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Marcus Lear Mysteries #1
Murder On Perrys Island
One terrible night Detective Sergeant Marcus Lear exchanged gunshots with a 16-year-old burglary suspect. The boy was left a paraplegic. Marcus suffered PTSD and could no longer bring himself to carry a gun. Forced to resign the job he loved, Marcus returned to his historic family home on Perrys Island to try to put his life back together. Marcus had grown up there listening to the police chief’s stories of crime solving in the city. The chief’s stories inspired Marcus to leave the island and become the youngest detective in PD’s history.
Marcus’s childhood best friend had been Jenny Gibbons, the Chief’s daughter, who was now an Ohio Wildlife Officer assigned to the island’s state park. She is determined to help Marcus face his pain and to reestablish their relationship. As they return home from an evening out, Jenny learns that the wife of an island businessman has been brutally murdered. With Chief Gibbons away for the night, a desperate Jenny turns to Marcus to use his experience to preserve the crime scene. Marcus refuses at first, unwilling to have anything to do with police work that might force him to relive recent events. Finally, he gives in to her pleas and agrees to supervise the crime scene just until the Chief can take over.
Despite himself, Marcus is drawn deeper into the investigation. When a witness identifies a youth camp chaperone as the last person to be with the victim before her death, Marcus believes the man’s story of innocence. Marcus is proven correct when the elderly housekeeper who helped raise him is left for dead in his own house and the historic mansion set on fire. The attack provides a personal aspect to the case that drives him to narrow down the suspects. Marcus’s single-minded pursuit of the killer while fighting his personal demons might cost him his own life!
Marcus’s childhood best friend had been Jenny Gibbons, the Chief’s daughter, who was now an Ohio Wildlife Officer assigned to the island’s state park. She is determined to help Marcus face his pain and to reestablish their relationship. As they return home from an evening out, Jenny learns that the wife of an island businessman has been brutally murdered. With Chief Gibbons away for the night, a desperate Jenny turns to Marcus to use his experience to preserve the crime scene. Marcus refuses at first, unwilling to have anything to do with police work that might force him to relive recent events. Finally, he gives in to her pleas and agrees to supervise the crime scene just until the Chief can take over.
Despite himself, Marcus is drawn deeper into the investigation. When a witness identifies a youth camp chaperone as the last person to be with the victim before her death, Marcus believes the man’s story of innocence. Marcus is proven correct when the elderly housekeeper who helped raise him is left for dead in his own house and the historic mansion set on fire. The attack provides a personal aspect to the case that drives him to narrow down the suspects. Marcus’s single-minded pursuit of the killer while fighting his personal demons might cost him his own life!
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2017
114 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
J. Kevin Earp
5 books6 followersJ.Kevin Earp has lived in West Virginia, Ohio and Arizona. He is a graduate of the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and worked in various computer technology roles before attending Ohio Northern Pettit College of Law. He practiced law for eleven years before retiring. He is a three-year survivor of multiple myeloma cancer and currently spends his time writing and in the company of friends and family.
Kevin enjoys exploring the southwest U.S. with his wife and son. He is a distant cousin to the Earp brothers of OK Corral fame and enjoys researching the history of the brothers and the town of Tombstone. He has written science fiction and mysteries since he was a teenager for his own enjoyment. Recently he decided to share his stories with the public. He is the author of the Marcus Lear Mysteries.
Kevin enjoys exploring the southwest U.S. with his wife and son. He is a distant cousin to the Earp brothers of OK Corral fame and enjoys researching the history of the brothers and the town of Tombstone. He has written science fiction and mysteries since he was a teenager for his own enjoyment. Recently he decided to share his stories with the public. He is the author of the Marcus Lear Mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 17, 2019
If you like playing detective, then you may want to check out Murder on Perrys Island by Kevin Earp. Unlike most detective stories where you are simply along for the ride, never knowing what the main character sees that allows him to deduce the identity of the killer, Murder on Perrys Island puts you in the front seat, right along with Marcus Lear (the main character). You are in every interview; you see what he sees; hear what he hears. So, if you are smart (and I’m not), you can probably figure out who the killer is by the end of the story. From my experience, this is rather unique; in most mysteries, you aren’t provided with enough details to solve the mystery yourself. So, it was nice being able to “detective” right along with Marcus Lear.
Just to provide a brief summary: Marcus Lear, an up-and-coming Columbus, Ohio detective, is involved in a self-defense shooting at work. While the victim/perpetrator lives, Marcus struggles with the guilt that accompanies severely injuring another person. Eager to get away from the police force, Marcus returns to his home, Perrys Island, where he hopes to relax and heal from the trauma of the shooting. Unfortunately for him, healing doesn’t come in the form of rest and relaxation, but in facing his fears and helping the local police force solve a murder.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the internal struggle and guilt that Marcus experienced after shooting someone. Even though it was an act of self-defense, and the perpetrator/victim survives, Marcus does not leave unscathed. Too often in books and in movies, authors/screenwriters and even audiences gloss over the killing and death of characters. How often do we see a main character burdened with guilt at having caused severe injury or death, even if the bad guy “got what he deserved”? We don’t. And to see a main character experiencing PTSD as a result of shooting someone was appreciated. It really brings to light that while self-defense and fighting may seem exciting on TV or in stories, in real life, it is accompanied by emotions most of us can never comprehend and definitely never think about. This was, in fact, my favorite aspect of the book. I’ve never read a story or seen a movie that does not overlook the psychological ramifications of shooting someone, even if that shooting was justified.
There are many things I liked about Murder on Perrys Island, but I can’t possibly list them all. Most of the things I liked dealt with the relationships between the characters – not so much in what they say, but how they think. The characters are good people; they make mistakes; they know when they’ve made mistakes; they recognize the need to apologize; they are just very human.
Admittedly, I found the book slow at first (I’m not a very patient person), but by the end, I didn’t want to put it down. I couldn’t wait to see what happened and was disappointed when it ended.
I am looking forward to reading the second book as I very much want to see Marcus continue his journey toward healing while by bringing perpetrators to justice.
Visit my blog to see what other books I've enjoyed: https://rpbooklist.wordpress.com/
*I am related to the author and was provided with a copy of Murder On Perrys Island (Marcus Lear Mysteries Book 1) free of charge in exchange for my review. I received no monetary compensation.
Just to provide a brief summary: Marcus Lear, an up-and-coming Columbus, Ohio detective, is involved in a self-defense shooting at work. While the victim/perpetrator lives, Marcus struggles with the guilt that accompanies severely injuring another person. Eager to get away from the police force, Marcus returns to his home, Perrys Island, where he hopes to relax and heal from the trauma of the shooting. Unfortunately for him, healing doesn’t come in the form of rest and relaxation, but in facing his fears and helping the local police force solve a murder.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the internal struggle and guilt that Marcus experienced after shooting someone. Even though it was an act of self-defense, and the perpetrator/victim survives, Marcus does not leave unscathed. Too often in books and in movies, authors/screenwriters and even audiences gloss over the killing and death of characters. How often do we see a main character burdened with guilt at having caused severe injury or death, even if the bad guy “got what he deserved”? We don’t. And to see a main character experiencing PTSD as a result of shooting someone was appreciated. It really brings to light that while self-defense and fighting may seem exciting on TV or in stories, in real life, it is accompanied by emotions most of us can never comprehend and definitely never think about. This was, in fact, my favorite aspect of the book. I’ve never read a story or seen a movie that does not overlook the psychological ramifications of shooting someone, even if that shooting was justified.
There are many things I liked about Murder on Perrys Island, but I can’t possibly list them all. Most of the things I liked dealt with the relationships between the characters – not so much in what they say, but how they think. The characters are good people; they make mistakes; they know when they’ve made mistakes; they recognize the need to apologize; they are just very human.
Admittedly, I found the book slow at first (I’m not a very patient person), but by the end, I didn’t want to put it down. I couldn’t wait to see what happened and was disappointed when it ended.
I am looking forward to reading the second book as I very much want to see Marcus continue his journey toward healing while by bringing perpetrators to justice.
Visit my blog to see what other books I've enjoyed: https://rpbooklist.wordpress.com/
*I am related to the author and was provided with a copy of Murder On Perrys Island (Marcus Lear Mysteries Book 1) free of charge in exchange for my review. I received no monetary compensation.
June 12, 2020
Somewhat disappointing. The main character - Marcus Lear - is well developed and has an excellent back-story; I liked him and how we got to know him as the book progressed. A good character. Most everyone else comes across as shallow and more of a supporting role - since some of them are going to be around in future books that's really too bad.
A lot of the conversation is stilted - it doesn't come across as how people would actually speak. I've seen the same problem in other books as well, and (for me, anyway) it interrupts the flow of the book, jarring me out of the story and back to where I'm reading a book.
A lot of the conversation is stilted - it doesn't come across as how people would actually speak. I've seen the same problem in other books as well, and (for me, anyway) it interrupts the flow of the book, jarring me out of the story and back to where I'm reading a book.
August 17, 2019
If you like playing detective, then you may want to check out Murder on Perrys Island by Kevin Earp. Unlike most detective stories where you are simply along for the ride, never knowing what the main character sees that allows him to deduce the identity of the killer, Murder on Perrys Island puts you in the front seat, right along with Marcus Lear (the main character). You are in every interview; you see what he sees; hear what he hears. So, if you are smart (and I’m not), you can probably figure out who the killer is by the end of the story. From my experience, this is rather unique; in most mysteries, you aren’t provided with enough details to solve the mystery yourself. So, it was nice being able to “detective” right along with Marcus Lear.
Just to provide a brief summary: Marcus Lear, an up-and-coming Columbus, Ohio detective, is involved in a self-defense shooting at work. While the victim/perpetrator lives, Marcus struggles with the guilt that accompanies severely injuring another person. Eager to get away from the police force, Marcus returns to his home, Perrys Island, where he hopes to relax and heal from the trauma of the shooting. Unfortunately for him, healing doesn’t come in the form of rest and relaxation, but in facing his fears and helping the local police force solve a murder.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the internal struggle and guilt that Marcus experienced after shooting someone. Even though it was an act of self-defense, and the perpetrator/victim survives, Marcus does not leave unscathed. Too often in books and in movies, authors/screenwriters and even audiences gloss over the killing and death of characters. How often do we see a main character burdened with guilt at having caused severe injury or death, even if the bad guy “got what he deserved”? We don’t. And to see a main character experiencing PTSD as a result of shooting someone was appreciated. It really brings to light that while self-defense and fighting may seem exciting on TV or in stories, in real life, it is accompanied by emotions most of us can never comprehend and definitely never think about. This was, in fact, my favorite aspect of the book. I’ve never read a story or seen a movie that does not overlook the psychological ramifications of shooting someone, even if that shooting was justified.
There are many things I liked about Murder on Perrys Island, but I can’t possibly list them all. Most of the things I liked dealt with the relationships between the characters – not so much in what they say, but how they think. The characters are good people; they make mistakes; they know when they’ve made mistakes; they recognize the need to apologize; they are just very human.
Admittedly, I found the book slow at first (I’m not a very patient person), but by the end, I didn’t want to put it down. I couldn’t wait to see what happened and was disappointed when it ended.
I am looking forward to reading the second book as I very much want to see Marcus continue his journey toward healing while by bringing perpetrators to justice.
Visit my blog to see what other books I've enjoyed: https://rpbooklist.wordpress.com/
*I am related to the author and was provided with a copy of Murder On Perrys Island (Marcus Lear Mysteries Book 1) free of charge in exchange for my review. I received no monetary compensation.
Just to provide a brief summary: Marcus Lear, an up-and-coming Columbus, Ohio detective, is involved in a self-defense shooting at work. While the victim/perpetrator lives, Marcus struggles with the guilt that accompanies severely injuring another person. Eager to get away from the police force, Marcus returns to his home, Perrys Island, where he hopes to relax and heal from the trauma of the shooting. Unfortunately for him, healing doesn’t come in the form of rest and relaxation, but in facing his fears and helping the local police force solve a murder.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the internal struggle and guilt that Marcus experienced after shooting someone. Even though it was an act of self-defense, and the perpetrator/victim survives, Marcus does not leave unscathed. Too often in books and in movies, authors/screenwriters and even audiences gloss over the killing and death of characters. How often do we see a main character burdened with guilt at having caused severe injury or death, even if the bad guy “got what he deserved”? We don’t. And to see a main character experiencing PTSD as a result of shooting someone was appreciated. It really brings to light that while self-defense and fighting may seem exciting on TV or in stories, in real life, it is accompanied by emotions most of us can never comprehend and definitely never think about. This was, in fact, my favorite aspect of the book. I’ve never read a story or seen a movie that does not overlook the psychological ramifications of shooting someone, even if that shooting was justified.
There are many things I liked about Murder on Perrys Island, but I can’t possibly list them all. Most of the things I liked dealt with the relationships between the characters – not so much in what they say, but how they think. The characters are good people; they make mistakes; they know when they’ve made mistakes; they recognize the need to apologize; they are just very human.
Admittedly, I found the book slow at first (I’m not a very patient person), but by the end, I didn’t want to put it down. I couldn’t wait to see what happened and was disappointed when it ended.
I am looking forward to reading the second book as I very much want to see Marcus continue his journey toward healing while by bringing perpetrators to justice.
Visit my blog to see what other books I've enjoyed: https://rpbooklist.wordpress.com/
*I am related to the author and was provided with a copy of Murder On Perrys Island (Marcus Lear Mysteries Book 1) free of charge in exchange for my review. I received no monetary compensation.
March 4, 2018
Overall, loved the book. It started out a bit slow for me, but once it started going it didn't stop. Earp's description of the Island was so detailed that I could see it very clearly as I read. If you like a good mystery/romance, this book is for you.
January 22, 2018
Fascinating intrigue.
Looked like a hopeless tangle right up to the end, then he straightened it all out in the last two chapters with a surprise perp! Let's have some more!
Looked like a hopeless tangle right up to the end, then he straightened it all out in the last two chapters with a surprise perp! Let's have some more!
November 9, 2020
I love books that are set in locations that I know. This one is set on an island in Lake Erie. While it mentions neighboring Kelley's Island, the description of the book's location is nearly identical to the real Kelley's Island, one of my favorite spots. The mystery is a good one, and it took me a while to figure out the culprit. I came to quickly care about the main characters and am anxious to read book 2 in the series. One minor complaint - the book is self-published and could have benefitted from another round of proofreading. A few missed punctuations and noun/verb issues were a touch annoying but didn't distract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
June 11, 2020
I finished it but kept wondering what year it was written. Back in the 60’s? No, 2017. The sexist attitudes and conversations along with making Jenny a weak, idiotic woman were hard to take. Very old-fashioned too male dominating. My first and last Earp book.
June 21, 2020
Overall, its a good murder mystery. That will keep you guessing until the last chapter. It is a bit dry to read and the best friends turning romantic is a bit tiring. But, Its difficult to believe the lead character couldn't handle firing his gun in the line of duty.
April 1, 2020
Very well written. Love the character development. Very suspenseful and entertaining.
June 11, 2020
A good summer read.
I didn't want to put the book down! Not too heavy and kept my interest piqued.I liked the characters and was surprised with a twist near the end! Enjoy everyone!
I didn't want to put the book down! Not too heavy and kept my interest piqued.I liked the characters and was surprised with a twist near the end! Enjoy everyone!
July 1, 2020
Loved this book. It was a good clean mystery. He is a good writer.
February 2, 2022
This book didn’t grab me and make me want to revisit it every night but it wasn’t “bad”. The trail of clues was enjoyable.
February 13, 2021
Wow! Honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect as this is Earp’s first book, but by the second or third chapter, I was sucked in and found it hard to stop!
I would rate it PG-13 or -14 due to some profanity, the murder, and references to intercourse (the murder victim was unfaithful to her husband, so there are some mentions of her adultery).
Read my full review here: https://diaryofanerdybookworm.wordpre...
I would rate it PG-13 or -14 due to some profanity, the murder, and references to intercourse (the murder victim was unfaithful to her husband, so there are some mentions of her adultery).
Read my full review here: https://diaryofanerdybookworm.wordpre...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews