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Andy Hayes Mysteries #5
The Third Brother: An Andy Hayes Mystery
It’s a violent encounter that private investigator Andy Hayes could have done without. One minute he’s finishing up some grocery shopping ahead of a custody visit with his sons. The next, he must come to the rescue of a Somali American mother and her young children as anti-immigrant bullies torment them.
Grateful for his intervention, the Somali community hires Andy to find a missing teenager who vanished without a trace and is now accused of plotting a terror attack in his adopted hometown of Columbus, Ohio. The government is certain that nineteen-year-old Abdi Mohamed followed in the footsteps of his brother, who died in Syria a few months earlier in a jihadi assault. But Mohamed’s family isn’t convinced, describing a soccer-loving American kid who renounced his brother’s actions and planned to attend college in the fall and become a diplomat someday.
Soon Andy is fending off fed-up FBI agents and dueling with a mysterious foe with links to the white supremacist movement. As he draws ever closer to the truth behind Mohamed’s disappearance, Hayes stumbles onto a conspiracy that could put hundreds of lives in danger, including his own two boys.
Grateful for his intervention, the Somali community hires Andy to find a missing teenager who vanished without a trace and is now accused of plotting a terror attack in his adopted hometown of Columbus, Ohio. The government is certain that nineteen-year-old Abdi Mohamed followed in the footsteps of his brother, who died in Syria a few months earlier in a jihadi assault. But Mohamed’s family isn’t convinced, describing a soccer-loving American kid who renounced his brother’s actions and planned to attend college in the fall and become a diplomat someday.
Soon Andy is fending off fed-up FBI agents and dueling with a mysterious foe with links to the white supremacist movement. As he draws ever closer to the truth behind Mohamed’s disappearance, Hayes stumbles onto a conspiracy that could put hundreds of lives in danger, including his own two boys.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published April 10, 2018
10 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Welsh-Huggins
47 books147 followersANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS is the Shamus Award-nominated author of the Andy Hayes private eye series, the standalone crime novel "The End of the Road," and editor of "Columbus Noir." His short fiction has appeared in "Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine," "Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine," Mystery Magazine," the anthologies "The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021," "Mickey Finn 21st Century Noir: Vols I and III," "Paranoia Blues: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Paul Simon," and other magazines and anthologies. Andrew's nonfiction book, "No Winners Here Tonight," is the definitive history of the death penalty in Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 28, 2018
I read a advanced reader copy of this book which I won in a raffle at a writer's work shop and enjoyed it immensely. I live in Columbus where the author lives and where the story takes place, so that was a plus. But, it is pager turner that is current on social and political issues, that is funny and that is interspersed with sociological tid bits like the Grassman of Ohio (look it up); this was a fun and informative read. I now plan to read the rest by this author.
December 2, 2018
Andy Hayes' fourth investigation involves Somalis, white supremacists, and a very intriguing mystery of missing people and, perhaps, terrorists. Andy can't catch a break but he knows he's on the right track when he's confronted or abused at every turn.
Witty repartee and lots of familiar Columbus haunts will add to the flavor of this thrilling mystery ripped from the headlines and current events.
for a longer review see the Ohioana Library Quarterly http://www.ohioana.org
Witty repartee and lots of familiar Columbus haunts will add to the flavor of this thrilling mystery ripped from the headlines and current events.
for a longer review see the Ohioana Library Quarterly http://www.ohioana.org
May 27, 2018
Ohio State University Buckeye Bad Boy Andy Hayes is back in THE THIRD BROTHER by Andrew Welsh-Huggins. This is the fifth title in the Andy Hayes mystery series.
Our bad boy, smart-ass leading character is a bit down and out, with 2 kids, 2 ex-wives; always short of cash; always looking for a lucrative case as a private investigator. Point-shaving while a star OSU quarterback does not merit him much popularity in a city where Ohio State and especially Ohio State football reigns supreme.
In a supermarket parking lot, Andy is outraged at the treatment/the abuse aimed at a Somali woman and her children. He intervenes in her behalf. The altercation puts him on the radar of the Somali community and he receives a request to look for a missing boy who some believe to be a terrorist.
The Ohio location gives this series a great ‘sense of place’. Having been born in Columbus, I like reading about German Village, The Book Loft, Ohio State campus, Short North, Dublin, Arlington and all the neighborhoods that make up this midwestern city.
I like Andy’s character. He is maturing and has quite the ethical streak, despite his earlier transgressions.
Additional characters in the series provide interest, tension and factual background.
(I was interested to read that Columbus has the 2nd largest Somali population in the US. after the Twin Cities of Minnesota. The missing boy in THE THIRD BROTHER is part of this community which garners suspicion because of its Muslim faith.)
I like the factual expertise that the author gives to his books. Andrew Welsh-Huggins is an AP journalist working in Columbus, and has written several non-fiction titles in addition to his mystery series.
I like the book cover. (I always look at book covers.)
The mystery, the plot tension is very good.
I like Mr. Welsh-Huggins’ writing style and often note certain sentences that resonate with me.
“The contrast of the electronics-heavy room with the rest of the drab house was striking, like finding a chemistry lab aboard a clipper ship making a run to Cathay.”
“….wondered what conditions I would ever drink a Mountain Dew.” (I am in constant wonderment how anyone could drink it!)
“Bibles, books on religion, and family photos crowded a bookshelf behind the pastor’s desk. The walls were covered with more photos, along with framed diplomas and the quintessential Columbus office accessory: a framed poster-sized picture of Ohio State Stadium on game day.” (How many times have I seen that same poster? In offices, bedrooms, Ohio State TV rooms, living rooms, public buildings. It might be a law to have such a poster!)
I enjoy this series very much and would definitely recommend it. (Just like a clerk at The Book Loft recommended the series to me many years ago.)
Our bad boy, smart-ass leading character is a bit down and out, with 2 kids, 2 ex-wives; always short of cash; always looking for a lucrative case as a private investigator. Point-shaving while a star OSU quarterback does not merit him much popularity in a city where Ohio State and especially Ohio State football reigns supreme.
In a supermarket parking lot, Andy is outraged at the treatment/the abuse aimed at a Somali woman and her children. He intervenes in her behalf. The altercation puts him on the radar of the Somali community and he receives a request to look for a missing boy who some believe to be a terrorist.
The Ohio location gives this series a great ‘sense of place’. Having been born in Columbus, I like reading about German Village, The Book Loft, Ohio State campus, Short North, Dublin, Arlington and all the neighborhoods that make up this midwestern city.
I like Andy’s character. He is maturing and has quite the ethical streak, despite his earlier transgressions.
Additional characters in the series provide interest, tension and factual background.
(I was interested to read that Columbus has the 2nd largest Somali population in the US. after the Twin Cities of Minnesota. The missing boy in THE THIRD BROTHER is part of this community which garners suspicion because of its Muslim faith.)
I like the factual expertise that the author gives to his books. Andrew Welsh-Huggins is an AP journalist working in Columbus, and has written several non-fiction titles in addition to his mystery series.
I like the book cover. (I always look at book covers.)
The mystery, the plot tension is very good.
I like Mr. Welsh-Huggins’ writing style and often note certain sentences that resonate with me.
“The contrast of the electronics-heavy room with the rest of the drab house was striking, like finding a chemistry lab aboard a clipper ship making a run to Cathay.”
“….wondered what conditions I would ever drink a Mountain Dew.” (I am in constant wonderment how anyone could drink it!)
“Bibles, books on religion, and family photos crowded a bookshelf behind the pastor’s desk. The walls were covered with more photos, along with framed diplomas and the quintessential Columbus office accessory: a framed poster-sized picture of Ohio State Stadium on game day.” (How many times have I seen that same poster? In offices, bedrooms, Ohio State TV rooms, living rooms, public buildings. It might be a law to have such a poster!)
I enjoy this series very much and would definitely recommend it. (Just like a clerk at The Book Loft recommended the series to me many years ago.)
July 25, 2022
A few months ago on WOSU's All Sides: Books with Ann Fisher, the panel talked about local authors and based on their recommendation, I picked up this book. In general, I really enjoyed this book, as it reminded me of Robert B Parker's Spenser or Robert Crais' Elvis Cole mystery novels. The character and a PI based in Columbus. Almost all of the background places and events are recognizable to locals, from visiting the Somali community on the North side, to visiting the Park of Roses and setting up a confrontation in downtown Columbus during Red, White and Boom.
I would say there were some minor problems with writing at the beginning of the book, almost as if the author was trying a little too hard to emulate, but not copy, other giants of the genre, but the awkwardness dissipates as the book moves forward.
The story moves well, the characters are well fleshed out and interesting. The author has obviously done his research into the history of the area. I will definitely be reading more of his novels in the future.
I would say there were some minor problems with writing at the beginning of the book, almost as if the author was trying a little too hard to emulate, but not copy, other giants of the genre, but the awkwardness dissipates as the book moves forward.
The story moves well, the characters are well fleshed out and interesting. The author has obviously done his research into the history of the area. I will definitely be reading more of his novels in the future.
June 29, 2018
The fifth book in the Andy Hays series was a fun read. Andy has gotten a bit more sarcastic and throws back some snarky comebacks. He’s brought back some characters from his previous books and added a few new ones to help him out.
In this installment, Andy is hired to find a missing Somali youth after he gained some fame as he intercepted some white nationalists bullying a young Somali woman in a grocery store. The plot is timely with our current political climate.
In this installment, Andy is hired to find a missing Somali youth after he gained some fame as he intercepted some white nationalists bullying a young Somali woman in a grocery store. The plot is timely with our current political climate.
June 28, 2018
Author is skillful at weaving together the various subplots. This book was disturbing because I know the author gets his plot ideas from real events. For that reason book 4 was upsetting & this one is disturbing. It’s horrible to contemplate that people like the villains in his books really do exist; and right here in Columbus Ohio where we both live.
October 16, 2024
Another quick read. Interesting because Welsh-Huggins seems to be exploring so many parts of the central Ohio community, this time focusing on the Somali community as well as the white nationalists that are the most disturbing segment of Ohio’s population.
June 4, 2018
Wow! This is the best Andy Hayes mystery yet! I loved the twists at the end. Well done Mr. Welsh-Huggins!
July 19, 2021
Another great story line and life like characters
January 6, 2025
Fun series...love the Cbus setting
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March 15, 2026Andy hayes is becoming better and better as an investigator. This one had much more back and forth and the twists and turns that make a good suspenseful mystery. Cant wait to read the next one.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews