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Charlie Crawford Mystery #6

Palm Beach Predator

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Someone’s killing the top real estate agents in Palm Beach, then posing them as figures from famous paintings. And homicide cop Charlie Crawford’s on-again, off-again girlfriend could be next.

Crawford is up to his eyeballs in suspects but way short on clues. There's the polo playboy with the sketchy past. The ex-con who’s murdered before. The husband of one of the richest socialites in town. Or someone who might not show up on Crawford’s radar screen until it’s too late.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 6, 2018

1347 people are currently reading
332 people want to read

About the author

Tom Turner

16 books90 followers
A 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.

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5 stars
609 (48%)
4 stars
454 (36%)
3 stars
164 (13%)
2 stars
20 (1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Profile Image for Erth.
4,560 reviews
March 9, 2022
Another page turner. Couldn't put it down.
Profile Image for Zain.
1,882 reviews282 followers
November 21, 2020
The Death of Art!

Detectives Charlie and Ott of the Palm Springs Police Department are once again on a case. Someone is killing real estate agents.

The murder poses the victims in the nude, and leave behind clues that references famous works of art.

The list of suspects is enormous! But everyone has an alibi! Now, some of the suspects are fighting back and Charlie and Ott are being sued.

The author draws suspicion to everyone. Then takes it back! Clues are thrown in all directions and l become so confused that I begin to change my suspect, then I am given the reveal!

Whew! This was a real page-turner.
1,519 reviews5 followers
February 12, 2019
Easy read

Crawford and his partner Ott are in sync. They're on the trail of a killer that's leaving dead women posed like paintings. The killer is smart, and determined not to get caught. Luckily, Crawford and Ott are smarter. Good characters, easy read.
Profile Image for Les.
2,911 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2019
"There you go again" - Ronald Reagan

Yes I am apparently biologically incapable of starting a series at the beginning. But in this case it didn't matter. This is a fun, police procedural series set in Palm Beach Florida. Our hero is a New York cop who left the Big Apple for the the warmth of south Florida where he gets a job with Palm Beach PD.

In this book he and his partner Ott, another snowbird from Cleveland, are dealing with a strange set of murders where the dead are posed like famous paintings. It is a complex and interesting case and the victims are real estate agents which is the main business of Palm Beach.

So why only 4 stars?
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,842 reviews67 followers
February 3, 2021
Palm Beach Predator - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Someone's targeting female realtors and posing their bodies in the manner of Modigliani nudes, (complete with their French titles), at each site.

Naturally Homicide Detective Charlie Crawford's worried about the very real danger to his on-off, feisty girlfriend (and realtor), Rose, as she's convinced she can handle viewings and defend herself well enough on her own as before.

A varied list of suspects is soon compiled, but there are 'red herrings' by the boat-load. Plus, the adverse publicity is getting the Chief 'hot under the collar', with demands for a conviction, (from the mayor and others) before the house-sales business goes under.

How do Charlie and his faithful sidekick Mort Ott, sort through the entangling mesh of lies and danger, without any further fatalities occurring?
What gives the killer away at last?

Another red-hot thriller from the magnificent Tom Turner's imagination, that you should make sure not to miss at any cost.
Get your copy of the great 6th Charlie Crawford Palm Beach Mystery series novel, Palm Beach Predator now - this is a heads-up for any crime-thriller lover who may have missed it and a promise of delight for amateur sleuths everywhere!
Profile Image for Ben.
1,114 reviews
March 31, 2019
I won the e-book "Palm Beach Predator" by Tom Turner through a Goodreads contest.
This was the first of the Palm Beach books I have read, and I thought it very enjoyable. The two primary characters, Crawford and Ott, detectives in the PBPD were interesting characters, their dialog often funny. The colorful setting of Palm Beach, Florida, with its expensive homes and flashy lifestyle was far different from the usual "mean streets" of most cop/ Private Eye thrillers. But people do murders even in three-million dollar homes.
The author , Tom Turner, not only gave the reader interesting characters, but also a good plot, one which he kept moving. Crawford and Ott went through all the usual paces of an investigation, with some time aside for personal connections and some cop banter to lighten the grim search for a multiple killer who posed his victims like subjects in famous paintings. An ingenious plot device, and one which led to his capture.
"Palm Beach Predator" is the sixth of the series and good enough to put the books on my wish list.
Give them a try, I am sure you will enjoy them. There was nothing offensive in the book.
Profile Image for Lisa Malmquist.
770 reviews22 followers
September 20, 2022
The detective team of Charlie Crawford and Mort Ott are working to solve a murder in Palm Beach.
The target is top real estate agents, and Charlie's girlfriend could be next.
There are several suspects but the detectives just aren't making any real headway on the case.
Meanwhile the entire real estate business is in an uproar. Noone wants to buy houses where a killer could be lurking. Nor do the agents want to go and show houses to total strangers and risk their lives to do so.
So Charlie and Mort are under a lot of pressure to solve the case as quickly as possible.
And the chief of police is busting their chops as usual.
Profile Image for Judy Johnson.
836 reviews2 followers
September 11, 2018
If a thrilling whodunit is your delight, this book (as the others are) is for you. Although I encourage you to pick up all of these books, this book does just fine as a standalone. No spoilers, however, you need to know that the characters and stories are so well developed, you will have no problem just diving right in where ever you elect to start! So, why not here? Charlie Crawford is the main character and completely likable as the homicide cop on the case. Captivating from the very beginning, difficult to put down; chock full of twists and turns, suspense and humor in just the right places. Don't wait to get this book! You'll be very glad you did!
2,032 reviews14 followers
February 7, 2019
(2 1/2). This was better than I anticipated. Nothing extraordinary, just a rock solid, detective based mystery with a good protagonist (Charlie Crawford), a reasonable story and a couple of minor twists and turns. Peeling back the layers and poor Charlie trying to keep up is the key to it all. A needed decision between two very desirable women keeps him well distracted as he tries to get to the bottom of this series of mudders. I will need to see which of the previous entries in this franchise are the highest rated as I would like to get a little more of Charlie. He is an easy and fun read. Good stuff.
490 reviews9 followers
January 29, 2019
One of the best police detective mysteries I have ever read. It was a pleasure not to see police detectives depicted as bumbling idiots who don't care who they charge just to get an arrest. It was a great book and I loved Charlie and Ott - they were real and acted real.
My only disappointment was that Cotton was taken alive, giving him another chance to put on his "gentle soul" act and, in any way, secure his freedom and resume his killing spree. His type is not fit to cohabitate this world with normal human beings.
But, all in all, I can't wait to read another in this series.
204 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2019
I found this tale to be mildly entertaining and the characters were entertaining enough to keep me reading. While I am curious as to who Charlie ultimately ends up with in future books, Dominica or Rose - it was not enough to make me want to read the previous books in the series, nor purchase the next one.

To be honest, I've always wondered how it is that there has not been a lot of this kind of crime in big cities - targeting realtors - kind of scary actually. I hope it doesn't happen, but I am glad that I am not a realtor.
768 reviews
April 19, 2019
Decent police procedural, but I got a bit tired of some of the characters & characterizations.

Crawford & Ott are transplants from big cities to Palm Beach/West Palm Beach. Crawford dates a realtor who has a lot more money and standing than he does. Somebody is killing realtors and Crawford & Ott have a lot of suspects. There's a lot of dancing around, discussion of food, and gossipy characterizations of stereotypes.
Profile Image for BJ.
465 reviews5 followers
September 14, 2018
#5 in cookie-cutter style

Well, Crawford and Ott do it again. And again. A good story about 2 transplanted big city cops in ritzy Palm Beach solving murders among the rich and not-so-famous. Turner's fifth book in the series has that cookie-cutter feel: 2 murders, multiple suspects, greedy and lustful rich people who make their own rules.
1,146 reviews7 followers
January 20, 2019
Boring and predictable this book follows two transplanted Mutt & Jeff detectives as they try to solve a series of perplexiong homicides. Someone is targeting female real estate agents and posnig their naked bodies in scenes replicating artisitic masterpieces. Despite a few mildly humourous moments the writing is flat.The charactrers are cardboard and the book lacks suspense.
578 reviews4 followers
February 9, 2019
Good murder mystery. Two cops trying to figure out who is murdering, then posing, female real estate agents. Good story includes dirtbags, other cops, real estate agents, chief of police, state prison prisoners and wardens, etc etc. This one moves along at a good pace. And our lead detective needs to decide who he loves the most.
Enjoy it.
Profile Image for Wendy .
160 reviews22 followers
August 1, 2019
Sleeper slooowwww! No real action or drama. Very predictable with characters that are forgettable. I also hate that he uses "GD" throughout the book. While I am definitely no prude when it comes to cursing, the use of this particular word is very offensive to me.....too many other words you could use instead of the Lord's name in vain. Just my honest opinion!
Profile Image for Tim.
Author 38 books29 followers
September 16, 2018
Great read

Another great book in the series. The murders kept me guessing, Crawford and Ott kept me entertained, and the writing was terrific. I can't wait for the next installment in the series!
458 reviews3 followers
November 8, 2018
Great reads

Just finished he last of the series and to say I was not expecting to like them i will say wow what a great character and the books were well worth the reading time I hope to hear more from the author a d will definitely read all .....ciao from cost a rica
8 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2018
Another Hit For Tom Turner

Palm Beach Predator was a fun read. I love the main characters and their interaction with suspects. The story keeps moving at a good pace and keeps the reader turning the pages. I loved it. Lisbeth Thom
474 reviews3 followers
January 20, 2019
Excellent

First time reading this talented author and enjoyed meeting Charlie Crawford and Mort Ot T both excellent detectives good story with lots of twists a nd turns. Meeting two powerful women Rose and Domianua enjoyed this author Will filliw
20 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2019
Good reading. Fast paced and likable characters with interesting dialogue.

Highly recommended reading. Will definitely read some more in the series of the palm beach series with Crawford and Ott.
218 reviews
January 31, 2019
Superior Writing

If you enjoy reading a good book on a sunny beach or beside a fireplace in the middle of winter, this author is the right choice. A well thought out plot, engaging dialog between two detectives, and the draw of two lovely ladies all make for a good read.
46 reviews
February 8, 2019
Fast-paced detective story

Palm Beach is a great place for crimes of every flavor. Murder is to be expected and Crawford and his partner Ott are on the case. The pressure comes from high end Realtors who demand results before their business suffers.
256 reviews
March 16, 2019
Easy Read with a little Fun

Attractive story line. As story progress, the writing style and the character development are getting a little boring, pretentious, predictive, not creative. Don’t like a male Stephanie Plums.
170 reviews
April 14, 2019
A good story

This is a good story with not a lot of action. More of a procedural story than an action and adventure that I was looking for. Some interesting characters and overall a good story.
319 reviews3 followers
May 7, 2019
Too rich for me.

Ultra rich people combined with murder. Hard defective work plus some luck brought the suspect list down until the very end. Not what the detectives were thinking.
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,601 reviews8 followers
February 29, 2020
Finally, a crime scene with a clue

And Charlie Crawford continues his wining and dining womanizing ways with the willing lasses - maybe. This one ends on a romantic cliff-hanger, but not a criminal one.
Profile Image for Loretta Gabriel.
827 reviews6 followers
September 13, 2020
Intriguing and suspenseful story.

The author has written a very interesting story about the murdering of female real estate agents. The fast action and suspenseful plot is sure to keep you entertained and guessing. Very enjoyable and entertaining reading.
544 reviews7 followers
May 6, 2021
Palm Beach Predator

Another good read. Just really like Charlie and his friends. Worried bit when you said Dominica had dark brown eyes and I knew for a fact her eyes were green. But other than that Charlie and Ott were great entertainment!
2 reviews
June 18, 2022
Believable plot

Excellent sense of humour. I burst out laughing on many occasions. Definitely a good read. Highly recommend to all readers bored with the common detective story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews

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