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Genesis
Genesis is the first in a series of fifteen books charting the adventures of one Captain Harry Travers: Travers is an airline captain, with over twelve years’ flying experience, flying the Airbus A320 for JaguAir, but who ends up deciding to try his hand at Private Investigating, as a side line, when he begins to investigate the disappearance of an uncle he didn't know he had until he is informed of his being the beneficiary in the man's will, which amounted to a sizeable piece of real estate in Tennessee. He quickly begins to believe, once he starts to deal with his late uncle's lawyer, Anton Jeffries, that there is more to the man's demise than meets the eye and along with one of his uncle's friends, Tommy Shearen, they investigate leading Harry and Tommy getting involved in car chases, fist fights, shootouts and even an aerial dogfight.
In this first book we see how Travers learns the initial, valuable skills to aid and abet him during further investigations and the subsequent cases he takes on to gain valuable experience, including finding a missing dog, which leads him into discovering a dog fighting ring and helping the brother of a work colleague, Sheila Wallace, who Harry has strong feelings for and finds a love reciprocated, and has lost heavily at cards in Nero's Casino in rather dubious circumstances. The latter case ends up with Harry and Sheila participating in a high stakes Texas Holdem Poker game. Future books will see Harry add to his experience levels eventually becoming a kind of Philip Marlowe type character, but he discovers in Genesis a much darker side to his persona when having to deal with less than salubrious characters and an acceptance that danger will lurk around every corner: if it ever came down to him or them, and he could prove their guilt beyond all reasonable doubt, Travers has no compunction to use all means, legal or illegal, to bring them to justice.
Harry though ultimately finds himself changed by the experiences of being a private detective for which he knows there can be no turning back: this is how his life will be from now on, good or bad, and he embraces it all with open arms.
In this first book we see how Travers learns the initial, valuable skills to aid and abet him during further investigations and the subsequent cases he takes on to gain valuable experience, including finding a missing dog, which leads him into discovering a dog fighting ring and helping the brother of a work colleague, Sheila Wallace, who Harry has strong feelings for and finds a love reciprocated, and has lost heavily at cards in Nero's Casino in rather dubious circumstances. The latter case ends up with Harry and Sheila participating in a high stakes Texas Holdem Poker game. Future books will see Harry add to his experience levels eventually becoming a kind of Philip Marlowe type character, but he discovers in Genesis a much darker side to his persona when having to deal with less than salubrious characters and an acceptance that danger will lurk around every corner: if it ever came down to him or them, and he could prove their guilt beyond all reasonable doubt, Travers has no compunction to use all means, legal or illegal, to bring them to justice.
Harry though ultimately finds himself changed by the experiences of being a private detective for which he knows there can be no turning back: this is how his life will be from now on, good or bad, and he embraces it all with open arms.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 28, 2018
An interesting start to what is going to be a series
Captain Harry Travers is a commercial airline captain in his mid-thirties. He is enjoying his job and life but has always thought there could be something more for him to do.
Everything changes when he discovers that an uncle he knew nothing about has left him a small fortune and a house in Athens, Tennessee. He immediately takes some time out to go over to America to claim his inheritance. Everything becomes more complicated when he discovers that the body of his uncle, Jack Hennessey, has not been found. The solicitor dealing with this case appears to be hiding something about the death, and there is a family consisting of Jessie Boyd, his three sons and one daughter who are all involved in chasing a hidden stash of money that apparently Jack knew about.
Harry befriends Tommy Shearen and together they decide to investigate the death of Jack and the whereabouts of the money. This is when Harry realises that this is the missing ingredient in his life; he wants to become a private investigator. He learns various nefarious tricks of the trade from Tommy, such as picking locks, hot-wiring cars and learning how to use various guns.
On his return to England, he deliberately looks for areas to hone his detective skills. He becomes involved in looking for an old lady’s stolen dog which leads him to a dogfighting ring. He also starts a torrid romance with Sheila, one of his cabin crew and when he finds out that her brother is involved in a high-risk gambling syndicate he immediately inveigles his way into poker games to defeat the men who are threatening his girlfriend’s brother.
To Harry, all these are factors in enabling him to become a Private Investigator, and the stakes become higher when he kills someone and feels no compassion.
I found this book interesting and enjoyable to read, and the author has stated at the start that this is the first in a series of books featuring Captain Harry Travers, but I am in two minds as to whether I would want to read another one. The main reason for this is that I found certain parts of the plot just too far-fetched. At least twice Harry is faced by a gunman at point blank range and yet they manage to miss hitting him. I also found the romance with Sheila a little overpowering.
However, I feel this series could become better and would probably like to read the next one to see how Harry’s fledgeling career continues.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Captain Harry Travers is a commercial airline captain in his mid-thirties. He is enjoying his job and life but has always thought there could be something more for him to do.
Everything changes when he discovers that an uncle he knew nothing about has left him a small fortune and a house in Athens, Tennessee. He immediately takes some time out to go over to America to claim his inheritance. Everything becomes more complicated when he discovers that the body of his uncle, Jack Hennessey, has not been found. The solicitor dealing with this case appears to be hiding something about the death, and there is a family consisting of Jessie Boyd, his three sons and one daughter who are all involved in chasing a hidden stash of money that apparently Jack knew about.
Harry befriends Tommy Shearen and together they decide to investigate the death of Jack and the whereabouts of the money. This is when Harry realises that this is the missing ingredient in his life; he wants to become a private investigator. He learns various nefarious tricks of the trade from Tommy, such as picking locks, hot-wiring cars and learning how to use various guns.
On his return to England, he deliberately looks for areas to hone his detective skills. He becomes involved in looking for an old lady’s stolen dog which leads him to a dogfighting ring. He also starts a torrid romance with Sheila, one of his cabin crew and when he finds out that her brother is involved in a high-risk gambling syndicate he immediately inveigles his way into poker games to defeat the men who are threatening his girlfriend’s brother.
To Harry, all these are factors in enabling him to become a Private Investigator, and the stakes become higher when he kills someone and feels no compassion.
I found this book interesting and enjoyable to read, and the author has stated at the start that this is the first in a series of books featuring Captain Harry Travers, but I am in two minds as to whether I would want to read another one. The main reason for this is that I found certain parts of the plot just too far-fetched. At least twice Harry is faced by a gunman at point blank range and yet they manage to miss hitting him. I also found the romance with Sheila a little overpowering.
However, I feel this series could become better and would probably like to read the next one to see how Harry’s fledgeling career continues.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
June 15, 2019
Not sure where to begin, hence my 3 star rating. Mind you, this is an interesting and enjoyable book. However, it feels like 5 different people wrote it. The sections of the books "feel" completely different. Perhaps it was written over a long period of time? The main character drinks A LOT and much of the first portion of the book is dedicated to detailed drunken binges, as if it is commonplace. However, as the book progresses, that aspect of the character disappears! Suddenly, there is a love interest- well-written, interesting, she pops in periodically. For as intense as the passages are written, we should know about her earlier and see her throughout. That becomes contrived. The plot is thoughtful and interesting. The first pages are captivating, the characters are detailed. I enjoyed so much of this but I gave up about 2/3rds in, to be honest. And, I kept trying, trying to push myself through. There was detail where none was needed, odd plot twists, all coupled with an amazing main story. I wish that the rest did not take away from the whole. 3 stars. A solid novel in most respects. I was intrigued but never captivated enough to see it through. Disappointed but, so much there- great dialogue, engaging aspects, creative writing. I think someone needs it top to bottom so that it reads in one voice- and, I say that, not critically, but, rather because I think it would be a best seller, truly. And, a movie to boot.
December 14, 2019
Capt. Harry Travers’ life — mostly filled with flying planes, driving nice cars, watching football and visiting pubs — receives a jolt one day when he gets a call from a lawyer informing him an uncle has died and named him his heir. He’s suddenly $100,000 richer and the owner of a house across the pond in Tennessee. What Travers doesn’t realize is that he’s about to begin a journey vacillating between continents featuring a lawless clan, a shady lawyer, high-stakes games of poker and a series of car chases.
“Genesis” drops you into fast-paced action immediately, with a chase through the woods that sets off the events in the rest of the book. The action is fairly constant throughout the book; even most of the down time keeps the plot moving along at a nice clip, save the play-by-play of the flights Harry pilots. That subplot does unlock another narrative journey, one involving a love interest, but it doesn’t do much else to keep things moving.
That’s a small complaint, though. Edward Johns did a nice job crafting “Genesis.” Harry Travers is a strong, imperfect lead character, who spends most of the book navigating new terrain figuratively and literally.
The book ends suddenly following a quick, significant series of deadly events. That ending is intentional; Johns has a series planned.
“Genesis” drops you into fast-paced action immediately, with a chase through the woods that sets off the events in the rest of the book. The action is fairly constant throughout the book; even most of the down time keeps the plot moving along at a nice clip, save the play-by-play of the flights Harry pilots. That subplot does unlock another narrative journey, one involving a love interest, but it doesn’t do much else to keep things moving.
That’s a small complaint, though. Edward Johns did a nice job crafting “Genesis.” Harry Travers is a strong, imperfect lead character, who spends most of the book navigating new terrain figuratively and literally.
The book ends suddenly following a quick, significant series of deadly events. That ending is intentional; Johns has a series planned.
April 9, 2022
I felt this was a well-written book.
In spite of that, I didn't really connect with or identify with any of the characters. With most books that I read, there is usually at least one character that I identify with in some way, and so of course, I find that character more likeable, which increases my interest in them. On this occasion, there wasn't any particular character that stood out to me as someone that I identified with or liked, although I did find some of the characters and their behaviour mildly amusing at times.
I noticed that profane language was used very frequently during the characters' dialogue. Normally, profane language wouldn't influence my opinion of a book, but in this case, it did, because I felt that the characters' frequent use of profanity made them more difficult to connect with, and more difficult to like.
I did find that the story was pleasant to read at an leisurely pace, but as I didn't feel significantly interested in any of the characters, I was only mildly interested in what was going on. I knew a crime had been committed, but I was only mildly interested in finding out who was responsible for it. However, I did feel that the story ended in a way that was pleasing to the reader.
In spite of that, I didn't really connect with or identify with any of the characters. With most books that I read, there is usually at least one character that I identify with in some way, and so of course, I find that character more likeable, which increases my interest in them. On this occasion, there wasn't any particular character that stood out to me as someone that I identified with or liked, although I did find some of the characters and their behaviour mildly amusing at times.
I noticed that profane language was used very frequently during the characters' dialogue. Normally, profane language wouldn't influence my opinion of a book, but in this case, it did, because I felt that the characters' frequent use of profanity made them more difficult to connect with, and more difficult to like.
I did find that the story was pleasant to read at an leisurely pace, but as I didn't feel significantly interested in any of the characters, I was only mildly interested in what was going on. I knew a crime had been committed, but I was only mildly interested in finding out who was responsible for it. However, I did feel that the story ended in a way that was pleasing to the reader.
May 17, 2019
Harry is many things but misanthropic he is not – in spite of his saying so on several occasions in the novel. He may have a tendency towards it but nothing in the book suggests that he is unsociable, unfriendly, or a loner.
So life has begun throwing him some curve balls and a possible mid-life crisis are together causing him to re-evaluate. Not everyone can be a commercial pilot; the responsibility of so many lives is not to be relished. But this bored adrenaline junkie who loves Jack Daniels and curry (but who luckily lives near to a pub and an Indian takeaway) has found another outlet – private investigation. The twists and turns of the plot mean that Harry is not the same man at the end as he was at the start and his only worry ‘was that he was not worried’.
I felt the book was a bit overloaded with conversation, drinking, information on air travel, planes, and behind the scenes check in for airline crew. Some of that (other than the poker game) could have been cropped out. Otherwise, it was a good read with no cliff hangers at the end and an expectation that Captain Harry Travers would be back.
So life has begun throwing him some curve balls and a possible mid-life crisis are together causing him to re-evaluate. Not everyone can be a commercial pilot; the responsibility of so many lives is not to be relished. But this bored adrenaline junkie who loves Jack Daniels and curry (but who luckily lives near to a pub and an Indian takeaway) has found another outlet – private investigation. The twists and turns of the plot mean that Harry is not the same man at the end as he was at the start and his only worry ‘was that he was not worried’.
I felt the book was a bit overloaded with conversation, drinking, information on air travel, planes, and behind the scenes check in for airline crew. Some of that (other than the poker game) could have been cropped out. Otherwise, it was a good read with no cliff hangers at the end and an expectation that Captain Harry Travers would be back.
November 25, 2019
True to its title, this novel marks the start of Captain Harry Travers' tumultuous double life as he moonlights as a private detective following the death of an uncle he had no knowledge of until he was named the sole heir to his inheritance. I'm not all too familiar with the aviation industry so it was great to get a glimpse into the workflow behind airline management and operations.
The first half of the novel dealt primarily with Travers' investigation into his uncle's death, along with his unexpected friendship with Tommy, an old buddy of his uncle. As he got embroiled in another case involving his love interest and colleague, his character took a surprising dark turn towards the end, but it does make you curious about his future development in the next installments. My favorite part would have to be the aerial combat; it was as intense as it was entertaining, building up adrenaline as the danger intensified. The mysteries involving the two cases were uncovered in a different yet engrossing manner. Overall, this book laid out an interesting premise for a promising thriller series.
The first half of the novel dealt primarily with Travers' investigation into his uncle's death, along with his unexpected friendship with Tommy, an old buddy of his uncle. As he got embroiled in another case involving his love interest and colleague, his character took a surprising dark turn towards the end, but it does make you curious about his future development in the next installments. My favorite part would have to be the aerial combat; it was as intense as it was entertaining, building up adrenaline as the danger intensified. The mysteries involving the two cases were uncovered in a different yet engrossing manner. Overall, this book laid out an interesting premise for a promising thriller series.
September 20, 2021
I for one, enjoy books related to aerospace, and aviation. So when I saw this book about a pilot who solves crime, I was very intrigued to read it. In this book we see an almost flamboyant life of Capt. Harry Travers- who is a pilot, drives nice cars and spends his times at the pub, and gets a call one day from a lawyer of his late uncle who has put him as heir in his will. Things go spiralling downwards from there, where we see a series of car chases, action, and a run down on flight activities. This story also captures some love interest spark but, very minimal, and you will see Capt. Harry's character evolve into something dark towards the end which does create a bit of a cliff hangar. So from this ending, I do believe there may be a book 2...but let's wait and see.
If you are someone who enjoys reading fiction that involves crime, fast paced action, problem solving, and also aerial combat, then this book is definitely for you.
If you are someone who enjoys reading fiction that involves crime, fast paced action, problem solving, and also aerial combat, then this book is definitely for you.
September 2, 2022
A book not to put down. Skillfully Edward Johns unravels a story that pulls the reader to go on and discover more. A well written thriller that is fast paced at the onset , then subsides in a detailed picturesque narration that is so full of suspense. The characters, sites and events that the author brings together combine well enough to produce a masterpiece. The reader becomes so engrossed and feels like they are part of the action and the plot pulls the reader to continue reading to discover what happens in the main protagonist s' life. The carefully woven suspense keeps the reader on the edges of their seat. An intelligent read especially for those interested in mystery and thrilling action.
August 28, 2025
Wow, this book kept me on my toes from Page 1. Captain Travers Harry is a Commercial Pilot, Detective, Sole Heir. His expliots and abilitikes know no bounds. I really enjoyed the plot twist but I didn't like the fact that his heartthrob Sheila had to die. Tommy, the Boyd family,the lawyers had a great time dealing with the Pilot. The Characters all had a persona that exposed who they really are. Edwards did a great work with this piece. This particular book comes in highly recommended. I look forward to a sequel......
October 6, 2020
Captain Harry Travers is like any other pilot,travelling making the best of what's infront of him,including looking at the same woman and wanting her ,but doing absolutely nothing about it.Until she starts the conversation and everything changes from there.Lots of interesting and crazy things start happening,but he works them like he has been waiting for them.
A very brave man.
A very brave man.
August 3, 2019
This book is pretty interesting. The plot was a bit expected. But over all it was nice. I don't see myself reading a sequel to the book. The protagonist was a bit of a dreamer, leaving everything he has to chase a career that doesn't pay off that much.
January 15, 2021
absolutely wonderful read! It kept me on my toes from page one. I couldn't stop turning pages. Full of intrigue. I couldn't even bring myself to stop reading long enough to eat. An absolute must read. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews