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Charlie Crawford Mystery #5
Palm Beach Pretenders
Mar-a-Lago…aka the winter White House. You’d think it would be the last place on earth where a double homicide would take place, right? Think again.
And the line-up of suspects? Well, there’s the former porn king of Florida, throwing wild parties with hidden cameras everywhere. The billionaire with all his dirty little secrets. The gambling addict who’s in way, way over his head.
And Crawford and Ott, muddling along, trying to get to the bottom of it all.
And the line-up of suspects? Well, there’s the former porn king of Florida, throwing wild parties with hidden cameras everywhere. The billionaire with all his dirty little secrets. The gambling addict who’s in way, way over his head.
And Crawford and Ott, muddling along, trying to get to the bottom of it all.
- GenresThriller
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2018
1053 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Tom Turner
17 books91 followersA native New Englander, Tom Turner ran a bar in Vermont after college, then moved to New York and spent time as an award-winning copywriter at several Manhattan advertising agencies.
After years of post-Mad Men life, he made a radical change and got a job in commercial real estate. A few years later he ended up in Palm Beach, buying, renovating and selling houses. On the side, he wrote Palm Beach Nasty, its sequel, Palm Beach Poison, and a screenplay, Underwater.
While at a wedding, he fell for the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, and moved there. He recently completed his third novel entitled, Killing Time in Charleston.
After years of post-Mad Men life, he made a radical change and got a job in commercial real estate. A few years later he ended up in Palm Beach, buying, renovating and selling houses. On the side, he wrote Palm Beach Nasty, its sequel, Palm Beach Poison, and a screenplay, Underwater.
While at a wedding, he fell for the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, and moved there. He recently completed his third novel entitled, Killing Time in Charleston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 7, 2022
Charlie and Ott are my favorite detectives. These stories move along with out a lot of past lives taking up a lot of time. Good mysteries with a bit of good humor to go along.
January 22, 2019
Trigger warning part of this book is set a Mar-a-lago and for some people that will be enough to make them crazy.
The wedding of a moment at least when the son of a big name college football coach marries the sister of a Netflix series star... everybody who is anybody will be there. Since it is a wedding there will be fights, arguments and disappointments but there will also be a murder... a coitus interruptus double murder.
And before they can get any traction on the case another guest is murdered in another location... what are we to do?
Other people have commented about errors and continuity errors in the series. I am sensitive to the continuity because I am reading all of the books close together but I would probably not notice them if I had read them over a normal publishing period.
In this book the ME shows up and says the bodies have been dead for 6 1/2 hours. This is an ongoing gag because this ME is always annoyingly specific. But it is supposed to be early morning (say 6:30 or 7 am) so death midnight right? Then how come all through the book do the detectives keep asking people where they were at 9:30? What makes it more jarring is at the crime scene one of the victim's spouse specifically gives an alibi for midnight... which makes sense...
The wedding of a moment at least when the son of a big name college football coach marries the sister of a Netflix series star... everybody who is anybody will be there. Since it is a wedding there will be fights, arguments and disappointments but there will also be a murder... a coitus interruptus double murder.
And before they can get any traction on the case another guest is murdered in another location... what are we to do?
Other people have commented about errors and continuity errors in the series. I am sensitive to the continuity because I am reading all of the books close together but I would probably not notice them if I had read them over a normal publishing period.
In this book the ME shows up and says the bodies have been dead for 6 1/2 hours. This is an ongoing gag because this ME is always annoyingly specific. But it is supposed to be early morning (say 6:30 or 7 am) so death midnight right? Then how come all through the book do the detectives keep asking people where they were at 9:30? What makes it more jarring is at the crime scene one of the victim's spouse specifically gives an alibi for midnight... which makes sense...
June 30, 2022
Charlie Crawford and Mort Ott are homicide detectives in ritzy Palm Beach, Florida.
This time it involves a wealthy athlete and a wedding reception at his house. A double homicide.
Seems he was sneaking off to the pool house with his girlfriend and someone shot them both.
Meanwhile there are so many suspects and sleazy characters it is hard to choose who to question first.
The porn king, could he have anything to do with it? How about the wealthy investment guy Or the family of the groom? And what about the son in law who has a gambling problem?
With their normal humor and never give up attitude, Charlie and Mort just muddle through and find their man!
This time it involves a wealthy athlete and a wedding reception at his house. A double homicide.
Seems he was sneaking off to the pool house with his girlfriend and someone shot them both.
Meanwhile there are so many suspects and sleazy characters it is hard to choose who to question first.
The porn king, could he have anything to do with it? How about the wealthy investment guy Or the family of the groom? And what about the son in law who has a gambling problem?
With their normal humor and never give up attitude, Charlie and Mort just muddle through and find their man!
January 28, 2021
Palm Beach Pretenders - a review by Rosemary Kenny
I loved the witty banter between Charlie Crawford and his faithful sidekick Mort Ott and the cheeky, (literally) perversions of famous movie titles in those of victim no 3's 'reality porn' films...then there was Ott's brilliant take-off of one of Robert De Niro's many Mafia mobster characters, (when questioning a reluctant-to-confess murder suspect) Dominica's superb spy mission at the faux Playboy mansion, Charlie's romantic dilemma - the list goes on!
All these delights and more, take place in the outstanding Tom Turner's Palm Beach Pretenders.
Two wealthy people are murdered after a society wedding, both closely related to the bride and groom. The motives are as varied as they could be, but our heroes work at sorting the sublime from the ridiculous, until what's left, however unlikely, as Poirot would say, must be the truth. A third murder muddies the water a little, but after a Fast-and-Furious type car chase, the villain is apprehended and justice is served.
Worthy of far more than the mere 5 stars available and definitely recommended for fans of Carl Hiaasen, CSI:Miami etc, it's a riotous mix of fun and footwork, near-death misses, unlikely clues, tears and ultimately triumph, for these Palm Beach Pretenders and our brave (often foolhardy), boys in blue, brilliantly presented by the sensational Tom Turner...more please!
I loved the witty banter between Charlie Crawford and his faithful sidekick Mort Ott and the cheeky, (literally) perversions of famous movie titles in those of victim no 3's 'reality porn' films...then there was Ott's brilliant take-off of one of Robert De Niro's many Mafia mobster characters, (when questioning a reluctant-to-confess murder suspect) Dominica's superb spy mission at the faux Playboy mansion, Charlie's romantic dilemma - the list goes on!
All these delights and more, take place in the outstanding Tom Turner's Palm Beach Pretenders.
Two wealthy people are murdered after a society wedding, both closely related to the bride and groom. The motives are as varied as they could be, but our heroes work at sorting the sublime from the ridiculous, until what's left, however unlikely, as Poirot would say, must be the truth. A third murder muddies the water a little, but after a Fast-and-Furious type car chase, the villain is apprehended and justice is served.
Worthy of far more than the mere 5 stars available and definitely recommended for fans of Carl Hiaasen, CSI:Miami etc, it's a riotous mix of fun and footwork, near-death misses, unlikely clues, tears and ultimately triumph, for these Palm Beach Pretenders and our brave (often foolhardy), boys in blue, brilliantly presented by the sensational Tom Turner...more please!
January 28, 2020
Ahh, Crawford and Ott. Love those guys. Charlie Crawford is a gorgeous hunk and Ott is short and kinda fat. So opposite yet so great together. This story is about 2 different murders. One, about a double murder by a pool and the other one about the murder of a porn king.
They were both wonderful stories. There was no sex, but Charlie is supposed to be in love with Dominica but that doesn’t stop him from having sex with Rose. I don’t like that about Charlie. Either make him faithful to one woman or don’t even put a woman in it. That’s my opinion.
The F-bomb was used 36 times.
As to the narration: As with the last book I can only say that this narrator, Jerrod Haarstad, is barely okay for me. Tom Turner should have read all 5 books, IMO.
May 5, 2018
My first read of this author. It's apparent that the two main characters have been working together in other stories. I find them interesting and enjoy the harmless little bit of rebel within each. Admittedly, I'm still trying to think of what I missed that proved to them who the murderer was although they didn't know who was behind it until the arrest. I'll read the next book in the series and go from there. Meanwhile I would like to ask Mr. Turner to read my first novel, THE ONLY CHILD? and give a review. I'm just starting out and have learned quickly that reviews are essential. Thank you in advance.
April 13, 2018
They just aren't as good anymore but this one was definitely better than the previous book in the series. So much was clearly obvious and he really needs to fire his editor because there are way to many errors. That being said...I will probably continue with the series just a little longer just out of curiosity about the main characters.
January 24, 2019
Another gem
This series consistently provides entertaining reading wrapped up in humor, sex, and believable plots. The characters become real as the author expertly weaves their personal lives into the mission to capture the criminals they are after. Try one book and you will go back for another.
This series consistently provides entertaining reading wrapped up in humor, sex, and believable plots. The characters become real as the author expertly weaves their personal lives into the mission to capture the criminals they are after. Try one book and you will go back for another.
November 27, 2019
Warning - hot page turner Ahead!
A riotous fun mystery that will have you searching for everyone but the butler. Charlie and Mort keep the ball rolling with all the potential killers who are richer than dirt. A fun romp that lives up to the title and remember - don’t ever get caught!
A riotous fun mystery that will have you searching for everyone but the butler. Charlie and Mort keep the ball rolling with all the potential killers who are richer than dirt. A fun romp that lives up to the title and remember - don’t ever get caught!
May 20, 2020
ANOTHER AWESOME READ!!
Palm Beach finest Police Detective, Crawford and Ott are on a murder case again. Interviews galore of Palm Beachers, who sometimes tell the Detectives, more than they intended. Good thing, they can manage to find out more from those they question, than those Palm Beacher realize, they've let slip. Another NON-STOP READ!!
Palm Beach finest Police Detective, Crawford and Ott are on a murder case again. Interviews galore of Palm Beachers, who sometimes tell the Detectives, more than they intended. Good thing, they can manage to find out more from those they question, than those Palm Beacher realize, they've let slip. Another NON-STOP READ!!
September 18, 2020
I'm Hooked
Ok so Charlie the ex NYC cop now a Palm Beach homicide detective , gives us a look at his latest case. The usual friends and pain in the as..s are all here. The familiar formula big money folks, lots of suspects, off the "reservation" detecting. Fun , quick read. Perfect for these crazy times.
Ok so Charlie the ex NYC cop now a Palm Beach homicide detective , gives us a look at his latest case. The usual friends and pain in the as..s are all here. The familiar formula big money folks, lots of suspects, off the "reservation" detecting. Fun , quick read. Perfect for these crazy times.
Read
January 28, 2021Great story
A double murder at Mar-A-Lago. A football coach and (one of) his girlfriends are found murdered at the famous resort following a family wedding . Too many suspects , as usual . Many interviews lead to yet another crime . Entertaining reading .
A double murder at Mar-A-Lago. A football coach and (one of) his girlfriends are found murdered at the famous resort following a family wedding . Too many suspects , as usual . Many interviews lead to yet another crime . Entertaining reading .
April 10, 2018
Another great read
I was glad to see another Crawford and Ott book, and loved it from beginning to end. Yet again the famous and rich are up to murderous hijinks in Palm Beach, and Charlie solves it with a little help from Rose and Dominica. Can't wait for the next one.
I was glad to see another Crawford and Ott book, and loved it from beginning to end. Yet again the famous and rich are up to murderous hijinks in Palm Beach, and Charlie solves it with a little help from Rose and Dominica. Can't wait for the next one.
September 13, 2018
Billionaires, wannabes, greed and guns
And that's a bad mixture! Crawford and Ott have 2 murders in their hands and several suspects for each. Is it the rich guy? Or the guy (or gal) pretending to be rich? And who is Ott pretending to be?
And that's a bad mixture! Crawford and Ott have 2 murders in their hands and several suspects for each. Is it the rich guy? Or the guy (or gal) pretending to be rich? And who is Ott pretending to be?
November 4, 2018
Charlie and Ott wrap up another!
I like the Charlie Crawford series. They are simple and realistic. A lot of detective novels are so over the top you find yourself wondering how do regular detectives really do that.
I like the Charlie Crawford series. They are simple and realistic. A lot of detective novels are so over the top you find yourself wondering how do regular detectives really do that.
November 24, 2019
Great fun
These mysteries set in Palm Beach are great fun; I enjoy the author's sly sense of humor. The characters are likeable and the details of the rich and famous are entertaining as always.
These mysteries set in Palm Beach are great fun; I enjoy the author's sly sense of humor. The characters are likeable and the details of the rich and famous are entertaining as always.
February 29, 2020
Just one quibble
Tom Turner’s crime scenes universally suffer from a marked lack of forensic evidence. Other than that, the protagonists are entertaining, dialogue snappy and the storytelling sufficiently diverting.
Tom Turner’s crime scenes universally suffer from a marked lack of forensic evidence. Other than that, the protagonists are entertaining, dialogue snappy and the storytelling sufficiently diverting.
April 22, 2020
30-2020. Another fun visit with Charlie Crawford, Palm Beach homicide detective. Snappy dialogue, quick and fun plot. Lots of rich bad guys you wouldn’t mind seeing in prison, and tons of other shady characters. Good series of books, and I’ll be back.
June 20, 2020
Crawford and Ott solve murders in Palm Beach
I enjoy these Palm Beach detectives solving murders with their own unorthodox methods which works most of the time. Oh and Charlie is the real ladies man!
I enjoy these Palm Beach detectives solving murders with their own unorthodox methods which works most of the time. Oh and Charlie is the real ladies man!
June 27, 2020
Hard to put this one down.
The author is a very good storyteller. This book was a good balance of personal events and cop stuff. The plot flowed very well and moved along. Strong characters.
The author is a very good storyteller. This book was a good balance of personal events and cop stuff. The plot flowed very well and moved along. Strong characters.
April 30, 2021
Palm Beach Pretenders
Charlie and Ott are my favorite detectives. These stories move along with out a lot of past lives taking up a lot of time. Good mysteries with a bit of good humor to go along.
Charlie and Ott are my favorite detectives. These stories move along with out a lot of past lives taking up a lot of time. Good mysteries with a bit of good humor to go along.
April 18, 2018
Great series
Read the whole series,great character's, funny,romance, can't wait for the next one! I I hope to read much more by this author!
Read the whole series,great character's, funny,romance, can't wait for the next one! I I hope to read much more by this author!
May 11, 2018
Addicting
I just can’t put your books down once I start them! I loved your Dragnet reference, as I thought to myself several times your writing style reminds me of the show!
I just can’t put your books down once I start them! I loved your Dragnet reference, as I thought to myself several times your writing style reminds me of the show!
September 3, 2018
Pretty good and fun. No dystopia nor bloody stuff.
November 7, 2018
Good series
The dynamic duo detectives. Solve two murders. Their unusual actions lead them to the bad guys with the help of Charlie's two women friends.
The dynamic duo detectives. Solve two murders. Their unusual actions lead them to the bad guys with the help of Charlie's two women friends.
January 21, 2019
Crawford and Ott are the detective "OddCouple" and oh so entertaining! This is my second Tom Turner read and I will be reading more as I appreciate his character development.
April 7, 2019
Mar-a-lago. Who would think that there is a murder there?
First a wedding and then a murder.
There is also the Porn King. He is blackmailing wealthy men.
This is a great series.
First a wedding and then a murder.
There is also the Porn King. He is blackmailing wealthy men.
This is a great series.
June 25, 2019
A good read.
September 11, 2019
I love this series! Its funny, and fast paced and truly entertaining.
June 1, 2020
Great Read
Interesting and entertaining. I am anxious to start the next book. Author has a way with words and he makes me stay up late at night wanting to finish each book.
Interesting and entertaining. I am anxious to start the next book. Author has a way with words and he makes me stay up late at night wanting to finish each book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews