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Overnight Delivery: The Douglas Files: Book One
California PI Jackson Douglas intends to sleep half of his thirtieth birthday away. After all, its just another painful reminder of the tragedy his life has become, and avoidance seems to be the only coping mechanism that works.
But plans change when Jackson is contacted by his neighbor Connie and a valley girl named Shay, both of whom want to hire him. He reluctantly takes their cases, and while both seem harmless enough, he cant shake the feeling that things are not what they appear.
Jacksons ambiguous misgivings finally begin to take shape when Shay disappears. Jackson spends a hectic night chasing across Los Angeles, using every resource available to help Shay while simultaneously seeking to unravel the elusive truth about her identity. The search thrusts him into a decade-old feud between rival LA gangs, repeatedly putting his life in danger and forcing him into decisions that could change his life forever. Only when morning breaks does Jackson realize his cases are intertwined, leading to a showdown with a gang leader while everyones life hangs in the balance.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2013
1 person is currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Birr
30 books8 followersNathan was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1982, and although his family moved when he was only two, he still pines for “the Good Life.” He was raised in the small town of Campbellsport, Wisconsin, where his father was (and still is) the pastor of a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Nathan’s mother homeschooled him and his sister, and he gives his family great credit for instilling Godly values inside of him. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without their love and prayers.” After graduating from high school, Nathan attended Crown College in Minnesota, where he met his future wife, Sierra. They were married in 2004 and now live in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In his free time, Nathan enjoys relaxing with his family, traveling, and snowboarding. He is also an avid college football fan, especially when it comes to his Nebraska Cornhuskers.
As a youngster, Nathan loved to read, and found himself recreating Frank and Joe Hardy’s adventures in his own words. Those initial pencil-in-notebook “novels” morphed into computer-generated versions with a flair for the dramatic. As a teenager, Nathan was spurred on by Sigmund Brouwer’s The Accidental Detectives series. “Every book seemed to have a late plot twist and a seminal moment when the main character’s subconscious figured out the mystery before his conscious mind knew exactly what was happening,” Nathan says. “I tried to recreate those types of moments.” Nathan was also drawn to doomsday disaster and end-of-the-world scenarios, and sought to write stories with a similarly epic scope.
His passion for writing was revived as an adult, and he attributes much of his inspiration to authors such as John Grisham and James Scott Bell who can pen a story that is “everyday real” but still “a page-turner.” Nathan considers his style to be a blend of what he’s read and what he’s lived, injecting a smart-aleck wit into his stories. Buoyed by the support of his family and friends, Nathan first sought to have his novels published in 2007. Six and a half years later, his dream finally came true.
As a youngster, Nathan loved to read, and found himself recreating Frank and Joe Hardy’s adventures in his own words. Those initial pencil-in-notebook “novels” morphed into computer-generated versions with a flair for the dramatic. As a teenager, Nathan was spurred on by Sigmund Brouwer’s The Accidental Detectives series. “Every book seemed to have a late plot twist and a seminal moment when the main character’s subconscious figured out the mystery before his conscious mind knew exactly what was happening,” Nathan says. “I tried to recreate those types of moments.” Nathan was also drawn to doomsday disaster and end-of-the-world scenarios, and sought to write stories with a similarly epic scope.
His passion for writing was revived as an adult, and he attributes much of his inspiration to authors such as John Grisham and James Scott Bell who can pen a story that is “everyday real” but still “a page-turner.” Nathan considers his style to be a blend of what he’s read and what he’s lived, injecting a smart-aleck wit into his stories. Buoyed by the support of his family and friends, Nathan first sought to have his novels published in 2007. Six and a half years later, his dream finally came true.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 9, 2014
This novel actually has a short story in-bedded within, that provides the reader some family dynamics. Birr spins a tale of PI Jackson Douglas, who on his thirtieth birthday, gets involved in LAPD sting operation to bring down a gang leader and drug lord. All through the plot the author references something Jackson is struggling with, but it's deeply buried in his psyche, and related to the short story. Our protagonist muddles through his investigation to solve the case, then the short story comes to conclusion also. Birr uses the last chapter to very cleverly tie up all the loose ends, and divulge the mystery of Jackson Douglas.
April 23, 2014
I Really liked this book! If I could, I'd give it a 4.7 though, cause I have a couple minor complaints. It's way better than a 4 though so I had to give it a 5. This is the story of Jackson Douglas, a PI, who on his birthday gets 2 sort of weird "jobs", which he takes because he thinks they'll be easy. They weren't easy. It's very nice to read a book with characters (especially the main character)have scruples. There is no cussing and no sex, yet it's not a "goody 2 shoes" type of book either.
Now to my minor complaints. #1. There are a few typos. A pet peeve of mine. There aren't many. 4 or 5 at the most. #2. We are taken,several times, 5 years prior to tell of a vacation in Hawaii. I didn't really get why. I thought the stories would come together eventually, but they didn't. Perhaps it was just to show the importance of family, or maybe, since this is clearly titled "Book One" it will come together in Book 2. I think each book, even of a series, should be ok all on it's own, so I am not a fan of that little glitch.
I won this book, and after I received it, I found out the author is a dear friend of my dear friend from school days! What a small world.
Now to my minor complaints. #1. There are a few typos. A pet peeve of mine. There aren't many. 4 or 5 at the most. #2. We are taken,several times, 5 years prior to tell of a vacation in Hawaii. I didn't really get why. I thought the stories would come together eventually, but they didn't. Perhaps it was just to show the importance of family, or maybe, since this is clearly titled "Book One" it will come together in Book 2. I think each book, even of a series, should be ok all on it's own, so I am not a fan of that little glitch.
I won this book, and after I received it, I found out the author is a dear friend of my dear friend from school days! What a small world.
August 2, 2018
It's Jackson's thirtieth birthday and he is doing everything he can to keep himself distracted. Taking on two investigative cases and juggling dates throughout the day, he leaves no time to think about what's really on his mind.
Throughout the day, he receives numerous phone calls from friends checking on him. They are all pacified when they hear he will be spending dinner with his grandfather. Clearly Jackson’s birthday is the anniversary of some terrible event he is trying to forget.
Little does he know the case he decided to take on today will leave him no time to dwell on the past while he spends every second fighting for his and his client’s life as he finds himself in the middle of a gang war between LA’s public enemies.
I wasn’t too keen on the book cover, but the style of writing drew me in from page one. Brothers playing hot shot during a hostage situation all with beautiful Hawaii as the backdrop. I was sucked in faster than a whirlpool. Great writing, likeable characters that had me laughing out loud at times. Will definitely be reading more from this author.
Throughout the day, he receives numerous phone calls from friends checking on him. They are all pacified when they hear he will be spending dinner with his grandfather. Clearly Jackson’s birthday is the anniversary of some terrible event he is trying to forget.
Little does he know the case he decided to take on today will leave him no time to dwell on the past while he spends every second fighting for his and his client’s life as he finds himself in the middle of a gang war between LA’s public enemies.
I wasn’t too keen on the book cover, but the style of writing drew me in from page one. Brothers playing hot shot during a hostage situation all with beautiful Hawaii as the backdrop. I was sucked in faster than a whirlpool. Great writing, likeable characters that had me laughing out loud at times. Will definitely be reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews