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The Locator #2
Jfk: La Confesión
La Confesion
318 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
50 people are currently reading
852 people want to read
About the author
Richard Greener
4 books31 followersMr. Greener lives in the Atlanta area. He is a former broadcast industry executive, an award-winning essayist, and recipient of the coveted CEBA Award for excellence in business. He began writing novels while on the waiting list for a heart transplant. The devastating complications that followed his heart transplant in 2006 inspired his Kindle Singles memoir, Trapped published in 2011. Mr. Greener is an occasional blogger for Huffington Post.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 8, 2022
These books are a little all over the place in terms of the narrative, but the protagonist is interesting, and the baseline plot is worth reading.
June 28, 2012
This was the second of The Locator books from which the show The Finder was based. The plot involves Walter being hired by a film star to locate her nephew, who has come into possession of the titular document. Lord Frederick Lacey wrote down everything that happened in his life, including the fact that he alone was responsible for the deaths of the three Kennedy brothers, all for varying reasons. Two people have been killed within twenty-four hours in connection to the document, so the young man goes into hiding.
This one was bit better than the last, especially when it came to telling the back story. The first book jumped around in time from chapter to chapter for about the first fourth without mentioning it was doing so, and I'd be a little confused for a paragraph or two. This time the author points out where in the timeline we are a lot better. One thing that did annoy me was the slipshod editing that popped up occasionally. Simple things were misspelled, like Robert De Niro's name or the yiddish slang word schmuck, which was misspelled two different ways three times in the same paragraph. Also, I got a little annoyed with the passages where he would repeat things, aspects of Walter's life and personal philosophies, that had been very clearly explained and defined earlier in the book, sometimes only a chapter previous. Otherwise, an entertaining tale, and if he publishes any more, I would probably read them.
This one was bit better than the last, especially when it came to telling the back story. The first book jumped around in time from chapter to chapter for about the first fourth without mentioning it was doing so, and I'd be a little confused for a paragraph or two. This time the author points out where in the timeline we are a lot better. One thing that did annoy me was the slipshod editing that popped up occasionally. Simple things were misspelled, like Robert De Niro's name or the yiddish slang word schmuck, which was misspelled two different ways three times in the same paragraph. Also, I got a little annoyed with the passages where he would repeat things, aspects of Walter's life and personal philosophies, that had been very clearly explained and defined earlier in the book, sometimes only a chapter previous. Otherwise, an entertaining tale, and if he publishes any more, I would probably read them.
March 26, 2018
This is a tough novel to rate because some parts and references require the reader to have read The Knowland Retribution, the other novel in the Finder series, to get a full understanding of what is happening and characters involvement in the story line. As a standalone the novel comes up a bit short because of this. Still, this is a very complex and interesting novel. It gives Kennedy conspiracy addicts a new way of looking at the events in Dallas in November 1963 in a modern setting and plot. I definitely like the "finder" concept and character as well as supporting characters. However, the ending of the novel seems to be setting the stage for further novels involving the character and unfortunately this has not happened. Still it is an interesting read, particularly if you first read the Knowland Retribution first.
November 4, 2015
I thought the first Locator book was good but this one was even better. The twists and turns in the story kept me on the edge of my bed while I was reading this. I would recommend this book to anybody who is looking for a good thriller to keep them guessing what is gonna happen next.
Walter Sherman has recently retired from his life as The Locator, helping people find things that are otherwise impossible to find. When a beautiful actress approaches him to help find her nephew as he is currently in possession of a document which could rewrite one of the biggest assassination events in American history. The Assassination of JFK. However things are not what they seem as hitmen and other locators are sent Walter and his target to retrive that document.
Walter Sherman has recently retired from his life as The Locator, helping people find things that are otherwise impossible to find. When a beautiful actress approaches him to help find her nephew as he is currently in possession of a document which could rewrite one of the biggest assassination events in American history. The Assassination of JFK. However things are not what they seem as hitmen and other locators are sent Walter and his target to retrive that document.
September 16, 2012
This book was fantastic. The detail and depth of methodical planning that went into this story is clear and makes for incredible reading. This is clearly an author who knows exactly and precisely where every character he writes, has been and will be. The intriguing story captures your attention and then pulls you along for the ride, there is no getting off early, you're there from beginning to end.
March 20, 2014
This is an interesting book, and it's neat to see Walter operating in a world that already seems like the misty past (i.e. the 70s).
April 1, 2016
Another great read, a follow up to The Knowland Retribution.
May 22, 2023
Plot or Premise
When a rich and powerful man dies, leaving behind a lengthy and vengeful document of his life, many powerful forces move to capture the document before the document can be revealed to the public.
What I Liked
Whereas the first book read almost like a John Grisham novel, this second one seems like more of a Jeffrey Archer saga across the ages. The Lacey Confession is a document best kept hidden, or so many think. But the terms of his will are quite specific. On the fourth day after his death, it is to be released. Including details about major events of the 20th Century, including the assassination of JFK. While the story could be historical, or more like the Da Vinci Code, Greener roots the story in a young Foreign Service Officer who is the one who receives the document. Some want to protect him, and one hires Walter Sherman, aka The Locator aka The Finder, to hunt him down and find a safe place to keep him hidden. An assassin with pluck and a mysterious powerful CIA fixer are great main characters in the story.
What I Didn’t Like
There are two giant plot holes in the storyline and chronology of events. In the first instance, a lawyer representing Lacey reveals to the Foreign Service Officer that he has the document and gives it to him. Except he wouldn’t. He needed it in order to honour his client’s wishes, as he has for many years. He expects to be “thwarted” in his plans, and that he won’t be allowed to release the Confession, but it makes no sense he gives up the only copy to the random US FSO who shows at his office. Equally, at the end, the person who ends up with the document has it for six to eight weeks while Walter is otherwise engaged. Yet he apparently does NOTHING with the document. He doesn’t act on its contents, he doesn’t tell his partner for whom he is doing all of it, nada. Everything stands still and waits for Walter to be back in the game. The first is a mere plot device, not egregious, while the second is ridiculous and makes no sense whatsoever. It detracts enough from the story to knock it down a star.
The Bottom Line
The best in the series, but alas, there are no more
When a rich and powerful man dies, leaving behind a lengthy and vengeful document of his life, many powerful forces move to capture the document before the document can be revealed to the public.
What I Liked
Whereas the first book read almost like a John Grisham novel, this second one seems like more of a Jeffrey Archer saga across the ages. The Lacey Confession is a document best kept hidden, or so many think. But the terms of his will are quite specific. On the fourth day after his death, it is to be released. Including details about major events of the 20th Century, including the assassination of JFK. While the story could be historical, or more like the Da Vinci Code, Greener roots the story in a young Foreign Service Officer who is the one who receives the document. Some want to protect him, and one hires Walter Sherman, aka The Locator aka The Finder, to hunt him down and find a safe place to keep him hidden. An assassin with pluck and a mysterious powerful CIA fixer are great main characters in the story.
What I Didn’t Like
There are two giant plot holes in the storyline and chronology of events. In the first instance, a lawyer representing Lacey reveals to the Foreign Service Officer that he has the document and gives it to him. Except he wouldn’t. He needed it in order to honour his client’s wishes, as he has for many years. He expects to be “thwarted” in his plans, and that he won’t be allowed to release the Confession, but it makes no sense he gives up the only copy to the random US FSO who shows at his office. Equally, at the end, the person who ends up with the document has it for six to eight weeks while Walter is otherwise engaged. Yet he apparently does NOTHING with the document. He doesn’t act on its contents, he doesn’t tell his partner for whom he is doing all of it, nada. Everything stands still and waits for Walter to be back in the game. The first is a mere plot device, not egregious, while the second is ridiculous and makes no sense whatsoever. It detracts enough from the story to knock it down a star.
The Bottom Line
The best in the series, but alas, there are no more
September 21, 2022
A fun read!
If you are interested in reading the Knowland Retribution, don't read this one first. There are a couple of spoilers.
Who done it? I could not pick the killer until somewhere around 70% complete. That's pretty good!
Good pool or airplane reading and great for conspiracy theorists.
I picked this off the shelf because of the TV show The Finder, which is loosely based on two of Richard Greener's novels.
If you are interested in reading the Knowland Retribution, don't read this one first. There are a couple of spoilers.
Who done it? I could not pick the killer until somewhere around 70% complete. That's pretty good!
Good pool or airplane reading and great for conspiracy theorists.
I picked this off the shelf because of the TV show The Finder, which is loosely based on two of Richard Greener's novels.
July 7, 2012
"The Lacey Confession" (Locater #2) by heart-transplanted Richard Greener is the papers recording the celebrity-full life of Sir Lacey, who killed three Kennedy boys because his thereby impregnated daughter suicided. My BVIs (British Virgin Islands) were a balmy New Year's Eve dancing under the stars, a gentle sprinkle of rain whispering my dreams lightly awake from sleeping softly rocked aboard yacht, learning sailing could be racing thrilled facing steady breeze, hoisting spinnaker on winning racer every summer evening from another Yacht Club, instead of tumbling freezing drenched shivering again by erratic Ontario winds. The American V.I. St John (St John's is Newfoundland) (St Thomas sucked) of unheroic retired "The Locater" Walter Sherman, at 59 opposite though only few years my elder, is a stuffy cigarette-choked bar stool where tight-dressed vamps drop their low-cut cleavage and his hormones obey. Exotic B-star Conchita Crystal swings her T & A (X-rated thereby), so he seeks her newly-found American nephew Harry Levine, low-ranking diplomat being pursued for the Lacey diary. Harry calls the U.S. President, who assigns CIA Louis Devereux to "rid me of this turbulent priest" p155 (T.S. Eliot "Murder in the Cathedral" King Henry II dooms Canterbury Archbishop Henry Becket). Louis, whose "internal" smile complements "fiery eyes", "on loan from the Devil" p177 pays cold-heart hot-body Tucker Poesy, 20s killer-for hire since teens.
The great American conspiracy assumes the world cares about a gravel grain (Diana was a Queen) - who killed JFK (above JR); adding never-there gold Czar ruble billions is icing on ice-cream, fails in universalizing importance. The author's personal peak was his and Walt's heart attack p348 - ouch. Is recovery that simple? Yes easier in Caribbean climate and tempo p360. He eats fish instead of chips, keeps diet cola with breakfast, slims - this justifies he can attract youngsters? Even more creepy repeats in #1, #2.
One dash of humor regarding diplomatic terminology recalls Retief in Harry Harrison's "Envoy to New Worlds": "Very important" is ordinary; important is very important; def-con levels up next is vital, then grave; critical is worst p101. Difference from TV series "The Finder" just grows. Louis' memory is photographic (eidetic? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidetic_...) compares comprehensive presidential files: only Eisenhower stood when speaking; Nixon scratched his bottom (when seated?); "Johnson farted with impunity" p142; no scratches on my funnybone. I'm gone.
Unsurprises and inconsistencies:
No mystery or suspense regarding villain mastermind; Chita obviously has ulterior motives (I suspected not truly Harry's aunt - phooey no spoiler) so a her-him connection half-way is presented inch by inch p213, but changes nothing in the essential plot direction, so not a real surprise twist, more an excuse for another roll in the hay p219. Billy's musical taste is not "all kinds" p225, but all jazz. Bar buddies chalkboard vote game gives deus ex machina hints and forum for author's trivia research p229, as does Walt living in the past p231-5 - yawn.
Corn syrup does not have "no calories" p259. Why repeated choice of empty-nutrient pasta as healthy (hints of denial)? Alias "Michael DelGrazo" p289 fails when recipient knows "The Cowboy" reference, but web searches find only mafioso Michael DelGrasio in "This Thing of Ours", so is the point book #1?
Typo:
p77? "that was all ye knew" perhaps "you"?
p425 "told her abo ut Lacey" should be "about"
The great American conspiracy assumes the world cares about a gravel grain (Diana was a Queen) - who killed JFK (above JR); adding never-there gold Czar ruble billions is icing on ice-cream, fails in universalizing importance. The author's personal peak was his and Walt's heart attack p348 - ouch. Is recovery that simple? Yes easier in Caribbean climate and tempo p360. He eats fish instead of chips, keeps diet cola with breakfast, slims - this justifies he can attract youngsters? Even more creepy repeats in #1, #2.
One dash of humor regarding diplomatic terminology recalls Retief in Harry Harrison's "Envoy to New Worlds": "Very important" is ordinary; important is very important; def-con levels up next is vital, then grave; critical is worst p101. Difference from TV series "The Finder" just grows. Louis' memory is photographic (eidetic? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidetic_...) compares comprehensive presidential files: only Eisenhower stood when speaking; Nixon scratched his bottom (when seated?); "Johnson farted with impunity" p142; no scratches on my funnybone. I'm gone.
Unsurprises and inconsistencies:
No mystery or suspense regarding villain mastermind; Chita obviously has ulterior motives (I suspected not truly Harry's aunt - phooey no spoiler) so a her-him connection half-way is presented inch by inch p213, but changes nothing in the essential plot direction, so not a real surprise twist, more an excuse for another roll in the hay p219. Billy's musical taste is not "all kinds" p225, but all jazz. Bar buddies chalkboard vote game gives deus ex machina hints and forum for author's trivia research p229, as does Walt living in the past p231-5 - yawn.
Corn syrup does not have "no calories" p259. Why repeated choice of empty-nutrient pasta as healthy (hints of denial)? Alias "Michael DelGrazo" p289 fails when recipient knows "The Cowboy" reference, but web searches find only mafioso Michael DelGrasio in "This Thing of Ours", so is the point book #1?
Typo:
p77? "that was all ye knew" perhaps "you"?
p425 "told her abo ut Lacey" should be "about"
October 4, 2017
Really loved this book. Loved the characters and the way the plot twisted. Walter Sherman as the Locator was an interesting characters and wish there were more books.
September 8, 2018
Wish you'd write some more of these, Richard. Such good reads - entertaining and fun, but educational, as well!
February 21, 2017
Truly enjoyable
I highly recommend The Locator series to anyone who enjoys a puzzle. Walter Sherman is a likeable character whose integrity one cannot help but admire and appreciate.
I highly recommend The Locator series to anyone who enjoys a puzzle. Walter Sherman is a likeable character whose integrity one cannot help but admire and appreciate.
August 27, 2012
Found this book through the delightfully silly (and sadly cancelled) TV series The Finder - which borrows the setting and structure of the series but RADICALLY alters the main character. While the story is on its surface a tired JFK conspiracy, Greener spices it with enough originality and side stories to keep it fresh. Greener's style is easy to read and his locations new (to me). The chunking of the story into three parts was also unexpected but structurally acceptable and his cliffhangers are surprising without being absurd.
I accidentaly read this second book first which leads to most of my criticism of it. While I haven't read the first volume yet (I'm starting it now) Greener rehashes the plot so often that others might not bother with it. Also, unlike other Authors like Clive Cussler - who mentions previous adventures once or twice a novel for a single paragraph - Greener made the plot of his first novel an essential point in this one.
All in all, entertaining.
I accidentaly read this second book first which leads to most of my criticism of it. While I haven't read the first volume yet (I'm starting it now) Greener rehashes the plot so often that others might not bother with it. Also, unlike other Authors like Clive Cussler - who mentions previous adventures once or twice a novel for a single paragraph - Greener made the plot of his first novel an essential point in this one.
All in all, entertaining.
March 2, 2014
Greener has created a complex but incredibly likable character in Walter Sherman. This is his Greener's second book in the The Locator series and begins with an interesting premise for JFK assassination. Well-written and well-researched characters keep it a page turner. Unfortunately, Greener makes Walter a little too fallible in this installment. And he is not as well matched with the antagonist as in the first book "The Knowland Retribution." Walter's compatriots (Ike & Billy) return for the second book and remain enjoyable fixtures but the ending is wrapped up a little too neatly with few surprises. Given the caliber of Greener's writing in the first book and the first 416 pages of this one, one woud expect a more intense ending. Worth reading if you already like the characters but be prepared for a quiet ending.
April 24, 2012
I picked this book up because I've really been enjoying the television show The Finder, and I came to learn that it was based on the novels by Greener. After I was well into the book I discovered I had jumped into the series in the wrong order, but it didn't matter. Greener's characters are so vivid, so sure, so well rounded and reasoned, that you could read the book backwards and it would still be a thorough delight. Human, interesting, and compelling, without the needless rush and car-chases of a typical thriller, I found this book to be beyond enjoyable. It's most definitely not the sort of thing I normally read, but I'll most definitely be seeking out other work by this author now. How could I not?
December 8, 2011
Fixed the unidentified time jumps from the Knowland Retribution, but the exposition is still flawed, probably even more so. He drops into backstory and gets caught up to the extent that the narrative is broken, lost, completely disrupted. Clearly some sections were moved whole into their current position. Also, any paragraph a page long did notiongbe bloat the book. This book shows growth in writing skill, unfortunately bad.
The plot was unlikely at best, pretty damn silly by the time it got there.
Interesting: the next book I'm reading is Jacqueline Kennedy's interviews shortly after
Jfk's killing. (follows right on what Lacey confesses).
The plot was unlikely at best, pretty damn silly by the time it got there.
Interesting: the next book I'm reading is Jacqueline Kennedy's interviews shortly after
Jfk's killing. (follows right on what Lacey confesses).
April 28, 2012
The second book in the Locator series brings us back to St. John where Walter has turned his grief over losing Isobel into a constructive way to improve his life. In addition to improving his physical health and appearance he has retired and enjoys lazy days on his Caribbean island home. Then one day a famous, beautiful movie star visits him and asks him to find her nephew. Her nephew, Harry Levine, through a series of supposedly random events, becomes the temporary owner of a document that contains the confession of JFK's killer. WE learn through interconnected story lines that the JFK assassination was not a grand conspiracy, but revenge on a more personal level.
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May 17, 2016An excellent followup to "The Knowland Retribution" Locator series. The characters are realistic, with depth and feelings. The complexity of the mystery is ever evolving. The background stories and histories feel honest and true. Well done once again Richard Greener.
I only wish the Locator series would continue, even if only the stories leading up to where we meet the Walter Sherman we know in "The Knowland Retribution" and "the Lacey Confession".
I only wish the Locator series would continue, even if only the stories leading up to where we meet the Walter Sherman we know in "The Knowland Retribution" and "the Lacey Confession".
October 29, 2010
Sounded intriguing because of the JFK assassination and another theory about who did it. Good character development with interesting, complex, sympathetic people, and the premise was believable. Fairly fast paced but isn't simply non-stop action - social commentary included. I am looking forward to reading his first novel and hopefully there will be a third.
June 8, 2012
This is another well written book by Richard Greener. As his previous Locator book, preparation and planning were obviously key in the writing process. Although this book is quite predictable, the journey is executed very well and is thoroughly enjoyable.
October 27, 2016
This is the first time I've ever thought that the TV show was better than the books. I found these 2 books to drone on. I was actually a little relieved when it ended, unlike when the show was cancelled and I was mourning for days.
May 28, 2011
Much like the first book, this one was a slow start, but ultimately an interesting, enjoyable read.
July 18, 2016
Good story. Matches the jacket description. Two conclusions: I wish author had written more books in this series, and I wish "The Finder" TV series lasted longer. (It was fun/quirky.)
Aurora ebook.
Aurora ebook.
February 4, 2012
If the rest in the series are going to be like this, it should have been left as a stand-alone book. the storyline is absolutely convoluted, and also does not stay true to the main character.
August 14, 2012
I liked this book much more than the first. I enjoyed the conspiracy theory and historical parts of it.
September 1, 2013
Enjoyed this book immensely!
March 30, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book I will look for more
December 4, 2013
The Locater is definitely not The Finder. Found the book to be dull and slow paced. Not recommended if you are expecting stories like the television series.
April 11, 2014
This was darker than the first book in this set. Enjoyable reading, though. LOTS of plot twists and sometimes I had trouble keeping up with them all but that's probably just me. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews