Matthew FitzSimmons, is the second novel in the Gibson Vaughn series.
I loved his first novel, a political thriller, The Short Drop, and couldn’t wait to start this one. THE SHORT DROP by Matthew FitzSimmons is one of the best Debut Crime Thriller of 2015 that I have read. He has produced an amazing piece of crime fiction. ‘The Short Drop’ is an addictive thriller, rich with political intrigue and mystery.
I have to say that I am not normally drawn to political thrillers, but given the praise this book was receiving, I decided to leave my comfort zone of reading mystery suspense crime psychological thrillers, and branch out a bit. Boy was I glad I took that chance, because I would have missed out on reading one of the best crime fiction novels that I have ever read.
I didn’t know what to expect from his second novel, as the author hit it out of the ballpark with his debut novel, and I didn’t know how he could keep the standards so high. Once again, another well written thriller that will surely keep you guessing until the very last page!
I would definitely recommend reading The Short Drop before reading Poisonfeather to understand fully Gibson’s character.
“When jailed billionaire Charles Merrick hints publicly that he has stashed a fortune in an offshore cache, a school of sharks converges upon his release from federal prison.
Among his swindled victims is Judge Hammond Birk, the man who saved Gibson Vaughn’s life when he was a troubled teenager. Now Gibson intends to repay that debt by recovering Merrick’s victims’ money.
But Gibson isn’t the only one on the trail of the hidden fortune.
The promise of billions has drawn a horde of ruthless treasure hunters, including an edgy ex-con, a female bartender with a mysterious history, a Chinese spy with a passion for fly-fishing, and a veritable army of hardened mercenaries. To stay ahead of the sharks and win justice for his mentor, Gibson will need all his formidable skills. But at the end of the road, he’ll still have to face
“Poisonfeather”—a geopolitical secret that just might get Gibson killed…or worse.”
I really enjoyed Poisonfeather, but it is a little slower in pace getting everything setup, but an rewarding read with lots of political intrigue and action. The only reason I gave it a rating of 4 stars versus 5 stars, is I felt there was too many characters and plots going on at the same time that I as a reader felt over-loaded. I would have preferred that Gibson took centre stage throughout, but I still enjoyed the story and recommend it to readers who likes fast-paced thrillers with excellent characters.
I received an advance copy of Poisonfeather from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my honest, unbiased review.
I loved his first novel, a political thriller, The Short Drop, and couldn’t wait to start this one. THE SHORT DROP by Matthew FitzSimmons is one of the best Debut Crime Thriller of 2015 that I have read. He has produced an amazing piece of crime fiction. ‘The Short Drop’ is an addictive thriller, rich with political intrigue and mystery.
I have to say that I am not normally drawn to political thrillers, but given the praise this book was receiving, I decided to leave my comfort zone of reading mystery suspense crime psychological thrillers, and branch out a bit. Boy was I glad I took that chance, because I would have missed out on reading one of the best crime fiction novels that I have ever read.
I didn’t know what to expect from his second novel, as the author hit it out of the ballpark with his debut novel, and I didn’t know how he could keep the standards so high. Once again, another well written thriller that will surely keep you guessing until the very last page!
I would definitely recommend reading The Short Drop before reading Poisonfeather to understand fully Gibson’s character.
“When jailed billionaire Charles Merrick hints publicly that he has stashed a fortune in an offshore cache, a school of sharks converges upon his release from federal prison.
Among his swindled victims is Judge Hammond Birk, the man who saved Gibson Vaughn’s life when he was a troubled teenager. Now Gibson intends to repay that debt by recovering Merrick’s victims’ money.
But Gibson isn’t the only one on the trail of the hidden fortune.
The promise of billions has drawn a horde of ruthless treasure hunters, including an edgy ex-con, a female bartender with a mysterious history, a Chinese spy with a passion for fly-fishing, and a veritable army of hardened mercenaries. To stay ahead of the sharks and win justice for his mentor, Gibson will need all his formidable skills. But at the end of the road, he’ll still have to face
“Poisonfeather”—a geopolitical secret that just might get Gibson killed…or worse.”
I really enjoyed Poisonfeather, but it is a little slower in pace getting everything setup, but an rewarding read with lots of political intrigue and action. The only reason I gave it a rating of 4 stars versus 5 stars, is I felt there was too many characters and plots going on at the same time that I as a reader felt over-loaded. I would have preferred that Gibson took centre stage throughout, but I still enjoyed the story and recommend it to readers who likes fast-paced thrillers with excellent characters.
I received an advance copy of Poisonfeather from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my honest, unbiased review.
August 27, 2016
Charles Merrick is an arrogant ass. He’s also a resident of Niobe prison. Once upon a time he was a big time hedge fund manager with millions at his disposal. When Wall Street crashed, he was one of the few convicted of fraud but the end is in sight.
Thanks to a deal he cut with the feds, he’ll be a free man in a few months. They had no choice as he had knowledge of a covert government operation in China. To hold up his end of the bargain, he’ll have to leave the country but they don’t know where he’s going. Or about the money waiting for him on the outside.
So when a reporter approaches him for an interview before his release, he eagerly agrees. What could go wrong?
Actually…a lot. Merrick’s ponzi scheme (a la Bernie Madoff) ruined the retirement dreams of everyone who invested. The resulting article stirs up a hornet’s nest of publicity & some of his victims see their chance for revenge. The feds are not pleased.
Gibson Vaughn never heard of Merrick until the family of an old mentor gets in touch. Judge Hammond Birk saved Vaughn from going to jail when he was a teenage hacker. Unfortunately the judge invested with Merrick & lost everything. His nephew is convinced Merrick has some money stashed & wants Vaughn to find it. It’s a ridiculous proposition & Vaughn visits the judge to tell him so. But retirement has not been kind to Birk & Vaughn is shaken to find him living on his nephew’s farm in a trailer, suffering from early dementia. He’s a shell of the man who rescued a stupid teenage kid & Vaughn knows it’s time to repay his debt.
To say much more about the plot would lead to spoilers. Just know there are many people watching Merrick to see what he’ll do once he’s free. One by one they descend on the small town of Niobe, West Virginia to await his release. The author does a great job of depicting the effect of an influx of strangers on residents of a dying, rural community with an inbred suspicion of outsiders. The bulk of the book takes place prior to Merrick getting out so we get the back story on all the characters. Each has their own agenda & in a town with one bar & one hotel, it’s inevitable tempers will flare.
As for Vaughn, he’s got his hands full. His military background & computer skills are assets but he’s shackled with a couple of partners that take turns driving him crazy. Tracing the money requires them to form uneasy alliances with some of the other characters. Tensions slowly rise & you know it’s just a matter of time ’til something goes horribly wrong.
It’s a fast paced thriller full of red herrings & misdirection that will keep you guessing as to how it will all shake out. Vaughn was introduced in last year’s excellent “The Short Drop” & he’s still living with the fallout from events in that book. It was a character driven suspense story while this one is more of an action thriller. But he continues to be a compelling guy. He’s a decent, hard working man who can’t seem to catch a break & you desperately want to see something go right in his world.
I’d recommend reading “The Short Drop” first & as this one ends on a cliffhanger, it’s clear there’s more to come. A great cast of characters, plenty of action & intricate plotting make this a book you’ll want to carry with you so you can sneak in some reading time when you get the chance.
Thanks to a deal he cut with the feds, he’ll be a free man in a few months. They had no choice as he had knowledge of a covert government operation in China. To hold up his end of the bargain, he’ll have to leave the country but they don’t know where he’s going. Or about the money waiting for him on the outside.
So when a reporter approaches him for an interview before his release, he eagerly agrees. What could go wrong?
Actually…a lot. Merrick’s ponzi scheme (a la Bernie Madoff) ruined the retirement dreams of everyone who invested. The resulting article stirs up a hornet’s nest of publicity & some of his victims see their chance for revenge. The feds are not pleased.
Gibson Vaughn never heard of Merrick until the family of an old mentor gets in touch. Judge Hammond Birk saved Vaughn from going to jail when he was a teenage hacker. Unfortunately the judge invested with Merrick & lost everything. His nephew is convinced Merrick has some money stashed & wants Vaughn to find it. It’s a ridiculous proposition & Vaughn visits the judge to tell him so. But retirement has not been kind to Birk & Vaughn is shaken to find him living on his nephew’s farm in a trailer, suffering from early dementia. He’s a shell of the man who rescued a stupid teenage kid & Vaughn knows it’s time to repay his debt.
To say much more about the plot would lead to spoilers. Just know there are many people watching Merrick to see what he’ll do once he’s free. One by one they descend on the small town of Niobe, West Virginia to await his release. The author does a great job of depicting the effect of an influx of strangers on residents of a dying, rural community with an inbred suspicion of outsiders. The bulk of the book takes place prior to Merrick getting out so we get the back story on all the characters. Each has their own agenda & in a town with one bar & one hotel, it’s inevitable tempers will flare.
As for Vaughn, he’s got his hands full. His military background & computer skills are assets but he’s shackled with a couple of partners that take turns driving him crazy. Tracing the money requires them to form uneasy alliances with some of the other characters. Tensions slowly rise & you know it’s just a matter of time ’til something goes horribly wrong.
It’s a fast paced thriller full of red herrings & misdirection that will keep you guessing as to how it will all shake out. Vaughn was introduced in last year’s excellent “The Short Drop” & he’s still living with the fallout from events in that book. It was a character driven suspense story while this one is more of an action thriller. But he continues to be a compelling guy. He’s a decent, hard working man who can’t seem to catch a break & you desperately want to see something go right in his world.
I’d recommend reading “The Short Drop” first & as this one ends on a cliffhanger, it’s clear there’s more to come. A great cast of characters, plenty of action & intricate plotting make this a book you’ll want to carry with you so you can sneak in some reading time when you get the chance.
October 23, 2016
Warning, you have to read the next book.
Ending to this book is in the next book. Read the first book year ago November and gave five stars, this one not only didn't answer some questions I had in the first one, also left me very angry with the sudden ending. Don't think I'll read the next book. Story has many twists and turns, keeping up with the many characters in the story wasn't easy.
Ending to this book is in the next book. Read the first book year ago November and gave five stars, this one not only didn't answer some questions I had in the first one, also left me very angry with the sudden ending. Don't think I'll read the next book. Story has many twists and turns, keeping up with the many characters in the story wasn't easy.
November 21, 2023
Totally reads like a short story. Poisonfeather has a very tight, claustrophobic plot that ends on a cliffhanger.
Gibson Vaughn, an expert hacker with military experience, is still reeling from the events involving the VPOTUS in an Atlanta hotel a year ago. In the wake of that, he's struggling to find legitimate employment. When he receives a distress call from the only judge who ever cut him any slack, he learns that a shady financial investment has left the judge destitute. With no other prospects on the horizon, he decides to investigate the hedge fund manager, Charles Merrick.
Poisonfeather is almost entirely told within the confines of tiny Niobe, West Virginia. The story is fast-paced and even though the author accepted a few plot holes in exchange for speed, I enjoyed the read. I hope everything turns out okay for Lea and Swonger. Onward to #3, Cold Harbor.
Gibson Vaughn, an expert hacker with military experience, is still reeling from the events involving the VPOTUS in an Atlanta hotel a year ago. In the wake of that, he's struggling to find legitimate employment. When he receives a distress call from the only judge who ever cut him any slack, he learns that a shady financial investment has left the judge destitute. With no other prospects on the horizon, he decides to investigate the hedge fund manager, Charles Merrick.
Poisonfeather is almost entirely told within the confines of tiny Niobe, West Virginia. The story is fast-paced and even though the author accepted a few plot holes in exchange for speed, I enjoyed the read. I hope everything turns out okay for Lea and Swonger. Onward to #3, Cold Harbor.
November 26, 2016
Gibson Vaughan is dragged into a situation by the family of the judge who sent him to the Marines, instead of jail when he was caught hacking as a teenager. He is asked to help them recover their lost savings when a bet by their hedge fund manager went south. Charles Merrick is about to be released from prison and everyone wants a piece of him, including the Chinese security service and the CIA, because of his knowledge of a spy. Even his daughter Chelsea and ex-wife come to town, with their own agendas. Unfortunately, in his second book, FitzSimmons relies more on action than on tension as a medium to keep the reader's attention. And, the cliffhanger was super annoying...
July 14, 2017
Matthew FitzSimmons is definitely a rising star in this genre!!!!!!!!!!
What an amazing second book in the "Gibson Vaughn" series and I would like to state at this point that, despite his uncertainty and angst during writting this second book under pressure and a deadline - in his own words in acknowledgements - he sure as hell managed to deliver a more compelling book than the first. So perhaps Mr. FitzSimmons, you could try and increase some pressure for the third one? I really can't think how better it could be, but I'm sure you will surprise us all.
This book had it all for me. Round the clock action, three-dimensional characters, technology gizmos, government agents, gangs, mafia, an imperfect hero, an arrogant vilain, twists and turns, not to mention that ending that left me with my jaw on the floor.......
I sort of expected for this one to end with Gibson fading away in the sunset as a lonesome cowboy but I should have know better.
I have only one question left:
What an amazing second book in the "Gibson Vaughn" series and I would like to state at this point that, despite his uncertainty and angst during writting this second book under pressure and a deadline - in his own words in acknowledgements - he sure as hell managed to deliver a more compelling book than the first. So perhaps Mr. FitzSimmons, you could try and increase some pressure for the third one? I really can't think how better it could be, but I'm sure you will surprise us all.
This book had it all for me. Round the clock action, three-dimensional characters, technology gizmos, government agents, gangs, mafia, an imperfect hero, an arrogant vilain, twists and turns, not to mention that ending that left me with my jaw on the floor.......
I sort of expected for this one to end with Gibson fading away in the sunset as a lonesome cowboy but I should have know better.
I have only one question left:
November 16, 2016
Such a let down with a horrible, unfinished ending. The resolution to be in the next book, maybe, and by then I sure as hell will not remember the convoluted story line in this book. What a shame as the first book was great. Will not bother reading any more of his books. (library)
March 3, 2019
Not much I want to say about book #2. It ended so unsatisfactorily (although anyone can successfully guess at how book #3 will open) that you're just left thinking, "I went through all that BS just to end up like this?" Interesting to see how many new characters from this book will appear in #3.
November 27, 2016
Horrible Ending
An early effort by a promising writer. Future books should benefit from mistakes made in this one. Upon finishing the last page my only thought was "huh, that's it? He forgot the epilogue."
The rest of the book was decent. Some of the characters needed more depth, but the action scenes were tense and gripping. However, the conclusion left too many unanswered questions. What became of Lea? How about Swonger? And on and on leaving the reader frustrated with unresolved matters.
An early effort by a promising writer. Future books should benefit from mistakes made in this one. Upon finishing the last page my only thought was "huh, that's it? He forgot the epilogue."
The rest of the book was decent. Some of the characters needed more depth, but the action scenes were tense and gripping. However, the conclusion left too many unanswered questions. What became of Lea? How about Swonger? And on and on leaving the reader frustrated with unresolved matters.
September 2, 2016
Disclaimer: Matt FitzSimmons and I share the same publisher and chat from time to time via email.
Reluctant hero Gibson Vaughn returns in Poisonfeather, the eagerly awaited sequel to Matt FitzSimmons’ explosively popular debut novel, The Short Drop.
After a long stretch of hard luck, Vaughn’s prospects are finally looking up. A lucrative, government job offer dangles within easy grasp, promising to usher in a new era of reconciliation with his ex-wife and a desperately sought reconnection to his daughter. With the specter of his connection to Vice President Lombard’s suicide fading into the background, Vaughn stands on the precipice of a fresh start, or so it seems. The unexpected and ill-timed delivery of an unrefusable request catapults Vaughn into the middle of an unthinkably dangerous chain of events—threatening to bury him in a web of dark conspiracy and blood debt.
FitzSimmons seizes the reader by the collar with Poisonfeather, pulling them along a masterfully paved, serpentine path of relentless deception, twisted revenge and wanton murder—guaranteed to leave the reader breathless. Disarming undertones of humor, candid portrayals and relatable motives bring the characters into focus, as their conflicting agendas and uncertain loyalties converge on the story’s shocking finale, two things are certain. A reckoning like no other is coming, and you will not be able to stop reading until all debts are settled. Poisonfeather is dark, thought-provoking thriller fiction at it's best. The kind of book that stays with you long after the final page is turned.
Reluctant hero Gibson Vaughn returns in Poisonfeather, the eagerly awaited sequel to Matt FitzSimmons’ explosively popular debut novel, The Short Drop.
After a long stretch of hard luck, Vaughn’s prospects are finally looking up. A lucrative, government job offer dangles within easy grasp, promising to usher in a new era of reconciliation with his ex-wife and a desperately sought reconnection to his daughter. With the specter of his connection to Vice President Lombard’s suicide fading into the background, Vaughn stands on the precipice of a fresh start, or so it seems. The unexpected and ill-timed delivery of an unrefusable request catapults Vaughn into the middle of an unthinkably dangerous chain of events—threatening to bury him in a web of dark conspiracy and blood debt.
FitzSimmons seizes the reader by the collar with Poisonfeather, pulling them along a masterfully paved, serpentine path of relentless deception, twisted revenge and wanton murder—guaranteed to leave the reader breathless. Disarming undertones of humor, candid portrayals and relatable motives bring the characters into focus, as their conflicting agendas and uncertain loyalties converge on the story’s shocking finale, two things are certain. A reckoning like no other is coming, and you will not be able to stop reading until all debts are settled. Poisonfeather is dark, thought-provoking thriller fiction at it's best. The kind of book that stays with you long after the final page is turned.
October 24, 2016
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 Stars Also purchased the audiobook, narrated by James Patrick Cronin.
Matthew Fitzsimmons’ returns following The Short Drop (Gibson Vaughn, #1), landing on my Top 50 Books of 2015. “Best Debut Political Crime Techno Thriller,” with his follow-up, POISONFEATHER, (Gibson Vaughn #2), a thriller with a full cast of characters, with Vaughn taking the back seat, compared to the first book.
A finite number of topics existed in prison-life before, life during, and the promise of a better life after. Charles Merrick would be happy when he put Niobe Federal Prison behind him in 142 days. As the managing partner of Merrick Capital, he had given two or three interviews in a week. He needed this interview. Many people resented the plea deal he cut with the Justice Department.
Eight years for the devastation Merrick Capital caused its investors strikes some as ludicrous. The net value of the assets seized didn’t come close to compensating his victims. Lives were ruined. Some saw this is a country club versus a real prison. (Madoff Junior).
Of course, Charles is insulted by this title since Madoff’s operation was amateur hour. None of the major Wall Street firms invested with Madoff. He thinks his firm was a work of art. He says their investment strategies were legitimate and their returns to investors were unprecedented. Until the crash of 2008. Of course, he blamed it on the Americans.
Catching up with Vaughn (love him)—and the Nighthawk Diner, ex-wife, and daughter, and of course some baseball. Down on his luck, he has been job hunting for last six months and between child support and mortgage his savings were just about exhausted.
He needed Real money. Real work. A job offer on the table and now to pass a polygraph. He is so close. The kind of money he expected when he left the Marines. He needed an apartment for his daughter, Ellie and maybe a dog. Hopefully, things will be looking up. However, things do not go so well.
Among Merrick's swindled victims is Judge Hammond Birk, the man who saved Gibson Vaughn's life when he was a troubled teenager. Charlottesville, Virginia. Now Gibson intends to repay that debt by recovering Merrick's victims' money from the Ponzi-scheme. Birk had offered him a deal; the Marines instead of prison, in open defiance of then senator Benjamin Lombard. The judge had saved his life. Now Birk’s family needs his help.
Now Vaughn he has to deal with the self-importance arrogance of Merrick and supposedly he has money the government didn’t find. A digital trail. They needed his computer expertise to track down the money.
One more powerful man who had gamed a broken system, ruined lives, and lived to rub it in his victim’s faces. However, Gibson isn't the only one on the dangerous trail of the hidden fortune.
Merrick had traded something valuable to his government, and in exchange, the Americans had permitted to plead out to a lighter sentence and keep some of his assets. It had to be "Poisonfeather."
“Hell is empty. And all the devils are here.”—William Shakespeare, The Tempest
Fold or call? Gibson has two options.
What a cast of characters and criminals from a Chinese spy, fisherman, gangs, a cabin, and the CIA for non-stop suspense action! However, I hate to compare "but" I did not enjoy #2 as much as #1. Sure it is difficult when your debut is so fantastic, the expectations are set high.
I think part of the reason was less action from Vaughn and more from the other cast of characters (too many), spread out in too many places, which took away from my "main man!" Give me more Gibson Vaughn #3 in Cold Harbor, please.
JDCMustReadBooks
Matthew Fitzsimmons’ returns following The Short Drop (Gibson Vaughn, #1), landing on my Top 50 Books of 2015. “Best Debut Political Crime Techno Thriller,” with his follow-up, POISONFEATHER, (Gibson Vaughn #2), a thriller with a full cast of characters, with Vaughn taking the back seat, compared to the first book.
A finite number of topics existed in prison-life before, life during, and the promise of a better life after. Charles Merrick would be happy when he put Niobe Federal Prison behind him in 142 days. As the managing partner of Merrick Capital, he had given two or three interviews in a week. He needed this interview. Many people resented the plea deal he cut with the Justice Department.
Eight years for the devastation Merrick Capital caused its investors strikes some as ludicrous. The net value of the assets seized didn’t come close to compensating his victims. Lives were ruined. Some saw this is a country club versus a real prison. (Madoff Junior).
Of course, Charles is insulted by this title since Madoff’s operation was amateur hour. None of the major Wall Street firms invested with Madoff. He thinks his firm was a work of art. He says their investment strategies were legitimate and their returns to investors were unprecedented. Until the crash of 2008. Of course, he blamed it on the Americans.
Catching up with Vaughn (love him)—and the Nighthawk Diner, ex-wife, and daughter, and of course some baseball. Down on his luck, he has been job hunting for last six months and between child support and mortgage his savings were just about exhausted.
He needed Real money. Real work. A job offer on the table and now to pass a polygraph. He is so close. The kind of money he expected when he left the Marines. He needed an apartment for his daughter, Ellie and maybe a dog. Hopefully, things will be looking up. However, things do not go so well.
Among Merrick's swindled victims is Judge Hammond Birk, the man who saved Gibson Vaughn's life when he was a troubled teenager. Charlottesville, Virginia. Now Gibson intends to repay that debt by recovering Merrick's victims' money from the Ponzi-scheme. Birk had offered him a deal; the Marines instead of prison, in open defiance of then senator Benjamin Lombard. The judge had saved his life. Now Birk’s family needs his help.
Now Vaughn he has to deal with the self-importance arrogance of Merrick and supposedly he has money the government didn’t find. A digital trail. They needed his computer expertise to track down the money.
One more powerful man who had gamed a broken system, ruined lives, and lived to rub it in his victim’s faces. However, Gibson isn't the only one on the dangerous trail of the hidden fortune.
Merrick had traded something valuable to his government, and in exchange, the Americans had permitted to plead out to a lighter sentence and keep some of his assets. It had to be "Poisonfeather."
“Hell is empty. And all the devils are here.”—William Shakespeare, The Tempest
Fold or call? Gibson has two options.
What a cast of characters and criminals from a Chinese spy, fisherman, gangs, a cabin, and the CIA for non-stop suspense action! However, I hate to compare "but" I did not enjoy #2 as much as #1. Sure it is difficult when your debut is so fantastic, the expectations are set high.
I think part of the reason was less action from Vaughn and more from the other cast of characters (too many), spread out in too many places, which took away from my "main man!" Give me more Gibson Vaughn #3 in Cold Harbor, please.
JDCMustReadBooks
February 24, 2017
I received this arc from Netgalley.
I was all set to give this one at least a four star rating. It moved along at a pretty steady pace and was for the most part exciting. I don't know why the author decided to end (not end?) this book this way. Well there went those four stars. I HATE cliffhangers and I will stay away from this author in the future.
I was all set to give this one at least a four star rating. It moved along at a pretty steady pace and was for the most part exciting. I don't know why the author decided to end (not end?) this book this way. Well there went those four stars. I HATE cliffhangers and I will stay away from this author in the future.
December 26, 2016
Seriously! I'm left with all these questions after an epic battle. None of the characters in this book left me disappointed but the ending surely did. I finished this book with the thought of "there has to be more".
October 29, 2017
"The difference between fiction and reality, fiction has to make sense." Tom Clancy.
It's too bad that Matthew FitzSimmons didn't follow that advice. Once again he leaves too much to leaps of faith. Gibson is found by several people with no explanation as to how it was done. Not even the 'unknown' GPS tracker.
This is the second book in the Vaughn series. Other than the leaps of faith, it was pretty well written. Enough action to keep the reader involved, yet it is not what I would call 'wall to wall' action. The reader has plenty of opportunity to take a breath. The downside is FitzSimmons decided to make it a cliffhanger.
I gave it three stars for his writing ability, rounded down for the cliffhanger The cliffhanger ending also ended my interest in his series. I don't do cliffhanger endings from any author, let alone a relative newcomer.
It's too bad that Matthew FitzSimmons didn't follow that advice. Once again he leaves too much to leaps of faith. Gibson is found by several people with no explanation as to how it was done. Not even the 'unknown' GPS tracker.
This is the second book in the Vaughn series. Other than the leaps of faith, it was pretty well written. Enough action to keep the reader involved, yet it is not what I would call 'wall to wall' action. The reader has plenty of opportunity to take a breath. The downside is FitzSimmons decided to make it a cliffhanger.
I gave it three stars for his writing ability, rounded down for the cliffhanger The cliffhanger ending also ended my interest in his series. I don't do cliffhanger endings from any author, let alone a relative newcomer.
February 21, 2019
Can't wait for this to come out! Accidentally hit the rate the book stars. But hoping it's as good as the first one....
updated to add— very well written, great characters, a story that I found more intriguing than the first book, but the ending made me see red.
Without being too spoilery, I’d have been upset that Gibson got screwed at the end, and I’m confused as to why the airport employee was brought in too, but I could’ve accepted it if it really was the end for him. The fact that more books are coming makes it seem like just a cheap trick/cliffhanger.
updated to add— very well written, great characters, a story that I found more intriguing than the first book, but the ending made me see red.
Without being too spoilery, I’d have been upset that Gibson got screwed at the end, and I’m confused as to why the airport employee was brought in too, but I could’ve accepted it if it really was the end for him. The fact that more books are coming makes it seem like just a cheap trick/cliffhanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2016
So where's the last 2 chapters? Was my version defective? I would have given this book more stars but for the unfinished story. Undoubtedly there's another book coming, but surely you could adopt a style such as the more seasoned author Lee Child and actually make each book stand alone.
I honestly promise to keep buying your books so long as your writing is good! No need to use extreme measures! This may convince me to stop reading this author!
I honestly promise to keep buying your books so long as your writing is good! No need to use extreme measures! This may convince me to stop reading this author!
August 5, 2016
Poisionfeather is the second book in Matthew FitzSimmons’ Gibson Vaughn series. I devoured its predecessor, The Short Drop, in about two days because it was just that good. I would definitely recommend reading The Short Drop before reading Poisonfeather to understand fully Gibson’s character as well as his motivations. The first book is a wonderful character portrait of Gibson, not to mention a kick-butt, action-packed political thriller. Poisionfeather is a great continuation of that series but, even though FitzSimmons does give some detail on previous events, I think it assumes you have read The Short Drop.
This installment begins with Charles Merrick, dubbed Madoff Junior, giving a jailhouse interview to a reporter for a financial magazine. During this interview, he arrogantly insinuates that he has squirreled away a fortune. Merrick is just a few weeks from completing an eight-year sentence for swindling victims out of their money, leaving their lives destroyed. As a result of this interview, there is renewed interest in Merrick and a great deal curiosity in this mystery fortune. Gibson finds himself drawn into all this because one of Merrick’s victims, Judge Hammond Birk, is, for lack of a better word, a benefactor of sorts to Gibson. The “judge” is responsible for keeping Gibson out of prison when he was teenager, giving him a choice between prison and the Marines. Birk, once a grand figure, is now languishing in a beat-up trailer with no running water and suffering from dementia. His family has shunned him and barely tolerates him because he convinced them to invest with Merrick as well. The sense of anger and hopelessness is palpable. In a rare moment of lucidity, Birk not only tells the whole sordid tale to Gibson, he also asks him to distance himself from anything to do with Merrick. The scene between Gibson and Birk is actually quite touching and, naturally, Gibson isn’t going to sit by and do nothing - because he owes the “judge.”
As Gibson stars to investigate Merrick, an interesting cast of characters emerges. Swonger, whose relatives were also convinced by Birk to invest, is one of the more entertaining and unique characters in the book. I also like Lea, the mysterious bartender with attitude. FitzSimmons is very good at creating characters, even some of the ones on the periphery, like Lydia, the magazine reporter who interviews Merrick, and Charlie, the town drunk, are fleshed out and memorable. The downside to this is that there is rather large group of characters and subplots to keep straight and I did have a little trouble at times, especially when Fa and the Chinese connection are introduced.
I really liked Poisonfeather and raced through it, as I did The Short Drop. It is a little slower to take off but it is still a fun, exciting read with political intrigue and action not to mention some real heart. What keeps me from rating it 5 stars, though, is that I feel that it suffers from overpopulation in characters and plots; there is just a little too much going on at times. It starts off as a revenge tale against a greedy, monstrous man and, somewhere along the way, the CIA gets involved and we have a global spy story developing, all of which are great stories but, I think it’s a lot for one book. Unfortunately, I think Gibson gets a little lost in it all and is relegated to supporting character more than I would have liked but I still enjoyed the story and recommend it to fans of The Short Drop and to anyone who likes fast-paced thrillers with excellent characters.
I received an advance copy of Poisonfeather from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my honest, unbiased review.
This installment begins with Charles Merrick, dubbed Madoff Junior, giving a jailhouse interview to a reporter for a financial magazine. During this interview, he arrogantly insinuates that he has squirreled away a fortune. Merrick is just a few weeks from completing an eight-year sentence for swindling victims out of their money, leaving their lives destroyed. As a result of this interview, there is renewed interest in Merrick and a great deal curiosity in this mystery fortune. Gibson finds himself drawn into all this because one of Merrick’s victims, Judge Hammond Birk, is, for lack of a better word, a benefactor of sorts to Gibson. The “judge” is responsible for keeping Gibson out of prison when he was teenager, giving him a choice between prison and the Marines. Birk, once a grand figure, is now languishing in a beat-up trailer with no running water and suffering from dementia. His family has shunned him and barely tolerates him because he convinced them to invest with Merrick as well. The sense of anger and hopelessness is palpable. In a rare moment of lucidity, Birk not only tells the whole sordid tale to Gibson, he also asks him to distance himself from anything to do with Merrick. The scene between Gibson and Birk is actually quite touching and, naturally, Gibson isn’t going to sit by and do nothing - because he owes the “judge.”
As Gibson stars to investigate Merrick, an interesting cast of characters emerges. Swonger, whose relatives were also convinced by Birk to invest, is one of the more entertaining and unique characters in the book. I also like Lea, the mysterious bartender with attitude. FitzSimmons is very good at creating characters, even some of the ones on the periphery, like Lydia, the magazine reporter who interviews Merrick, and Charlie, the town drunk, are fleshed out and memorable. The downside to this is that there is rather large group of characters and subplots to keep straight and I did have a little trouble at times, especially when Fa and the Chinese connection are introduced.
I really liked Poisonfeather and raced through it, as I did The Short Drop. It is a little slower to take off but it is still a fun, exciting read with political intrigue and action not to mention some real heart. What keeps me from rating it 5 stars, though, is that I feel that it suffers from overpopulation in characters and plots; there is just a little too much going on at times. It starts off as a revenge tale against a greedy, monstrous man and, somewhere along the way, the CIA gets involved and we have a global spy story developing, all of which are great stories but, I think it’s a lot for one book. Unfortunately, I think Gibson gets a little lost in it all and is relegated to supporting character more than I would have liked but I still enjoyed the story and recommend it to fans of The Short Drop and to anyone who likes fast-paced thrillers with excellent characters.
I received an advance copy of Poisonfeather from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my honest, unbiased review.
October 23, 2016
Sporting a scar on his neck from last years adventure depicted in "The Short Drop", Gibson Vaughn is back in the game in an effort to find the hidden funds of crooked investment banker Charles Merrick. Merrick, about to be released from an eight year prison stretch after cheating investors in a Bernie Madoff type Ponzi scam, gives an interview in a financial magazine where he inadvertently hints he might have held back money not previously confiscated by the FBI. The article draws the attention of burned investors, a beautiful West Virginia bartender, the FBI, the CIA, Chinese Intelligence, relatives of Merrick and protagonist Gibson Vaughn, in a favor for an ailing Judge he holds in high esteem. All these disparate parties converge on the Federal Prison at Niobe West Virginia to confront Merrick when he is released.
All the moving parts of this excellent mystery/thriller comprise a literary jigsaw puzzle that will keep you guessing as you furiously turn the pages. Gibson Vaughn and the mismatched associates he teams up with make this a uniquely original and entertaining story.
All the moving parts of this excellent mystery/thriller comprise a literary jigsaw puzzle that will keep you guessing as you furiously turn the pages. Gibson Vaughn and the mismatched associates he teams up with make this a uniquely original and entertaining story.
May 22, 2017
This was a pretty weak sophmore effort. My biggest problems were the utter boredom of the initial setup (2/3 of the book), the fact that the main character completely changed tone from the first book and the cliffhanger at the end.
Too much back story slowed the first large chunk of the book so much that I almost quit. Once of the main character's speech patterns wavered between getto and farm hick, I couldn't ever get a clear picture of him in my mind. Gibson Vaughn, the driver of both of the novels so far changed from primarily a nerd who was forced into being tough to some sort of dark brooding ex-marine with computer skills. The change didn't set well and changed the tone completely for the series.
The cliffhanger? Horrible, nothing was resolved and it sounds like the next book is really just a next chapter of this book. I won't read it.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because the last 1/3 did deliver some suspense and drama.
Too much back story slowed the first large chunk of the book so much that I almost quit. Once of the main character's speech patterns wavered between getto and farm hick, I couldn't ever get a clear picture of him in my mind. Gibson Vaughn, the driver of both of the novels so far changed from primarily a nerd who was forced into being tough to some sort of dark brooding ex-marine with computer skills. The change didn't set well and changed the tone completely for the series.
The cliffhanger? Horrible, nothing was resolved and it sounds like the next book is really just a next chapter of this book. I won't read it.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because the last 1/3 did deliver some suspense and drama.
October 16, 2016
No kind of review, but some kind of PSA: do NOT read this if you mind being left with a horrible ending and a year to wait for the next. I didn't realise there was to be a third, and wasn't liking it as much as the first, when I saw very few pages left and no type of temporarily sorted ending possible. That said, there was a LOT going on in the big plot, which revealed itself gradually, and I kind of admired the amount of 'stuff' thrown into the pot. Big financial scandals, deep secret operatives, wronged families. The family stuff - Gibson's and other ones - was pretty bleak, even horrific, and it all got to be too much. By the end, there's a real bloodbath, and it was so bad - and so unnecessary - it made you wonder how quite so much the-schemingest-ever and naive-stupidity were supposed to co-exist.
Bottom line: don't bother unless you loved the first Gibson Vaughn book, and then wait.
Bottom line: don't bother unless you loved the first Gibson Vaughn book, and then wait.
August 17, 2017
I was a bit disappointed, i had high expectations on this novel after I read, "The Short Drop", which I loved it by the way. It was an easy read, i like very much the author's writting and he explains well, but the plot, the story...not something I was amaze of. Thank You Netgalley for offering an Advance copy of this book. May the third be a better experience.
March 15, 2017
3.5 stars
Poisonfeather is the second installment in the Gibson Vaughn series by Matthew Fitzsimmons. This is a long awaited book after the amazing and huge success of The Short Drop, the first book in the series and the debut novel by the author. I was one of the great fans and I gave The Short Drop a five stars review. I was taken by how good The Short Drop was and couldn’t wait for its sequel, Poisonfeather.
Poisonfeather however doesn’t build on the previous book in the series except for some very few refreshers in the beginning. As for the plot, it has nothing to do with its prequel. That was a disappointment indeed, for The Short Drop was such a perfect plot with many issues at the end that we the readers would have loved the author to build on. No offense taken so far, I delved into the book with high expectations.
Poisonfeather starts with the imprisoned billionaire Charles Merrick who’s about to be released. Charles is a self-centered billionaire who is detached from his surroundings. He can only see his best interests. He can’t wait to be released to enjoy the huge fortune he had stashed in an offshore bank account. Many people had lost their lifetime savings and even faced the worst of needy futures because of Merrick’s reckless financial gambling. With no worries at all, Merrick is only focused on his bright future after prison. He even fails to recognize his ill doings. Reckless and arrogant as he is, he hints publicly in an interview while he is in prison to that stashed fortune. And this was the siren for the gates of hell to open.
Many people can’t wait for Merrick to be released. Most people are seeking revenge, while others are seeking a lot more. Our most beloved hero, Gibson Vaughn, is after Merrick too. Judge Hammond Birk, the man who had saved Gibson Vaughn’s life when he was a troubled teenager, is one of Merrick’s victims. Now Gibson is after Merrick to repay the man who had saved him before.
In an action packed thriller, we follow all those people seeking Merrick. And as the plot moves on, a lot of secrets are revealed.
Poisonfeather was supposed to be a good book with lots of action and suspense. However, it fell short of our expectations (or at least mine). From my point of view, there had been more than one reason for that. First of all, the first half of the book was so slow with almost nothing happening. It was a preparation for the second half. However, it was too slow. The second reason was the unintentional comparison to the first book in the series. I subconsciously did this comparison all along the book. Needless to say, it wasn’t in favor of Poisonfeather. For when compared to The Short Drop, the plot in Poisonfeather wasn’t as consistent as in the first book and the pace was much slower. Another reason was the fact that most of the action was done by the other characters of the book with less action from Gibson side.
Still, I liked Gibson Vaughn. I think many of us do. As a faithful reader, I will be waiting for more books in this series. I think that Matthew Fitzsimmons is a talented writer capable of bringing us many more powerful and amazing books in the future. Also, Gibson Vaughn is a character that had been well developed in the first book. The author can do a lot of work based on such character. The Short Drop on the other hand had a lot of open issues which, from my point of view, can be used in future installments. They can be hinges for many more installments to come and connect to the first book.
Now to be honest, this is a book I had to read and I have enjoyed reading. Even if it had fell short of my expectations a little bit, I believe Gibson Vaughn series is a promising series worth following.
**Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. **
For all my reviews please visit http://www.meshascorner.net
Poisonfeather is the second installment in the Gibson Vaughn series by Matthew Fitzsimmons. This is a long awaited book after the amazing and huge success of The Short Drop, the first book in the series and the debut novel by the author. I was one of the great fans and I gave The Short Drop a five stars review. I was taken by how good The Short Drop was and couldn’t wait for its sequel, Poisonfeather.
Poisonfeather however doesn’t build on the previous book in the series except for some very few refreshers in the beginning. As for the plot, it has nothing to do with its prequel. That was a disappointment indeed, for The Short Drop was such a perfect plot with many issues at the end that we the readers would have loved the author to build on. No offense taken so far, I delved into the book with high expectations.
Poisonfeather starts with the imprisoned billionaire Charles Merrick who’s about to be released. Charles is a self-centered billionaire who is detached from his surroundings. He can only see his best interests. He can’t wait to be released to enjoy the huge fortune he had stashed in an offshore bank account. Many people had lost their lifetime savings and even faced the worst of needy futures because of Merrick’s reckless financial gambling. With no worries at all, Merrick is only focused on his bright future after prison. He even fails to recognize his ill doings. Reckless and arrogant as he is, he hints publicly in an interview while he is in prison to that stashed fortune. And this was the siren for the gates of hell to open.
Many people can’t wait for Merrick to be released. Most people are seeking revenge, while others are seeking a lot more. Our most beloved hero, Gibson Vaughn, is after Merrick too. Judge Hammond Birk, the man who had saved Gibson Vaughn’s life when he was a troubled teenager, is one of Merrick’s victims. Now Gibson is after Merrick to repay the man who had saved him before.
In an action packed thriller, we follow all those people seeking Merrick. And as the plot moves on, a lot of secrets are revealed.
Poisonfeather was supposed to be a good book with lots of action and suspense. However, it fell short of our expectations (or at least mine). From my point of view, there had been more than one reason for that. First of all, the first half of the book was so slow with almost nothing happening. It was a preparation for the second half. However, it was too slow. The second reason was the unintentional comparison to the first book in the series. I subconsciously did this comparison all along the book. Needless to say, it wasn’t in favor of Poisonfeather. For when compared to The Short Drop, the plot in Poisonfeather wasn’t as consistent as in the first book and the pace was much slower. Another reason was the fact that most of the action was done by the other characters of the book with less action from Gibson side.
Still, I liked Gibson Vaughn. I think many of us do. As a faithful reader, I will be waiting for more books in this series. I think that Matthew Fitzsimmons is a talented writer capable of bringing us many more powerful and amazing books in the future. Also, Gibson Vaughn is a character that had been well developed in the first book. The author can do a lot of work based on such character. The Short Drop on the other hand had a lot of open issues which, from my point of view, can be used in future installments. They can be hinges for many more installments to come and connect to the first book.
Now to be honest, this is a book I had to read and I have enjoyed reading. Even if it had fell short of my expectations a little bit, I believe Gibson Vaughn series is a promising series worth following.
**Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. **
For all my reviews please visit http://www.meshascorner.net
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