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Frank Marr #3
Trigger
Frank Marr was a good cop, until his burgeoning addictions to alcohol and cocaine forced him into retirement from the D.C. Metro police. Now, he's barely eking out a living as a private investigator for a defense attorney--also Frank's ex-girlfriend.
Ostracized by his family after a botched case that led to the death of his baby cousin, Jeffrey, Frank was on a collision course with rock bottom. Now clean and clinging hard to sobriety, Frank passes the time--and tests himself--by robbing the houses of local dealers, taking their cash and flushing their drugs down the toilet. When an old friend from his police days needs Frank's help to prove he didn't shoot an unarmed civilian, Frank is drawn back into the world of dirty cops and suspicious drug busts, running in the same circles that enabled his addiction those years ago.
Never one to play by the rules, Frank recruits a young man he nearly executed years before. Together--a good man trying not to go bad and a bad man trying to do good--detective and criminal charge headfirst into the D.C. drug wars. Neither may make it out.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2019
93 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
David Swinson
17 books330 followersDavid Swinson is the author of THE SECOND GIRL, CRIME SONG, TRIGGER and City on the Edge, by Mulholland Books/Little, Brown& Co. He is a retired DC police detective, and a former alternative and punk rock promoter in Long Beach, CA in the eighties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 13, 2019
I only realised this was the 3rd in the Frank Marr series after I had finished this novel which means this works well as a stadalone. This edgy urban crime drama, is a thriller with morally suspect anti-heroes with their own sense of ethics and justice, it has echoes of George Pelecanos novels and is imbued with a strong sense of authenticity, conveyed by the author who served as a police officer in DC. Set in Washington DC, Marr is a ex-police detective forced to take early retirement after going off the rails through alcohol and his cocaine addiction. He is ostracised by his family and his personal relationship with lawyer, Leslie Costello fell apart, both casualties of his addiction. He is now operating as a private investigator but struggling financially. Now clean but still fighting his demons, he fills his days by hitting drug houses he has previous knowledge off, stealing cash and valuables whilst flushing the drugs down the toilet.
Leslie calls him, hiring him as an investigator when his old police partner, Al Luna, a man he loves like a brother finds himself in hot water after shooting dead a black teenager, Arthur Taylor, convinced the boy had a gun. However, no gun was found on the scene, and with intense media coverage and protests, Luna is deemed a liability by those with political power, with Internal Affairs have kicked off their own inquiry. Marr believes Luna, and follows the theory that a gun was removed from the scene, probably by Taylor's associates. In a story that involves confidential agents, Luna's secrets, gangs, and the city's drug war, Marr hires Calvin as his assistant, a young black man he left for dead in the past when he engaged in enforcing his own form of justice. In a relationship marked initially by extreme distrust of each other, with their history of being on the opposite side of the fence from each other, the two start to get closely acquainted in the many hours of surveillance they carry out.
It is the relationship between Marr and Calvin that was the highlight of this novel for me, it provides the source of hope that communication and knowledge of your enemy hold the possibility of slowly dismantling their history with its seemingly insurmountable walls of acrimony, hate, prejudice and stereotypes. Neither Marr or Calvin have a past to be proud of, and despite the obstacles that litter their path, perceptions shift and trust begins to hold sway. Swinson's greatest strength is his characterisation, and the reality of policing and gangs that he conveys that comes from his real life experience amidst a background of a Washington DC facing the never ending drug war, and a police force that struggles to understand the community it polices and vice versa. This is a insightful and engaging read, I particularly enjoyed the dialogue and the twists and turns in the story. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
Leslie calls him, hiring him as an investigator when his old police partner, Al Luna, a man he loves like a brother finds himself in hot water after shooting dead a black teenager, Arthur Taylor, convinced the boy had a gun. However, no gun was found on the scene, and with intense media coverage and protests, Luna is deemed a liability by those with political power, with Internal Affairs have kicked off their own inquiry. Marr believes Luna, and follows the theory that a gun was removed from the scene, probably by Taylor's associates. In a story that involves confidential agents, Luna's secrets, gangs, and the city's drug war, Marr hires Calvin as his assistant, a young black man he left for dead in the past when he engaged in enforcing his own form of justice. In a relationship marked initially by extreme distrust of each other, with their history of being on the opposite side of the fence from each other, the two start to get closely acquainted in the many hours of surveillance they carry out.
It is the relationship between Marr and Calvin that was the highlight of this novel for me, it provides the source of hope that communication and knowledge of your enemy hold the possibility of slowly dismantling their history with its seemingly insurmountable walls of acrimony, hate, prejudice and stereotypes. Neither Marr or Calvin have a past to be proud of, and despite the obstacles that litter their path, perceptions shift and trust begins to hold sway. Swinson's greatest strength is his characterisation, and the reality of policing and gangs that he conveys that comes from his real life experience amidst a background of a Washington DC facing the never ending drug war, and a police force that struggles to understand the community it polices and vice versa. This is a insightful and engaging read, I particularly enjoyed the dialogue and the twists and turns in the story. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
April 18, 2019
Trigger by David Swinson is the third novel in the Frank Marr series. Frank Marr is a private investigator forced into early retirement out of the Washingon DC metro-police department for drug and alcohol abuse while working as a drug investigator.
Familiar characters in the previous two novels reappear and in this novel, Marr is investigating the shooting death of a teenager by his best friend and current police officer Al Luna. Luna swears the teenager was armed with a handgun, but no firearm was found at the scene and with the highly politicized environment, things don't look promising for Luna, however, Marr believes Luna when Luna swears the teenager was armed with a handgun.
In the previous review of the first novel, The Second Girl, it was felt the Marr character lacked likability. In Trigger, and previously in Crime Song, Swinson has realistically added attributes to the Marr character that does increase reader care when it comes to what happens to Marr.
One thing that is enjoyable for this reader when it comes to novels in a series is when there is a realistic progression of growth in the characters. Swinson has done that with his characters, especially that of Frank Marr.
In Trigger, Swinson also adds layers of morality and redemption where violence does have victims and in ways often found in novels by authors such as George Pelecanos.
Recommended for those that enjoy police procedurals and crime novels with meaning.
Familiar characters in the previous two novels reappear and in this novel, Marr is investigating the shooting death of a teenager by his best friend and current police officer Al Luna. Luna swears the teenager was armed with a handgun, but no firearm was found at the scene and with the highly politicized environment, things don't look promising for Luna, however, Marr believes Luna when Luna swears the teenager was armed with a handgun.
In the previous review of the first novel, The Second Girl, it was felt the Marr character lacked likability. In Trigger, and previously in Crime Song, Swinson has realistically added attributes to the Marr character that does increase reader care when it comes to what happens to Marr.
One thing that is enjoyable for this reader when it comes to novels in a series is when there is a realistic progression of growth in the characters. Swinson has done that with his characters, especially that of Frank Marr.
In Trigger, Swinson also adds layers of morality and redemption where violence does have victims and in ways often found in novels by authors such as George Pelecanos.
Recommended for those that enjoy police procedurals and crime novels with meaning.
December 4, 2018
This was just a bit too depressing for me.
It is about Frank, an ex cop, who is retired - mainly because he was addicted to cocaine, and is now doing his own investigations. He has a sort of vigilante approach to drug dealers and their abodes - raiding them for drugs and cash, before disposing of the drugs and keeping the cash. All very altruistic, but he is battling with his inner demons when it comes to the addiction.
An old friend is involved in a shooting of a young black teenager, and Frank is brought in to help investigate the surrounding circumstances.
A good police procedural, with grit and some really good bits, but there just weren't enough shocks and twists to keep me enthralled for the length of the book.
Glad I read it, and not a wasted read, but I probably won't read this again.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
It is about Frank, an ex cop, who is retired - mainly because he was addicted to cocaine, and is now doing his own investigations. He has a sort of vigilante approach to drug dealers and their abodes - raiding them for drugs and cash, before disposing of the drugs and keeping the cash. All very altruistic, but he is battling with his inner demons when it comes to the addiction.
An old friend is involved in a shooting of a young black teenager, and Frank is brought in to help investigate the surrounding circumstances.
A good police procedural, with grit and some really good bits, but there just weren't enough shocks and twists to keep me enthralled for the length of the book.
Glad I read it, and not a wasted read, but I probably won't read this again.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
February 18, 2019
I'm stronger, but weakness is always trying to find a way in. -Frank Marr
Demons
They are those things that clutch at us, strangle us, force us to obey them.
They control us with great delight, and finally they own us.
Frank Marr has some mean, ugly, hungry demons after his soul.
This is the books description on the inside flap.
'Frank Marr was a good cop until his addiction to cocaine and alcohol forced him into early retirement.'
Not liking this book because of all the drug abuse, foul language, and depressing tone makes no sense. What did you expect? Mister Rogers neighborhood?
A gritty, grimy, unapologetic book.
Demons
They are those things that clutch at us, strangle us, force us to obey them.
They control us with great delight, and finally they own us.
Frank Marr has some mean, ugly, hungry demons after his soul.
This is the books description on the inside flap.
'Frank Marr was a good cop until his addiction to cocaine and alcohol forced him into early retirement.'
Not liking this book because of all the drug abuse, foul language, and depressing tone makes no sense. What did you expect? Mister Rogers neighborhood?
A gritty, grimy, unapologetic book.
May 29, 2019
Need that half star option because this really isn't a 3 star book nor is it a 4 star book. Apparently this is the 3rd book in the Frank Marr series but I was unaware of that and the book reads fine as a stand alone. Frank Marr has had to take an early retirement from the DC police force due to a cocaine issue, hence the title. His ex partner is in a jam from shooting a teenager who he claims was pointing a gun at him but no weapons were found at the scene. Internal Affairs are investigating but so is Frank using some of his old CI's, buddies still on the force and an unexpected "partner" who he's had to deal with in the past. Pretty good read with good dialogue throughout. Recommended.
February 17, 2019
This is the third book in this hard-boiled crime series, I thought the first one was great and the second was very good, but this one fell a little flat for me. I still enjoyed the flawed tough-guy-with-a-soft-spot protagonist fighting the same demons as he did in the first two books, but I didn’t buy his relationship with some of the other characters who seemed uncomfortably stereotypical at times. Not a bad read, but a step down from the other two books in my opinion.
April 5, 2021
I really like David Swinson and his protagonist Frank Marr. This latest instalment is no exception as Frank tries to help a police friend who's been accused of a bad shooting. Excellent characterisation and dialogue ; this is an authentic story of street crime in Washington DC. Highly recommended and fans of Pelecanos and Leanord need look no further for their new favourite author.
March 13, 2019
Frank Marr is a cop-turned-private investigator. The reason for his job transition was his cocaine addiction, which he has self-treated with heavy alcohol use since leaving the force. He lives on the edge between some kind of adherence to the law and outright criminality (ripping off drug dealers is one way to augment his income). But he is still loyal to his friends, or at least a couple of them, and summons the will to help his one-time mentor out of a shooting jam. I don't much like Frank. Frank doesn't much like Frank. I don't like the world in which he lives. Having said that, Swinson knows what he is doing.
March 10, 2019
A detective story that grabbed my attention from the first page. Couldn't put it down! And I was 7/8 of the way through it when I realized it was the third in a trilogy. That's how good David Swinson is. He made the third book in a trilogy a fantastic stand-alone, too! Now I have to read the other two.
April 15, 2019
Liked this book a great deal. Swinson is now my go-to for police procedural and I was a cop for 31 years. Although I think his first two, The Second Girl, and Crime Song were better, the voice in his books can carry a heavy load because it is so well done. And voice in writing is the Big Kahuna. That's why I gave it five stars instead of four.
This book opened with a scene that is common in the other two books (I won't mention it here I don't want to be a spoiler). The opening scene is an introduction to the character and a contract with the reader in, what and where, the story is going. The choice of rehashing this same kind of scene, I think was a misstep for the fans who follow the series. It is however a great move for those who are just starting out. Don't misunderstand, this is still a great read and I highly recommend it.
That being said, here are some comments that are more from a writer's point of view.
In Trigger, the main plot line takes center stage as is should but I missed the secondary plot lines of the love interest that are present in the first two books. And I would've liked to seen the interaction with Luna more fleshed out. In this book Luna (which the plot hangs on) seems more like scene breather (filler) for the Frank Marr. Part of this might be because Luna never leaves his house throughout the entire story. Frank goes there to visit each time. I might've would have liked some quick backstories that displayed their history, just quick touches here and there.
I will still be first in line to pick up his next one.
Side note: For me, Mulholland Books is really doing it right. They are my go-to publisher and I watch their list very carefully. I read most all of their list. They choose to publish the kind of books I love to read (I used to be that with with Scribner).
David Putnam Author of The Bruno Johnson Series.
This book opened with a scene that is common in the other two books (I won't mention it here I don't want to be a spoiler). The opening scene is an introduction to the character and a contract with the reader in, what and where, the story is going. The choice of rehashing this same kind of scene, I think was a misstep for the fans who follow the series. It is however a great move for those who are just starting out. Don't misunderstand, this is still a great read and I highly recommend it.
That being said, here are some comments that are more from a writer's point of view.
In Trigger, the main plot line takes center stage as is should but I missed the secondary plot lines of the love interest that are present in the first two books. And I would've liked to seen the interaction with Luna more fleshed out. In this book Luna (which the plot hangs on) seems more like scene breather (filler) for the Frank Marr. Part of this might be because Luna never leaves his house throughout the entire story. Frank goes there to visit each time. I might've would have liked some quick backstories that displayed their history, just quick touches here and there.
I will still be first in line to pick up his next one.
Side note: For me, Mulholland Books is really doing it right. They are my go-to publisher and I watch their list very carefully. I read most all of their list. They choose to publish the kind of books I love to read (I used to be that with with Scribner).
David Putnam Author of The Bruno Johnson Series.
February 6, 2019
Frank Marr returns in this third instalment in the series and this time he's kicked his cocaine habit although he's still knocking over stash houses, but he's flushing the drugs away and holding onto whatever money he finds. He's interrupted on one such run by an unexpected phone call from his ex-girlfriend and defence lawyer, Leslie, who lets him know his ex-partner, Al has shot and killed a seemingly unarmed 16 year old. Al swears there is a gun and wants Frank to look into it.
This is a fast paced, whip-smart and unpredictable novel that definitely leapt my expectations. It's got that Matt Scudder vibe, but there's no NA meetings as Frank is kicking drugs in his own way as he tends to do with everything as he blurs the lines of morality in search of the truth. A character from the first novel re-appears unexpectedly and this burgeoning relationship makes up the heart of the novel.
Like the other entries in the series the novel crackles along on short chapters and great dialogue that kept me glued and the ending just left me wanting more. Swinson has kept all the novels in the series related to one another in some way and this has certainly fostered an attachment to the series. I really can't wait to see what happens next for Frank, but I've got a really long wait now.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an uncorrected advanced copy via NetGalley.
This is a fast paced, whip-smart and unpredictable novel that definitely leapt my expectations. It's got that Matt Scudder vibe, but there's no NA meetings as Frank is kicking drugs in his own way as he tends to do with everything as he blurs the lines of morality in search of the truth. A character from the first novel re-appears unexpectedly and this burgeoning relationship makes up the heart of the novel.
Like the other entries in the series the novel crackles along on short chapters and great dialogue that kept me glued and the ending just left me wanting more. Swinson has kept all the novels in the series related to one another in some way and this has certainly fostered an attachment to the series. I really can't wait to see what happens next for Frank, but I've got a really long wait now.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an uncorrected advanced copy via NetGalley.
March 13, 2019
Very happy I picked up this book, it was fast past and sucked you right in from the beginning. Also happy this is book 3 because that means there more Frank Marr books for me to read. If you like a gritty detective story then you will love this book.
June 29, 2021
This continues the Frank Marr series exceptionally well. It's extremely rough language and surroundings. Be warned. This is not a series for cozy readers.
The plot was a full 4 stars and the period after dropping the cocaine addiction habit for nuance/ambiance was 4.5 stars. All the alcohol and pills to take up the slack? Not at all unrealistic.
Beyond all the tailings and okeydokes- this one has the most interesting introductory character yet. It's Playboy (real name Calvin Tolson) who has been back seated and bino accessorized. The process of mentoring by Marr to be his new investigative associate. All across the introductions to new work- that was enthralling/ spectacular. How hard to initiate that trust? Very well done.
Lots of violence, more than a couple of deaths. And far from a happy ending.
Best friends suffer the others' troubles. That's for sure. D.C. changes and neighborhoods, as always, are carved.
And I totally agree with Frank, because I was there once when it happened. At 1 inch of snow, that entire town goes bonkers.
The plot was a full 4 stars and the period after dropping the cocaine addiction habit for nuance/ambiance was 4.5 stars. All the alcohol and pills to take up the slack? Not at all unrealistic.
Beyond all the tailings and okeydokes- this one has the most interesting introductory character yet. It's Playboy (real name Calvin Tolson) who has been back seated and bino accessorized. The process of mentoring by Marr to be his new investigative associate. All across the introductions to new work- that was enthralling/ spectacular. How hard to initiate that trust? Very well done.
Lots of violence, more than a couple of deaths. And far from a happy ending.
Best friends suffer the others' troubles. That's for sure. D.C. changes and neighborhoods, as always, are carved.
And I totally agree with Frank, because I was there once when it happened. At 1 inch of snow, that entire town goes bonkers.
June 17, 2023
Wasn't sure what I'd think - the first two were so good but the dynamic totally different since Frank was an addict full on each book. Here he's clean, but one of the best parts is Calvin, I found their connection and working together absolutely fascinating. This case hits close to home with a close friend of Frank's, a little of Luna on the team but clear reality has a way of not having fairy tales of relationships. There's current political events with this case done well.
March 11, 2019
TRIGGER makes for wonderfully dark reading. The point of its spear is Frank Marr, an ex-Washington, D.C. cop with a troop of monkeys on his back. Frank was introduced to the world by author David Swinson --- a retired D.C. police detective himself --- in the acclaimed novel THE SECOND GIRL, the promise of which was fulfilled and exceeded by CRIME SONG. This final book in the trilogy finds Frank walking a fine and precarious line as he attempts to aid an old friend while unexpectedly serving as a mentor to a former adversary, all the while fighting his own very strong and ever-present demons.
Frank’s substance addiction forced him into early retirement from the Washington, D.C. Metro Police department. Bouncing back from a rock bottom hard landing, Frank supports himself with a public job as a private investigator working for Leslie, a defense attorney who happens to be his ex-girlfriend. He also does a bit of work under the table, if you will, robbing the stash houses he became acquainted with as a detective and using the cash proceeds to supplement his income and do a little good on the side, even as he constantly tests himself by flushing the drugs he confiscates down the sewer rather than his own body.
The bedrock of TRIGGER is more of the same, but there is a new wrinkle. Al Luna, Frank’s best bud from his police days, is in a world of trouble for shooting an unarmed suspect. Al is adamant that the guy was armed and pointing a gun at him, but the weapon cannot be found. The shooting is investigated while there is, of course, a rush to judgment on the streets. Frank uses his street contacts to work backward, trying to ascertain what the now-deceased suspect was doing in the hours leading up to his fatal confrontation with Al. Tamie Darling, a longtime informant used by both Frank and Al, figures in the story as Frank uncovers some uncomfortable truths about his friend that he wishes he hadn’t.
Meanwhile, Frank meets up with a figure from his past: a young gangbanger known as Playboy (real name: Calvin), whose life Frank spared when he didn’t really have to do so. The two circle each other gingerly, but Frank sees something in Calvin and takes a chance, bringing him on as a paid associate with an angle toward accessing the street that Frank doesn’t have. The partnership is uneasy at first but tentatively and gradually becomes productive for both men, even as a fragile trust --- that most precious of commodities --- is constructed between them.
As Frank comes ever closer to obtaining the truth of what occurred on that fateful night, the street becomes increasingly dangerous for him as he becomes a target by virtue of his association with Al. At the same time, Frank’s addictions wait patiently for a slip and a fall. It will take all of his strength and street knowledge to see his way clear to the other side of his dilemma. It may not be enough, though.
The conclusion contains resolution --- some satisfactory, some otherwise --- on all fronts, but certainly leaves the door open for more stories in the future. This series was originally conceived as a trilogy, but the complexities of the character as well as the secondary players are too original and interesting to be consigned to the dust bin. We’ll have to wait and see if Swinson will continue the story --- perhaps in another three-book arc --- but for now we have TRIGGER and its predecessors, all of which are worth your time and money.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Frank’s substance addiction forced him into early retirement from the Washington, D.C. Metro Police department. Bouncing back from a rock bottom hard landing, Frank supports himself with a public job as a private investigator working for Leslie, a defense attorney who happens to be his ex-girlfriend. He also does a bit of work under the table, if you will, robbing the stash houses he became acquainted with as a detective and using the cash proceeds to supplement his income and do a little good on the side, even as he constantly tests himself by flushing the drugs he confiscates down the sewer rather than his own body.
The bedrock of TRIGGER is more of the same, but there is a new wrinkle. Al Luna, Frank’s best bud from his police days, is in a world of trouble for shooting an unarmed suspect. Al is adamant that the guy was armed and pointing a gun at him, but the weapon cannot be found. The shooting is investigated while there is, of course, a rush to judgment on the streets. Frank uses his street contacts to work backward, trying to ascertain what the now-deceased suspect was doing in the hours leading up to his fatal confrontation with Al. Tamie Darling, a longtime informant used by both Frank and Al, figures in the story as Frank uncovers some uncomfortable truths about his friend that he wishes he hadn’t.
Meanwhile, Frank meets up with a figure from his past: a young gangbanger known as Playboy (real name: Calvin), whose life Frank spared when he didn’t really have to do so. The two circle each other gingerly, but Frank sees something in Calvin and takes a chance, bringing him on as a paid associate with an angle toward accessing the street that Frank doesn’t have. The partnership is uneasy at first but tentatively and gradually becomes productive for both men, even as a fragile trust --- that most precious of commodities --- is constructed between them.
As Frank comes ever closer to obtaining the truth of what occurred on that fateful night, the street becomes increasingly dangerous for him as he becomes a target by virtue of his association with Al. At the same time, Frank’s addictions wait patiently for a slip and a fall. It will take all of his strength and street knowledge to see his way clear to the other side of his dilemma. It may not be enough, though.
The conclusion contains resolution --- some satisfactory, some otherwise --- on all fronts, but certainly leaves the door open for more stories in the future. This series was originally conceived as a trilogy, but the complexities of the character as well as the secondary players are too original and interesting to be consigned to the dust bin. We’ll have to wait and see if Swinson will continue the story --- perhaps in another three-book arc --- but for now we have TRIGGER and its predecessors, all of which are worth your time and money.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
February 21, 2019
Third in a great series. Cop turned PI after forced early retirement due to addiction. Still has lots of friends on the force, so he gets plenty of help when needed.
March 19, 2019
Police Noir At It’s Best
David Swinson and anti-hero Frank Marr are fast climbing the pantheon ofthebest writers in this class Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, Don Winslow and James Lee Burke. Frank Marr some would say is not a good man and maybe a bad man. What seperates him is he lives by code it might be one that most people don’t but it works for him.
Mr. Swinson’s character are flesh and blood an believable. His plotting is impeccable. Do yourself a favor and read his books.
David Swinson and anti-hero Frank Marr are fast climbing the pantheon ofthebest writers in this class Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, Don Winslow and James Lee Burke. Frank Marr some would say is not a good man and maybe a bad man. What seperates him is he lives by code it might be one that most people don’t but it works for him.
Mr. Swinson’s character are flesh and blood an believable. His plotting is impeccable. Do yourself a favor and read his books.
August 12, 2019
Looking forward to a 4th Frank Marr novel. #3 did not disappoint! Great series.
February 9, 2019
Frank Marr is a flawed man.
He loves Cocaine, whiskey and women and is not too conflicted about stealing.
Let’s first take the cocaine. It cost him his job as a Detective with the DC Police Department. But, like all men with a just a little bit of luck his departure is called “early retirement”. The whiskey, well, Frank just loves it and will have a swallow or two at all times of the day.
As for the women-Frank has just one real love. Leslie, a defense attorney, who gives him hard looks and the cold shoulder after Frank messed up during an all night bender. He wants her back but, like a walk in San Francisco, it’s all up hill.
To make ends meet Frank works as a Private Eye. The retainers and expenses help pay the bills but the real money comes from the drug boys.
Swinson writes, “It still gives me a rush, even more so without the Cocaine high. You realize how reckless it is. Just how dangerous”.
It’s page one of the authors new book and he is setting us up for a thrill. Franks gonna break into a house he is damn sure has drugs and money.
“I take the tactical pry bar out of my backpack....”.
On page 6, “I find a wad of money in another coat pocket. Doesn’t look like more than a couple thousand. Small bills, rolled up and secured with one rubber bank”.
And we’re off.
In Trigger, David Swinson’s new book from Mulholland, a DC Police officer has just shot and killed a young man near Howard University. The officer, a detective and Frank’s long time friend, says the teenager had a gun. But no weapon is found and the shooting makes big news.
What follows in this excellent 338 page story is Frank’s efforts to clear his friends name. A wild ride that has Frank pushing all sorts of boundaries. Using everything he learned as a cop and more.
What I love about Swinson’s writing is his ability to keep it real. He knows the city and he knows how it works. From the courts to the streets to 300 Indiana Avenue (police HQ).
He never asks you to suspend reality. Swinson speaks DC and the dialogue is superb.
In full disclosure I work the streets myself as a Reporter for a TV station. I know David and have profiled him in a story. I also play myself in the book. I make my first appearance on page 49.
Trigger is Swinson’s best so far. Have a go. It’s a terrific read.
He loves Cocaine, whiskey and women and is not too conflicted about stealing.
Let’s first take the cocaine. It cost him his job as a Detective with the DC Police Department. But, like all men with a just a little bit of luck his departure is called “early retirement”. The whiskey, well, Frank just loves it and will have a swallow or two at all times of the day.
As for the women-Frank has just one real love. Leslie, a defense attorney, who gives him hard looks and the cold shoulder after Frank messed up during an all night bender. He wants her back but, like a walk in San Francisco, it’s all up hill.
To make ends meet Frank works as a Private Eye. The retainers and expenses help pay the bills but the real money comes from the drug boys.
Swinson writes, “It still gives me a rush, even more so without the Cocaine high. You realize how reckless it is. Just how dangerous”.
It’s page one of the authors new book and he is setting us up for a thrill. Franks gonna break into a house he is damn sure has drugs and money.
“I take the tactical pry bar out of my backpack....”.
On page 6, “I find a wad of money in another coat pocket. Doesn’t look like more than a couple thousand. Small bills, rolled up and secured with one rubber bank”.
And we’re off.
In Trigger, David Swinson’s new book from Mulholland, a DC Police officer has just shot and killed a young man near Howard University. The officer, a detective and Frank’s long time friend, says the teenager had a gun. But no weapon is found and the shooting makes big news.
What follows in this excellent 338 page story is Frank’s efforts to clear his friends name. A wild ride that has Frank pushing all sorts of boundaries. Using everything he learned as a cop and more.
What I love about Swinson’s writing is his ability to keep it real. He knows the city and he knows how it works. From the courts to the streets to 300 Indiana Avenue (police HQ).
He never asks you to suspend reality. Swinson speaks DC and the dialogue is superb.
In full disclosure I work the streets myself as a Reporter for a TV station. I know David and have profiled him in a story. I also play myself in the book. I make my first appearance on page 49.
Trigger is Swinson’s best so far. Have a go. It’s a terrific read.
November 7, 2018
This a is a reader view copy that my son got but as he hasn’t read the the previous two Frank Marrr novels by David Swinson, I decided to read and review it first.
Frank Marr is an ex Washington D. C. Police Detective who was forced into early retirement partly due to his cocaine addiction. He now works as an Investigator for Lawyer Leslie Costello but following Marr’s exploits in the previous novel his personal and business relationship with her has soured. When not working as an investigator, Marr rips off ‘stash houses’ that he has previously identified. He still keeps the cash and anything else that he finds of value but the drugs now go down the toilet, as Marr struggles with his addiction. However he has now replaced the cocaine with other medication and also alcohol to take the edge off.
In this latest novel Marr’s ex Police partner and friend Al Luna is involved in the fatal shooting a a sixteen year old black youth but the shooting is deemed bad, as no weapon can be found on or near the victim. Marr is called in by Leslie to investigate on her behalf as she is representing Luna.
We meet several familiar characters that were present in both the previous novels, from both sides of the divide and there is also an unexpected twist to one of these chance encounters which proves pivotal to the story. The dialogue is sharp, witty and tough, a bit like Marr himself who can’t help get involved in some scrapes himself along the way.
I like Marr’s character and the inner demons he must fight on a daily basis to keep himself ‘clean’. He is pretty harsh in his dealings with those he comes up against but also reveals a softer side to his character when he tries to help those less fortunate than himself and uses some of his stash money to help those.
I have the previous two Frank Marr novels 5 star reviews but after finishing this one I just thought there was something lacking and can’t really put my finger on it. The conclusion seemed to come up on me really quick and wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped for but that’s maybe because it was more true to life, as we know isn’t all about happy endings.
Hoping that this isn’t the end for Frank Marr and also looking forward to anything David Swinson publishes as his stand alone novel A Detailed Man is also excellent.
Frank Marr is an ex Washington D. C. Police Detective who was forced into early retirement partly due to his cocaine addiction. He now works as an Investigator for Lawyer Leslie Costello but following Marr’s exploits in the previous novel his personal and business relationship with her has soured. When not working as an investigator, Marr rips off ‘stash houses’ that he has previously identified. He still keeps the cash and anything else that he finds of value but the drugs now go down the toilet, as Marr struggles with his addiction. However he has now replaced the cocaine with other medication and also alcohol to take the edge off.
In this latest novel Marr’s ex Police partner and friend Al Luna is involved in the fatal shooting a a sixteen year old black youth but the shooting is deemed bad, as no weapon can be found on or near the victim. Marr is called in by Leslie to investigate on her behalf as she is representing Luna.
We meet several familiar characters that were present in both the previous novels, from both sides of the divide and there is also an unexpected twist to one of these chance encounters which proves pivotal to the story. The dialogue is sharp, witty and tough, a bit like Marr himself who can’t help get involved in some scrapes himself along the way.
I like Marr’s character and the inner demons he must fight on a daily basis to keep himself ‘clean’. He is pretty harsh in his dealings with those he comes up against but also reveals a softer side to his character when he tries to help those less fortunate than himself and uses some of his stash money to help those.
I have the previous two Frank Marr novels 5 star reviews but after finishing this one I just thought there was something lacking and can’t really put my finger on it. The conclusion seemed to come up on me really quick and wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped for but that’s maybe because it was more true to life, as we know isn’t all about happy endings.
Hoping that this isn’t the end for Frank Marr and also looking forward to anything David Swinson publishes as his stand alone novel A Detailed Man is also excellent.
March 11, 2019
I really liked the raw, authentic view of this main character and his world. I haven't yet read the two previous books in this series, but Swinson wrote this one well enough that I never felt lost or that I was sitting outside an inside joke. Written in first person, this is a good, classic hard-boiled noir about a couple modern-day cops and the struggles they endure. I like the grit of this book, and I'm looking forward to Swinson's other works.
January 2, 2019
About the book: It’s the third book in a series about a police officer who had to retire because of his drug and alcohol addictions.
I received a free copy of the book from Hachette in exchange for an honest review.
First impressions: I like the title. The premise sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a shot.
Characters: Frank Marr isn’t perfect. He has many flaws. I didn’t love him right away, but he grew on me.
The protagonist teams up with a young man named Calvin despite their past history. The latter grew on me as well.
I wanted to get to know the secondary characters better. At least, Frank and Calvin develop a great deal throughout the novel.
“One thing you’ll learn is it doesn’t always go as planned.”
Writing: The story is told in the first person from Frank’s perspective. I love the short chapters. I also love the various conversations between different characters. They felt raw. The dialogue contains a lot of profanity. Even some of the scenes and themes trend more mature because they wouldn’t be suitable for a younger audience. There isn’t really any romance, but some characters have complicated relationships with others.
I wouldn’t have minded more description, especially in regards to the appearances of characters. I had a hard time imagining how everyone looked like.
Final thoughts: The ending didn’t satisfy me as it felt a bit sudden. I wasn’t expecting a happy one, but I still have questions. It’s not the easiest read because Swinson delves into some difficult issues, but I enjoyed seeing the plot unfold at a solid pace.
This novel isn’t for everyone, but if you like suspenseful novels featuring morally questionable characters, check out Trigger.
I received a free copy of the book from Hachette in exchange for an honest review.
First impressions: I like the title. The premise sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a shot.
Characters: Frank Marr isn’t perfect. He has many flaws. I didn’t love him right away, but he grew on me.
The protagonist teams up with a young man named Calvin despite their past history. The latter grew on me as well.
I wanted to get to know the secondary characters better. At least, Frank and Calvin develop a great deal throughout the novel.
“One thing you’ll learn is it doesn’t always go as planned.”
Writing: The story is told in the first person from Frank’s perspective. I love the short chapters. I also love the various conversations between different characters. They felt raw. The dialogue contains a lot of profanity. Even some of the scenes and themes trend more mature because they wouldn’t be suitable for a younger audience. There isn’t really any romance, but some characters have complicated relationships with others.
I wouldn’t have minded more description, especially in regards to the appearances of characters. I had a hard time imagining how everyone looked like.
Final thoughts: The ending didn’t satisfy me as it felt a bit sudden. I wasn’t expecting a happy one, but I still have questions. It’s not the easiest read because Swinson delves into some difficult issues, but I enjoyed seeing the plot unfold at a solid pace.
This novel isn’t for everyone, but if you like suspenseful novels featuring morally questionable characters, check out Trigger.
February 26, 2019
I'm not sure if it was the addition of Calvin or the fact that this book is pulled straight from current events, but this was my favorite of the Frank Marr series, a series that was already exceptional. If you love police procedurals as much as I do, you NEED to pick this series up!
January 24, 2019
My review for this book was published on Library Journal's website in January 2019:
Retired cop–turned–private investigator Frank Marr returns in the third novel of this promising series (following The Second Girl and Crime Song), which will appeal to fans of Don Winslow's The Force. Newly clean after an all-consuming cocaine addiction and unhappily alone after his girlfriend Leslie kicked him out, Frank spends his time robbing the drug houses of Washington, DC, and fighting his urges when he hears that his best friend Al Luna fatally shot an African American teen when he thought the victim raised a gun—but no gun was found. In order to help clear his "brother cop," Frank recruits as his personal assistant a young man once involved in the drug trade, who almost got Frank killed. Despite the short chapters, punchy dialogue, and Frank's frenetic present-tense narration, the action occasionally lags and leads to a surprisingly underwhelming conclusion. The mystery of Al's situation ultimately takes a backseat to the burgeoning relationship between Frank and his protégé Calvin, who struggles to reconcile his new job with his fear of being perceived as a snitch, likely setting the table for future installments. VERDICT Swinson, a former police detective, depicts the streets of DC as knowingly as George Pelecanos, and his flawed but loyal hero will be welcomed by readers who miss Nick Stefanos.
Copyright ©2019 Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. Reprinted with permission.
Retired cop–turned–private investigator Frank Marr returns in the third novel of this promising series (following The Second Girl and Crime Song), which will appeal to fans of Don Winslow's The Force. Newly clean after an all-consuming cocaine addiction and unhappily alone after his girlfriend Leslie kicked him out, Frank spends his time robbing the drug houses of Washington, DC, and fighting his urges when he hears that his best friend Al Luna fatally shot an African American teen when he thought the victim raised a gun—but no gun was found. In order to help clear his "brother cop," Frank recruits as his personal assistant a young man once involved in the drug trade, who almost got Frank killed. Despite the short chapters, punchy dialogue, and Frank's frenetic present-tense narration, the action occasionally lags and leads to a surprisingly underwhelming conclusion. The mystery of Al's situation ultimately takes a backseat to the burgeoning relationship between Frank and his protégé Calvin, who struggles to reconcile his new job with his fear of being perceived as a snitch, likely setting the table for future installments. VERDICT Swinson, a former police detective, depicts the streets of DC as knowingly as George Pelecanos, and his flawed but loyal hero will be welcomed by readers who miss Nick Stefanos.
Copyright ©2019 Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. Reprinted with permission.
Read
February 10, 2019TRIGGER is a, full-on gritty crime noir set in Washington, D.C., starring a vigilante protagonist, ex-cocaine addict (recovering) and recovering alcoholic,.I former Metro D.C. narcotics bureau detective (how apropos). Frank Marr is now a P.I. in D.C., after being forced to resign from the Police Department and in addition losing the woman he still loves, not so much because of his addictions, but for his years of lies and covering-up. Now he spies out dealers and burgles their stashes, flushing the drugs, pocketing the money. It's still an adrenaline rush, but it's also still a temptation.
If this series had been set in Scotland instead of in D.C., I would compare it to the crime noir fiction of Stuart MacBride. That gives you the impression of what kind of full-bore noir author David Swinson delivers.
If this series had been set in Scotland instead of in D.C., I would compare it to the crime noir fiction of Stuart MacBride. That gives you the impression of what kind of full-bore noir author David Swinson delivers.
February 14, 2019
A stellar ending to the trilogy.
Trigger puts you back in the middle of Frank Marr's crazy life. It's tense, funny, sad, and has a few great twists along the way.
Trigger puts you back in the middle of Frank Marr's crazy life. It's tense, funny, sad, and has a few great twists along the way.
April 23, 2019
Trigger
Mysterious Book Report No. 369
by John Dwaine McKenna
Frank Marr is “a good cop with a bad habit,” who operates as a PI in the down and dirty underbelly of our nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C. Forced into early retirement from the Metro DC Police Force, he ekes out a living as a Private Eye when he’s not busy knocking over one of the stash houses of D.C.s mind-numbing number of drug-slingers; because Frankie Marr is always jonesing for another hit of cocaine and another three fingers of whiskey.
Now, in his third, and newest adventure, Trigger, (Mulholland/Little, Brown and Company, $27.50, 340 pages, ISBN 978-0-316-26425-9) by David Swinson, Frank’s doing his best to stay away from the Devil’s own white powder. He’s still kicking down doors and breaking into stash houses, but now he just takes their money and flushes the coke, heroin, meth, PCP or Molly before it triggers a relapse. To compensate, he drinks like a fish and tries not to think about all of the wreckage in his rearview mirror . . . like his cousin’s death, the loss of his ex-girlfriend and the fact that his family no longer has anything to do with him. Inside though, he’s a good man struggling to overcome his own bad self.
So, when an old partner, and still working Metro DC Detective named Al Luna gets in a jam, Frank Marr steps in to help. Luna’s on administrative leave because he shot and killed a young gang-banger, who he swears was armed, but the investigators at the scene can’t find any gun. He’s hired Leslie Costello, Frank’s ex-girlfriend, to represent him in any pending actions by Internal Affairs, and together they’ve tapped Frank to find evidence that will exonerate Luna. To do it, Marr needs to find a pair of teenaged ‘bangers named Little T and Marlon, but Marr doesn’t know what they look like, so he goes out on a limb, and against his better judgment, hires another young thug named Calvin Tolson. He’s a bad kid trying to be good, and a counterpoint to Frankie Marr’s good character trying to go to the bad in this hard-rockin’ ride through the cold, mean, drug-infested streets of what should be America’s greatest city, but sadly is not. Frankie Marr is a character who could only come from the mind of someone like David Swinson, who’s walked the walk and battled the bad guys on the those same DC streets, as he’s a fifteen-year veteran of the Metro DC Police Department. He—Frankie—is a character you won’t easily forget and eagerly look forward to reading about his next adventure. He’s the real deal!
Mysterious Book Report No. 369
by John Dwaine McKenna
Frank Marr is “a good cop with a bad habit,” who operates as a PI in the down and dirty underbelly of our nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C. Forced into early retirement from the Metro DC Police Force, he ekes out a living as a Private Eye when he’s not busy knocking over one of the stash houses of D.C.s mind-numbing number of drug-slingers; because Frankie Marr is always jonesing for another hit of cocaine and another three fingers of whiskey.
Now, in his third, and newest adventure, Trigger, (Mulholland/Little, Brown and Company, $27.50, 340 pages, ISBN 978-0-316-26425-9) by David Swinson, Frank’s doing his best to stay away from the Devil’s own white powder. He’s still kicking down doors and breaking into stash houses, but now he just takes their money and flushes the coke, heroin, meth, PCP or Molly before it triggers a relapse. To compensate, he drinks like a fish and tries not to think about all of the wreckage in his rearview mirror . . . like his cousin’s death, the loss of his ex-girlfriend and the fact that his family no longer has anything to do with him. Inside though, he’s a good man struggling to overcome his own bad self.
So, when an old partner, and still working Metro DC Detective named Al Luna gets in a jam, Frank Marr steps in to help. Luna’s on administrative leave because he shot and killed a young gang-banger, who he swears was armed, but the investigators at the scene can’t find any gun. He’s hired Leslie Costello, Frank’s ex-girlfriend, to represent him in any pending actions by Internal Affairs, and together they’ve tapped Frank to find evidence that will exonerate Luna. To do it, Marr needs to find a pair of teenaged ‘bangers named Little T and Marlon, but Marr doesn’t know what they look like, so he goes out on a limb, and against his better judgment, hires another young thug named Calvin Tolson. He’s a bad kid trying to be good, and a counterpoint to Frankie Marr’s good character trying to go to the bad in this hard-rockin’ ride through the cold, mean, drug-infested streets of what should be America’s greatest city, but sadly is not. Frankie Marr is a character who could only come from the mind of someone like David Swinson, who’s walked the walk and battled the bad guys on the those same DC streets, as he’s a fifteen-year veteran of the Metro DC Police Department. He—Frankie—is a character you won’t easily forget and eagerly look forward to reading about his next adventure. He’s the real deal!
February 19, 2019
Frank is starting to get more dimension, and a partner. Good enjoyable reading. Some surprises, but not surprising.
April 29, 2019
Former Detective Frank Marr now PI has been clean for a year and is wondering what's the use until he gets a call from a former girlfriend. Lindsey is representing Al, a police officer involved in a shooting of an apparentaly unarmed teenager. Al swears that the kids had a gun and someone must have taken it. Frank believes him and begins to investigate with the help of Calvin, a former gang member that Frank almost killed. Fast-paced, gritty novel with a few twists that make this third book in the series a good one.
April 29, 2019
First half was slow and tedious. Second half was better. Ending was abrupt.
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