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Henry Parker #2
The Guilty
As most of New York City sleeps, Athena Paradis, one of the most glamorous and desired women in the world, steps onto the red carpet at an exclusive nightclub. Suddenly a shot rings out, and Athena dies amidst hundreds of cameras and spotlights. When Henry Parker begins to investigate the famous starlet’s death, another public murder shakes the city to its core. Both murders appear to be more like executions. And Henry discovers a shocking link between the two murders, and to a man who seems to be taking his cue from one of the most notorious killers in history.
But as he gets closer to the truth, Henry finds himself in the crosshairs of the very killer he’s trying to find. A killer with a demented code whose targets are anything but random. Because in his world there's a fine line between good and evil, and the only difference between innocence and guilt depends on who's holding the gun.…
But as he gets closer to the truth, Henry finds himself in the crosshairs of the very killer he’s trying to find. A killer with a demented code whose targets are anything but random. Because in his world there's a fine line between good and evil, and the only difference between innocence and guilt depends on who's holding the gun.…
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
516 people are currently reading
471 people want to read
About the author
Jason Pinter
28 books613 followersJason Pinter is the bestselling author of HIDE AWAY and A STRANGER AT THE DOOR in his Rachel Marin series, as well as six other novels: the acclaimed Henry Parker series (The Mark, The Guilty, The Stolen, The Fury, and The Darkness), the stand-alone thriller The Castle, as well as the middle-grade adventure novel Zeke Bartholomew: SuperSpy, and the children’s book Miracle. His books have over one million copies in print worldwide and have been optioned for film. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including the Thriller Award, Strand Critics Award, Barry Award, and Shamus Award, and more
He is the Founder and Publisher of the independent publisher Polis Books, as well as Agora, an imprint launched in 2019 dedicated to diverse and underrepresented voices in crime fiction. He was honored by Publishers Weekly’s Star Watch, which “recognizes young publishing professionals who have distinguished themselves as future leaders of the industry.” He has written for the New Republic, Entrepreneur, the Daily Beast, Esquire, and more. He lives in New Jersey, with his wife and their two daughters. Visit him at www.JasonPinter.com, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @JasonPinter.
He is the Founder and Publisher of the independent publisher Polis Books, as well as Agora, an imprint launched in 2019 dedicated to diverse and underrepresented voices in crime fiction. He was honored by Publishers Weekly’s Star Watch, which “recognizes young publishing professionals who have distinguished themselves as future leaders of the industry.” He has written for the New Republic, Entrepreneur, the Daily Beast, Esquire, and more. He lives in New Jersey, with his wife and their two daughters. Visit him at www.JasonPinter.com, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @JasonPinter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 7, 2017
This book reminds me of the movie "Nightcrawler" not in a good way cause this movie was super CREEPY. The main character Henry seems like a nice guy, but there were few scenes that made me just hate him. a famous singer was shot and killed and all they (Henry and his boss) cared about is the magazine and being first at reporting the news. WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. FUCK. that's a human being, show some respect. The scene were Lemnasky gave parker a note that was left behind by the shooter was just STUPID, because we already know there will be more crimes to come, it's in the blurb. i only read 50 pages and i'm putting it down. This is just NOT for me.
June 7, 2020
On the positive side, this book was edited much better than the first one, The Mark. Also, I loved the "what if" aspect of Billy the Kid!
On the downside, it seemed a bit unrealistic that a reporter would once again go through so much physically. I felt it was more believable in the first book. Also, the ending made me sad.
On the downside, it seemed a bit unrealistic that a reporter would once again go through so much physically. I felt it was more believable in the first book. Also, the ending made me sad.
May 30, 2008
Excellent second novel!
Incredible and darn near unputdownable! I really enjoy the characters in the series and the new ones that pop up. Lots of action and suspense. Pinter, the author, really pulls you into Henry’s world and it stays in your mind long after the novel is finished.
Some may find the plot a little ‘cheesy’, and while I didn’t find it the most original, it’s how it played out that was the fascinating part. Like a reporter hitting the ground running, you’re the reader that’s sucked in before the first chapter is even finished, you’re hooked, hitting the ground running right along with Henry in the second chapter.
My mistake was reading the excerpt at the back of the novel of the prologue and first chapter from his third novel, The Stolen, coming out in August 2008. I would have been content to eagerly await his third novel, but now I’m impatient waiting, LOL!
To reiterate, great characters, well played-out plot, tons of action and suspense… I couldn’t ask for better. A new author has joined the crowd of thriller authors, ladies and gents, and his name is Jason Pinter!
***SPOILER ALERT***
If you intend to read this book, do not read past this point!
I found that Jack was butting in where his nose didn’t belong. I would have expected this exact thing from Paulina, not Jack. Not everyone is the same, nor can they cope with the same things in life. Everyone is different and I was angry that Jack would naturally assume that Henry was like him. I don’t think Jack would have ever had or every will have what Henry and Amanda have/had.
The ending was sad and a little frustrating. Amanda was safe and sound, Mya was going to survive - he doesn’t love Mya, but he’s going to stick by her - something he regrets he hadn’t been able to do before. He loves Amanda, but he pushed her away ‘to protect her’. Now both of them are hurting because Henry can’t get passed what ‘almost’ happened? Someone (by that, I mean character in the book) should be giving Henry a really good smack upside the head!
Incredible and darn near unputdownable! I really enjoy the characters in the series and the new ones that pop up. Lots of action and suspense. Pinter, the author, really pulls you into Henry’s world and it stays in your mind long after the novel is finished.
Some may find the plot a little ‘cheesy’, and while I didn’t find it the most original, it’s how it played out that was the fascinating part. Like a reporter hitting the ground running, you’re the reader that’s sucked in before the first chapter is even finished, you’re hooked, hitting the ground running right along with Henry in the second chapter.
My mistake was reading the excerpt at the back of the novel of the prologue and first chapter from his third novel, The Stolen, coming out in August 2008. I would have been content to eagerly await his third novel, but now I’m impatient waiting, LOL!
To reiterate, great characters, well played-out plot, tons of action and suspense… I couldn’t ask for better. A new author has joined the crowd of thriller authors, ladies and gents, and his name is Jason Pinter!
***SPOILER ALERT***
If you intend to read this book, do not read past this point!
I found that Jack was butting in where his nose didn’t belong. I would have expected this exact thing from Paulina, not Jack. Not everyone is the same, nor can they cope with the same things in life. Everyone is different and I was angry that Jack would naturally assume that Henry was like him. I don’t think Jack would have ever had or every will have what Henry and Amanda have/had.
The ending was sad and a little frustrating. Amanda was safe and sound, Mya was going to survive - he doesn’t love Mya, but he’s going to stick by her - something he regrets he hadn’t been able to do before. He loves Amanda, but he pushed her away ‘to protect her’. Now both of them are hurting because Henry can’t get passed what ‘almost’ happened? Someone (by that, I mean character in the book) should be giving Henry a really good smack upside the head!
January 7, 2009
I missed the first book in this series, but I easily understood the plot nonetheless. I loved Henry Parker and I loved this story. It was fantastic. I'll definitely go back to catch up with the first one.
I would have easily given this book a five rating if it had ended the way my mind had pictured the ending. Oh, Jason Pinter, why couldn't you give me my happily ever after? I'm such a hopeless romantic!
Don't get me wrong, the ending does conclude...eh...okay, and I suppose some things are a must for a series. Still, I guess I'll just rewrite it in my mind...sigh. Maybe Pinter gets it right in the next one, you think?
I would have easily given this book a five rating if it had ended the way my mind had pictured the ending. Oh, Jason Pinter, why couldn't you give me my happily ever after? I'm such a hopeless romantic!
Don't get me wrong, the ending does conclude...eh...okay, and I suppose some things are a must for a series. Still, I guess I'll just rewrite it in my mind...sigh. Maybe Pinter gets it right in the next one, you think?
July 10, 2008
The Guilty
Jason Pinter
Suspense
357 pages
copyright: 2008
isbn: 0-7783-2463-x
As I lie in bed with Amanda, ignoring another late-night call from my ex, a shot rings out in the New York night and a beautiful starlet dies outside the city's most popular nightclub. This is the kind of story I was born to chase—but I never dreamed this story began over a hundred years ago.…
Suddenly another life is taken, the bullet fired from one of the deadliest guns ever made. Both victims are highly controversial, their murders more like public executions. My search leads me into the twisted world of The Boy—a world defined by a demented code of honor and shocking, long-buried secrets of the world's most infamous outlaw.
When this assassin realizes I'm getting too close to the truth, uncovering the past could jeopardize everything I care about. Because in his world there's a fine line between good and evil, and the difference between innocence and guilt depends on who's holding the gun.…
Jason Pinter
Suspense
357 pages
copyright: 2008
isbn: 0-7783-2463-x
As I lie in bed with Amanda, ignoring another late-night call from my ex, a shot rings out in the New York night and a beautiful starlet dies outside the city's most popular nightclub. This is the kind of story I was born to chase—but I never dreamed this story began over a hundred years ago.…
Suddenly another life is taken, the bullet fired from one of the deadliest guns ever made. Both victims are highly controversial, their murders more like public executions. My search leads me into the twisted world of The Boy—a world defined by a demented code of honor and shocking, long-buried secrets of the world's most infamous outlaw.
When this assassin realizes I'm getting too close to the truth, uncovering the past could jeopardize everything I care about. Because in his world there's a fine line between good and evil, and the difference between innocence and guilt depends on who's holding the gun.…
February 23, 2010
I don't know why I decided to read another Jason Pinter novel after I disliked The Mark so much. At least some pieces of the plot in The Mark were enough for me to look past Pinter's dumbed down writing style and severe lack of editing. That was not the case, however, in The Guilty.
The Guilty could have been very interesting. It was almost decent. The problem is, Pinter repeats the same phrases and sometimes paragraphs or pages worth of text over and over. I found myself just skipping or skimming over pages of this book because there was so much repetition. Where was his editor? I hope that Pinter didn't pay him, because he certainly did not do his job on this one.
I felt like I was reading a novel for children with ADD. There's no other explanation for Pinter having repeated himself as much as he did. I'm shocked that people actualy liked this novel.
The poor writing aside, I very much dislike Henry Parker. His character comes across as dopey and naive. I will not be reading another Jason Pinter novel.
The Guilty could have been very interesting. It was almost decent. The problem is, Pinter repeats the same phrases and sometimes paragraphs or pages worth of text over and over. I found myself just skipping or skimming over pages of this book because there was so much repetition. Where was his editor? I hope that Pinter didn't pay him, because he certainly did not do his job on this one.
I felt like I was reading a novel for children with ADD. There's no other explanation for Pinter having repeated himself as much as he did. I'm shocked that people actualy liked this novel.
The poor writing aside, I very much dislike Henry Parker. His character comes across as dopey and naive. I will not be reading another Jason Pinter novel.
July 6, 2011
Second book I have read in this series and it kept me interested all the way.
February 27, 2018
3.5 Stars
April 4, 2008
I loved this book. I'm so glad that I found this new series.
Read
August 1, 2019Overall Vibe: Not a big fan–the way he treated female characters and his propensity towards pretention soured the experience for me, despite my interest in the plot (which kept me going)
What I liked:
- One of my favorite things with these kinds of thrillers/mysteries is that even if you start midway through the series, you’ll never be behind–they come with built in previously ons throughout the first few chapters
- The main plot! I’m into thrillers that give me a look at the villain throughout, and thrillers that throw a connection to the past in (Mary Higgins Clark’s On the Street Where You Live comes to mind)
- Especially *spoiler alert* a connection to the wild west!
- He knows how to write a thriller, pacing and language-wise
- THE PROFESSOR Listen, I’m pretty sure he wrote this woman as a joke, or to make fun of her, I’m not totally sure, but I’m lowkey in love with this one character who probably has 30 pages tops. She’s wonderful. She’s eccentric. She has pictures of George Clooney in her office. She’s a national hero.
What I didn’t like:
- The narrator was unlikable from the start–he grew on me, but he started out pretentious as hell and used the word “nubile” which… is a red flag for me
- It seems the pretention may’ve come from the author because it came through in other aspects of the book–specifically pretention about music, which seemed in poor taste or at least misplaced, since it was almost exclusively brought up in the context of the pop star who was murdered
- Seriously, her blood hadn’t dried and they were talking about how bad her music was.
- There was one paragraph where a character throws out every slur they can think of. It comes out of nowhere, it’s not justified by the plot, and even though it wasn’t painted in a positive light, it ticked me off.
- we were on page 295 before one female character was nice to another. Of 368. and the conversation didn’t even end well. I also didn’t understand most of the female characters’ motivations, even when they were incredibly plot important
- it switched between first person PoV (w/Parker) and third person PoV (w/everyone else)– I always lilke thrillers better with multiple PoVs, but not switching between PoV types
- Small thing, but: New Mexico isn’t the South, it’s the West. I will accept Southwest. I won’t accept this dude’s interpretation of it.
Anyway, I honestly enjoyed it through my bitterness, but I can also look past stuff like this easier when I’m reading. I won’t be reading any more of Henry Parker’s adventures, though
Trigger Warning for: homophobic and racist slurs, casual misogyny, attempted sexual assault, and other violence
Especially recommended for: people who can overlook a book’s flaws and prefer their murders come with some history
What I liked:
- One of my favorite things with these kinds of thrillers/mysteries is that even if you start midway through the series, you’ll never be behind–they come with built in previously ons throughout the first few chapters
- The main plot! I’m into thrillers that give me a look at the villain throughout, and thrillers that throw a connection to the past in (Mary Higgins Clark’s On the Street Where You Live comes to mind)
- Especially *spoiler alert* a connection to the wild west!
- He knows how to write a thriller, pacing and language-wise
- THE PROFESSOR Listen, I’m pretty sure he wrote this woman as a joke, or to make fun of her, I’m not totally sure, but I’m lowkey in love with this one character who probably has 30 pages tops. She’s wonderful. She’s eccentric. She has pictures of George Clooney in her office. She’s a national hero.
What I didn’t like:
- The narrator was unlikable from the start–he grew on me, but he started out pretentious as hell and used the word “nubile” which… is a red flag for me
- It seems the pretention may’ve come from the author because it came through in other aspects of the book–specifically pretention about music, which seemed in poor taste or at least misplaced, since it was almost exclusively brought up in the context of the pop star who was murdered
- Seriously, her blood hadn’t dried and they were talking about how bad her music was.
- There was one paragraph where a character throws out every slur they can think of. It comes out of nowhere, it’s not justified by the plot, and even though it wasn’t painted in a positive light, it ticked me off.
- we were on page 295 before one female character was nice to another. Of 368. and the conversation didn’t even end well. I also didn’t understand most of the female characters’ motivations, even when they were incredibly plot important
- it switched between first person PoV (w/Parker) and third person PoV (w/everyone else)– I always lilke thrillers better with multiple PoVs, but not switching between PoV types
- Small thing, but: New Mexico isn’t the South, it’s the West. I will accept Southwest. I won’t accept this dude’s interpretation of it.
Anyway, I honestly enjoyed it through my bitterness, but I can also look past stuff like this easier when I’m reading. I won’t be reading any more of Henry Parker’s adventures, though
Trigger Warning for: homophobic and racist slurs, casual misogyny, attempted sexual assault, and other violence
Especially recommended for: people who can overlook a book’s flaws and prefer their murders come with some history
December 1, 2021
The plot was good with some unexpected twists and turns.
The plot was good with some unexpected twists and turns. A continuation of the characters from the first book. I am giving this 3 stars for editing. The author should at least pull out a map if not go to the place he is writing about. You do not go from the Albuquerque airport then to downtown Santa Fe on the way to Fort Sumner, NM. As a resident I felt this was sloppy writing. I know an author can take some liberty in writing fiction but still…how about a little bit of authenticity.
The plot was good with some unexpected twists and turns. A continuation of the characters from the first book. I am giving this 3 stars for editing. The author should at least pull out a map if not go to the place he is writing about. You do not go from the Albuquerque airport then to downtown Santa Fe on the way to Fort Sumner, NM. As a resident I felt this was sloppy writing. I know an author can take some liberty in writing fiction but still…how about a little bit of authenticity.
August 4, 2020
What an incredible plot!
The character of Henry is quite convoluted. You don't know whether to hug him or slap him along side the head. He has a great moral compass but the worst timing. This plot had him running through history. It was a great story with just enough snippets from real life to catch you and keep you involved. Enjoyed reading this one, can't wait for the next one.
The character of Henry is quite convoluted. You don't know whether to hug him or slap him along side the head. He has a great moral compass but the worst timing. This plot had him running through history. It was a great story with just enough snippets from real life to catch you and keep you involved. Enjoyed reading this one, can't wait for the next one.
July 14, 2019
It was a good story but the main character is an asshole. Living with one & claiming he loves her but running to another woman when she gets hurt. He ditched the person who stood by him & went back to the woman who dumped him just because he felt sorry for her. The story line was intriguing & I enjoyed that but I didn’t like Henry.
April 19, 2020
This is a book that makes you think and ask questions: what's the purpose of a journalist? Should people be the story or record the story? What should your relationships be like when you're in trouble?
It's also a book that could make you angry. For those reasons, it's amazing. Fast moving. And beautifully written.
It's also a book that could make you angry. For those reasons, it's amazing. Fast moving. And beautifully written.
September 30, 2020
Good book. Number 2 after the initial book. The characters have expanded and you like some better than others. I do not like (on purpose from the author) the former girlfriend. Paulina, the other reporter now at another newspaper comes off likable and better the Jack who is being setup for his boozy obsession in a later work.
October 7, 2023
Another great road trip listen. While the characters are fairly one-dimensional, they are likable and scary, as they should be. The protagonist wants to do the right thing, but he is haunted by his past and plagued by his youth and naiveté. He has solid (although troubled) mentors, which adds promise and relief.
January 7, 2018
Thought the first book of the series was better, however once I had the chance to just sit and read this book I thoroughly enjoyed it. Interesting storyline.. kept me involved and amused.. I will definitely pick up the next book in the series to see what happens with Mr. Henry Parker
March 15, 2020
To date not able to find first book in series made reading second book more difficult to understand characters. An okay story with a very weak conclusion. Running over 360 pages paperback this was was easily about 50-75 pages too long.
March 4, 2023
I'd really probably rate this 3 1/2 stars. I did like it because I like whodunits. There was one page of a sex scene that did not add to the story At All. The plot moves along and the driving force is the legend of Billy the Kid brought forward to the 21st century.
July 6, 2024
I love this series. However this book upset me with the ending! I guess that means it is a good book, right? But it is going to take me a bit after this to grab the next one. I need to let my feeling calm down!
July 16, 2020
Slow start, great finish
Wasn't sure I'd keep reading but the story got better and characters became more interesting - the ending was perfect. Sad, but realistic.
Wasn't sure I'd keep reading but the story got better and characters became more interesting - the ending was perfect. Sad, but realistic.
January 30, 2021
Much worse than 1st
June 29, 2021
This was a great action packed thriller. I little violent. A sad ending but with another book in the series, hopefully the characters will come together again.
January 22, 2022
Started out good but good weird when it delved into all the info on BIlly the Kid.
January 24, 2023
Excellent thriller about someone bringing the Billy the Kid days to New York.
March 29, 2023
Not a very believable premise. It did keep me reading, but too much stretched believability for me.
Might try him again another time though
Might try him again another time though
July 5, 2023
Boring
I skipped most of the pages.m to see what happened . Too much extra context. The end was very predictable because motive was discovered early in the book.
I skipped most of the pages.m to see what happened . Too much extra context. The end was very predictable because motive was discovered early in the book.
January 27, 2024
This one wasn't as good as the first one ended. I enjoyed that it was semi-about the wild west and all the history that was involved with Billy The Kid. But I didn't like the ending 😭
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews